Big Stone, Neal Smith, Crane Meadows, Gravel Island, Green Bay, Harbor Island, Huron, and Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuges, 76677-76678 [E8-29836]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 243 / Wednesday, December 17, 2008 / Notices Counsel who serves as program counsel to the program office considering granting the waiver, and by the General Counsel or General Counsel’s designee under the most recent General Counsel’s order of succession. This review procedure will ensure that all waivers are consistent with the Vacancies Reform Act of 1998. III. Findings and Certifications Environmental Review. An environmental finding under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321–4347) is unnecessary since this notice involves internal administrative procedures that are categorically excluded under HUD regulations at 24 CFR 50.20(k). It should be noted that the actual grant of a waiver pursuant to this notice may require environmental review. If this occurs, the environmental considerations will be assessed at that time and in that context. Executive Order 13132, Federalism. Executive Order 13132 (entitled ‘‘Federalism’’) prohibits, to the extent practicable and permitted by law, an agency from promulgating a regulation that has federalism implications and either imposes substantial direct compliance costs on state and local governments and is not required by statute, or preempts state law, unless the relevant requirements of section 6 of the Executive Order are met. The statement of policy sets forth only the procedures for granting waivers of regulations and directives, and for notifying the public of the waiver. Accordingly, this statement of policy does not have federalism implications and does not impose substantial direct compliance costs on state and local governments or preempt state law within the meaning of the Executive Order. Authority: Sections 7(d) and 7(q), Department of Housing and Urban Development Act (42 U.S.C. 3535(d) and 3535(q)). Dated: December 9, 2008. Roy A. Bernardi, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. E8–29813 Filed 12–16–08; 8:45 am] pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES BILLING CODE 4210–67–P VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:58 Dec 16, 2008 Jkt 217001 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R3–R–2008–N0294; 30136–1265– 0000–S3] Big Stone, Neal Smith, Crane Meadows, Gravel Island, Green Bay, Harbor Island, Huron, and Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuges AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare comprehensive conservation plans and environmental assessments; request for comments. SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to gather information necessary to prepare comprehensive conservation plans (CCP) and associated environmental documents for the Big Stone, Neal Smith, Crane Meadows, Gravel Island, Green Bay, Harbor Island, Huron, and Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs). We furnish this notice in compliance with our CCP policy to advise other agencies and the public of our intentions, and to obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to be considered in the planning process. In addition, we invite comments on archeological, historic, and traditional cultural sites in accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act. Special mailings, newspaper articles, Internet postings, and other media announcements will inform people of the opportunities for written comments. ADDRESSES: See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice for specific addresses for each refuge. You may also find information on the CCP planning process and submit comments electronically on the planning Web site https://www.fws.gov/ midwest/planning, or you may e-mail comments to r3planning@fws.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice for specific contact names and telephone numbers for each refuge. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: With this notice, we initiate the CCP for the Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge, Big Stone and Lac qui Parle Counties, MN; Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge, Jasper County, IA; Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Morrison County, MN; Gravel Island National Wildlife Refuge, Door County, WI (Lake Michigan); Green Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Door County, WI (Lake Michigan); Harbor Island National Wildlife Refuge, Chippewa County, MI PO 00000 Frm 00071 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 76677 (Lake Huron); Huron National Wildlife Refuge, Marquette County, MI (Lake Superior); and Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuge, with four islands in Charlevoix County, MI (Lake Michigan), and five islands in Arenac and Alpena Counties, MI (Lake Huron). Comments or requests for more information can be directed to the individuals listed for each refuge: • Attention: Alice Hanley, Refuge Manager, Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge, 44843 County Road 19, Odessa, MN 56276; 320–273–2191. • Attention: Nancy Gilbertson, Refuge Manager, Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge, P.O. Box 399, 9981 Pacific Street, Prairie City, IA 50228; 515–994– 3400. • Attention: Paul Soler, Refuge Manager, Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, 19502 Iris Road, Little Falls, MN 56345; 320–632–1575. • Attention: Patti Meyers, Refuge Manager, Gravel Island National Wildlife Refuge (Managed by Horicon NWR), W4279 Headquarters Road, Mayville, WI 53050; 920–387–2658. • Attention: Patti Meyers, Refuge Manager, Green Bay National Wildlife Refuge (Managed by Horicon NWR), W4279 Headquarters Road, Mayville, WI 53050; 920–387–2658. • Attention: Tracy Casselman, Refuge Manager, Harbor Island National Wildlife Refuge (Managed by Seney NWR), 1674 Refuge Entrance Rd., Seney, MI 49883; 906–586–9851. • Attention: Tracy Casselman, Refuge Manager, Huron National Wildlife Refuge (Managed by Seney NWR), 1674 Refuge Entrance Rd., Seney, MI 49883; 906–586–9851. • Attention: Tracy Casselman, Refuge Manager, Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuge (northern section of Michigan Islands management at Seney NWR), 1674 Refuge Entrance Rd., Seney, MI 49883; 906–586–9851 and (south section of Michigan Islands management at Shiawassee NWR) Attention: Steve Kahl, Refuge Manager, Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuge, 6975 Mower Road, Saginaw, MI 48601; 989–777–5930. Public Availability of Comments Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should know that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you may 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. E:\FR\FM\17DEN1.SGM 17DEN1 76678 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 243 / Wednesday, December 17, 2008 / Notices pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES Background The CCP Process 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), requires the Service to develop a comprehensive conservation plan for each national wildlife refuge. The purpose in 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 habitats, plans identify wildlifedependent recreational opportunities available to the public, including opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, wildlife photography, and environmental education and interpretation. Each unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System, including each of these NWRs, is established with specific purposes. The Service uses these purposes to develop and prioritize management goals and objectives within the National Wildlife Refuge System mission, and to guide which public uses will occur on these Refuges. The planning process is a way for us and the public to evaluate management goals and objectives for the best possible conservation efforts of this important wildlife habitat, while providing for wildlife-dependent recreation opportunities that are compatible with the Refuges’ establishing purposes and the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System. The Service will conduct comprehensive conservation planning processes that will provide opportunity for Tribal, State, and local governments; agencies; organizations; and the public to participate in issue scoping and public comment for the future management of the Big Stone NWR, Neal Smith NWR, Crane Meadows NWR, Gravel Island NWR, Green Bay NWR, Harbor Island NWR, Huron NWR, and Michigan Islands NWR. We invite anyone interested to respond to the following two questions: 1. What issues do you want to see addressed in the CCP? 2. What improvements would you recommend for the refuges? Responding to these two questions is optional; you are not required to provide information to us. Our Planning Team developed the questions to gather VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:58 Dec 16, 2008 Jkt 217001 information about individual issues and ideas concerning these Refuges. Comments we receive will be used as part of the planning process; however, we will not reference individual comments in our reports or directly respond to them. We will also give the public an opportunity to provide input at open houses. You can obtain a schedule of the open house events by contacting the Refuge Managers listed in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice. The environmental review of these projects will be conducted in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (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 regulations. All comments we receive from individuals on our environmental assessments become part of the official public record. We will handle requests for such comments in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act, NEPA (40 CFR 1506.6(f)), and other Departmental and Service policies and procedures. Dated: November 7, 2008. Charles M. Wooley, Acting Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ft. Snelling, Minnesota. [FR Doc. E8–29836 Filed 12–16–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R1–NWRS–2008–N0310; 1265–0000– 10137–S3] Baker Island, Howland Island, and Jarvis Island National Wildlife Refuges, U.S. Territories AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability of the final comprehensive conservation plans and findings of no significant impact. SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) have completed Comprehensive Conservation Plans (CCPs) and Findings of No Significant Impact (FONSIs) for the Baker Island, Howland Island, and Jarvis Island National Wildlife Refuges (Refuges). The CCPs were developed to provide a foundation for the management and use of these Refuges. We are furnishing this notice to advise other agencies and the public of the availability of the CCPs and FONSIs, PO 00000 Frm 00072 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 and the decision to implement Alternative B as described in each CCP. The Service’s Regional Director for the Pacific Region selected Alternative B for managing these Refuges for the next 15 years. The Refuges are U.S. Territories in the central Pacific Ocean, located between 1,300 and 1,600 miles southwest of Honolulu, Hawai’i. DATES: The CCPs and FONSIs are now available. Implementation of the CCPs may begin immediately. ADDRESSES: Printed copies of the CCPs and FONSIs are available for viewing or may be obtained by visiting or writing the Pacific Remote Islands National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 300 Ala Moana Blvd., Room 5–211, Honolulu, HI 96850. These documents are also available for viewing and downloading on the Internet at https://www.fws.gov/ pacific/planning/. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Donald Palawski, Refuge Manager, Pacific Remote Islands National Wildlife Refuge Complex, phone number (808) 792– 9560. Baker Island, Howland Island, and Jarvis Island Refuges are part of the National Wildlife Refuge System administered by the Service. The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (Refuge Administration Act), as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (16 U.S.C. 668dd–668ee), requires all units of the National Wildlife Refuge System to be managed in accordance with an approved CCP. A CCP provides management direction and identifies refuge goals, objectives, and strategies for achieving refuge purposes. The CCPs and FONSIs for the Refuges were prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), as amended, and its implementing regulations, the Refuge Administration Act, and Service policies. The Refuges and surrounding marine waters are unincorporated territories under the sovereignty of the United States. The Refuges straddle the equator in the Central Pacific subregion of the Polynesian Region of the Pacific Basin. This subregion, the largest of the four in the Polynesian Region, is the most remote part of the tropical Pacific and includes only low-lying reef islands, atolls and submerged reefs. The dominant wildlife species on these islands includes breeding seabirds and migrant shorebirds. In the waters surrounding the Refuges there are extremely pristine and unique coral reef and deep water ecosystems that exist nowhere else in the United States. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\17DEN1.SGM 17DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 243 (Wednesday, December 17, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76677-76678]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-29836]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R3-R-2008-N0294; 30136-1265-0000-S3]


Big Stone, Neal Smith, Crane Meadows, Gravel Island, Green Bay, 
Harbor Island, Huron, and Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuges

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare comprehensive conservation plans 
and environmental assessments; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to 
gather information necessary to prepare comprehensive conservation 
plans (CCP) and associated environmental documents for the Big Stone, 
Neal Smith, Crane Meadows, Gravel Island, Green Bay, Harbor Island, 
Huron, and Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs). We 
furnish this notice in compliance with our CCP policy to advise other 
agencies and the public of our intentions, and to obtain suggestions 
and information on the scope of issues to be considered in the planning 
process. In addition, we invite comments on archeological, historic, 
and traditional cultural sites in accordance with the National Historic 
Preservation Act. Special mailings, newspaper articles, Internet 
postings, and other media announcements will inform people of the 
opportunities for written comments.

ADDRESSES: See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice for 
specific addresses for each refuge.
    You may also find information on the CCP planning process and 
submit comments electronically on the planning Web site https://
www.fws.gov/midwest/planning, or you may e-mail comments to 
r3planning@fws.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section 
of this notice for specific contact names and telephone numbers for 
each refuge.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: With this notice, we initiate the CCP for 
the Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge, Big Stone and Lac qui Parle 
Counties, MN; Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge, Jasper County, IA; 
Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Morrison County, MN; Gravel 
Island National Wildlife Refuge, Door County, WI (Lake Michigan); Green 
Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Door County, WI (Lake Michigan); Harbor 
Island National Wildlife Refuge, Chippewa County, MI (Lake Huron); 
Huron National Wildlife Refuge, Marquette County, MI (Lake Superior); 
and Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuge, with four islands in 
Charlevoix County, MI (Lake Michigan), and five islands in Arenac and 
Alpena Counties, MI (Lake Huron).
    Comments or requests for more information can be directed to the 
individuals listed for each refuge:
     Attention: Alice Hanley, Refuge Manager, Big Stone 
National Wildlife Refuge, 44843 County Road 19, Odessa, MN 56276; 320-
273-2191.
     Attention: Nancy Gilbertson, Refuge Manager, Neal Smith 
National Wildlife Refuge, P.O. Box 399, 9981 Pacific Street, Prairie 
City, IA 50228; 515-994-3400.
     Attention: Paul Soler, Refuge Manager, Crane Meadows 
National Wildlife Refuge, 19502 Iris Road, Little Falls, MN 56345; 320-
632-1575.
     Attention: Patti Meyers, Refuge Manager, Gravel Island 
National Wildlife Refuge (Managed by Horicon NWR), W4279 Headquarters 
Road, Mayville, WI 53050; 920-387-2658.
     Attention: Patti Meyers, Refuge Manager, Green Bay 
National Wildlife Refuge (Managed by Horicon NWR), W4279 Headquarters 
Road, Mayville, WI 53050; 920-387-2658.
     Attention: Tracy Casselman, Refuge Manager, Harbor Island 
National Wildlife Refuge (Managed by Seney NWR), 1674 Refuge Entrance 
Rd., Seney, MI 49883; 906-586-9851.
     Attention: Tracy Casselman, Refuge Manager, Huron National 
Wildlife Refuge (Managed by Seney NWR), 1674 Refuge Entrance Rd., 
Seney, MI 49883; 906-586-9851.
     Attention: Tracy Casselman, Refuge Manager, Michigan 
Islands National Wildlife Refuge (northern section of Michigan Islands 
management at Seney NWR), 1674 Refuge Entrance Rd., Seney, MI 49883; 
906-586-9851 and (south section of Michigan Islands management at 
Shiawassee NWR) Attention: Steve Kahl, Refuge Manager, Michigan Islands 
National Wildlife Refuge, 6975 Mower Road, Saginaw, MI 48601; 989-777-
5930.

Public Availability of Comments

    Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or 
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should know 
that your entire comment--including your personal identifying 
information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you may 
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.

[[Page 76678]]

Background

The CCP Process

    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), requires the Service to develop a 
comprehensive conservation plan for each national wildlife refuge. The 
purpose in 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 habitats, plans identify wildlife-dependent recreational 
opportunities available to the public, including opportunities for 
hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, wildlife photography, and 
environmental education and interpretation.
    Each unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System, including each of 
these NWRs, is established with specific purposes. The Service uses 
these purposes to develop and prioritize management goals and 
objectives within the National Wildlife Refuge System mission, and to 
guide which public uses will occur on these Refuges. The planning 
process is a way for us and the public to evaluate management goals and 
objectives for the best possible conservation efforts of this important 
wildlife habitat, while providing for wildlife-dependent recreation 
opportunities that are compatible with the Refuges' establishing 
purposes and the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System.
    The Service will conduct comprehensive conservation planning 
processes that will provide opportunity for Tribal, State, and local 
governments; agencies; organizations; and the public to participate in 
issue scoping and public comment for the future management of the Big 
Stone NWR, Neal Smith NWR, Crane Meadows NWR, Gravel Island NWR, Green 
Bay NWR, Harbor Island NWR, Huron NWR, and Michigan Islands NWR. We 
invite anyone interested to respond to the following two questions:
    1. What issues do you want to see addressed in the CCP?
    2. What improvements would you recommend for the refuges?
    Responding to these two questions is optional; you are not required 
to provide information to us. Our Planning Team developed the questions 
to gather information about individual issues and ideas concerning 
these Refuges. Comments we receive will be used as part of the planning 
process; however, we will not reference individual comments in our 
reports or directly respond to them.
    We will also give the public an opportunity to provide input at 
open houses. You can obtain a schedule of the open house events by 
contacting the Refuge Managers listed in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION 
section of this notice.
    The environmental review of these projects will be conducted in 
accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy 
Act of 1969, as amended (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 regulations. 
All comments we receive from individuals on our environmental 
assessments become part of the official public record. We will handle 
requests for such comments in accordance with the Freedom of 
Information Act, NEPA (40 CFR 1506.6(f)), and other Departmental and 
Service policies and procedures.

    Dated: November 7, 2008.
Charles M. Wooley,
Acting Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ft. Snelling, 
Minnesota.
[FR Doc. E8-29836 Filed 12-16-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P

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