Notice of Availability of Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment for Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge, Jet, OK, 70089-70090 [05-22969]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 223 / Monday, November 21, 2005 / Notices Total Estimated Burden Hours: 2,257. Status: Extension of an existing collection. Authority: Section 3507 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 35, as amended. Wayne Eddins, Departmental Paperwork Reduction Act Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. E5–6392 Filed 11–18–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4210–27–P DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT [Docket No. FR–4975–N–38] Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Comment Request; Mortgagee’s Certification of Fees and Escrow and Surety Bond Against Defects Office of the Assistant Secretary for Housing—Federal Housing Commissioner, HUD. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The proposed information collection requirement described below will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act. The Department is soliciting public comments on the subject proposal. DATES: Comments Due Date: January 20, 2006. ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments regarding this proposal. Comments should refer to the proposal by name and/or OMB Control Number and should be sent to: Wayne Eddins, Reports Management Officer, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street, SW., L’Enfant Plaza Building, Room 8003, Washington, DC 20410, or Wayne_Eddins@hud.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joe E. Malloy, Acting Director, Office of Multifamily Housing Development, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20410, telephone (202) 708–1142, extension 2524 (this is not a toll free number) for copies of the proposed forms and other available information. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department is submitting the proposed information collection to OMB for review, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended). This Notice is soliciting comments from members of the public and affected VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:51 Nov 18, 2005 Jkt 208001 agencies concerning the proposed collection of information to: (1) Evaluate whether the proposed collection is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) evaluate the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (3) enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond; including the use of appropriate automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses. This Notice also lists the following information: Title of Proposal: Mortgagee’s Certification of Fees and Escrow and Surety Bond Against Defects. OMB Control Number, if applicable: 2502–0468. Description of the need for the information and proposed use: HUD requires the mortgagee to submit Form HUD 2434, Mortgagee’s Certificate, to assure that fees are within acceptable limits and the required escrows will be collected. HUD determines the reasonableness of the fees and uses the information in calculating the financial requirement for closing. The information is also used to determine allowable fees that will be collected from the mortgagor at closing. HUD requires that Form HUD–3259 be submitted on all construction projects. This bond protects HUD and the mortgagor against liens arising from the development of the project and unprofessional construction. Agency form numbers, if applicable: HUD–2434 and HUD–3259. Estimation of the total numbers of hours needed to prepare the information collection based on the number of respondents, frequency of response, and hours of response: The estimated total number of burden hours needed to prepare the information collection is 1,071; the number of respondents is 1,020, generating approximately 1,020 annual responses; the frequency of response is on occasion; and the estimated time needed to prepare the response varies from .30 to .75 hours per form. Status of the proposed information collection: This is an extension of a currently approved collection. PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 70089 Authority: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C., Chapter 35, as amended. Frank L. Davis, General Deputy Assistant Secretary for Housing-Deputy Federal Housing Commissioner. [FR Doc. E5–6393 Filed 11–18–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4210–27–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Notice of Availability of Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment for Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge, Jet, OK Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces that a Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is available for review and comment. This CCP/EA, prepared pursuant to 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 et seq.), and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321–4370d), describes how the Service intends to manage this refuge over the next 15 years. Written comments must be received on or before January 20, 2006. ADDRESSES: Send comments to Chris Perez, Biologist/Natural Resource Planner, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Route 2, Box 202A, Alamo, Texas 78516, Telephone: 956–784–7553, Fax: 956–782–0641. Comments may also be sent via electronic mail to: Chris_Perez@fws.gov. The draft CCP/EA is available on compact disk or hard copy, and may be obtained by writing, telephoning, faxing, or e-mailing Chris Perez at the above-listed address. In addition, the CCP/EA is available on the Internet at: https://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/ Plan/. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chris Perez, Biologist/Natural Resource Planner, 956–784–7553 or Jon M. Brock, Refuge Manager, 580–626–4794. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public Involvement: The draft CCP/EA is available for public review and comment for a period of 60 days from the date of publication. Copies of the DATES: E:\FR\FM\21NON1.SGM 21NON1 70090 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 223 / Monday, November 21, 2005 / Notices document can be obtained as indicated in the ADDRESSES section. In addition, documents will be available for public inspection between the hours of 7:30 a.m.–4 p.m., Monday through Friday at the Salt Plains NWR Headquarters Office, 35 miles northwest of Enid, Oklahoma, off State Highway 38, and at the following libraries: Cherokee Public Library, 602 S. Grand Ave., Cherokee, OK 73728. An open house to receive comments on the Draft CCP/EA will be held at the Salt Plains NWR Headquarters Office during the open comment period on January 12, 2006 from 2 p.m.–7 p.m. Special mailings, newspaper articles, and/or other media announcements will be used to inform the public of the date and time of the meeting. All comments received from individuals become part of the official public record. Requests for such comments will be handled in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act and the Council on Environmental Quality’s NEPA regulations [40 CFR 1506.6 (f)]. Background: 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 et seq.), requires a CCP. The purpose in developing CCPs 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 science, conservation, legal mandates, and Service policies. In addition to outlining broad management direction on conserving wildlife and their habitats, the CCPs identify wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities available to the public, including opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and environmental education and interpretation. We will review and update these CCPs at least every 15 years in accordance with 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 (42 U.S.C. 4321–4370d). Salt Plains NWR was established ‘‘as a refuge and breeding grounds for birds,’’ by Executive Order No. 5314 on March 26, 1930. The authority of the Migratory Bird Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 712d) establishes that each refuge is: ‘‘* * * for use as an inviolate sanctuary, or any other management purpose, for migratory birds.’’ The Refuge Recreation Act (16 U.S.C. 460–1) VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:51 Nov 18, 2005 Jkt 208001 states that each refuge is ‘‘suitable for incidental fish and wildlife-oriented recreational development, the protection of natural resources, and the conservation of endangered or threatened species.’’ Additionally, Salt Plains NWR has been designated as critical habitat for the whooping crane (43 FR 20938, May 15, 1978). Salt Plains NWR is located on the Salt Fork of the Arkansas River at the Great Salt Plains Lake in north-central Oklahoma. The confluence of several streams and rivers and the saltencrusted plains produces a variety of unique wildlife habitats found nowhere else for hundreds of miles around. The 32,030-acre refuge is roughly equal parts of upland, open water, and salt flats, making it one of the most important migratory bird stopover, wintering, and nesting habitats in the Central Great Plains region. Three federally listed species use the refuge on a seasonal basis, and the refuge is also designated critical habitat for endangered whooping cranes. Federally threatened bald eagles winter on the refuge and endangered least terns nest in large numbers every year on the salt flats. Management efforts focus on protecting, enhancing, and restoring refuge habitats and water management for the benefit of important fish and wildlife resources. The Draft CCP/EA addresses a range of topics, including habitat and wildlife management, water management, invasive species control, public use opportunities, and administration and staffing for the refuge. Important refuge issues and how they are addressed in the plan alternatives are summarized below. Alternative A is the current management, or what is currently offered, at the refuge. Alternative B is the proposed action. Under Alternative C, a greater emphasis on public uses such as all types of hunting, hiking, and necessary facilities, roads, and trails is proposed. Habitat management activities: Alternative A: Habitat management such as prescribed fire, farming, moist soil management, invasive species control, or revegetation and maintenance projects would proceed to the extent that current base funding and staffing allows. Alternative B: The actions proposed in this alternative emphasize updated and integrated land management to progressively restore, maintain, and enhance native habitats for migratory birds, waterfowl, federally listed species, and resident wildlife. Alternative C: Habitat management would essentially be the same as Alternative A so that the refuge could focus more on public use opportunities. PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Improvements to public use opportunities: Alternative A: The public use program would remain at current levels and no new facilities would be developed on the refuge. Alternative B: The public use program would increase and/or enhance educational and outreach activities, recreational opportunities (including expansion of waterfowl hunting areas), community involvement, and improvement of facilities and interpretive trails. Alternative C: The public use program would emphasize opening the refuge to all types of hunting and increase roads, trails, and facilities to meet the emphasis on all compatible public uses. Refuge Land and Boundary Protection: Alternative A: There would be no acquisition and no exploration of possible refuge boundary expansion. Alternative B: Land protection would be accomplished through partnerships with adjacent owners. Any refuge boundary (none are currently proposed) expansion would only occur from willing sellers as a means to improve or protect important habitats that support accomplishment of species, habitat, and ecosystem goals and/or lands with high flood potential. Alternative C: Same as Alternative A. Dated: August 18, 2005. Larry G. Bell, Acting Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Albuquerque, New Mexico. [FR Doc. 05–22969 Filed 11–18–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Receipt of Applications for Permit Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of receipt of applications for permit. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The public is invited to comment on the following applications to conduct certain activities with endangered species. DATES: Written data, comments or requests must be received by December 21, 2005. ADDRESSES: Documents and other information submitted with these applications are available for review, subject to the requirements of the Privacy Act and Freedom of Information Act, by any party who submits a written request for a copy of such documents within 30 days of the date of publication of this notice to: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Management Authority, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, E:\FR\FM\21NON1.SGM 21NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 223 (Monday, November 21, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70089-70090]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-22969]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Availability of Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan 
and Environmental Assessment for Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge, 
Jet, OK

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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

SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces that a 
Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental 
Assessment (EA) for the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is 
available for review and comment. This CCP/EA, prepared pursuant to 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 et seq.), and the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321-4370d), describes how the Service intends to 
manage this refuge over the next 15 years.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before January 20, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Chris Perez, Biologist/Natural Resource 
Planner, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Route 2, Box 202A, Alamo, 
Texas 78516, Telephone: 956-784-7553, Fax: 956-782-0641. Comments may 
also be sent via electronic mail to: Chris--Perez@fws.gov.
    The draft CCP/EA is available on compact disk or hard copy, and may 
be obtained by writing, telephoning, faxing, or e-mailing Chris Perez 
at the above-listed address. In addition, the CCP/EA is available on 
the Internet at: https://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/Plan/.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chris Perez, Biologist/Natural 
Resource Planner, 956-784-7553 or Jon M. Brock, Refuge Manager, 580-
626-4794.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public Involvement: The draft CCP/EA is 
available for public review and comment for a period of 60 days from 
the date of publication. Copies of the

[[Page 70090]]

document can be obtained as indicated in the ADDRESSES section. In 
addition, documents will be available for public inspection between the 
hours of 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Friday at the Salt Plains NWR 
Headquarters Office, 35 miles northwest of Enid, Oklahoma, off State 
Highway 38, and at the following libraries: Cherokee Public Library, 
602 S. Grand Ave., Cherokee, OK 73728.
    An open house to receive comments on the Draft CCP/EA will be held 
at the Salt Plains NWR Headquarters Office during the open comment 
period on January 12, 2006 from 2 p.m.-7 p.m. Special mailings, 
newspaper articles, and/or other media announcements will be used to 
inform the public of the date and time of the meeting.
    All comments received from individuals become part of the official 
public record. Requests for such comments will be handled in accordance 
with the Freedom of Information Act and the Council on Environmental 
Quality's NEPA regulations [40 CFR 1506.6 (f)].
    Background: 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 et seq.), requires a CCP. The 
purpose in developing CCPs 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 science, conservation, legal mandates, 
and Service policies. In addition to outlining broad management 
direction on conserving wildlife and their habitats, the CCPs identify 
wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities available to the public, 
including opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and 
photography, and environmental education and interpretation. We will 
review and update these CCPs at least every 15 years in accordance with 
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 (42 U.S.C. 4321-
4370d).
    Salt Plains NWR was established ``as a refuge and breeding grounds 
for birds,'' by Executive Order No. 5314 on March 26, 1930. The 
authority of the Migratory Bird Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 712d) 
establishes that each refuge is: ``* * * for use as an inviolate 
sanctuary, or any other management purpose, for migratory birds.'' The 
Refuge Recreation Act (16 U.S.C. 460-1) states that each refuge is 
``suitable for incidental fish and wildlife-oriented recreational 
development, the protection of natural resources, and the conservation 
of endangered or threatened species.'' Additionally, Salt Plains NWR 
has been designated as critical habitat for the whooping crane (43 FR 
20938, May 15, 1978).
    Salt Plains NWR is located on the Salt Fork of the Arkansas River 
at the Great Salt Plains Lake in north-central Oklahoma. The confluence 
of several streams and rivers and the salt-encrusted plains produces a 
variety of unique wildlife habitats found nowhere else for hundreds of 
miles around. The 32,030-acre refuge is roughly equal parts of upland, 
open water, and salt flats, making it one of the most important 
migratory bird stopover, wintering, and nesting habitats in the Central 
Great Plains region. Three federally listed species use the refuge on a 
seasonal basis, and the refuge is also designated critical habitat for 
endangered whooping cranes. Federally threatened bald eagles winter on 
the refuge and endangered least terns nest in large numbers every year 
on the salt flats. Management efforts focus on protecting, enhancing, 
and restoring refuge habitats and water management for the benefit of 
important fish and wildlife resources.
    The Draft CCP/EA addresses a range of topics, including habitat and 
wildlife management, water management, invasive species control, public 
use opportunities, and administration and staffing for the refuge. 
Important refuge issues and how they are addressed in the plan 
alternatives are summarized below. Alternative A is the current 
management, or what is currently offered, at the refuge. Alternative B 
is the proposed action. Under Alternative C, a greater emphasis on 
public uses such as all types of hunting, hiking, and necessary 
facilities, roads, and trails is proposed.
    Habitat management activities: Alternative A: Habitat management 
such as prescribed fire, farming, moist soil management, invasive 
species control, or revegetation and maintenance projects would proceed 
to the extent that current base funding and staffing allows. 
Alternative B: The actions proposed in this alternative emphasize 
updated and integrated land management to progressively restore, 
maintain, and enhance native habitats for migratory birds, waterfowl, 
federally listed species, and resident wildlife. Alternative C: Habitat 
management would essentially be the same as Alternative A so that the 
refuge could focus more on public use opportunities.
    Improvements to public use opportunities: Alternative A: The public 
use program would remain at current levels and no new facilities would 
be developed on the refuge. Alternative B: The public use program would 
increase and/or enhance educational and outreach activities, 
recreational opportunities (including expansion of waterfowl hunting 
areas), community involvement, and improvement of facilities and 
interpretive trails. Alternative C: The public use program would 
emphasize opening the refuge to all types of hunting and increase 
roads, trails, and facilities to meet the emphasis on all compatible 
public uses.
    Refuge Land and Boundary Protection: Alternative A: There would be 
no acquisition and no exploration of possible refuge boundary 
expansion. Alternative B: Land protection would be accomplished through 
partnerships with adjacent owners. Any refuge boundary (none are 
currently proposed) expansion would only occur from willing sellers as 
a means to improve or protect important habitats that support 
accomplishment of species, habitat, and ecosystem goals and/or lands 
with high flood potential. Alternative C: Same as Alternative A.

    Dated: August 18, 2005.
Larry G. Bell,
Acting Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Albuquerque, 
New Mexico.
[FR Doc. 05-22969 Filed 11-18-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
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