[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 36 (Wednesday, February 24, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 9166]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-4511]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Notice of Intent To Prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan and
Associated Environmental Impact Statement for the Great Meadows
National Wildlife Refuge Complex
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SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (Service) intends to gather information necessary to prepare a
Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental Impact
Statement pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act and its
implementing regulations, for those Great Meadows National Wildlife
Refuge Complex refuges located in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
These refuges include Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge (NWR),
Mashpee NWR, Massasoit NWR, Monomoy NWR, Nantucket NWR, Nomans Land
Island NWR, and Oxbow NWR. Also included in the CCP is Assabet NWR, a
parcel of land formerly known as Sudbury Annex, that is to transfer to
the Service in 1999. The Refuges are in Middlesex, Plymouth,
Barnstable, Nantucket, Dukes, and Worcester Counties, Massachusetts.
The Service is furnishing this notice in compliance with the
National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as amended
(16 U.S.C. 668dd et seq.): (1) to advise other agencies and the public
of our intentions, and (2) to obtain suggestions and information on the
scope of issues to include in the environmental documents.
DATES: Inquire at the address below for dates of planning activity and
due dates for comments.
ADDRESSES: Address comments and requests for more information to the
following: Refuge Manager, Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Weir
Hill Road, Sudbury, Massachusetts 01776, (978) 443-4661.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: By Federal law, all lands within the
National Wildlife Refuge System are to be 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 will consider many elements, including
habitat and wildlife management, habitat protection and acquisition,
public use, and cultural resources. Public input into this planning
process is essential. The CCP will provide other agencies and the
public with a clear understanding of the desired conditions for the
Refuges and how the Service will implement management strategies.
The Service will solicit information from the public via open
houses, meetings, and written comments. Special mailings, newspaper
articles, and announcements will inform people in the general area near
each refuge of the time and place of opportunities for public input to
the CCP.
The Great Meadows NWR Complex is a diverse group of coastal and
inland refuges. Habitats include forest, field, riparian, barrier
island beach, freshwater marsh, and pond. Assabet NWR will contain
2,300 acres; Great Meadows NWR contains 3,400 acres; Mashpee 281 acres;
Massasoit 184 acres; Monomoy 2,700 acres, a portion of which is Federal
Wilderness Area; Nantucket 40 acres; Nomans Land Island 628 acres; and
Oxbow 1,547 acres. Two refuges in the Complex are in New Hampshire,
John Hay NWR and Wapack NWR. They are not included in the CCP. Seven of
the refuges are open to wildlife-dependent public use.
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, and Service policies
and procedures for compliance with those regulations.
We estimate that the draft Environmental Impact Statement will be
available in late spring 2000 for public review and comment.
Dated: February 16, 1999.
Ronald E. Lambertson,
Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hadley,
Massachusetts.
[FR Doc. 99-4511 Filed 2-23-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
