[Federal Register: October 20, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 203)]
[Notices]
[Page 62006]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20oc06-75]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a comprehensive conservation plan
and environmental impact.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is preparing a
Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) for Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge
(NFWR). This notice advises the public that the Service intends to
gather information necessary for preparing the CCP and EIS pursuant to
the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as
amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997,
and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The Service is
furnishing this notice in compliance with Service policy to achieve the
following: (1) Advise other Federal and State agencies and the public
of our intention to conduct detailed planning on this refuge; and, (2)
obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to include in
the environmental document.
The Service will involve the public through open houses,
informational and technical meetings, and written comments. Special
mailings, newspaper articles, and announcements will provide
information about opportunities for public involvement in the planning
process.
DATES: We are soliciting written comments and will hold a number of
public scoping meetings throughout the four-State watershed. All
meetings will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. We will also announce these
meetings at least 2 weeks in advance in special mailings and on the
refuge's planning Web page at http://www.fws.gov/northeast/planning/Conte/ccphome.html
.
ADDRESSES: Silvio O. Conte NFWR, 52 Avenue A, Turners Falls,
Massachusetts, 01376; telephone 413-863-0209; fax 413-863-3070; Web
site: http://www.fws.gov/northeast/planning/Conte/ccphome.html.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Beth Goldstein, Refuge Planner, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, 300 Westgate Center Drive, Hadley,
Massachusetts 01035; telephone 413-253-8564; fax 413-253-8468; e-mail
northeastplanning@fws.gov. Use ``Conte NFWR'' in the subject title of
your e-mail.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the National Wildlife Refuge System
Administration Act of 1966, as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge
System Improvement Act of 1997 (16 U.S.C. 668dd-668ee), the Service is
to manage all lands in the National Wildlife Refuge System in
accordance with an approved CCP. The plan guides management decisions
and identifies refuge goals, long-range objectives, and strategies for
achieving refuge purposes over a 15-year period.
The planning process will cover many elements, including wildlife
and habitat protection and management, wildlife-dependent visitor and
recreational activities, cultural resource protection, and facilities
and infrastructure. Compatibility determinations will be completed for
all applicable refuge uses. We will also conduct a wilderness review
and a wild and scenic rivers evaluation to determine whether any areas
on the refuge qualify for those Federal designations.
Public input into the planning process is essential. The comments
we receive will help identify key issues and develop refuge goals and
objectives for managing refuge resources and visitor use. Additional
opportunities for public participation will arise throughout the
planning process, which we expect to complete in 2008. Data collection
has already begun to compile up-to-date information on refuge resources
and serve as a foundation for science-based resource decisions. We will
prepare the EIS in accordance with the Council on Environmental Quality
procedures for implementing the National Environmental Policy Act of
1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321-4370d).
Congress established Silvio O. Conte NFWR in 1997 to protect
populations of migratory fish and birds, threatened and endangered
plants and animals, and other native species throughout the 7.2-
million-acre Connecticut River watershed. The Connecticut River
supports the Northeast's most extensive network of diverse and high-
quality fresh, brackish, and salt marshes. Silvio O. Conte NFWR
conserves these valuable areas by supporting habitat protection,
management and research, invasive plant control, and salt marsh
restoration. The refuge encompasses 32,179 acres at specific locations
in the four watershed States of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New
Hampshire, and Vermont.
Refuge visitors engage in wildlife observation and photography,
environmental education, hunting, and fishing. The refuge headquarters
is presently located in Turners Falls, Massachusetts.
Dated: October 11, 2006.
Kathleen A. Bangert,
Acting Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hadley,
Massachusetts.
[FR Doc. E6-17561 Filed 10-19-06; 8:45 am]
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