Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment for the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge and the Nansemond National Wildlife Refuge, 12709-12710 [E6-3118]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 48 / Monday, March 13, 2006 / Notices Effective interest rate on or after 51⁄2 ....... 61⁄8 ....... 61⁄2 ....... 61⁄2 ....... 6 ........... 57⁄8 ....... 51⁄4 ....... 53⁄4 ....... 5 ........... 41⁄2 ....... 51⁄8 ....... 51⁄2 ....... 47⁄8 ....... 41⁄2 ....... 47⁄8 ....... Jan 1, 1999 ...... July 1, 1999 ..... Jan 1, 2000 ...... July 1, 2000 ..... Jan 1, 2001 ...... July 1, 2001 ..... Jan 1, 2002 ...... July 1, 2002 ..... Jan 1, 2003 ...... July 1, 2003 ..... Jan 1, 2004 ...... July 1, 2004 ..... Jan 1, 2005 ...... July 1, 2005 ..... Jan 1, 2006 ...... The subject matter of this notice falls within the categorical exemption from HUD’s environmental clearance procedures set forth in 24 CFR 50.19(c)(6). For that reason, no environmental finding has been prepared for this notice. prior to July 1, 1999. Jan 1, 2000. July 1, 2000. Jan 1, 2001. July 1, 2001. Jan 1, 2002. July 1, 2002. Jan 1, 2003. July 1, 2003. Jan 1, 2004. July 1, 2004. Jan 1, 2005. July 1, 2005. Jan 1, 2006. July 1, 2006. Authority: Sections 211, 221, 224, National Housing Act, 12 U.S.C. 1715b, 1715l, 1715o; Section 7(d), Department of HUD Act, 42 U.S.C. 3535(d). Dated: March 3, 2006. Brian D. Montgomery, Assistant Secretary for Housing—Federal Housing Commissioner. [FR Doc. 06–2344 Filed 3–10–06; 8:45 am] wwhite on PROD1PC61 with NOTICES BILLING CODE 4210–27–P Section 215 of Division G, Title II of Public Law 108–199, enacted January 23, 2004 (HUD’s 2004 Appropriations Act) amended section 224 of the Act, to change the debenture interest rate for purposes of calculating certain insurance claim payments made in cash. Therefore, effective immediately, for all claims paid in cash on mortgages insured under section 203 or 234 of the National Housing Act and endorsed for insurance after January 23, 2004, the debenture interest rate will be the monthly average yield, for the month in which the default on the mortgage occurred, on United States Treasury Securities adjusted to a constant maturity of 10 years, as found in Federal Reserve Statistical Release H–15. The Federal Housing Administration is in the process of making conforming amendments to applicable regulations to fully implement this recent change to section 224 of the Act. Section 221(g)(4) of the Act provides that debentures issued pursuant to that paragraph (with respect to the assignment of an insured mortgage to the Secretary) will bear interest at the ‘‘going Federal rate’’ in effect at the time the debentures are issued. 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VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:58 Mar 10, 2006 Jkt 208001 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment for the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge and the Nansemond National Wildlife Refuge Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior. ACTION: Notice of Availability. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces that the draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is available for review. The CCP/EA includes Nansemond NWR, an unstaffed refuge managed by the Great Dismal Swamp NWR. The Service prepared this CCP/EA in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, and 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.). This notice also advises the public that the Service is withdrawing a previous notice, published in 2002, stating that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) would be developed for the refuge complex. After completing the environmental analysis, we determined that an EIS is not warranted. DATES: The draft CCP/EA will be available for public review and comment for a 30-day period starting with the publication of this notice. ADDRESSES: Copies of the draft CCP/EA on compact diskette or in print may be obtained by writing or visiting Great Dismal Swamp NWR, 3100 Desert Road, Suffolk, Virginia 23434, or you may download an electronic copy from the PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 12709 https://library.fws.gov/ccps.htm Web site. We plan to host three public meetings in the Cities of Suffolk and Chesapeake, Virginia, and in Camden and Gates Counties in North Carolina. We will announce the details at least 2 weeks in advance in local papers and post them at the refuge. Comments should be submitted to Deloras Freeman, Great Dismal Swamp NWR, 3100 Desert Road, Suffolk, Virginia 23434, by fax at 757–986–2353, or email at deloras_freeman@fws.gov. Comments via email should include the comments in the body of the email, since email security programs could delete attached files. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Deloras Freeman, Great Dismal Swamp NWR at 787–986–3706 or Bill Perry, Refuge Planner, Northeast Regional Office at 413–253–8371. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 CCP for each refuge. The purpose of developing a CCP describes the desired future conditions of the refuge and provides refuge managers with a 15-year strategy for achieving refuge purposes and contributing to the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System, in conformance with the sound principles of fish and wildlife science, natural resources conservation, legal mandates, and Service policies. In addition to outlining broad management direction on conserving wildlife and habitats, CCPs identify wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities available to the public, including opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and environmental education and interpretation. The Service will review and update each CCP at least once every 15 years, in accordance with the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Established in 1974, Great Dismal Swamp NWR encompasses 111,201 acres, the largest intact remnant of a vast habitat that once covered more than one million acres of southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina. The Nansemond NWR, established December 12, 1973, is an unstaffed satellite refuge encompassing 423 acres. The draft CCP/EA analyzes three alternatives for managing the refuge over the next 15 years. Alternative A (the ‘‘No Action’’ Alternative) would continue our present management and provides a baseline for comparing and E:\FR\FM\13MRN1.SGM 13MRN1 wwhite on PROD1PC61 with NOTICES 12710 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 48 / Monday, March 13, 2006 / Notices contrasting other alternatives. It continues to focus on restoring hydrology and habitat, maintaining roads, acquiring 4,000 acres of land inside the refuge boundary as it becomes available from willing sellers, restoring 1,000 acres of Atlantic white cedar, and enhancing 2,000 acres of pocosin/pine habitat for reintroduction of red-cockaded woodpeckers. It continues to provide current levels of environmental education and interpretation, boating and fishing on Lake Drummond, and annual deer hunting. Alternative B (the Service-preferred alternative) directs the refuge toward an optimal level of habitat management and public use based on the vision for the refuge at the time of its establishment in 1974. Alternative B proposes the restoration of 8,000 acres of Atlantic white cedar habitat; the restoration of 10,000 acres of redcockaded woodpecker habitat; and the restoration of a remnant marsh to its original 250 acres from its present 30 acres. We would establish a neotropical migratory bird focus area near Jericho Lane, in which we would focus habitat management and modeling, population surveys, and education and interpretation related to neotropical migratory bird populations. As a part of our preferred alternative, we have proposed to implement a limited bear hunt. This hunt would occur on a total of 2 days during November and December, with a total maximum of 100 permits issued. We anticipate a harvest of approximately 11 bears with a harvest limit target of 20 bears. If 10 or more bears are taken the first day, various parameters will be evaluated and the second hunt day may be cancelled. As with the deer hunt, dogs will not be allowed as a means to hunt bears. The bear hunt is currently authorized in the code of federal regulations (50 CFR part 32), but has never been implemented. Our preferred alternative also proposes the following building projects: The development of an environmental education site at Jericho Ditch in Suffolk, Virginia. We will also develop an exhibit to be sited at the downtown visitor center that is run by the City of Suffolk. Additionally, we propose the conversion of the current administrative building for concessions, and the construction of a new visitor center and headquarters between the old and new Route 17 in Chesapeake, Virginia, and the construction of new trails, observation and photography platforms, or towers. The CCP proposes to enhance environmental education and outreach, establish hunter safety and youth hunting programs, and VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:58 Mar 10, 2006 Jkt 208001 provide interpretative canoe or kayak tours through a concessionaire. Alternative C (limited habitat management) reduces our emphasis on habitat management compared to current refuge operations, but significantly expands visitor services and public use. It also emphasizes monitoring and researching opportunities. All three alternatives share some priorities. They manage invasive or exotic species and pine/pocosin habitats. They manage hydrology to slow the rate of surface drainage from the refuge, maintain normal flooding patterns, manage stands of Atlantic white cedar, and conserve water for suppressing fires. Finally, they continue to provide opportunities for compatible public use such as hunting, fishing, environmental education and interpretation, wildlife observation and photography, and off-refuge outreach and partnerships. A Wilderness Review was also conducted for Great Dismal Swamp NWR as part of this planning process. No areas were recommended for designation because none of the wilderness inventory areas met wilderness criteria. Dated: February 24, 2006. Marvin E. Moriarty, Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. E6–3118 Filed 3–10–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Red River National Wildlife Refuge Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment for the Red River National Wildlife Refuge in Louisiana. AGENCY: SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the Fish and Wildlife Service, Southeast Region, intends to gather information necessary to prepare a comprehensive conservation plan and environmental assessment pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act 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 PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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 habitat, 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: Announcements will inform people of opportunities for written input throughout the planning process. Public scoping meetings are planned and will be announced in local newspapers approximately 10 days prior to the meetings. ADDRESSES: Comments and requests for more information regarding the Red River National Wildlife Refuge planning process should be sent to: Lindy Garner, Natural Resource Planner, North Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 11372 Highway 143, Farmerville, Louisiana 71241; Telephone: (318) 762–4222, ext. 5; Fax: (318) 726–4667; E-mail: northlarefuges@fws.gov. To ensure consideration, written comments must be received no later than April 12, 2006. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The refuge was created by Congress on October 13, 2000, with the passage of the Red River National Wildlife Refuge Act. Land acquisition for the refuge commenced in August 2002. There are three purposes of the refuge, as stated in the Red River National Wildlife Refuge Act: • To provide for the restoration and conservation of native plants and animal communities on suitable sites in the Red River basin, including restoration of extirpated species. • To provide habitat for migratory birds, and • To provide technical assistance to private landowners in the restoration of their lands for the benefit of fish and wildlife. The refuge’s enabling legislation authorizes it to acquire up to approximately 50,000 acres of Federal lands and waters along that section of E:\FR\FM\13MRN1.SGM 13MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 48 (Monday, March 13, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12709-12710]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-3118]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental 
Assessment for the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge and the 
Nansemond National Wildlife Refuge

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

ACTION: Notice of Availability.

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

SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces that 
the draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental 
Assessment (EA) for the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge 
(NWR) is available for review. The CCP/EA includes Nansemond NWR, an 
unstaffed refuge managed by the Great Dismal Swamp NWR. The Service 
prepared this CCP/EA in compliance with the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969, and 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.).
    This notice also advises the public that the Service is withdrawing 
a previous notice, published in 2002, stating that an Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) would be developed for the refuge complex. After 
completing the environmental analysis, we determined that an EIS is not 
warranted.

DATES: The draft CCP/EA will be available for public review and comment 
for a 30-day period starting with the publication of this notice.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the draft CCP/EA on compact diskette or in print 
may be obtained by writing or visiting Great Dismal Swamp NWR, 3100 
Desert Road, Suffolk, Virginia 23434, or you may download an electronic 
copy from the https://library.fws.gov/ccps.htm Web site. We plan to host 
three public meetings in the Cities of Suffolk and Chesapeake, 
Virginia, and in Camden and Gates Counties in North Carolina. We will 
announce the details at least 2 weeks in advance in local papers and 
post them at the refuge.
    Comments should be submitted to Deloras Freeman, Great Dismal Swamp 
NWR, 3100 Desert Road, Suffolk, Virginia 23434, by fax at 757-986-2353, 
or email at deloras_freeman@fws.gov. Comments via email should include 
the comments in the body of the email, since email security programs 
could delete attached files.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Deloras Freeman, Great Dismal Swamp 
NWR at 787-986-3706 or Bill Perry, Refuge Planner, Northeast Regional 
Office at 413-253-8371.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 CCP 
for each refuge. The purpose of developing a CCP describes the desired 
future conditions of the refuge and provides refuge managers with a 15-
year strategy for achieving refuge purposes and contributing to the 
mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System, in conformance with the 
sound principles of fish and wildlife science, natural resources 
conservation, legal mandates, and Service policies. In addition to 
outlining broad management direction on conserving wildlife and 
habitats, CCPs identify wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities 
available to the public, including opportunities for hunting, fishing, 
wildlife observation and photography, and environmental education and 
interpretation. The Service will review and update each CCP at least 
once every 15 years, in accordance with the National Wildlife Refuge 
System Improvement Act of 1997 and the National Environmental Policy 
Act of 1969.
    Established in 1974, Great Dismal Swamp NWR encompasses 111,201 
acres, the largest intact remnant of a vast habitat that once covered 
more than one million acres of southeastern Virginia and northeastern 
North Carolina. The Nansemond NWR, established December 12, 1973, is an 
unstaffed satellite refuge encompassing 423 acres.
    The draft CCP/EA analyzes three alternatives for managing the 
refuge over the next 15 years. Alternative A (the ``No Action'' 
Alternative) would continue our present management and provides a 
baseline for comparing and

[[Page 12710]]

contrasting other alternatives. It continues to focus on restoring 
hydrology and habitat, maintaining roads, acquiring 4,000 acres of land 
inside the refuge boundary as it becomes available from willing 
sellers, restoring 1,000 acres of Atlantic white cedar, and enhancing 
2,000 acres of pocosin/pine habitat for reintroduction of red-cockaded 
woodpeckers. It continues to provide current levels of environmental 
education and interpretation, boating and fishing on Lake Drummond, and 
annual deer hunting.
    Alternative B (the Service-preferred alternative) directs the 
refuge toward an optimal level of habitat management and public use 
based on the vision for the refuge at the time of its establishment in 
1974. Alternative B proposes the restoration of 8,000 acres of Atlantic 
white cedar habitat; the restoration of 10,000 acres of red-cockaded 
woodpecker habitat; and the restoration of a remnant marsh to its 
original 250 acres from its present 30 acres. We would establish a 
neotropical migratory bird focus area near Jericho Lane, in which we 
would focus habitat management and modeling, population surveys, and 
education and interpretation related to neotropical migratory bird 
populations. As a part of our preferred alternative, we have proposed 
to implement a limited bear hunt. This hunt would occur on a total of 2 
days during November and December, with a total maximum of 100 permits 
issued. We anticipate a harvest of approximately 11 bears with a 
harvest limit target of 20 bears. If 10 or more bears are taken the 
first day, various parameters will be evaluated and the second hunt day 
may be cancelled. As with the deer hunt, dogs will not be allowed as a 
means to hunt bears. The bear hunt is currently authorized in the code 
of federal regulations (50 CFR part 32), but has never been 
implemented.
    Our preferred alternative also proposes the following building 
projects: The development of an environmental education site at Jericho 
Ditch in Suffolk, Virginia. We will also develop an exhibit to be sited 
at the downtown visitor center that is run by the City of Suffolk. 
Additionally, we propose the conversion of the current administrative 
building for concessions, and the construction of a new visitor center 
and headquarters between the old and new Route 17 in Chesapeake, 
Virginia, and the construction of new trails, observation and 
photography platforms, or towers. The CCP proposes to enhance 
environmental education and outreach, establish hunter safety and youth 
hunting programs, and provide interpretative canoe or kayak tours 
through a concessionaire.
    Alternative C (limited habitat management) reduces our emphasis on 
habitat management compared to current refuge operations, but 
significantly expands visitor services and public use. It also 
emphasizes monitoring and researching opportunities.
    All three alternatives share some priorities. They manage invasive 
or exotic species and pine/pocosin habitats. They manage hydrology to 
slow the rate of surface drainage from the refuge, maintain normal 
flooding patterns, manage stands of Atlantic white cedar, and conserve 
water for suppressing fires. Finally, they continue to provide 
opportunities for compatible public use such as hunting, fishing, 
environmental education and interpretation, wildlife observation and 
photography, and off-refuge outreach and partnerships.
    A Wilderness Review was also conducted for Great Dismal Swamp NWR 
as part of this planning process. No areas were recommended for 
designation because none of the wilderness inventory areas met 
wilderness criteria.

    Dated: February 24, 2006.
Marvin E. Moriarty,
Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. E6-3118 Filed 3-10-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P

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