Notice of Intent To Prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment for the Klamath Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, 4021-4022 [E7-1323]

Agencies

• Fish and Wildlife Service
• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 18 (Monday, January 29, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4021-4022]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-1323]


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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 Klamath Marsh National Wildlife Refuge

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service (Service) intends to gather information necessary to prepare a 
Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and an associated environmental 
assessment for the Klamath Marsh National Wildlife Refuge pursuant to 
the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as 
amended, and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended. 
The Service is providing this notice to advise other agencies, Tribal 
Governments, and the public of our intentions, and to obtain 
suggestions and information on the scope of the issues and alternatives 
to include in the CCP and environmental assessment.

DATES: We must receive comments on or before March 15, 2007.
    Public scoping meetings will be held as follows:
(1) Tuesday, February 6, 2007--6 to 8:30 p.m., Shilo Inn Suites Hotel, 
2500 Almond Street, Klamath Falls, Oregon 97601.
(2) Wednesday, February 7, 2007--6 to 8:30 p.m., Chiloquin Community 
Center, 140 1st Ave, Chiloquin, Oregon 97624.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments or requests to be added to the mailing 
list to the following address: Mark Pelz, Refuge Planner, CA/NV Refuge 
Planning Office, 2800 Cottage Way, W-1832, Sacramento, CA 95825-1846. 
Written comments may also be faxed to (916) 414-6497, or sent by 
electronic mail to fw8plancomments@fws.gov. Additional information is 
also available at https://www.fws.gov/cno/refuges/planning.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Pelz, Refuge Planner, at (916) 
414-6504 or Carol Damberg, Refuge Manager, at (541) 783-3380.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 the Service to develop a CCP for each National Wildlife 
Refuge. The purpose for developing a CCP 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, plants and their habitats, 
the CCP will identify compatible wildlife-dependent recreational 
opportunities available to the public. The recreational opportunities 
that will receive priority consideration are hunting, fishing, wildlife 
observation and photography, and environmental education and 
interpretation.
    Klamath Marsh Refuge was established in 1958 under the authority of 
the Migratory Bird Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 715d). The acquisition 
boundary approved by the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission 
included 24,418 acres. Between 1958 and 1980, the Service acquired 
16,932 acres. In 1988, the Service expanded the acquisition boundary by 
28,584 under the authority of the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (16 
U.S.C. 742f(b)(1)) and the Emergency Wetland Resources Act of 1986 (16 
U.S.C. 3901(b)). Since this expansion, the Service has acquired 24,508 
additional acres.
    Klamath Marsh Refuge protects a large natural marsh which provides 
important nesting, feeding, and resting habitat for waterfowl. The 
surrounding meadowlands are attractive nesting and feeding areas for 
sandhill crane, yellow rail, and various shorebirds and raptors. The 
adjacent pine forests also support diverse wildlife including great 
gray owl and Rocky Mountain elk. Currently, visitor services are 
limited to wildlife observation and interpretation along established 
roads, canoeing during the summer in Wocus Bay, and waterfowl hunting 
in the southern half of the Refuge during the fall.
    Comments and concerns received during this scoping process will be 
used to help identify key issues, develop goals, establish habitat 
management and public use strategies, and draft

[[Page 4022]]

management alternatives. Additional opportunities for public 
participation will occur throughout the planning process, and details 
about these opportunities will be provided in special mailings, 
newspaper articles, and other announcements. Involvement and input from 
interested Federal, State, and local agencies, Tribal governments, 
organizations, and individuals is encouraged. We expect to have the 
draft CCP/EA completed and made available for public review in the 
spring of 2008 and the CCP process completed in late 2008.

    Dated: January 23, 2007.
John Engbring,
Acting Manager, CA/NV Operations, Sacramento, California.
[FR Doc. E7-1323 Filed 1-26-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P