Notice of Intent To Prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment for the Handy Brake National Wildlife Refuge and the Louisiana Wetland Management District, 59078-59079 [05-20318]

Download as PDF 59078 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 195 / Tuesday, October 11, 2005 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY officers. This meeting is open to the public. Office of the Secretary Stanley Moran, Director, National Center for State and Local Law Enforcement Training. [FR Doc. 05–20345 Filed 10–7–05; 8:45 am] [Docket No. DHS–2005–0068] Notice of Meeting of the Advisory Committee to the National Center for State and Local Law Enforcement Training. Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, DHS. ACTION: Meeting. AGENCY: [USCG–2005–22541] FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Reba Fischer, Designated Federal Officer, 912–267–2343, reba.fischer@dhs.gov. Notice of this meeting is given under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. 1 et seq. The agenda for this meeting includes briefings from FLETC staff on National Center training, FY06 planning, and discussion on strategic goals and training needs of state, local, campus, and tribal law enforcement VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:40 Oct 07, 2005 Jkt 208001 DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Coast Guard SUMMARY: The Advisory Committee to the National Center for State and Local Law Enforcement Training will meet at the Embassy Suites, 500 Mall Boulevard, Brunswick, GA, on November 2, 2005, beginning at 8 a.m. DATES: November 2, 2005. ADDRESSES: If you desire to submit comments, they must be submitted within 10 days after publishing of Notice. Comments must be identified by DHS–2005–0068 and may be submitted by one of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. • E-mail: reba.fischer@dhs.gov. Include docket number in the subject line of the message. • Fax: (912) 267–3531. (Not a toll-free number). • Mail: Reba Fischer, Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Department of Homeland Security, 1131 Chapel Crossing Road, Townhouse 396, Glynco, GA 31524. Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name and docket number for this rulemaking. All comments received will be posted without change to https:// www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or comments received, go to www.regulations.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: BILLING CODE 4410–10–P Merchant Mariner Credentials: Temporary Procedures Coast Guard, DHS. Notice of establishment of temporary offices. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated the coastlines of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. The Regional Examination Center (REC) at New Orleans, which serves 14% of mariners nation-wide including approximately 29,000 mariners in those three states, was flooded, destroying vital records and equipment, and rendering the facility temporarily inoperable. The Coast Guard is opening temporary offices in Morgan City, LA and Memphis, TN to provide services to mariners that have been affected by the closure of the REC in New Orleans. DATES: This Notice is effective October 11, 2005. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this notice, call Mr. Donald J. Kerlin, Deputy Director, Coast Guard National Maritime Center (NMC), (202) 493–1006. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Two temporary offices in Morgan City, LA and Memphis, TN have been established to assist the pre-existing RECs that have seen increases in activity due to Hurricane Katrina, and subsequently Hurricane Rita. The temporary office in Morgan City, LA is now open, and will accept completed applications and offer fingerprinting services, identity verification, and administration of oaths for mariners. The Morgan City office is located at 800 David Dr., Morgan City, LA, 70380. It is open weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Applicants may reach the office by phone at (985) 380– 5150 or by fax at (985) 380–5379. A temporary full-service REC in Memphis, TN is also now open, and is staffed by employees from the New Orleans REC. This office, which is located adjacent to the pre-existing REC PO 00000 Frm 00051 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 in Memphis, is dedicated to restoring services to mariners from the Gulf Coast who were affected by Katrina. The temporary Memphis office is located at 200 Jefferson, Ave., Suite 1301, Memphis, TN, 38103. It is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and closed from noon to 1 (noon to 2 on Wednesday). The office is closed the last Wednesday of each month. Applicants may reach the office by phone at (901) 544–3941 (select ‘‘1’’ for New Orleans REC), or by fax at (901) 544–3172. The Morgan City and Memphis temporary offices will both be closed on Federal holidays. When the recovery and restoration efforts along the Gulf Coast permit, the Coast Guard will re-establish full REC services in the New Orleans area. In a previous notice published October 4, 2005 in the Federal Register, the Coast Guard waived the fee for mariners whose homes of record are in the states of Louisiana, Mississippi or Alabama, as confirmed by the Coast Guard’s Merchant Mariner Licensing and Documentation System (MMLD), who are applying for duplicate credentials. Please see the notice published in the Federal Register in Volume 70 page 57885 for more details on the waiver program. You may also call Mr. Kerlin for assistance at the number provided in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Authority: 46 U.S.C. 2103, 2110, 7101, 7302, 7501, 7502, and Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1. Dated: October 5, 2005. T.H. Gilmour, Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety, Security and Environmental Protection. [FR Doc. 05–20349 Filed 10–7–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–15–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Notice of Intent To Prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment for the Handy Brake National Wildlife Refuge and the Louisiana Wetland Management District Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of intent. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service, Southeast Region, intends to gather information necessary to prepare a comprehensive conservation plan and environmental assessment pursuant to E:\FR\FM\11OCN1.SGM 11OCN1 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 195 / Tuesday, October 11, 2005 / Notices the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and its implementing regulations. The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, requires the Service to develop a comprehensive conservation plan for each national wildlife refuge. The purpose in developing a comprehensive conservation plan is to provide refuge managers with a 15-year strategy 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 Service policies. In addition to outlining broad management direction on conserving wildlife and their habitats, plans identify wildlifedependent recreational opportunities available to the public, including opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, wildlife photography, and environmental education and interpretation. The purpose of this notice is to achieve the following: (1) Advise other agencies and the public of our intentions, and (2) Obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to include in the environmental document. DATES: An open house style meeting will be held during the scoping phase and public draft phase of the comprehensive conservation plan development process. Special mailings, newspaper articles, and other media announcements will be used to inform the public and state and local government agencies of the dates and opportunities for input throughout the planning process. The planning process for the Louisiana Wetland Management District and Handy Brake National Wildlife Refuge will be conducted in conjunction with each other. ADDRESSES: Comments and requests for more information regarding the Louisiana Wetland Management District planning process should be sent to Lindy Garner, Planning Biologist, North Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 11372 Highway 143, Farmerville, Louisiana 71241; Telephone: (318) 726–4222 x5; Fax: (318) 726–4667; Electronic-mail: northlarefuges@fws.gov. To ensure consideration, written comments must be received no later than November 25, 2005.Our practice is to make comments, including names and addresses of respondents, available for public review during regular business hours. Individual respondents may request that VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:40 Oct 07, 2005 Jkt 208001 we withhold their home addresses from the record, which we will honor to the extent allowable by law. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Louisiana Wetland Management District was established in September 1990 ‘‘* * * for conservation purposes * * *’’ 7 U.S.C. 2002 (Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act). Most of the 37 Farm Service Agency easements, 10 fee title tracts, and 4 leases are concentrated in northeastern Louisiana. In 1988, the first fee title transfer of a Farm Service Agency tract in the Southeast Region resulted in the establishment of Handy Brake National Wildlife Refuge. The wetland management district currently oversees Fish and Wildlife Service interests on about 10,000 acres. This refuge is combined with D’Arbonne, Upper Ouachita, Black Bayou Lake, and Red River National Wildlife Refuges to form the North Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The wetland management district encompasses several parishes in the northern half of Louisiana: Natchitoches, Grant, Richland, Morehouse, West Carroll, and East Carroll. Habitat management within the wetland management district focuses primarily on reforestation of marginal agricultural areas and development and maintenance of moist-soil units. Mowing, discing, burning, and/or spraying is periodically required to maintain early successional stages. The varied habitat on lands within the wetland management district provide for a diverse array of wildlife. Bald eagles and peregrine falcons are known to occur on the district. Both are usually associated with large waterfowl concentrations. Small concentrations (<1,000) of waterfowl are seen on the easement tracts and on Handy Brake Refuge, depending upon the availability of water. Migratory songbirds also use several of the tracts and Handy Brake Refuge. Resident furbearers include fox, gray squirrels, rabbits, deer, beaver, and raccoon. There are limited wildlife observation opportunities at Handy Brake Refuge and other fee title tracts within the Louisiana Wetland Management District. The observation tower at Handy Brake Refuge had approximately 3,200 visitors during 2002. A few potential issues to be reviewed during the planning process include water manipulation, beaver control throughout the district, and control of undesirable plant species, such as willow, cocklebur, and Sesbania. Control methods in the past included mechanical means, water level manipulation, and spraying. PO 00000 Frm 00052 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 59079 The Service will conduct a comprehensive conservation planning process that will provide opportunity for State and local governments, agencies, organizations, and the public to participate in issue scoping and public comment. Comments received by the planning team will be used as part of the planning process. Authority: This notice is published under the authority of the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, Public Law 105–57. Dated: September 7, 2005. Cynthia K. Dohner, Acting Regional Director. [FR Doc. 05–20318 Filed 10–7–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–M DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force Meeting Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of meeting. AGENCY: SUMMARY: This notice announces a meeting of the Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Task Force. The meeting is open to the public. The meeting topics are identified in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section. DATES: The ANS Task Force will meet from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 19, 2005, and Thursday, October 20, 2005. ADDRESSES: The ANS Task Force meeting will be held at the Hyatt Dulles, 2300 Dulles Corner Blvd., Herndon, VA, 20171; (703) 713–1234. Minutes of the meeting will be maintained in the office of Chief, Division of Environmental Quality, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Suite 322, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia 22203, and will be made available for public inspection during regular business hours, Monday through Friday. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Newsham, ANS Task Force Executive Secretary, at (703) 358–1796. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.), this notice announces meetings of the ANS Task Force. The ANS Task Force was established by the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990. Topics to be covered during the ANS Task Force meeting include: Federal member, Committee, and Regional Panel reports; revision of the Strategic Plan; E:\FR\FM\11OCN1.SGM 11OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 195 (Tuesday, October 11, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59078-59079]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-20318]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Intent To Prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan and 
Environmental Assessment for the Handy Brake National Wildlife Refuge 
and the Louisiana Wetland Management District

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY:  The Fish and Wildlife Service, Southeast Region, intends to 
gather information necessary to prepare a comprehensive conservation 
plan and environmental assessment pursuant to

[[Page 59079]]

the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and its implementing 
regulations.
    The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as 
amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, 
requires the Service to develop a comprehensive conservation plan for 
each national wildlife refuge. The purpose in developing a 
comprehensive conservation plan is to provide refuge managers with a 
15-year strategy 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 Service policies. In addition to outlining broad 
management direction on conserving wildlife and their habitats, plans 
identify wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities available to the 
public, including opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife 
observation, wildlife photography, and environmental education and 
interpretation.
    The purpose of this notice is to achieve the following:
    (1) Advise other agencies and the public of our intentions, and
    (2) Obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to 
include in the environmental document.

DATES: An open house style meeting will be held during the scoping 
phase and public draft phase of the comprehensive conservation plan 
development process. Special mailings, newspaper articles, and other 
media announcements will be used to inform the public and state and 
local government agencies of the dates and opportunities for input 
throughout the planning process. The planning process for the Louisiana 
Wetland Management District and Handy Brake National Wildlife Refuge 
will be conducted in conjunction with each other.

ADDRESSES: Comments and requests for more information regarding the 
Louisiana Wetland Management District planning process should be sent 
to Lindy Garner, Planning Biologist, North Louisiana National Wildlife 
Refuge Complex, 11372 Highway 143, Farmerville, Louisiana 71241; 
Telephone: (318) 726-4222 x5; Fax: (318) 726-4667; Electronic-mail: 
northlarefuges@fws.gov. To ensure consideration, written comments must 
be received no later than November 25, 2005.Our practice is to make 
comments, including names and addresses of respondents, available for 
public review during regular business hours. Individual respondents may 
request that we withhold their home addresses from the record, which we 
will honor to the extent allowable by law.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  The Louisiana Wetland Management District 
was established in September 1990 ``* * * for conservation purposes * * 
*'' 7 U.S.C. 2002 (Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act). Most 
of the 37 Farm Service Agency easements, 10 fee title tracts, and 4 
leases are concentrated in northeastern Louisiana. In 1988, the first 
fee title transfer of a Farm Service Agency tract in the Southeast 
Region resulted in the establishment of Handy Brake National Wildlife 
Refuge. The wetland management district currently oversees Fish and 
Wildlife Service interests on about 10,000 acres. This refuge is 
combined with D'Arbonne, Upper Ouachita, Black Bayou Lake, and Red 
River National Wildlife Refuges to form the North Louisiana National 
Wildlife Refuge Complex. The wetland management district encompasses 
several parishes in the northern half of Louisiana: Natchitoches, 
Grant, Richland, Morehouse, West Carroll, and East Carroll.
    Habitat management within the wetland management district focuses 
primarily on reforestation of marginal agricultural areas and 
development and maintenance of moist-soil units. Mowing, discing, 
burning, and/or spraying is periodically required to maintain early 
successional stages.
    The varied habitat on lands within the wetland management district 
provide for a diverse array of wildlife. Bald eagles and peregrine 
falcons are known to occur on the district. Both are usually associated 
with large waterfowl concentrations. Small concentrations (<1,000) of 
waterfowl are seen on the easement tracts and on Handy Brake Refuge, 
depending upon the availability of water. Migratory songbirds also use 
several of the tracts and Handy Brake Refuge. Resident furbearers 
include fox, gray squirrels, rabbits, deer, beaver, and raccoon.
    There are limited wildlife observation opportunities at Handy Brake 
Refuge and other fee title tracts within the Louisiana Wetland 
Management District. The observation tower at Handy Brake Refuge had 
approximately 3,200 visitors during 2002.
    A few potential issues to be reviewed during the planning process 
include water manipulation, beaver control throughout the district, and 
control of undesirable plant species, such as willow, cocklebur, and 
Sesbania. Control methods in the past included mechanical means, water 
level manipulation, and spraying.
    The Service will conduct a comprehensive conservation planning 
process that will provide opportunity for State and local governments, 
agencies, organizations, and the public to participate in issue scoping 
and public comment. Comments received by the planning team will be used 
as part of the planning process.

    Authority:  This notice is published under the authority of the 
National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, Public Law 
105-57.

    Dated: September 7, 2005.
Cynthia K. Dohner,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 05-20318 Filed 10-7-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M
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