[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 208 (Thursday, October 28, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58085-58086]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-28124]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Notice of Intent To Issue the Final Comprehensive Conservation
Plan, Associated Environmental Assessment, and Finding of No
Significant Impact for the Deep Fork National Wildlife Refuge in the
Southwest Region
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (Service) has prepared a Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan
(CCP), associated Environmental Assessment (EA), and Finding of No
Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Deep Fork National Wildlife Refuge
(National Wildlife Refuge), Okmulgee, Oklahoma pursuant to the National
Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, and National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, and its implementing regulations. The
Regional Director, Southwest Regional Office, upon issuing a FONSI for
the Deep Fork National Wildlife Refuge EA considered ranges of
alternatives for that document.
Approval of the Deep Fork National Wildlife Refuge CCP formalizes
ten goals which will result in: (1) Protection and enhancement of
wetlands; (2) Protection, restoration, and maintenance of the
bottomland hardwood forest
[[Page 58086]]
community; (3) Protection and enhancement of habitat for migratory
birds; (4) Protection and enhancement of Refuge habitat to sustain
healthy populations of native fish and wildlife in addition to
migratory birds; (5) Restoration of native threatened and endangered
species on Refuge lands; (6) Development of a database of pertinent
scientific information regarding Refuge habitats and wildlife; (7)
Provision of quality consumptive and non-consumptive wildlife-dependent
public use; (8) Development of education and outreach programs that
enable the public to 1--understand, enjoy and value the fish and
wildlife resources found on and off the Refuge, 2--understand events
and issues related to these resources, and 3--act to promote fish and
wildlife conservation; (9) Compliance with historic and archaeological
resource protection laws and regulations; and (10) Institution of an
efficient administration that supports accomplishment of Refuge
objectives. Some of the specific actions proposed to achieve these
goals include but are not necessarily limited to the following
strategies:
Acquire lands within the proposed refuge boundary as they
become available from willing sellers;
Restore bottomland hardwood forest in floodplain areas
previously converted to pecan orchard, cropland or pasture;
Control excessive or prolonged flooding in bottomland
forests through the installation of water control structures in
existing beaver dams and/or control of problem beaver populations;
Develop green tree reservoirs, moist soil units and other
managed wetlands where conditions support their creation to enhance
habitat for waterfowl;
Develop a recreational trail and visitor contact center;
Map and monitor wildlife habitats;
Establish three waterfowl sanctuaries closed to all public
entry (2,500 acres total);
Convert all exotic grass pastureland to bottomland
hardwood, wetland or tallgrass prairie conditions that originally
existed on the sites.
Based on a review and evaluation of the information contained in
the CCP and EA for Deep Fork National Wildlife Refuge, the Regional
Director, Southwest Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, has
determined that the approval of the individual or cumulative approaches
reflected in the Proposed Alternative and CCP Goals, Objectives and
Strategies, is not deemed to constitute a major Federal action which
would significantly affect the quality of the human environment within
the meaning of Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA). Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement is not
required. However, it is the intent of the Service to revisit questions
of potential significant environmental consequences in accordance with
NEPA upon consideration of the implementation of site specific
proposals called for and discussed in the final plan document.
ADDRESSES: Copies may be obtained by writing to: Mr. John Slown, AICP,
Biologist/Conservation Planner, Division of Refuges, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, P. O. Box 1306, Albuquerque, NM 87103-1306.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: It is Service policy to have all lands
within the National Wildlife Refuge System managed in accordance with
an approved CCP. The CCP guides management decisions and identifies
refuge goals, long-range objectives, and strategies for achieving
refuge purposes. The planning process has considered many elements,
including habitat and wildlife management, habitat protection and
acquisition, public and recreational uses, and cultural resources.
Public input into this planning process has assisted in the development
of these documents. The CCP will provide other agencies and the public
with a clear understanding of the desired conditions for the Refuge and
how the Service will implement management strategies.
The Service considered comments and advice generated in response to
a draft document issued April 1999. The Service is furnishing this
notice in compliance with Service CCP policy to advise other agencies
and the public of the availability of the final documents.
Dated: October 7, 1999.
Stephen W. Perry,
Acting Regional Director, Albuquerque, NM.
[FR Doc. 99-28124 Filed 10-27-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
