[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 14 (Thursday, January 22, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3332-3333]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-1459]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Notice of Intent to Prepare Comprehensive Conservation Plan
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Intent to Prepare Comprehensive Conservation Plan.
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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 Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge in Bennett County in
southwestern South Dakota.
The Notice of Intent is in compliance with the Service's CCP policy
to advise other agencies and the public of its intentions. The Service
plans to obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to
be considered in the planning process.
DATES: Written comments should be received by February 23, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Comments and requests for more information should be
referred to Jon Kauffeld, Planning Team Leader, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, 203 W. 2nd, Federal Building, Grand Island, NE 68801.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Service has initiated Comprehensive
Conservation Planning for the Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge. Each
National Wildlife Refuge has specific purposes for which it was
established and for which legislation was enacted. 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 occur on the Refuge. 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's establishing purposes
and the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System.
The Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge (16,410 acres) was established
as ``* * * a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other
wildlife * * *'' by Executive Order No. 7160, on August 26, 1935. The
Refuge is located in the Lake Creek Valley, southern Bennett County, on
the northern edge of the Nebraska sandhills. The Refuge provides
breeding and migration habitat for Central Flyway waterfowl, other
migratory birds, and is home to a significant portion of the high
plains trumpeter swan populations.
The Refuge administers the Little White River Recreation Area which
was donated to and accepted by the Service on May 20, 1980, under
authority of the Refuge Recreation Act (16 U.S.C. 460K-K4) for public
recreation. Public use opportunities include wildlife observation and
photography, environmental education, and hunting and fishing on the
refuge, and on the Little White River Recreation Area boating,
waterskiing, swimming, and camping are also permitted.
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
scoping issues and comment. The Service is requesting input for issues,
concerns, ideas, and suggestions for future management of Lacreek
National Wildlife Refuge. Anyone interested in providing input is
invited to respond to the following three questions.
(1) What makes the Lacreek Refuge (or any specific unit) special or
unique for you?
(2) What problems or issues do you want to see addressed in the
Comprehensive Conservation Plan?
[[Page 3333]]
(3) What improvements would you recommend for the Lacreek Refuge
(or any specific unit)?
The Service has provided the above questions for your optional use.
There is no requirement to provide information to the Service. The
Planning Team developed the above questions to facilitate gathering of
information about individual issues and ideas concerning the Lacreek
National Wildlife Refuge. 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 directly responded to.
There was an advertised open house on November 13, 1997, which
provided the opportunity to scope issues and concerns. Comments may
also be provided 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 (e.g.,
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 copies of such information.
The environmental review of this project will be 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 1500-1508), other appropriate Federal laws and regulations,
Executive Order 12996 (Management and Public Use of the National
Wildlife Refuge System), the National Wildlife Refuge System
Improvement Act of 1997, and Service policies and procedures for
compliance with those regulations.
We estimate that the draft environmental documents will be
available for review in December 1998.
Dated: January 14, 1998.
Terry T. Terrell,
Deputy Regional Director, Denver, Colorado.
[FR Doc. 98-1459 Filed 1-21-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M
