[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 112 (Tuesday, June 12, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32306-32307]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-11315]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge, Buffalo and Trempealeau
Counties, WI
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability of a draft comprehensive conservation
plan and environmental impact statement; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announces that a
Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and associated
Environmental Impact Statement are available for the Trempealeau
National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). This notice is furnished in compliance
with our CCP policy to
[[Page 32307]]
advise other agencies and the public of their opportunity to comment on
the draft documents.
DATES: To ensure consideration, your written comments must be received
by August 11, 2007. A public open house meeting will be held to accept
comments in person; the date, time, and location of the meeting will be
announced in local media.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the Draft CCP are available on compact disk or
hard copy. You may access and download a copy via the planning Web site
at http://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/Trempealeau or you may obtain a
copy by writing to the following address: U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Division of Conservation Planning, Bishop Henry Whipple
Federal Building, 1 Federal Drive, Fort Snelling, Minnesota 55111.
Send your comments to Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge, W28488
Refuge Road, Trempealeau, Wisconsin, 54661 or direct e-mail to
[email protected]. Comments may also be submitted through the
Service's regional Web site at: http://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vickie Hirschboeck, 608-539-2311
extension 12.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: With this notice, the Service announces the
availability of the Draft CCP/EIS for the Trempealeau NWR with
headquarters in Trempealeau, WI.
Background
The CCP Process
The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as
amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997
(16 U.S.C. 668dd-668ee), requires the Service to develop a
comprehensive conservation plan for each national wildlife refuge. The
purpose in developing a comprehensive conservation plan is to provide
refuge managers with a 15-year strategy for achieving refuge purposes
and contributing toward the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge
System, consistent with sound principles of fish and wildlife
management, conservation, legal mandates, and Service policies. In
addition to outlining broad management direction on conserving wildlife
and their habitats, plans identify wildlife-dependent recreational
opportunities available to the public, including opportunities for
hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, wildlife photography, and
environmental education and interpretation.
Each unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System is established
with specific purposes. The Service uses these purposes to develop and
prioritize management goals and objectives within the National Wildlife
Refuge System mission, and to guide which public uses will occur on
these Refuges. The planning process is a way for us and the public to
evaluate management goals and objectives for the best possible means to
conserve the Refuge's important wildlife habitat, while providing for
wildlife-dependent recreation opportunities that are compatible with
the Refuges' establishing purposes and the mission of the National
Wildlife Refuge System.
The environmental review of this project is being conducted in
accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy
Act of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); NEPA Regulations (40
CFR parts 1500-1508); other appropriate Federal laws and regulations;
and our policies and procedures for compliance with those regulations.
All comments we receive from individuals on our environmental impact
statements become part of the official public record. We will handle
requests for such comments in accordance with the Freedom of
Information Act, NEPA (40 CFR 1506.6(f)), and other Departmental and
Service policies and procedures.
Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge
The Refuge, established by an Executive Order in 1936 to provide a
refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife,
encompasses 6,226 acres. The Refuge is part of the Upper Mississippi
River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge Complex. An estimated 70,000
visitors enjoy birding, hiking, biking, hunting, fishing, or
photography at the Refuge. Over 2,000 young people learn about their
environment each year through education programs. A dedicated force of
volunteers contributes to the quality of the visitor experience, as
well as successful habitat management.
In September 2002 and March 2003, public meetings were held and
written comments were accepted to identify issues and concerns relevant
to the Refuge. The issues were grouped into five topic areas:
Landscape; wildlife and habitat; public use; neighboring landowners and
communities; and administration and operations.
The focus of the CCP over the next 15 years will be on enhancing
forest and wetland habitat; improving outreach, access, and wildlife-
dependent recreation opportunities; and improving staffing and
infrastructure capability.
Three alternatives were evaluated in the EIS: (1) No action or
current direction; (2) wildlife and habitat focus; and (3) integrated
public use and wildlife and habitat focus (preferred). The alternatives
differ mainly in the level of effort and resources given to fish,
wildlife, and habitat management and public use opportunities and
programs. Under the preferred alternative all current recreational uses
would continue, and regulations would be reviewed to ensure consistency
with existing laws and policy.
Dated: February 15, 2007.
Charles M. Wooley,
Acting Regional Director, Region 3, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
Fort Snelling, Minnesota.
This document was received at the Office of the Federal Register
on June 7, 2007.
[FR Doc. E7-11315 Filed 6-11-07; 8:45 am]
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