98-5229. Notice of Intent To Prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Associated Environmental Document

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 40 (Monday, March 2, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10235-10236]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-5229]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Intent To Prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan and 
Associated Environmental Document

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a comprehsive conservation plan and 
associated environmental document.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service intends to gather 
information necessary to prepare a comprehensive conservation plan and 
associated environmental document for the Alamosa-Monte Vista National 
Wildlife Refuge Complex in southern Colorado. The Service is issuing 
this notice in compliance with its policy to advise other organizations 
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 April 30, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments and requests for more information should be sent 
to: Refuge Manager, Alamosa-Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge 
Complex, 9383 El Rancho Lane, Alamosa, Colorado 81101-9003. Fax (719) 
589-9184. E-mail: [e-mail]

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Michael Blenden, Refuge Manager, [phone] or visit the website: 
http://www.r6.fws.gov/alamosanwr/

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Service has initiated comprehensive 
conservation planning for all properties of the Alamosa-Monte Vista 
National Wildlife Refuge Complex. This Complex is located near the town 
of Alamosa and Monte Vista, respectively, in the San Luis Valley of 
southern Colorado. Alamosa and Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuges 
were established under the authority of the Migratory Bird Conservation 
Act ``for use as inviolate sanctuaries, or for any other management 
purpose, for migratory birds''. Comprehensive planning will develop 
management goals, objectives, and strategies to carry out the 
establishment purposes of the Refuges and comply with laws and policies 
governing refuge management and public use of refuges.
    The Service requests inputs as to what issues, affecting management 
or public use, should be addressed during the planning process. The 
Service is

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especially interested in receiving public input in the following areas:

--what makes the Refuges special for you:
--what problems or issues do you see affecting management or public use 
of the Refuges?
--what improvements do you recommend for the Refuges?
--what changes, if any, would you like to see in the management of the 
Refuges?

    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 these questions to facilitate finding out more 
information about individual issues and ideas. 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 respond to.
    There will also be an opportunity to provide input at open houses 
scheduled for March 1998 to scope issues and concerns (schedules can be 
obtained from the Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge at 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 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, 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 document will be available 
for review in the fall of 1998.

    Dated: February 23, 1998.
Joseph J. Webster,
Acting Regional Director, Denver, Colorado.
[FR Doc. 98-5229 Filed 2-27-98; 8:45 am]
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