Intent To Prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental Assessment (EA) for Little Sandy National Wildlife Refuge, Located in Wood County, TX, 46095-46097 [E7-16128]
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 158 / Thursday, August 16, 2007 / Notices
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES
25486, Denver, Colorado 80225.
Comments also may be submitted by
facsimile to (303) 236–4005. Individuals
wanting copies of the LEHCP and
associated documents for review should
immediately contact the above office.
The LEHCP and associated documents
also will be available for public
inspection, by appointment, during
normal business hours at the above
address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Adam Misztal, (303) 236–4753, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, Colorado
Field Office (see above).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Section 9 of the Act and
implementing regulations prohibit the
‘‘take’’ of a species listed as endangered
or threatened. ‘‘Take’’ is defined under
the Act, in part, as to kill, harm, or
harass a federally listed species.
However, the Service may issue permits
to authorize ‘‘incidental take’’ of a listed
species under limited circumstances.
Implementing regulations define
‘‘incidental taking’’ as any taking
otherwise prohibited, if such taking is
incidental to, and not the purpose of,
the carrying out of an otherwise lawful
activity. Regulations governing permits
for threatened species are located at 50
CFR 17.32.
The project is located at the City of
Greeley’s Bellvue Filter Plant in Larimer
County, Colorado; S1⁄2 of Section 14, in
Township 8 North, Range 70 West. The
Universal Transverse Mercator
coordinates of the approximate center of
the project area are Zone 13: 483780 mE,
4500530 mN. The Bellvue Filter Plant is
the primary drinking water facility for
the City of Greeley. The plant operates
24 hours a day, 7 days a week, yearround. The project involves the
construction of a buried toe drain
around the perimeter of two raw water
ponds located at the Bellvue Filter
Plant. The project is located adjacent to
riparian habitat along the Cache la
Poudre River, which is potentially
occupied by Preble’s. The project will
disturb a total of 0.10 hectare (0.24 acre)
of Preble’s habitat 0.04 hectare (0.09
acre) of permanent impact and 0.06
hectare (0.15 acre) of temporary impact.
Greeley will complete the project
consistent with this LEHCP, which
contains provisions to enhance habitat
for Preble’s and lists conservation
measures for Preble’s and bald eagles.
The project will provide a net benefit for
nesting bald eagles over the long term
by protecting the two raw water ponds
at the site that provide potential
foraging habitat for the eagles. Greeley
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17:27 Aug 15, 2007
Jkt 211001
does not anticipate incidental take of
bald eagles related to the project and,
therefore, as noted above does not seek
coverage for the eagle under the permit.
Development of the LEHCP identified
three alternatives—(1) Construct the
project while minimizing impacts to
Preble’s and avoid adverse impacts to
bald eagles to the maximum extent
practicable (Preferred Alternative); (2)
Construct only that portion of the
project more than 91 meters (300 feet)
from the 100-year floodplain (no impact
to Preble’s habitat); and (3) No action. A
fourth alternative, waiting for a regional
section 10(A)(1)(B) permit, also was
considered but not carried forward,
because no regional permit is currently
planned that would cover the project
area.
To mitigate impacts that may result
from incidental take, the LEHCP
provides a conservation plan that will
likely provide a net benefit to the
Preble’s mouse and other wildlife by
enhancing certain riparian corridors on
the plant site and associated wetland
areas through revegetation efforts and
the creation of new habitat. Project
construction will disturb 0.10 hectare
(0.24 acre) of riparian shrubs and trees
that provide potentially suitable habitat
for Preble’s. Approximately 0.04 hectare
(0.09 acre) of this disturbance would be
permanent. To mitigate for potential
impacts to Preble’s, Greeley will
enhance 0.16 hectare (0.40 acre) of
riparian habitat. Enhancement of this
acreage will include the creation of a
travel corridor between two existing
habitat areas. Greeley also will reseed
with native grasses and revegetate with
native shrubs and trees. In addition, a
qualified biologist will monitor
implementation of the LEHCP,
including all mitigation efforts, and will
prepare an annual report on the progress
of habitat improvement measures for a
minimum of three growing seasons, or
until success criteria are met.
The Service has made the preliminary
determination that approval of the
LEHCP qualifies as a categorical
exclusion under NEPA, as provided by
the Department of the Interior Manual
(516 DM 2, Appendix 1 and 516 DM 6,
Appendix 1) and as a ‘‘low-effect’’ plan
as defined by the Habitat Conservation
Planning Handbook (November 1996).
Determination of LEHCPs is based on
the following three criteria: (1)
Implementation of the LEHCP would
result in minor or negligible effects on
federally listed, proposed, and
candidate species and their habitats; (2)
implementation of the LEHCP would
result in minor or negligible effects on
other environmental values or
resources; and (3) impacts of the
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46095
LEHCP, considered together with the
impacts of other past, present, and
reasonably foreseeable similarly situated
projects would not result, over time, in
cumulative effects to environmental
values or other resources that would be
considered significant.
Based on this preliminary
determination, we do not intend to
prepare further NEPA documentation.
We will consider public comments in
making the final determination whether
to prepare such additional
documentation.
This notice is provided pursuant to
section 10(c) of the Act. We will
evaluate the permit application, the
LEHCP, and comments submitted herein
to determine whether the application
meets the requirements of section 10(a)
of the Act. If the requirements are met,
a permit will be issued for the
incidental take of Preble’s in
conjunction with the construction and
installation of the toe drain around the
perimeter of the raw water ponds
located at the Bellvue Filter Plant. The
final permit decision will be made after
public comments are considered.
Dated: July 31, 2007.
Susan C. Linner,
Colorado Field Supervisor.
[FR Doc. E7–16122 Filed 8–15–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Intent To Prepare a Comprehensive
Conservation Plan (CCP) and
Environmental Assessment (EA) for
Little Sandy National Wildlife Refuge,
Located in Wood County, TX
Department of the Interior.
Notice of intent.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: This notice advises the public
that the Fish and Wildlife Service,
Southwest Region, intends to gather
information necessary to prepare a CCP
and EA for Little Sandy National
Wildlife Refuge, pursuant to the
National Environmental Policy Act and
its implementing regulations. The
Service is furnishing this notice in
compliance with the National Wildlife
Refuge System Administration Act of
1966, to achieve the following:
(1) Advise other agencies and the
public of our intentions,
(2) Obtain suggestions and
information on the scope of issues to
include in the environmental document.
DATES: Special mailings, newspaper
articles, postings, and media
announcements will inform people of
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rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES
46096
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 158 / Thursday, August 16, 2007 / Notices
opportunities for written input
throughout the CCP planning process.
Refuge fact sheets will be made
available at local libraries in the
surrounding communities. This notice
of intent/public scoping process will
continue until January 1, 2007. Written
comments submitted by mail or e-mail
should be postmarked by that date to
ensure consideration. Comments mailed
after that date will be considered to the
extent practical. Inquire at the following
address for future dates of planning
activities and due dates for comments.
ADDRESSES: Address comments and
requests for more information to: Mark
Williams, Refuge Manager, Little Sandy
National Wildlife Refuge, P.O. Box 230,
Karnack, Texas 75661; phone: 903–679–
9144, fax: 903–679–9148. Information
concerning this Refuge may also be
found at the following Web site:
https://southwest.fws.gov. Comments
submitted via e-mail should be
addressed to Tom Baca at
Tom_Baca@fws.gov or Mark Williams at
Mark_Williams@fws.gov. 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 address from the rulemaking
record, which we will honor to the
extent allowable by law.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom
Baca, Chief, Division of Planning, P.O.
Box 1306, Albuquerque, New Mexico
87103–1306; phone: 505–248–6631; fax:
505–248–6874; e-mail
Tom_Baca@fws.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
National Wildlife Refuge System
Improvement Act of 1997 requires that
all lands within the National Wildlife
Refuge System (NWRS) are to be
managed in accordance with an
approved CCP. The CCP guides
management decisions and identifies
refuge goals, long-range objectives, and
strategies for achieving refuge purposes.
Each refuge in the NWRS has specific
purposes for which it was established.
Those purposes are used to develop and
prioritize management goals and
objectives within the NWRS mission
and to guide which public uses will
occur on a given refuge.
The planning process will consider
many elements including wildlife and
habitat management, habitat protection
and acquisition, wilderness
preservation, public recreational
activities, and cultural resource
protection. Public input into the
planning process is essential. The
planning process is a way for the
Service and the public to evaluate
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:27 Aug 15, 2007
Jkt 211001
refuge management goals and objectives
for the best possible conservation efforts
of this important wildlife habitat.
Concurrently, this process is also
providing for wildlife-dependent
recreation opportunities that are
compatible with each refuge’s
establishing purposes and the mission
of the NWRS.
The Little Sandy National Wildlife
Refuge is a 3,802 acre, permanent, ‘‘non
development’’ easement located along
the Sabine River in East Texas. The
special interest in land was received by
the United States for management as a
unit of the National Wildlife Refuge
System in December 1986. The interest
in land was donated by the Little Sandy
Hunting and Fishing Club in Wood
County, Texas. An Environmental
Assessment was completed in December
1986 describing the affected
environment and the purposes of
establishment of the Little Sandy
National Wildlife Refuge. By acceptance
of the easement donation on behalf of
the United States, the Service was acting
under the authority of the Migratory
Bird Conservation Act of 1929 to protect
and preserve habitat for waterfowl
giving the Refuge its primary purposes.
No funding for acquisition was required.
The site would not be actively managed
by the Service, and the use of the site
as a hunting club by the Little Sandy
Hunting and Fishing Club would be
maintained into perpetuity. However,
the ‘‘non development’’ easement
prohibits the conversion of these lands
to other land practices, such as timber
harvest or alteration of wetlands
notwithstanding specific authorization
by Congress. Although active habitat
manipulation (i.e., restoration,
maintenance, or enhancement of
habitat) is limited, the Service is
interested in engaging with the Little
Sandy Hunt Club and other
conservation partners in the formation
of goals, objectives, and strategies
leading to a better understanding of the
full range of habitat and wildlife
resources present on the Refuge. The
Service is cognizant of its responsibility
to request authorization from the Little
Sandy Hunt Club prior to any
engagement of on site activities.
The Refuge contains old growth
bottomland hardwood habitat and
associated wetlands that support
wintering mallards (Anas
platyrhynchos) and wintering and
breeding wood ducks (Aix sponsa). The
area also supports a large number of
other wildlife and plant species,
including the threatened American
alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) and
the once endangered bald eagle
(Haliaeetus leucocephalus).
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Fmt 4703
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The CCP will provide other agencies
and the public with a clear
understanding of the desired conditions
for the Refuge and how the Service will
implement management strategies for
the conservation and development of
these natural resources.
The Service, through this notice of
intent, formally begins the
comprehensive conservation planning
process for Little Sandy National
Wildlife Refuge. The Service requests
input on any and all issues concerning
the Service’s responsibilities to monitor
and understand the full spectrum of
habitat and wildlife resources present
on the Refuge. Because the Refuge is an
easement overlay upon private hunt
club lands, the comprehensive plan to
be developed will likely carry only a
minimum of objectives and strategies
pertaining to resource educational and
interpretive opportunities that could be
considered in partnership with the
Little Sandy Hunt Club and/or other
interested partners. The CCP is also
likely to outline any issues regarding the
protection of threatened and/or
endangered species, migratory birds,
native species, and their habitats.
Comments received will be used as
part of the planning process. Individual
comments will not be referenced in our
reports or directly responded to. The
Service will continue to solicit
information from the public and other
agencies via open houses, meetings, and
written comments. Special mailings,
newspaper releases, and
announcements will continue to inform
people of the time and place of
opportunities for further input to the
CCP.
Review of this project will be
conducted in accordance with the
National Environmental Policy Act of
1968, as amended (42 U.S.C 4321 et
seq.), NEPA Regulations (40 CFR parts
1500–1508) found at https://
www.thecre.com/fedlaw/default.htm,
other appropriate Federal laws, and
Service policies and procedures for
compliance with those regulations.
The Service will prepare an
Environmental Assessment (EA) in
accordance with procedures for
implementing NEPA found in the
Department of the Interior Manual (DM
Part 516, Chap. 6). The decision to
prepare an Environmental Impact
Statement instead of an EA would be
contingent upon the complexity of
issues following the scoping phase of
the CCP process.
We estimate that the draft
environmental documents will be
available in fall 2007 for public review
and comment.
E:\FR\FM\16AUN1.SGM
16AUN1
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 158 / Thursday, August 16, 2007 / Notices
Authority: This notice is published under
the authority of the National Wildlife Refuge
System Improvement Act of 1997, Public
Law 105–57.
Dated: November 7, 2006.
Christopher T. Jones,
Acting Regional Director, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Editorial Note: This document was
received at the Office of the Federal Register
on August 13, 2007.
[FR Doc. E7–16128 Filed 8–15–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
Fish and Wildlife Service
San Joaquin River National Wildlife
Refuge, Stanislaus and San Joaquin
Counties, CA
Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability: final
comprehensive conservation plan and
finding of no significant impact.
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (Service) announces that the
San Joaquin River National Wildlife
Refuge (Refuge) Final Comprehensive
Conservation Plan (CCP) and Finding of
No Significant Impact (FONSI) are
available for distribution. The CCP,
prepared pursuant to the National
Wildlife Refuge System Improvement
Act of 1997, and in accordance with the
National Environmental Policy Act of
1969, describes how the Service will
manage the Refuge for the next 15 years.
DATES: The CCP and FONSI are
available now. The FONSI was signed
September 29, 2006. Implementation of
the CCP may begin immediately.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the CCP and
FONSI may be obtained by writing to
the San Joaquin River National Wildlife
Refuge, P.O. Box 2176, 947–C West
Pacheco Boulevard, Los Banos,
California 93635. Copies of the CCP and
FONSI may also be obtained by writing
to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
Attn: Mark Pelz, CA/NV Refuge
Planning Office, 2800 Cottage Way, W–
1832, Sacramento, CA 95825. The CCP
and FONSI is also be available for
viewing and downloading online at
https://www.fws.gov/cno/refuges/
planning.html.
Printed copies of the CCP and FONSI
are also available at the following
libraries:
Stanislaus County Library, 1500 I Street,
Modesto, California, 95354;
Manteca City Library, 320 Center Road,
Manteca, California, 95336; and
17:27 Aug 15, 2007
Kim
Forrest, Project Leader, San Luis
National Wildlife Refuge Complex, P.O.
Box 2176, 947–C West Pacheco
Boulevard, Los Banos, California 93635
or Mark Pelz, Chief, Refuge Planning,
CA/NV Refuge Planning Office, 2800
Cottage Way, W–1832, Sacramento, CA
95825, phone (916) 414–6504.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
VerDate Aug<31>2005
Merced County Library, 2100 O Street,
Merced, California 95340.
Jkt 211001
The Refuge was established in 1987
primarily to protect and manage
wintering habitat for Aleutian Canada
geese, a federally listed endangered
species. Since that time, the Refuge’s
focus has expanded to include
protecting other sensitive species and
restoring natural habitats and ecological
processes. This Refuge and its
management have been important
factors in the recovery of the Aleutian
Canada goose and its removal in 2001
from the Threatened and Endangered
Species List. The Refuge is located just
west of Modesto, California.
The Draft CCP and Environmental
Assessment (EA) were available for a 30day public review and comment period,
which was announced via several
methods including press releases;
updates to constituents; and in the
Federal Register (71 FR 120, June 22,
2006). The Draft CCP/EA identified and
evaluated four alternatives for managing
the Refuge for the next 15 years.
Alternative A was the no-action
alternative which described current
Refuge management activities.
Alternative B placed greater emphasis
on wetland restoration and management
and would expand visitor services for
all priority public uses, including
fishing and hunting. Alternative C
focused on restoration and management
of riparian habitats and providing nonconsumptive wildlife-dependant
recreation opportunities. Alternative D,
(the selected alternative) includes a
balance of wetland and riparian
restoration and management and
expands opportunities for all priority
public uses, including fishing and
hunting.
The Service received seven comment
letters on the Draft CCP and EA during
the review period. The comments
received were incorporated into the
CCP, when possible, and are responded
to in an appendix to the CCP. In the
FONSI, Alternative D was selected for
implementation and is the basis for the
CCP. The FONSI documents the
decision of the Service and is based on
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46097
the information and analysis contained
in the EA.
Under the selected alternative, the
Service will manage the east unit of the
Refuge primarily for Aleutian Canada
geese and other migratory birds. In
addition, the Service will restore both
wetland and riparian habitats in
proportions similar to their perceived
occurrence before the land was used for
agricultural purposes. Under the
selected alternative, 1,457 wetland acres
and 3,224 acres of riparian habitat will
be restored or enhanced. Fishing and
hunting will be permitted on the Refuge
subject to State and Federal laws. OffRefuge environmental education
opportunities will include school and
community presentations. Cultural
resources on the Refuge will be assessed
and preserved according to regulatory
requirements.
The selected alternative best meets
the Refuge’s purposes, vision and goals;
contributes to the Refuge System
mission; addresses the significant issues
and relevant mandates; and is consistent
with principles of sound fish and
wildlife management.
Dated: August 7, 2007.
Ken McDermond,
Acting Manager, California/Nevada
Operations, Sacramento, California.
[FR Doc. E7–16107 Filed 8–15–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Occupational Safety and Health
Administration
[Docket No. OSHA–2007–0019]
Storage and Handling of Anhydrous
Ammonia Standard; Extension of the
Office of Management and Budget’s
(OMB) Approval of Information
Collection (Paperwork) Requirements
Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA), Labor.
ACTION: Request for public comment.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: OSHA solicits comments
concerning its proposal to extend OMB
approval of the information collection
requirements contained in the Standard
on the Storage and Handling of
Anhydrous Ammonia (29 CFR
1910.111). Paragraphs (b)(3) and (b)(4)
of the Standard have paperwork
requirements that apply to
nonrefrigerated containers and systems,
and refrigerated containers,
respectively; employers use these
containers and systems to store and
transfer anhydrous ammonia in the
workplace.
E:\FR\FM\16AUN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 158 (Thursday, August 16, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46095-46097]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-16128]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Intent To Prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and
Environmental Assessment (EA) for Little Sandy National Wildlife
Refuge, Located in Wood County, TX
AGENCY: Department of the Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the Fish and Wildlife
Service, Southwest Region, intends to gather information necessary to
prepare a CCP and EA for Little Sandy National Wildlife Refuge,
pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act and its implementing
regulations. The Service is furnishing this notice in compliance with
the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, to
achieve the following:
(1) Advise other agencies and the public of our intentions,
(2) Obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to
include in the environmental document.
DATES: Special mailings, newspaper articles, postings, and media
announcements will inform people of
[[Page 46096]]
opportunities for written input throughout the CCP planning process.
Refuge fact sheets will be made available at local libraries in the
surrounding communities. This notice of intent/public scoping process
will continue until January 1, 2007. Written comments submitted by mail
or e-mail should be postmarked by that date to ensure consideration.
Comments mailed after that date will be considered to the extent
practical. Inquire at the following address for future dates of
planning activities and due dates for comments.
ADDRESSES: Address comments and requests for more information to: Mark
Williams, Refuge Manager, Little Sandy National Wildlife Refuge, P.O.
Box 230, Karnack, Texas 75661; phone: 903-679-9144, fax: 903-679-9148.
Information concerning this Refuge may also be found at the following
Web site: https://southwest.fws.gov. Comments submitted via e-mail
should be addressed to Tom Baca at Tom--Baca@fws.gov or Mark Williams
at Mark--Williams@fws.gov. 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 address from the rulemaking record, which we will
honor to the extent allowable by law.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Baca, Chief, Division of Planning,
P.O. Box 1306, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87103-1306; phone: 505-248-6631;
fax: 505-248-6874; e-mail Tom--Baca@fws.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Wildlife Refuge System
Improvement Act of 1997 requires that all lands within the National
Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) are to be managed in accordance with an
approved CCP. The CCP guides management decisions and identifies refuge
goals, long-range objectives, and strategies for achieving refuge
purposes. Each refuge in the NWRS has specific purposes for which it
was established. Those purposes are used to develop and prioritize
management goals and objectives within the NWRS mission and to guide
which public uses will occur on a given refuge.
The planning process will consider many elements including wildlife
and habitat management, habitat protection and acquisition, wilderness
preservation, public recreational activities, and cultural resource
protection. Public input into the planning process is essential. The
planning process is a way for the Service and the public to evaluate
refuge management goals and objectives for the best possible
conservation efforts of this important wildlife habitat. Concurrently,
this process is also providing for wildlife-dependent recreation
opportunities that are compatible with each refuge's establishing
purposes and the mission of the NWRS.
The Little Sandy National Wildlife Refuge is a 3,802 acre,
permanent, ``non development'' easement located along the Sabine River
in East Texas. The special interest in land was received by the United
States for management as a unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System
in December 1986. The interest in land was donated by the Little Sandy
Hunting and Fishing Club in Wood County, Texas. An Environmental
Assessment was completed in December 1986 describing the affected
environment and the purposes of establishment of the Little Sandy
National Wildlife Refuge. By acceptance of the easement donation on
behalf of the United States, the Service was acting under the authority
of the Migratory Bird Conservation Act of 1929 to protect and preserve
habitat for waterfowl giving the Refuge its primary purposes. No
funding for acquisition was required. The site would not be actively
managed by the Service, and the use of the site as a hunting club by
the Little Sandy Hunting and Fishing Club would be maintained into
perpetuity. However, the ``non development'' easement prohibits the
conversion of these lands to other land practices, such as timber
harvest or alteration of wetlands notwithstanding specific
authorization by Congress. Although active habitat manipulation (i.e.,
restoration, maintenance, or enhancement of habitat) is limited, the
Service is interested in engaging with the Little Sandy Hunt Club and
other conservation partners in the formation of goals, objectives, and
strategies leading to a better understanding of the full range of
habitat and wildlife resources present on the Refuge. The Service is
cognizant of its responsibility to request authorization from the
Little Sandy Hunt Club prior to any engagement of on site activities.
The Refuge contains old growth bottomland hardwood habitat and
associated wetlands that support wintering mallards (Anas
platyrhynchos) and wintering and breeding wood ducks (Aix sponsa). The
area also supports a large number of other wildlife and plant species,
including the threatened American alligator (Alligator
mississippiensis) and the once endangered bald eagle (Haliaeetus
leucocephalus).
The CCP will provide other agencies and the public with a clear
understanding of the desired conditions for the Refuge and how the
Service will implement management strategies for the conservation and
development of these natural resources.
The Service, through this notice of intent, formally begins the
comprehensive conservation planning process for Little Sandy National
Wildlife Refuge. The Service requests input on any and all issues
concerning the Service's responsibilities to monitor and understand the
full spectrum of habitat and wildlife resources present on the Refuge.
Because the Refuge is an easement overlay upon private hunt club lands,
the comprehensive plan to be developed will likely carry only a minimum
of objectives and strategies pertaining to resource educational and
interpretive opportunities that could be considered in partnership with
the Little Sandy Hunt Club and/or other interested partners. The CCP is
also likely to outline any issues regarding the protection of
threatened and/or endangered species, migratory birds, native species,
and their habitats.
Comments received will be used as part of the planning process.
Individual comments will not be referenced in our reports or directly
responded to. The Service will continue to solicit information from the
public and other agencies via open houses, meetings, and written
comments. Special mailings, newspaper releases, and announcements will
continue to inform people of the time and place of opportunities for
further input to the CCP.
Review of this project will be conducted in accordance with the
National Environmental Policy Act of 1968, as amended (42 U.S.C 4321 et
seq.), NEPA Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508) found at https://
www.thecre.com/fedlaw/default.htm, other appropriate Federal laws, and
Service policies and procedures for compliance with those regulations.
The Service will prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) in
accordance with procedures for implementing NEPA found in the
Department of the Interior Manual (DM Part 516, Chap. 6). The decision
to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement instead of an EA would be
contingent upon the complexity of issues following the scoping phase of
the CCP process.
We estimate that the draft environmental documents will be
available in fall 2007 for public review and comment.
[[Page 46097]]
Authority: This notice is published under the authority of the
National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, Public Law
105-57.
Dated: November 7, 2006.
Christopher T. Jones,
Acting Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Albuquerque,
New Mexico.
Editorial Note: This document was received at the Office of the
Federal Register on August 13, 2007.
[FR Doc. E7-16128 Filed 8-15-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
