[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: 94-11639]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: May 13, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Availability of the Draft Environmental Assessment and Land
Protection Plan Proposed Establishment of Cossatot National Wildlife
Refuge, Sevier County, Arkansas
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability of the draft environmental assessment
and land protection plan for the proposed establishment of Cossatot
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 Sevier County, Arkansas. The purpose of the
proposed refuge is to protect and manage up to 30,000 acres of
bottomland hardwoods and their associated fish and wildlife in
southwestern Arkansas. A Draft Environmental Assessment and Land
Protection Plan for the proposed refuge has been developed by Service
biologists in coordination with the State of Arkansas, the Sevier
County Judge, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Soil Conservation
Service, and The Nature Conservancy. The assessment considers the
biological, environmental, and socioeconomic effects of establishing
the refuge. The assessment also evaluates four 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 assessment and land protection plan will be available to the
public for review and comment on May 16, 1994. Written comments must be
received no later than June 17, 1994, to be considered.
ADDRESSES: Comments and requests for copies of the assessment and
further information should be addressed to Mr. Charles R. Danner,
Chief, Branch of Project Development, Office of Refuges and Wildlife,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1875 Century Boulevard, Atlanta,
Georgia 30345.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The primary objectives of the proposed
Cossatot National Wildlife Refuge are to (1) preserve wetland and
bottomland hardwood habitat for a natural diversity of wildlife, (2)
provide habitat for neotropical migratory birds, (3) provide wintering
habitat for migratory waterfowl, (4) provide breeding and nesting
habitat for wood ducks, and (5) provide opportunities for compatible
public outdoor recreation, such as hunting, fishing, hiking,
birdwatching, and environmental education and interpretation.
The proposed refuge area lies in the floodplain between the
Cossatot and Little Rivers in Sevier County, Arkansas. Pond Creek and
Little Creek meander through the area and several scenic oxbow lakes,
lined with cypress trees, are prominent. Beavers have created numerous
small ponds and flooded depressions. The habitat is primarily
bottomland hardwoods with scattered pines.
About 25,722 acres or 85 percent of the proposed refuge area is
owned by the Weyerhaeuser Corporation and has been offered for sale or
exchange to the Service. Weyerhaeuser has extensive land holdings in
Arkansas and Oklahoma which are being managed for the production of
pine timber. The proposed refuge area is primarily a low bottomland
hardwood site that Weyerhaeuser has determined to be surplus to its
future management needs. The remaining lands (approximately 4,300
acres) within the proposed refuge boundary are owned by about 30
private landowners.
The Service proposes to acquire these lands through fee title
purchases and/or land exchanges. Acquisition of these lands would be
pursued under the authority of the Emergency Wetland Resources Act of
1986, unless special legislation is provided to facilitate the possible
exchange of lands between the Weyerhaeuser Corporation and the Federal
government.
Dated: April 26, 1994.
James W. Pulliam, Jr.,
Regional Director.
Harold W. Benson,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 94-11639 Filed 5-12-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M
