Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan for Sullys Hill National Game Preserve, Fort Totten, ND, 36350-36352 [E8-14483]
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36350
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 124 / Thursday, June 26, 2008 / Notices
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maintenance worker for a total of three
full-time employees.
Alternative D (Wildlife and Habitat
Diversity)
For sea turtles, regular law
enforcement patrols would be
conducted to protect these marine
reptiles from disturbance and
harassment. In addition, the refuge
would work with private landowners
and beach goers to minimize impacts to
sea turtles (e.g., barriers to nesting,
harassment of nesting and hatching sea
turtles, and lighting). The refuge would
coordinate and analyze sea turtle data
and work with the partners to
understand and manage nearshore
habitats.
Management of southeastern beach
mice would include modifying and
restoring habitats utilized by this
species, including maintaining and
opportunistically planting sea oats and
other forage plants. The refuge would
increase control of feral predators.
Gopher tortoise management would
be expanded under this alternative. The
refuge, working with the partners,
would identify locations where the
gopher tortoise is especially vulnerable
to vehicle collisions and evaluate the
feasibility of developing wildlife
underpasses, especially during roadway
maintenance work. Gopher tortoise
crossing signs would be posted in key
areas.
To minimize injury and drowning, the
refuge would coordinate with partners
to prevent manatees from entering water
control structures.
Piping plovers and eastern indigo
snakes would be included in wildlife
diversity surveys in an effort to
determine the extent of their presence
on the refuge.
Control of exotic, invasive, and
nuisance species would be expanded.
The refuge would locate and identify
new infestations of Categories I and II
plants and work to eradicate these,
while controlling non-native plants
already established. It would coordinate
with partners to control feral and freeroaming animals.
The refuge would increase its efforts
to minimize the effects of climate
change. First, it would coordinate with
researchers and partners to investigate
the impacts of climate change on refuge
resources and identify climate change
research needs. It would foster and
conduct needed research studies and
adapt management as necessary.
Under Alternative D, the refuge would
complete the boundary survey and
prioritize active acquisition efforts on
those properties with high biodiversity
values. The refuge would work to
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complete acquisition of lands within the
acquisition boundary from willing
sellers and use land swaps, where
appropriate, as a method to meet this
objective. Through collaboration with
partners, areas high in biodiversity and
wildlife corridors would be identified
and protected.
Under this alternative, a complete
archaeological and historical survey of
the refuge would be conducted. The
refuge would also actively work with
the partners to acquire or otherwise
manage and protect the Oak Lodge Site
due to its contributions to research and
historical data on barrier island
biodiversity.
Visitor service programs would be
expanded under this alternative.
Informational resources available to
visitors would emphasize biodiversity
on the refuge. The refuge would work
with the partners to incorporate wildlife
and habitat diversity messages into their
signage.
Fishing would be increased. The
refuge would close all unapproved foot
trails to public access through refuge
properties and direct the fishing public
to approved access points. The need to
create additional dune crossovers on
partner properties would be evaluated.
Wildlife viewing and photography
would be changed from current
management efforts. Sea turtle walk
programs conducted by the Service
would remain the same. The refuge
would work with the partners to
develop informational materials for
partners’ trails to include wildlife and
habitat diversity messages of the refuge.
Staff and/or volunteer-led migratory
bird walks would be developed by the
refuge.
The refuge would increase
environmental education,
interpretation, and outreach activities
under this alternative. Through
collaborative efforts with the partners,
the refuge would incorporate more
information on biodiversity into existing
education programs. On- and off-site
interpretive programs aimed at
maintaining or increasing biodiversity
and the minimization of human impacts
would be developed.
Nighttime access to the beach from
refuge properties would be eliminated
and the refuge would close all
unapproved foot trails to public access
through its properties. On partner
properties, the refuge would collaborate
to eliminate nighttime access to the
beach via unapproved foot trails. In
addition, the need to close, relocate, or
build dune crossovers at these sites
would be evaluated.
Under Alternative D, staff levels
would be increased. Shared staff with
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Pelican Island Refuge would include:
Wildlife refuge manager, assistant refuge
manager, refuge officer, administrative
assistant, supervisory park ranger,
supervisory maintenance worker, and
wildlife biologist for a total of seven
shared full-time positions. Full-time
refuge-specific staff would include:
Biological science technician, park
ranger, maintenance worker, and
seasonal biological science technician
for a total of 3.5 full-time positions.
Next Step
After the comment period ends, we
will analyze the comments and address
them in the form of a final CCP and
Finding of No Significant Impact.
Public Availability of 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: June 9, 2008.
Cynthia K. Dohner,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. E8–14478 Filed 6–25–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS–R6–R–2008–N0122; 60138–1265–
6CCP–S3]
Draft Comprehensive Conservation
Plan for Sullys Hill National Game
Preserve, Fort Totten, ND
Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (Service) announce that
our Draft Comprehensive Conservation
Plan (CCP) and Environmental
Assessment (EA) for Sullys Hill
National Game Preserve is available.
This Draft CCP/EA describes how the
Service intends to manage this refuge
for the next 15 years.
DATES: To ensure consideration, we
must receive your written comments on
the draft CCP/EA by July 28, 2008.
E:\FR\FM\26JNN1.SGM
26JNN1
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 124 / Thursday, June 26, 2008 / Notices
Please provide written
comments to Laura King, Planning
Team Leader, c/o Tewaukon National
Wildlife Refuge, 9756 1431⁄2 Ave., SE.,
Cayuga, North Dakota 58013 or via
facsimile at (701) 724–3683; or
electronically to laura_king@fws.gov. A
copy of the CCP/EA may be obtained by
writing to U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Division of Refuge Planning,
134 Union Boulevard, Suite 300,
Lakewood, Colorado 80228; or by
download from https://mountainprairie.fws.gov/planning.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Laura King, (701) 724–3596 (phone);
701–724–3683 (fax); or
laura_king@fws.gov (e-mail).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Sullys Hill
National Game Preserve, established in
1904, is a 1,675-acre National Wildlife
Refuge sitting on the south shores of
Devils Lake, about 10 miles south of the
city of Devils Lake, North Dakota. This
Refuge supports a unique community of
habitats such as an oak, ash, basswood
and aspen woodland, mixed grassed
prairie, and some natural wetlands.
These diverse habitats provide ‘‘edge’’
habitat for over 250 species of migratory
birds, plains bison, Rocky Mountain elk,
white-tailed deer, turkeys, and prairie
dogs.
The Refuge is one of only 19
designated natural areas in North
Dakota, of which only four are National
Wildlife Refuges. It is also one of only
four Refuges nationally established for
bison conservation.
Sullys Hill National Game Preserve
has over 60,000 visitors annually. The
Refuge is becoming a progressive
regional conservation learning center,
promoting the conservation role of the
National Wildlife Refuge System while
educating visitors about the functions
and benefits of prairie wetlands and
grasslands. Per its legislative purpose,
there is no hunting permitted on this
Refuge.
This draft CCP/EA identifies and
evaluates three alternatives for
managing the refuge for the next 15
years. Under Alternative A, funding,
staff levels, and management activities
at the Refuge would not change.
Ungulates would be maintained at
historic levels (25–35 bison, 20–30 elk
and 30–50 white-tailed deer). Seasonlong grazing with infrequent prescribed
fire would continue, limiting forest
regeneration and resulting in continued
decline of native prairie. Available
habitat for forest interior breeding birds
would be limited. Herd health history
would continue to be collected and
shared with applicable State and
Federal agencies. The environmental
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ADDRESSES:
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15:05 Jun 25, 2008
Jkt 214001
education and interpretation program
would continue to take requests to
participate in various teacher and/or
Service staff-led on-site conservation
programs. Visitor use would be limited
to the seasonal auto tour route, nature
trails, and visitor center depending
primarily on volunteer availability.
Cultural resource evaluations would be
done to fulfill compliance with historic
preservation laws. Only one staff person
would be assigned to this Refuge.
Under Alternative B, habitat
management would begin to address
reduced forest regeneration by managing
the uncontrolled browsing of bison, elk,
and white-tailed deer within the big
game forests. Ungulates would be
maintained, as per the Fenced Animal
Management Plan (25–40 bison; 15–25
elk; 10–30 white-tailed deer). The refuge
would establish woodland restoration
units, totalling 80 acres, using various
management tools including exclusion
fences. Chemical, biological and
mechanical techniques (such as
prescribed fire) would be used to
enhance habitats for the benefit of
grassland and forest interior breeding
birds. Fuels treatment (including
prescribed fire or other mechanical
means) would be used to reduce
hazardous fuels, minimizing the threat
to life and property. Invasive species
would be treated and areas restored.
Visitors would be provided seasonal
opportunities to view wildlife and learn
about the Refuge. There would be an
increase in on-site educational programs
for adults and children. These and other
special events would be designed to
garner support and appreciation for the
Refuge, North Dakota’s wetland and
grassland resources, and the
conservation role of the Refuge System.
The Refuges limited fishery would be
used for educational programs only.
There would be an increased law
enforcement presence, particularly
during peak visitor-use days. Cultural
resource surveys would be completed in
high probability areas. Two full time
and one career seasonal staff would be
added to address visitor services,
biological, law enforcement, and
maintenance needs.
Under Alternative C, the Proposed
Action, habitat management would
address enhancing and restoring native
prairie and promoting forest
regeneration. Ungulate populations
would be maintained at lower levels
(≤20 bison, ≤18 elk, and ≤18 whitetailed deer) to control the overgrazing
and overbrowsing that has impacted
Refuge habitats. Management tools,
including exclusion fences and other
appropriate methods such as chemical,
biological, and mechanical techniques
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
36351
(including prescribed fire) will be used
to restore and enhance habitat for the
benefit of forest interior breeding and
grassland nesting birds. Selected hay
land acres would be restored to native
prairie. Fuels treatment (including
prescribed fire or other mechanical
means) would be used to reduce
hazardous fuels, minimizing the threat
to life and property. Invasive species
would be treated and areas restored. The
ungulate herd health program would
take a more active disease surveillance
and treatment approach, including
timely introduction of ungulates to
maintain genetic health, particularly for
the Refuges plains bison.
There would be an increase in
delivery of both on-site and off-site
programming of youth environmental
education programs. In cooperation
with local teachers, a formal wetland
and grassland conservation curriculum
would be designed for targeted grade
levels and meet local and State
standards. Emphasis would be placed
on developing education partnerships
with Spirit Lake Nation schools and
agencies. The Refuges limited fishery
would be used for educational programs
only. Visitor, facility, and wildlife safety
would be improved through regular
routine patrols during peak and off-peak
public use. A comprehensive cultural
resource survey of the Refuge would be
completed in partnership with other
agencies and organizations. Four fulltime staff would be recruited to expand,
develop, and conduct biological, visitor
services, law enforcement, and
maintenance programs.
All public comment information
provided voluntarily by mail, by phone,
or at meetings (for example, names,
addresses, letters of comment, input
recorded during meetings) becomes part
of the official Public Record. If
requested under the Freedom of
Information Act by a private citizen or
organization, the Service may provide
copies of such information. The
Environmental Review of this project
will be conducted in accordance with
the requirements of the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of
1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et
seq.); NEPA Regulations (40 CFR parts
1500–1508); other appropriate Federal
laws and regulations; Executive Order
12996; the National Wildlife Refuge
System Improvement Act of 1997; and
Service policies and procedures for
compliance with those laws and
regulations.
E:\FR\FM\26JNN1.SGM
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36352
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 124 / Thursday, June 26, 2008 / Notices
Dated: May 27, 2008.
James J. Slack,
Deputy Regional Director.
[FR Doc. E8–14483 Filed 6–25–08; 8:45 am]
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
Notice of Shooting, Glass Container,
and Vehicle Parking Closure; La
Cienega Area of Critical Environmental
Concern, Santa Fe County, NM
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
Notice of Extension of the Call for
Nominations for the Pinedale Anticline
Working Group and Task Groups
(PAWG)
Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
Notice of Extension of the Call
for Nominations for the Pinedale
Anticline Working Group and Task
Groups (PAWG).
ACTION:
SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) is extending the call
for nominations for six membership
positions on the PAWG. The original
notice calling for nominations was
published in the Federal Register on
May 21, 2008 [73 FR 29532]. The
original deadline for the call for
nominations was June 20, 2008, 30 days
from the publication of the original
notice. The purpose of the Working
Group and Task Groups will be to
advise the BLM, Pinedale Field Office
Manager, regarding recommendations
on matters pertinent to the BLM’s
responsibilities related to the Pinedale
Anticline Environmental Impact
Statement and Record of Decision.
Submit a completed nomination
form and nomination letters no later
than July 20, 2008.
DATES:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Lauren McKeever, PAWG Coordinator,
Bureau of Land Management, Pinedale
Field Office, 1625 West Pine Street, P.O.
Box 768, Pinedale, Wyoming 82941,
Phone: (307) 367–5352.
Dated: June 20, 2008.
Jamie E. Connell,
Acting Associate State Director.
[FR Doc. E8–14503 Filed 6–25–08; 8:45 am]
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BILLING CODE 4310–22–P
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15:05 Jun 25, 2008
Jkt 214001
[NM–220–08–1110–CB]
Bureau of Land Management
(BLM), DOI.
ACTION: Notice of Emergency Shooting,
Glass Container, and Vehicle Closure at
La Cienega Area of Critical
Environmental Concern (ACEC), Santa
Fe County, New Mexico.
AGENCY:
[WY–100–2008–1310–DJ]
AGENCY:
Bureau of Land Management
SUMMARY: This notice places restrictions
on shooting, with the exception of valid
legal hunting approved by New Mexico
Game and Fish Department, the
possession of glass containers on
specific public lands administered by
the BLM Taos Field Office in Santa Fe
County, New Mexico; an area of
approximately 530 acres referred to as
the La Cienega ACEC. This action is
necessary to halt ongoing impacts and
prevent future degradation of cultural
resources and protect the public safety
of users on the public lands; pending
revision of the Resource Management
Plan (RMP) for this area administered by
the BLM Taos Field Office.
DATES: This notice is effective July 1,
2008, and shall remain in effect until
modified or the RMP is revised.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sam
DesGeorges, Taos Field Manager, BLM
Taos Field Office, 226 Cruz Alta Road,
Taos, New Mexico 87571, telephone
575–758–8851.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Taos
RMP (1988, as amended) identified La
Cienega ACEC, which included La
Cieneguilla Petroglyph Site. In 2004, the
Galisteo Basin Archaeological Sites
Protection Act became public law
(Public Law 108–208—March 19, 2004)
and included La Cieneguilla Petroglyph
site. This Act’s purpose is to ‘‘provide
for the preservation, protection, and
interpretation of these nationally
significant archaeological resources.’’
La Cieneguilla Petroglyph site has
received damage by deliberate shooting
of petroglyphs and some inadvertent
damage by the shooting of clay pigeons
with shotguns on the mesa/canyon rims.
Target shooting in the immediate
vicinity, using rock or vegetation as the
only backdrop, is causing an immediate
threat to public safety. A highway,
parking area for La Cieneguilla
Petroglyph site, hiking paths, two-track
vehicle routes, and nearby residences
are subject to stray or ricocheting
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Sfmt 4703
bullets, some of which can carry up to
two or more miles in distance. In
addition, trash accumulation from items
being used as targets (television sets,
household items, etc.) and spent brass
and shotgun shells are impacting these
public lands.
Glass containers are a problem in this
area, both as a littering problem and a
safety problem. La Cieneguilla
Petroglyph site is located along a
volcanic cliff wall with large boulders at
the cliff base. Glass containers
inadvertently break by accidentally
being dropped. The majority of glass
containers are purposely thrown onto
the rocks or used as targets for firearms.
The broken glass adversely affects
public use of this area, detracting from
the petroglyphs. Additionally, the
broken glass is a hazard to vehicles,
domestic animals, and wildlife.
Use and visitation of La Cieneguilla
Petroglyph site has significantly
increased after passage of the Galisteo
Basin Archaeological Sites Protection
Act. Educational field trips, including
public schools and museums, are
common place as well as the general
public interested in this nationally
recognized petroglyph site.
The BLM recently constructed a
parking area for access to La Cieneguilla
Petroglyph Site along Santa Fe County
Road 56 (Paseo Real). This closure order
prohibits parking on BLM-administered
lands along Via de los Romero,
immediately adjacent to La Cieneguilla
Petroglyph Site, to encourage visitors to
use one preferred access trail from the
BLM parking area.
Shooting is defined in this order as
the discharging of any projectile by
means including, but not limited to,
firearms (including rifle, shotgun,
handgun, BB-gun, pellet gun, etc.),
bows, cross bows, paintball guns, or
sling-shot type devices.
This closure is in accordance with the
provisions of the Federal Land Policy
and Management Act of 1976 (Public
Law 94–579, 90 stat. 2743, 43 U.S.C.
1701) and Title 43, Subpart 8364.1 of
the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations
(CFR). Maximum penalties are
$1,000.00 fine and/or 12 months in
prison.
Maps depicting the area affected by
this closure are available for public
inspection at the BLM Taos Field Office,
226 Cruz Alta Road, Taos, New Mexico,
and the New Mexico BLM State Office,
1474 Rodeo Road, Santa Fe, New
Mexico.
E:\FR\FM\26JNN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 124 (Thursday, June 26, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36350-36352]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-14483]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R6-R-2008-N0122; 60138-1265-6CCP-S3]
Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan for Sullys Hill National
Game Preserve, Fort Totten, ND
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announce that
our Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental
Assessment (EA) for Sullys Hill National Game Preserve is available.
This Draft CCP/EA describes how the Service intends to manage this
refuge for the next 15 years.
DATES: To ensure consideration, we must receive your written comments
on the draft CCP/EA by July 28, 2008.
[[Page 36351]]
ADDRESSES: Please provide written comments to Laura King, Planning Team
Leader, c/o Tewaukon National Wildlife Refuge, 9756 143\1/2\ Ave., SE.,
Cayuga, North Dakota 58013 or via facsimile at (701) 724-3683; or
electronically to laura_king@fws.gov. A copy of the CCP/EA may be
obtained by writing to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of
Refuge Planning, 134 Union Boulevard, Suite 300, Lakewood, Colorado
80228; or by download from https://mountain-prairie.fws.gov/planning.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laura King, (701) 724-3596 (phone);
701-724-3683 (fax); or laura_king@fws.gov (e-mail).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Sullys Hill National Game Preserve,
established in 1904, is a 1,675-acre National Wildlife Refuge sitting
on the south shores of Devils Lake, about 10 miles south of the city of
Devils Lake, North Dakota. This Refuge supports a unique community of
habitats such as an oak, ash, basswood and aspen woodland, mixed
grassed prairie, and some natural wetlands. These diverse habitats
provide ``edge'' habitat for over 250 species of migratory birds,
plains bison, Rocky Mountain elk, white-tailed deer, turkeys, and
prairie dogs.
The Refuge is one of only 19 designated natural areas in North
Dakota, of which only four are National Wildlife Refuges. It is also
one of only four Refuges nationally established for bison conservation.
Sullys Hill National Game Preserve has over 60,000 visitors
annually. The Refuge is becoming a progressive regional conservation
learning center, promoting the conservation role of the National
Wildlife Refuge System while educating visitors about the functions and
benefits of prairie wetlands and grasslands. Per its legislative
purpose, there is no hunting permitted on this Refuge.
This draft CCP/EA identifies and evaluates three alternatives for
managing the refuge for the next 15 years. Under Alternative A,
funding, staff levels, and management activities at the Refuge would
not change. Ungulates would be maintained at historic levels (25-35
bison, 20-30 elk and 30-50 white-tailed deer). Season-long grazing with
infrequent prescribed fire would continue, limiting forest regeneration
and resulting in continued decline of native prairie. Available habitat
for forest interior breeding birds would be limited. Herd health
history would continue to be collected and shared with applicable State
and Federal agencies. The environmental education and interpretation
program would continue to take requests to participate in various
teacher and/or Service staff-led on-site conservation programs. Visitor
use would be limited to the seasonal auto tour route, nature trails,
and visitor center depending primarily on volunteer availability.
Cultural resource evaluations would be done to fulfill compliance with
historic preservation laws. Only one staff person would be assigned to
this Refuge.
Under Alternative B, habitat management would begin to address
reduced forest regeneration by managing the uncontrolled browsing of
bison, elk, and white-tailed deer within the big game forests.
Ungulates would be maintained, as per the Fenced Animal Management Plan
(25-40 bison; 15-25 elk; 10-30 white-tailed deer). The refuge would
establish woodland restoration units, totalling 80 acres, using various
management tools including exclusion fences. Chemical, biological and
mechanical techniques (such as prescribed fire) would be used to
enhance habitats for the benefit of grassland and forest interior
breeding birds. Fuels treatment (including prescribed fire or other
mechanical means) would be used to reduce hazardous fuels, minimizing
the threat to life and property. Invasive species would be treated and
areas restored. Visitors would be provided seasonal opportunities to
view wildlife and learn about the Refuge. There would be an increase in
on-site educational programs for adults and children. These and other
special events would be designed to garner support and appreciation for
the Refuge, North Dakota's wetland and grassland resources, and the
conservation role of the Refuge System. The Refuges limited fishery
would be used for educational programs only. There would be an
increased law enforcement presence, particularly during peak visitor-
use days. Cultural resource surveys would be completed in high
probability areas. Two full time and one career seasonal staff would be
added to address visitor services, biological, law enforcement, and
maintenance needs.
Under Alternative C, the Proposed Action, habitat management would
address enhancing and restoring native prairie and promoting forest
regeneration. Ungulate populations would be maintained at lower levels
(<=20 bison, <=18 elk, and <=18 white-tailed deer) to control the
overgrazing and overbrowsing that has impacted Refuge habitats.
Management tools, including exclusion fences and other appropriate
methods such as chemical, biological, and mechanical techniques
(including prescribed fire) will be used to restore and enhance habitat
for the benefit of forest interior breeding and grassland nesting
birds. Selected hay land acres would be restored to native prairie.
Fuels treatment (including prescribed fire or other mechanical means)
would be used to reduce hazardous fuels, minimizing the threat to life
and property. Invasive species would be treated and areas restored. The
ungulate herd health program would take a more active disease
surveillance and treatment approach, including timely introduction of
ungulates to maintain genetic health, particularly for the Refuges
plains bison.
There would be an increase in delivery of both on-site and off-site
programming of youth environmental education programs. In cooperation
with local teachers, a formal wetland and grassland conservation
curriculum would be designed for targeted grade levels and meet local
and State standards. Emphasis would be placed on developing education
partnerships with Spirit Lake Nation schools and agencies. The Refuges
limited fishery would be used for educational programs only. Visitor,
facility, and wildlife safety would be improved through regular routine
patrols during peak and off-peak public use. A comprehensive cultural
resource survey of the Refuge would be completed in partnership with
other agencies and organizations. Four full-time staff would be
recruited to expand, develop, and conduct biological, visitor services,
law enforcement, and maintenance programs.
All public comment information provided voluntarily by mail, by
phone, or at meetings (for example, names, addresses, letters of
comment, input recorded during meetings) becomes part of the official
Public Record. If requested under the Freedom of Information Act by a
private citizen or organization, the Service may provide copies of such
information. The Environmental Review of this project will be conducted
in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); NEPA
Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508); other appropriate Federal laws
and regulations; Executive Order 12996; the National Wildlife Refuge
System Improvement Act of 1997; and Service policies and procedures for
compliance with those laws and regulations.
[[Page 36352]]
Dated: May 27, 2008.
James J. Slack,
Deputy Regional Director.
[FR Doc. E8-14483 Filed 6-25-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
