[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 173 (Thursday, September 8, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-22049]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: September 8, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) for
Proposed Protection of Additional Habitat for the Shiawassee National
Wildlife Refuge in Saginaw County, Michigan
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: This Notice advises the public that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (Service) intends to prepare an EA for a proposal to protect
additional habitat for the existing 9,042-acre Shiawassee National
Wildlife Refuge (Refuge). The Refuge is located at the confluence of
the Shiawassee, Cass and Tittabawassee Rivers, adjacent to the Saginaw
metropolitan area in Saginaw County, in Michigan's Lower Peninsula.
The EA will evaluate four preliminary alternatives on the basis of
their biological and socioeconomic impacts. Preparation of the EA is in
response to issues presented at meetings with officials of the
townships of Bridgeport, James, Saginaw, Spaulding, and Thomas, with
officials of the City of Saginaw and Saginaw County, and with
individual landowners in the area surrounding the existing Refuge.
This Notice is being furnished as required by the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Regulations (40 CFR 1501.7) to obtain
further suggestions and information from other agencies and the public
on the scope of issues to be addressed in the EA. Comments and
participation in this scoping process are welcomed.
DATES: Written comments should be received by October 11, 1994.
ADDRESSES: Written comments should be addressed to: Regional Director,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building,
1 Federal Drive, Fort Snelling, Minnesota 55111-4056; Attention:
Stanley Jackowicz, RE-AP. Proposal documents are available for public
inspection during normal business hours at the Shiawassee National
Wildlife Refuge headquarters, 6975 Mower Road, Saginaw, Michigan 48601.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Doug Spencer, Refuge Manager at (517) 777-5930.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Service proposes to protect
approximately 7,635 acres of additional habitat in association with the
existing Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) located along the
Saginaw River in the east-central portion of Michigan's Lower
Peninsula. This additional protection is proposed to restore, protect
and manage bottomland and upland habitat that would support the
existing Refuge and tributary watersheds of the Saginaw River.
Historically the area was predominantly lowland hardwood forest, upland
forest, emergent marsh, and scattered areas of lakeplain prairie. The
proposal is also meant to provide areas of lakeplain prairie and
emergent marshes that are either lacking or under-represented on the
existing Refuge. This would help to restore the habitat and wildlife
diversity the area once supported. The proposal is also meant to
protect the lower reaches of the Cass, Tittabawassee and Shiawassee
River watersheds that feed and support the existing refuge and the
Saginaw Bay of Lake Huron.
The purposes of additional habitat for the Shiawassee National
Wildlife Refuge are to:
1. Protect and restore bottomland hardwood forest habitat.
2. Protect and restore floodplain wetlands.
3. Protect and maintain the biological diversity of the area by
preserving the native habitats and associated migratory and resident
wildlife.
4. Facilitate the conservation of resources in the watersheds that
support the refuge.
5. Provide for recreational, environmental, and interpretative
opportunities to the surrounding communities and the general public.
6. Improve fisheries through protection and restoration of
wetlands.
7. Increase bank fishing opportunities near existing trails and
roads.
8. Establish a visitor center or visitor contact station adjacent
to Interstate 75 to orient the visiting public.
Primary alternatives to be considered in preparation of the EA are:
1. No Action--Rely on existing Federal, State, and local government
laws, regulations, and ordinances to protect resources.
2. Private Lands Agreements--Rely on a program of technical
outreach sponsored by the Service and Michigan Department of Natural
Resources to assist Landowners in the restoration and enhancement of
wildlife and fish habitats in the area. The area would encompass 7,635
acres along the Cass, Shiawassee and Tittabawassee Rivers.
3. Acquisition of 7,635 acres by Service as an Addition to the
Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge--Under this alternative, the
Service would use acquisition of fee title, easements, and leases from
willing sellers, subject to appropriated funds to add to the existing
Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge.
4. Acquistion of 5,688 acres by Service as an Addition to the
Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge--Under this alternative, the
Service would use acquisition of fee title, easements, and leases from
willing sellers along the lower reaches of the Cass, Shiawassee, and
Tittabawassee Rivers, subject to appropriated funds to add to the
existing Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge.
At this time the Service does not have a preferred alternative. the
major issues expected include Service acquisition policy, effects on
the tax base, loss of cropland, maintenance of existing ditches and
dikes, effects on adjacent cropland, loss of residential development,
fire protection responsibilities, and maintenance of township roads.
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. 4371 et seq.), NEPA Regulations (40
CFR 1500-1508), other appropriate Federal regulations, and Service
procedures for compliance with those regulations.
The Draft EA will be made available to the public on or before
January 1, 1995. Public meetings will then be announced and held to
solicit additional comments for preparing the Final EA.
Marvin E. Moriarty,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 94-22049 Filed 9-7-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M
