96-29429. Notice of Availability of Draft Environmental Assessment and Land Protection Plan, Proposed Establishment of Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge, Marshall, McCracken, and Graves Counties, KY

[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 223 (Monday, November 18, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58699-58700]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-29429]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Availability of Draft Environmental Assessment and Land 
Protection Plan, Proposed Establishment of Clarks River National 
Wildlife Refuge, Marshall, McCracken, and Graves Counties, KY

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Assessment 
and Land Protection Plan for the Proposed Establishment of Clarks River 
National Wildlife Refuge.

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SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, Southeast Region, proposes to establish a national wildlife 
refuge in the vicinity of Marshall, McCracken, and Graves Counties, KY. 
The purpose of the proposed refuge is to protect, enhance, and manage 
approximately 18,000 acres of wetlands, bottomland hardwoods, and 
associated buffer areas for the benefit of migratory and resident 
waterfowl, neotropical migratory birds, resident wildlife, plant 
communities, and other species dependent on the

[[Page 58700]]

diverse habitats along the East Fork of the Clarks River. A Draft 
Environmental Assessment and Land Protection Plan for the proposed 
refuge has been developed by service biologists in coordination with 
the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and local county 
officials. The assessment considers the biological, environmental, and 
socioeconomic effects of establishing the refuge. The assessment also 
evaluates three alternative actions and their potential impacts on the 
environment. Written comments or recommendations concerning the 
proposal are welcomed and should be sent to the address below.

DATES: Land acquisition planning for the project is currently underway. 
The draft environmental assessment and land protection plan will be 
available to the public for review and comment on November 15, 1996. 
Written comments must be received no later than December 31, 1996, to 
be considered.

ADDRESSES: Comments and requests for copies of the assessment and for 
further information on the project should be addressed to Mr. Charles 
R. Danner, Team Leader, Planning and Support Team, Office of Refuges 
and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1875 Century Boulevard, 
Atlanta, GA 30345, [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed refuge area is located in 
western Kentucky about 5 miles southeast of Paducah, just north of 
Benton within the floodplain of the East Fork of the Clarks River. 
Three separate areas are proposed for acquisition: Blizzard Pond, which 
is just east of the confluence of the East Fork and West Fork of the 
Clarks River in McCracken County; Burkholder Deadening in Marshall and 
Graves Counties, just northwest of Benton; and Beaverdam Slough, which 
is just north of Benton in Marshall County.
    The proposed refuge would consist of approximately 18,000 acres of 
land acquired in fee title from willing sellers.

    Dated: November 12, 1996.
Jerome M. Butler,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 96-29429 Filed 11-15-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M