[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 92 (Friday, May 13, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-11634]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: May 13, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Notice of Intent (Notice) To Prepare an Environmental Impact
Statement for Proposed U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Habitat
Protection Activities in Selected Areas Within the Western Portions of
Washington, Oregon, and Northern California
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
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SUMMARY: This Notice advises the public the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (Service) intends to gather information necessary for the
preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS); ``U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service Habitat Protection in Selected Areas of the Middle-
Upper Pacific Coast.'' This Notice is being furnished pursuant to
Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for Implementing National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Regulations (40 CFR 1508.022).
WRITTEN COMMENTS INFORMATION: Interested agencies, organizations, and
individuals are encouraged to provide written comments to the Service
during the scoping period. Written comments should be received within
45 days after publication of this Notice. Address comments to the EIS
Team Leader as shown below.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Paul Benvenuti, EIS Team Leader, Planning Branch, Division of Realty,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 911 Northeast 11th Avenue, Portland,
Oregon 97232-4181, (503) 231-2231.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of the proposed action is to
identify and implement a strategy for Service habitat protection
activities in support of the Pacific Coast Joint Venture (Joint
Venture) though the year 2010.
The Joint Venture is a nonfederal coalition of private groups and
government agencies that strives to coordinate efforts to protect and
maintain important wetlands and related habitats on the Pacific Coast
of North America, from northern California to northern British
Columbia. Its efforts are directed toward supporting the waterfowl
management goals of the North American Plan, maintenance of biological
diversity, protection of endangered and otherwise sensitive wildlife,
and maintenance and enhancement of anadromous fish and other native
fish and shellfish populations.
The Service proposes to support the goals of the Joint Venture by
ensuring increased habitat protection at selected target areas
identified in the Pacific Coast Joint Venture Strategic Plan (Strategic
Plan). Such protection could take the form of easements, leases,
cooperative agreements, or fee title purchases from willing sellers.
Loss and degradation of estuarine and freshwater and wetland
habitats have contributed significantly to decline in populations of
many of the region's wildlife species. In some areas, development has
eliminated thousands of hectares of tidal wetlands.
This EIS will explore a range of alternative methods for protecting
wildlife habitat within the Joint Venture. Some of the possible
alternatives could emphasize cooperative efforts in which most lands
remain in private ownership, other alternatives may recommend fee title
land acquisition from willing sellers and the establishment of new
units of the National Wildlife Refuge System.
The alternatives examined in the EIS will be limited to the habitat
protection activities of the Service. The activities of other Joint
Venture partners will not be considered, since they are not Federal
actions or contain Federal actions (such as grants or permits) that
cannot be controlled or adequately foreseen by the Service.
The actions under consideration are limited to those areas
identified in the Strategic Plan and do not consider possible actions
beyond the year 2010.
This EIS will focus on the methods of habitat protection. The scope
and timing of possible future site specific operational planning
efforts cannot be predicted at this time since it depends on which
protection methods are used, the willingness of landowners to
participate, and the availability of funding.
Significant issues identified for review include: natural resource
impacts, recreation and public use impacts, agricultural industry
impacts, forest industry impacts, fishing industry impacts, and other
socioeconomic impacts.
The Service urges all interested parties to provide comments
regarding this proposed scope for the EIS, the alternatives to be
developed, and the potential significant environmental impacts which
may occur from the implementation of alternative actions.
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., et seq.), Council for Environmental
Quality Regulations for Implementing NEPA (40 CFR part 1500, et seq.),
and other appropriate Federal regulations and Service policies for
compliance with those regulations.
Dated: May 6, 1994.
Don Weathers,
Acting Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 94-11634 Filed 5-12-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M
