[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 204 (Tuesday, October 22, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 62648]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-24590]
[[Page 62648]]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R4-R-2013-N161; FXRS12650400000S3-123-FF04R02000]
Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge; West Feliciana Parish,
Louisiana
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent; Comprehensive Conservation Plan and
Environmental Assessment request for comments.
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SUMMARY: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to prepare
a comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and associated National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents for Cat Island National
Wildlife Refuge (NWR). We provide this notice in compliance with our
CCP policy to advise other Federal and State agencies, Native-American
Tribes, and the public of our intentions, and to obtain suggestions and
information on the scope of issues to consider in the planning process.
DATES: To ensure consideration, we must receive your written comments
by November 21, 2013.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, questions, and requests for
information to: Robert Strader, Project Leader, USFWS, Lower
Mississippi River Refuge Complex, P.O. Box 217, Sibley, MS, 39165.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michelle Paduani, Project Planner,
662-323-5548, michelle_paduani@fws.gov or Robert Strader, Project
Leader, 601-442-6696, bob_strader@fws.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we initiate our process for developing a CCP for
Cat Island NWR, West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana. This notice complies
with our CCP policy to: (1) Advise other Federal and State agencies,
Native-American tribes, 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 consider in the environmental
document and during development of the CCP.
Background
The CCP Process
The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16
U.S.C. 668dd-668ee) (Administration Act), as amended by the National
Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, requires us to develop
a CCP for each national wildlife refuge. The purpose for developing a
CCP is to provide refuge managers with a 15-year plan for achieving
refuge purposes and contributing toward the mission of the National
Wildlife Refuge System, consistent with sound principles of fish and
wildlife management, conservation, legal mandates, and our policies. In
addition to outlining broad management direction on conserving wildlife
and their habitats, CCPs identify wildlife-dependent recreational
opportunities available to the public, including opportunities for
hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, wildlife photography, and
environmental education and interpretation. We will review and update
the CCP at least every 15 years in accordance with the Administration
Act.
Each unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System was established
for specific purposes. We use these purposes as the foundation for
developing and prioritizing the management goals and objectives for
each refuge within the National Wildlife Refuge System mission, and to
determine how the public can use each refuge. The planning process is a
way for us and the public to evaluate management goals and objectives
for the best possible conservation approach to this important wildlife
habitat, while providing for wildlife-dependent recreation
opportunities that are compatible with the refuge's establishing
purposes and the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System.
Our CCP process provides participation opportunities for Tribal,
State, and local governments; agencies; organizations; and the public.
We encourage input in the form of issues, concerns, ideas, and
suggestions for the future management of Cat Island NWR.
We will conduct the environmental review of this project in
accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy
Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); NEPA
regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508); other appropriate Federal laws
and regulations; and our policies and procedures for compliance with
those laws and regulations.
The Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge was established and shall
be managed--(1) to conserve, restore, and manage habitats as necessary
to contribute to the migratory bird population goals and habitat
objective as established through the Lower Mississippi Valley Joint
Venture; (2) to conserve, restore, and manage the significant aquatic
resource values associated with the area's forested wetlands and to
achieve the habitat objectives of the ``Mississippi River Aquatic
Resources Management Plan''; (3) to conserve, enhance, and restore the
historic native bottomland community characteristics of the lower
Mississippi alluvial valley and its associated fish, wildlife, and
plant species; (4) to conserve, enhance, and restore habitat to
maintain and assist in the recovery of endangered, and threatened
plants and animals; and (5) to encourage the use of volunteers and
facilitate partnerships among the United States Fish and Wildlife
Service, local communities, conservation organizations, and other non-
Federal entities to promote public awareness of the resources of the
Refuge and the National Wildlife Refuge System and public participation
in the conservation of those resources. 114 STAT. 1418. dated Oct. 27,
2000
Public Availability and Comments
Before including your address, phone number, email address, or
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be
aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying
information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can
ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be
able to do so.
Authority
This notice is published under the authority of the National
Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (16 U.S.C. 668dd et
seq.).
Dated: September 5, 2013.
Cynthia K. Dohner,
Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 2013-24590 Filed 10-21-13; 8:45 am]
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