Lake Wales Ridge National Wildlife Refuge, Polk and Highlands Counties, FL, 35149-35150 [E8-13927]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 120 / Friday, June 20, 2008 / Notices secure areas of a regulated facility or vessel to obtain a TWIC. In this final rule, on page 3510, TSA and Coast Guard stated that a phased enrollment approach based upon risk assessment and cost/benefit would be used to implement the program nationwide, and that TSA would publish a notice in the Federal Register indicating when enrollment at a specific location will begin and when it is expected to terminate. This notice provides the start date for TWIC initial enrollment at the Ports of Pasco, WA, Coram, NY, and Sacramento, CA on June 19, 2008. The Coast Guard will publish a separate notice in the Federal Register indicating when facilities within the Captain of the Port Zone Portland, including those in the Port of Pasco; Captain of the Port Zone Long Island Sound, including those in the Port of Coram; and Captain of the Port Zone San Francisco Bay, including those in the Port of Sacramento must comply with the portions of the final rule requiring TWIC to be used as an access control measure. That notice will be published at least 90 days before compliance is required. To obtain information on the preenrollment and enrollment process, and enrollment locations, visit TSA’s TWIC Web site at https://www.tsa.gov/twic. number for the hearing- and speechimpaired (202) 708–2565, (these telephone numbers are not toll-free), or call the toll-free Title V information line at 800–927–7588. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the December 12, 1988 court order in National Coalition for the Homeless v. Veterans Administration, No. 88–2503–OG (D.D.C.), HUD publishes a Notice, on a weekly basis, identifying unutilized, underutilized, excess and surplus Federal buildings and real property that HUD has reviewed for suitability for use to assist the homeless. Today’s Notice is for the purpose of announcing that no additional properties have been determined suitable or unsuitable this week. Issued in Arlington, Virginia, on June 16, 2008. Rex Lovelady, Program Manager, TWIC, Office of Transportation Threat Assessment and Credentialing, Transportation Security Administration. [FR Doc. E8–13934 Filed 6–19–08; 8:45 am] Lake Wales Ridge National Wildlife Refuge, Polk and Highlands Counties, FL BILLING CODE 9110–05–P DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT [Docket No. FR–5186–N–25] Federal Property Suitable as Facilities To Assist the Homeless Office of the Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development, HUD. ACTION: Notice. jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: This Notice identifies unutilized, underutilized, excess, and surplus Federal property reviewed by HUD for suitability for possible use to assist the homeless. EFFECTIVE DATE: June 20, 2008. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathy Ezzell, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 Seventh Street, SW, Room 7262, Washington, DC 20410; telephone (202) 708–1234; TTY VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:53 Jun 19, 2008 Jkt 214001 Dated: June 12, 2008. Mark R. Johnston, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Special Needs. [FR Doc. E8–13697 Filed 6–19–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4210–67–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R4–R–2008–N0103; 40136–1265– 0000–S3] Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a comprehensive conservation plan and environmental assessment; request for comments. AGENCY: SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to prepare a comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and associated National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents for Lake Wales Ridge National Wildlife Refuge. We provide this notice in compliance with our CCP policy to advise other agencies, Tribes, and the public of our intentions, and to obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to consider in the planning process. DATES: To ensure consideration, we must receive your written comments by July 21, 2008. Special mailings, newspaper articles, and other media announcements will be used to inform the public and State and local government agencies of the opportunities for input throughout the planning process. A public scoping meeting will be held early in the CCP development process. The date, time, PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 35149 and place for the meeting will be announced in the local media. ADDRESSES: Comments, questions, and requests for information should be sent to: Bill Miller, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, P.O. Box 6504, Titusville, FL 32782–6504; Fax: 321/ 861–1276; Electronic mail: LakeWalesRidgeCCP@fws.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill Miller; Telephone: 561/715–0023. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Introduction With this notice, we initiate our process for developing a CCP for Lake Wales Ridge National Wildlife Refuge in Highlands and Polk Counties, Florida. This notice complies with our CCP policy to (1) advise other Federal and State agencies, Tribes, and the public of our intention to conduct detailed planning on this refuge; and (2) obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to consider in the environmental document and during development of the CCP. Background The CCP Process The National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (16 U.S.C. 668dd–668ee) (Improvement Act), which amended the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, requires us to develop a CCP for each national wildlife refuge. The purpose in developing a CCP is to provide refuge managers with a 15-year strategy for achieving refuge purposes and contributing to the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System, consistent with sound principles of fish and wildlife management, conservation, legal mandates, and our policies. In addition to outlining broad management direction on conserving wildlife and their habitats, CCPs identify wildlifedependent recreational opportunities available to the public, including opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, wildlife photography, and environmental education and interpretation. We will review and update the CCP at least every 15 years in accordance with the Improvement Act. Each unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System is established for specific purposes. We use these purposes as the foundation for developing and prioritizing the management goals and objectives for each refuge within the National Wildlife Refuge System mission, and to determine how the public can use each refuge. The planning process is a way for us and the public to evaluate management goals E:\FR\FM\20JNN1.SGM 20JNN1 jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES 35150 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 120 / Friday, June 20, 2008 / Notices and objectives for the best possible conservation approach to this important wildlife habitat, while providing for wildlife-dependent recreation opportunities that are compatible with the refuge’s establishing purposes and the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Our CCP process provides participation opportunities for Tribal, State, and local governments; agencies; organizations; and the public. At this time we encourage input in the form of issues, concerns, ideas, and suggestions for the future management of Lake Wales Ridge National Wildlife Refuge. Special mailings, newspaper articles, and other media outlets will be used to announce opportunities for input throughout the planning process. We will conduct the environmental assessment in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); NEPA regulations (40 CFR parts 1500–1508); other appropriate Federal laws and regulations; and our policies and procedures for compliance with those laws and regulations. Lake Wales Ridge National Wildlife Refuge is managed as a unit of the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex in Titusville, FL, which is about 100 miles away. Other refuges in the Complex include St. Johns, Pelican Island, Archie Carr, and Lake Woodruff. The refuge was established in 1993 for the protection of threatened and endangered plants and animals: ‘‘ * * * to conserve (A) fish or wildlife which are listed as endangered species * * * or (B) plants * * * ’’ (16 U.S.C. 1534, Endangered Species Act). The refuge is composed of four tracts totaling ±1,857 acres in Polk and Highlands Counties along the south central Florida ridge. In Florida geologic terms, the ridge is an ancient beach and sand dune system formed about 2.5 million years ago. Due to its age and historic geological isolation, many of the plants that inhabit ridge ecosystems are unique and found nowhere else in the world. The refuge contains prime examples of several highly imperiled ecosystems, including Florida scrub and sandhill, as well as over half of the federally listed plant species endemic to the Lake Wales Ridge. The refuge protects 22 federally listed plants, 40 endemic plants, at least 4 listed animals, and more than 40 endemic invertebrates. Because of the potential for impacts to these plants and animals, the refuge has not been opened to the public. Each of the four tracts comprising the refuge has its own particular merits and VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:53 Jun 19, 2008 Jkt 214001 value, as listed. The Carter Creek unit is an excellent example of endemic-rich Lake Wales Ridge sandhill, with nine listed plants; it contains one of only a dozen populations of Florida ziziphus, one of the rarest and most endangered plants in the State. The tracts making up the Flamingo Villas unit have 10 listed species and the only protected populations of Garrett’s scrub balm, a woody mint known only from Highlands County. The Lake McLeod unit has 11 listed plants and is the only protected site for scrub lupine, another extremely rare plant. The Snell Creek site contains one of the last remaining tracts of undisturbed sandhill in northern Polk County. Ridge ecosystems have been reduced by 85 percent from the originally estimated 80,000-acre extent due to development and land use changes. The refuge exists as part of a network of scrub preserves, owned by the State of Florida, The Nature Conservancy, Archbold Biological Station, and Polk and Highland Counties, with similar purposes to protect and manage what remains of this unique ridge ecosystem. Public Availability and Comments Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment, including your personal identifying information, may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Authority: This notice is published under the authority of the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, Public Law 105–57. Dated: May 19, 2008. Cynthia K. Dohner, Acting Regional Director. [FR Doc. E8–13927 Filed 6–19–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Indian Affairs Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Integrated Resource Management Plan for the Spokane Indian Reservation, Stevens County, WA AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior. ACTION: PO 00000 Notice. Frm 00035 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), in cooperation with the Spokane Tribe of Indians (Tribe), intends to file a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the proposed Integrated Resource Management Plan (IRMP) for the Spokane Indian Reservation, Washington, with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and that the FEIS is now available to the public. The proposed action would update the Tribe’s existing IRMP, in order to continue long term resource management. DATES: The Record of Decision on the proposed action will be issued on or after July 22, 2008. Any comments on the FEIS must arrive by July 21, 2008. ADDRESSES: You may mail or hand carry written comments to Donna R. Smith, Geologist, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Spokane Agency, Agency Square, Building 201, P.O. Box 389, Wellpinit, Washington 99040. Please include your name and mailing address with your comments. Persons wishing copies of this FEIS may contact Donna R. Smith at the above address, by telephone at (509) 258–4561, or by fax at (509) 258– 7542. The FEIS is also available on line at https://www.spokanetribe.com. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donna Smith, (509) 258–4561. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed BIA action is approval of the Tribe’s updating and implementation of an IRMP. The proposed IRMP covers a period of 10 years and addresses resources of value on all of the approximately 157,000 acres within the boundaries of the Spokane Indian Reservation and/or under the jurisdiction of the Tribe, including, but not limited to, air quality, cultural resources, fisheries, wildlife, timber, surface and ground water resources, range, agriculture, recreation, mining, residential development, economic development land uses, and infrastructure. The updated IRMP would be implemented in fiscal year 2008 by both the BIA and Spokane Tribe The FEIS analyzes a range of feasible alternatives to address both current and projected needs over the next 10 years. These alternatives are as follows: (#1) No Action, which would continue the existing IRMP with no change in management style; (#2) Preservation and Cultural Emphasis, which would provide the greatest level of environmental and cultural protection; (#3) Preservation of All Future Uses (preferred alternative), with outcome based performance which would balance ecological and cultural values with the need for income; (#4) Growth E:\FR\FM\20JNN1.SGM 20JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 120 (Friday, June 20, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35149-35150]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-13927]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R4-R-2008-N0103; 40136-1265-0000-S3]


Lake Wales Ridge National Wildlife Refuge, Polk and Highlands 
Counties, FL

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a comprehensive conservation plan 
and environmental assessment; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to 
prepare a comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and associated National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents for Lake Wales Ridge National 
Wildlife Refuge. We provide this notice in compliance with our CCP 
policy to advise other agencies, Tribes, and the public of our 
intentions, and to obtain suggestions and information on the scope of 
issues to consider in the planning process.

DATES: To ensure consideration, we must receive your written comments 
by July 21, 2008. Special mailings, newspaper articles, and other media 
announcements will be used to inform the public and State and local 
government agencies of the opportunities for input throughout the 
planning process. A public scoping meeting will be held early in the 
CCP development process. The date, time, and place for the meeting will 
be announced in the local media.

ADDRESSES: Comments, questions, and requests for information should be 
sent to: Bill Miller, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, P.O. Box 
6504, Titusville, FL 32782-6504; Fax: 321/861-1276; Electronic mail: 
LakeWalesRidgeCCP@fws.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill Miller; Telephone: 561/715-0023.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Introduction

    With this notice, we initiate our process for developing a CCP for 
Lake Wales Ridge National Wildlife Refuge in Highlands and Polk 
Counties, Florida.
    This notice complies with our CCP policy to (1) advise other 
Federal and State agencies, Tribes, and the public of our intention to 
conduct detailed planning on this refuge; and (2) obtain suggestions 
and information on the scope of issues to consider in the environmental 
document and during development of the CCP.

Background

The CCP Process

    The National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (16 
U.S.C. 668dd-668ee) (Improvement Act), which amended the National 
Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, requires us to 
develop a CCP for each national wildlife refuge. The purpose in 
developing a CCP is to provide refuge managers with a 15-year strategy 
for achieving refuge purposes and contributing to the mission of the 
National Wildlife Refuge System, consistent with sound principles of 
fish and wildlife management, conservation, legal mandates, and our 
policies. In addition to outlining broad management direction on 
conserving wildlife and their habitats, CCPs identify wildlife-
dependent recreational opportunities available to the public, including 
opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, wildlife 
photography, and environmental education and interpretation. We will 
review and update the CCP at least every 15 years in accordance with 
the Improvement Act.
    Each unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System is established for 
specific purposes. We use these purposes as the foundation for 
developing and prioritizing the management goals and objectives for 
each refuge within the National Wildlife Refuge System mission, and to 
determine how the public can use each refuge. The planning process is a 
way for us and the public to evaluate management goals

[[Page 35150]]

and objectives for the best possible conservation approach to this 
important wildlife habitat, while providing for wildlife-dependent 
recreation opportunities that are compatible with the refuge's 
establishing purposes and the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge 
System.
    Our CCP process provides participation opportunities for Tribal, 
State, and local governments; agencies; organizations; and the public. 
At this time we encourage input in the form of issues, concerns, ideas, 
and suggestions for the future management of Lake Wales Ridge National 
Wildlife Refuge. Special mailings, newspaper articles, and other media 
outlets will be used to announce opportunities for input throughout the 
planning process.
    We will conduct the environmental assessment in accordance with the 
requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as 
amended (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); NEPA regulations (40 CFR parts 
1500-1508); other appropriate Federal laws and regulations; and our 
policies and procedures for compliance with those laws and regulations.
    Lake Wales Ridge National Wildlife Refuge is managed as a unit of 
the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex in Titusville, FL, 
which is about 100 miles away. Other refuges in the Complex include St. 
Johns, Pelican Island, Archie Carr, and Lake Woodruff.
    The refuge was established in 1993 for the protection of threatened 
and endangered plants and animals: `` * * * to conserve (A) fish or 
wildlife which are listed as endangered species * * * or (B) plants * * 
* '' (16 U.S.C. 1534, Endangered Species Act).
    The refuge is composed of four tracts totaling 1,857 
acres in Polk and Highlands Counties along the south central Florida 
ridge. In Florida geologic terms, the ridge is an ancient beach and 
sand dune system formed about 2.5 million years ago. Due to its age and 
historic geological isolation, many of the plants that inhabit ridge 
ecosystems are unique and found nowhere else in the world. The refuge 
contains prime examples of several highly imperiled ecosystems, 
including Florida scrub and sandhill, as well as over half of the 
federally listed plant species endemic to the Lake Wales Ridge. The 
refuge protects 22 federally listed plants, 40 endemic plants, at least 
4 listed animals, and more than 40 endemic invertebrates. Because of 
the potential for impacts to these plants and animals, the refuge has 
not been opened to the public.
    Each of the four tracts comprising the refuge has its own 
particular merits and value, as listed. The Carter Creek unit is an 
excellent example of endemic-rich Lake Wales Ridge sandhill, with nine 
listed plants; it contains one of only a dozen populations of Florida 
ziziphus, one of the rarest and most endangered plants in the State. 
The tracts making up the Flamingo Villas unit have 10 listed species 
and the only protected populations of Garrett's scrub balm, a woody 
mint known only from Highlands County. The Lake McLeod unit has 11 
listed plants and is the only protected site for scrub lupine, another 
extremely rare plant. The Snell Creek site contains one of the last 
remaining tracts of undisturbed sandhill in northern Polk County.
    Ridge ecosystems have been reduced by 85 percent from the 
originally estimated 80,000-acre extent due to development and land use 
changes. The refuge exists as part of a network of scrub preserves, 
owned by the State of Florida, The Nature Conservancy, Archbold 
Biological Station, and Polk and Highland Counties, with similar 
purposes to protect and manage what remains of this unique ridge 
ecosystem.

Public Availability and Comments

    Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or 
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be 
aware that your entire comment, including your personal identifying 
information, may be made publicly available at any time. While you can 
ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying 
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be 
able to do so.

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

    Dated: May 19, 2008.
Cynthia K. Dohner,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. E8-13927 Filed 6-19-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
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