[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 93 (Tuesday, May 15, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27328-27329]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-9278]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge Complex, South Dakota
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare comprehensive conservation plan and
environmental assessment; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This notice advises that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(Service) intends to gather information necessary to prepare a
comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and associated environmental
documents for the Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge Complex
(Complex), South Dakota.
The Service is furnishing this notice in compliance with Service
CCP policy to advise other agencies and the public of its intentions
and to obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to be
considered in the planning process.
DATES: Written comments should be received by June 14, 2007.
ADDRESSES: Comments and requests for more information regarding the
Complex should be sent to Bernardo Garza, Planning Team Leader,
Division of Refuge Planning, 134 Union Boulevard, Suite 300, Lakewood,
CO 80228.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bernardo Garza, 303-236-4377, or John
F. Esperance, 303-236-4369.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Service has initiated the CCP for the
Complex with headquarters in Lake Andes, South Dakota.
Each unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System, including this
Complex, has specific purposes for which it was established. Those
purposes are used to develop and prioritize management goals and
objectives within the National Wildlife Refuge System mission and to
guide which public uses will occur on the Complex. The planning process
is a way for the Service and the public to evaluate management goals
and objectives for the best possible conservation efforts of this
important wildlife habitat, while providing for wildlife-dependent
recreation opportunities that are compatible with each national
wildlife refuge and wetland management district's establishing purposes
and the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System.
The Complex is made up of three separate entities: Lake Andes
National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Lake Andes Wetland Management District
(WMD), and Karl E. Mundt NWR. Lake Andes NWR was established in 1936 to
preserve an important piece of habitat for waterfowl and other water
birds. The Lake Andes WMD was formed in the 1960s to protect wetland
and grassland habitat that is critical to our nation's duck population.
In 1967, the Service identified an area that was supporting almost 300
endangered bald eagles each winter; this area became the Karl E. Mundt
NWR. Hunting and wildlife observation are the two most prevalent public
uses on the Complex.
[[Page 27329]]
The Service will conduct a comprehensive conservation planning
process that will provide opportunity for Tribal, State, and local
governments; agencies; organizations; and the public to participate in
issue scoping and public comment. The Service is requesting input for
issues, concerns, ideas, and suggestions for the future management of
the Complex. Anyone interested in providing input is invited to respond
to the following questions.
(1) What problems or issues do you want to see addressed in the
CCP?
(2) What improvements would you recommend for the Complex?
The Service has provided the above questions for your optional use;
you are not required to provide information to the Service. The
planning team developed these questions to facilitate finding out more
information about individual issues and ideas concerning these three
units of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Comments received by the
planning team will be used as part of the planning process; individual
comments will not be referenced in our reports or responded to
directly.
An opportunity will be given to the public to provide input at open
houses to scope issues and concerns (schedules can be obtained from the
planning team leader at the above address). Comments may also be
submitted anytime during the planning process by writing to the above
address. All information provided voluntarily by mail, phone, or at
public meetings becomes part of the official public record (i.e.,
names, addresses, letters of comment, input recorded during meetings).
If requested under the Freedom of Information Act by a private citizen
or organization, the Service may provide informational copies.
The environmental review of this project will be conducted in
accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA) 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 Service policies and procedures for compliance
with those regulations. All comments received from individuals on
Service Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Statements
become part of the official public record. Requests for such comments
will be handled in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act, NEPA
(40 CFR 1506.6(f)), and other Departmental and Service policies and
procedures.
Dated: September 19, 2006.
James J. Slack,
Deputy Regional Director, Region 6, Denver, Colorado.
Editorial Note: This document was received at the Office of the
Federal Register on May 10, 2007.
[FR Doc. E7-9278 Filed 5-14-07; 8:45 am]
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