[Federal Register: January 22, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 14)] [Notices] [Page 3332-3333] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr22ja98-70] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Notice of Intent to Prepare Comprehensive Conservation Plan AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of Intent to Prepare Comprehensive Conservation Plan. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This notice advises that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) intends to gather information necessary to prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and associated environmental documents for the Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge in Bennett County in southwestern South Dakota. The Notice of Intent is in compliance with the Service's CCP policy to advise other agencies and the public of its intentions. The Service plans to obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to be considered in the planning process. DATES: Written comments should be received by February 23, 1998. ADDRESSES: Comments and requests for more information should be referred to Jon Kauffeld, Planning Team Leader, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 203 W. 2nd, Federal Building, Grand Island, NE 68801. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Service has initiated Comprehensive Conservation Planning for the Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge. Each National Wildlife Refuge has specific purposes for which it was established and for which legislation was enacted. Those purposes are used to develop and prioritize management goals and objectives within the National Wildlife Refuge System mission, and to guide which public uses occur on the Refuge. The planning process is a way for the Service and the public to evaluate management goals and objectives for the best possible conservation efforts of this important wildlife habitat, while providing for wildlife-dependent recreation opportunities that are compatible with each national wildlife refuge's establishing purposes and the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System. The Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge (16,410 acres) was established as ``* * * a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife * * *'' by Executive Order No. 7160, on August 26, 1935. The Refuge is located in the Lake Creek Valley, southern Bennett County, on the northern edge of the Nebraska sandhills. The Refuge provides breeding and migration habitat for Central Flyway waterfowl, other migratory birds, and is home to a significant portion of the high plains trumpeter swan populations. The Refuge administers the Little White River Recreation Area which was donated to and accepted by the Service on May 20, 1980, under authority of the Refuge Recreation Act (16 U.S.C. 460K-K4) for public recreation. Public use opportunities include wildlife observation and photography, environmental education, and hunting and fishing on the refuge, and on the Little White River Recreation Area boating, waterskiing, swimming, and camping are also permitted. The Service will conduct a comprehensive conservation planning process that will provide opportunity for Tribal, State and local governments, agencies, organizations, and the public to participate in scoping issues and comment. The Service is requesting input for issues, concerns, ideas, and suggestions for future management of Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge. Anyone interested in providing input is invited to respond to the following three questions. (1) What makes the Lacreek Refuge (or any specific unit) special or unique for you? (2) What problems or issues do you want to see addressed in the Comprehensive Conservation Plan? [[Page 3333]] (3) What improvements would you recommend for the Lacreek Refuge (or any specific unit)? The Service has provided the above questions for your optional use. There is no requirement to provide information to the Service. The Planning Team developed the above questions to facilitate gathering of information about individual issues and ideas concerning the Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge. Comments received by the Planning Team will be used as part of the planning process, individual comments will not be referenced in our reports or directly responded to. There was an advertised open house on November 13, 1997, which provided the opportunity to scope issues and concerns. Comments may also be provided anytime during the planning process by writing to the above address. All information provided voluntarily by mail, phone, or at public meetings becomes part of the official public record (e.g., names, addresses, letters of comment, input recorded during meetings). If requested under the Freedom of Information Act by a private citizen or organization, the Service may provide copies of such information. 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. 4321 et seq.), NEPA Regulations (40 CFR 1500-1508), other appropriate Federal laws and regulations, Executive Order 12996 (Management and Public Use of the National Wildlife Refuge System), the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, and Service policies and procedures for compliance with those regulations. We estimate that the draft environmental documents will be available for review in December 1998. Dated: January 14, 1998. Terry T. Terrell, Deputy Regional Director, Denver, Colorado. [FR Doc. 98-1459 Filed 1-21-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-M