Public Notice of Availability for Comment: Draft Compatibility Determination for Utility Right-of-Way

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is accepting comments for a Draft Compatibility Determination for a utility Right-of-Way on Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). The Service has prepared a Draft Compatibility Determination (CD) which provides the assessment and guidelines for this right-of-way. The CD is currently available for your review here or at the refuge office and visitor center.  Comments will be received until February 18, 2022.

A compatible use is a proposed or existing wildlife-dependent recreational use or any other use of a National Wildlife Refuge that, based on sound professional judgment, will not materially interfere with or detract from the fulfillment of the purposes for which the refuge was established and the National Wildlife Refuge System mission.  The Service develops a compatibility determination to facilitate evaluation of proposed uses, including anticipated impacts and stipulations necessary to ensure compatibility.

The National Wildlife Refuge System mission is to administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management, and where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife, and plant resources and their habitats within the United States for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.  The purposes for establishing the refuges are provided on the first page of the draft compatibility determination.

All comments should be in writing and should be received no later than February 18, 2022.  Comments should specifically articulate how the proposed project would, or would not, materially interfere with or detract from the Refuge purposes or Refuge System mission.  Comments should be addressed to:

Ricky Ingram, Refuge Manager

Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge

2700 Refuge Headquarters Road, Decatur, AL 35603

Comments may also be sent via email to wheeler@fws.gov.  If commenting via email, please place the words “Compatibility Determination Comments” in the subject line and your comments in the body of the text. Please do not include attachments because they will not be opened due to the potential for computer viruses.

To request a copy of the compatibility determination, learn the final decision regarding this proposed use, or for more information, contact the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge office at 256-353-7243.  Copies of the draft compatibility determination may be accessed here or obtained at the refuge office at 2700 Refuge Headquarters Road Decatur, AL and at the refuge visitor center located at 3121 Visitor Center Road Decatur, AL.