[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 158 (Monday, August 17, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 43954]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-22129]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Assessment and
Land Protection Plan for the Louisiana Black Bear Habitat Protection
Project, Tensas, Concordia, and St. Mary Parishes, Louisiana
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability of the Draft Environmental Assessment
and Land Protection Plan for the Louisiana Black Bear Habitat
Protection Project.
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SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Southeast Region, proposes to establish two new national
wildlife refuges and expand an existing national wildlife refuge in the
State of Louisiana for the benefit of the Louisiana black bear, a
federally listed threatened species. The purpose of the proposal is to
facilitate the recovery of the Louisiana black bear by protecting
currently occupied bear habitat, enhancing potential immigration areas,
and establishing core areas to serve as key links in bear movement
corridors. These actions are recommended by the Black Bear Conservation
Committee, a group whose membership includes over 50 wildlife
management agencies and conservation organizations. If implemented, the
project would help meet the goals of the Louisiana Black Bear Recovery
Plan.
A Draft Environmental Assessment and Land Protection Plan for the
Louisiana Black Bear Habitat Protection Proposal has been developed by
Service biologists in coordination with the Louisiana Department of
Wildlife and Fisheries, the Black Bear Conservation Committee, parish
officials, and other local entities. The assessment considers the
biological, environmental, and socioeconomic effects of implementing
the project and evaluates two 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
given 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 August 17, 1998.
Written comments must be received no later than September 18, 1998, in
order to be considered for the preparation of the final environmental
assessment.
ADDRESSES: Comments and requests for copies of the draft environmental
assessment and for further information on the project should be
addressed to Mr. Charles R. Danner, Team Leader, Planning and Support
Team, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1875 Century Boulevard, Atlanta,
Georgia 30345, or by telephone at 800/419-9582.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposal would establish the Glade Woods
National Wildlife Refuge on 13,000 acres in Tensas Parish and the Bayou
Teche National Wildlife Refuge on 28,000 acres in St. Mary Parish,
Louisiana. It would also add 5,000 acres to the existing Bayou Cocodrie
National Wildlife Refuge in Concordia Parish, Louisiana. The project
lands are being proposed for protection and management by the Service
through fee title purchases from willing sellers. The management
objectives of the two new refuges and the refuge expansion would be to
(1) contribute to the Recovery Plan goals for the Louisiana black bear;
(2) provide habitat for a diversity of other wildlife, including white-
tailed deer, turkey, woodcock, wading birds, wood ducks, wintering
waterfowl, and neotropical migratory birds; and (3) provide
opportunities for compatible public use, such as hunting, fishing,
wildlife observation and photography, and environmental education and
interpretation.
Dated: August 7, 1998.
Sam D. Hamilton,
Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 98-22129 Filed 8-14-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M
