Culebra National Wildlife Refuge, Puerto Rico, 77827-77828 [E8-30270]
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 245 / Friday, December 19, 2008 / Notices
(c) Tribal offices if the IIM function is
contracted or compacted under the
Indian Self-Determination and
Education Assistance Act, Pub. L. 93–
638, 88 Stat. 2203, as amended. Other
tribal offices including enrollment,
social services, and education.
(d) Courts of competent jurisdiction,
including tribal courts.
(e) Contractors, including but not
limited to:
(1) credit bureaus;
(2) news media;
(3) missing persons locators;
(4) and mail list vendors.
(5) Internet searches;
(6) public utilities; and
(7) professional, religious, and social
organizations.
EXEMPTIONS CLAIMED FOR THE SYSTEM:
None.
[FR Doc. E8–30192 Filed 12–18–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–10–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS–R4–R–2008–N0284; 40136–1265–
0000–S3]
Culebra National Wildlife Refuge,
Puerto Rico
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 documents
for Culebra National Wildlife Refuge
(NWR). We provide 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 consider in the planning process.
DATES: To ensure consideration, we
must receive your written comments by
February 2, 2009. Special mailings,
newspaper articles, and other media
announcements will inform people of
the opportunities for written input
throughout the planning process.
ADDRESSES: Comments, questions, and
requests for information should be sent
to: Ana Roman, Culebra NWR, P.O. Box
190, Culebra, Puerto Rico 00775.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ana
Roman; Telephone: 787/742–0115; Fax:
787/742–1303.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:29 Dec 18, 2008
Jkt 217001
Introduction
With this notice, we initiate our
process for developing a CCP for
Culebra NWR in Puerto Rico.
This notice complies with our CCP
policy to (1) advise other Federal and
State agencies 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
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 State and
local governments; agencies;
organizations; and the public. At this
time we encourage input in the form of
issues, concerns, ideas, and suggestions
PO 00000
Frm 00237
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
77827
for the future management of Culebra
NWR. 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.
Portions of the Culebra Archipelago
were designated as a wildlife reserve in
1909, subject to naval and lighthouse
purposes. Numerous islands of the
Archipelago, as well as the Flamenco
Peninsula, were used for gunnery and
bombing practice by the U.S. Navy until
its departure in 1976. The following
year, jurisdiction of those areas was
transferred to the Commonwealth of
Puerto Rico and the Service. On-site
administration of the refuge was
established in 1983. Approximately one
quarter (1,510 acres) of the Culebra
Archipelago’s total land mass is now
included within the refuge.
Culebra NWR is administered as a
unit of the Caribbean Islands National
Wildlife Refuge Complex. The refuge is
composed of lands on the main island
of Culebra and 22 small islands nearby.
Wildlife habitats on these lands include
subtropical dry forest, a unique habitat
known as the boulder forest, mangroves,
and grasslands. These habitats support
flora and fauna including a seabird
nesting colony on Flamenco Peninsula
and nesting beaches utilized by
leatherback and hawksbill sea turtles.
Culebra NWR focuses on protecting,
monitoring, and managing significant
seabird colonies and endangered marine
turtles, as well as restoring and
protecting native tropical vegetative
communities.
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.
E:\FR\FM\19DEN1.SGM
19DEN1
77828
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 245 / Friday, December 19, 2008 / Notices
Dated: November 18, 2008.
Cynthia K. Dohner,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. E8–30270 Filed 12–18–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS–R4–2008–N0285; 40136–1265–0000–
S3]
Desecheo National Wildlife Refuge,
Puerto Rico
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 documents
for Desecheo National Wildlife Refuge
(NWR). We provide 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 consider in the planning process.
DATES: To ensure consideration, we
must receive your written comments by
February 2, 2009 Special mailings,
newspaper articles, and other media
announcements will inform people of
the opportunities for written input
throughout the planning process.
ADDRESSES: Comments, questions, and
requests for information should be sent
to: Joseph Schwagerl, Caribbean Islands
National Wildlife Refuge, P.O. Box 510,
´
Boqueron, Puerto Rico, 00622.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Joseph Schwagerl; Telephone: 787/851–
7258; Fax: 787/255–6725; E-mail:
joseph_schwagerl@fws.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we initiate our
process for developing a CCP for
Desecheo NWR off the coast of the main
island of Puerto Rico.
This notice complies with our CCP
policy to (1) advise other Federal and
State agencies 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.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:29 Dec 18, 2008
Jkt 217001
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
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 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 Desecheo
NWR. 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
PO 00000
Frm 00238
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
and procedures for compliance with
those laws and regulations.
The Desecheo NWR was established
in 1976, when administrative
jurisdiction was transferred from the
National Institute of Health to the
Service. The total area of this island
refuge is 360 acres. It is located
approximately 14 miles off the coast of
the main island of Puerto Rico and is
administered by the Caribbean Islands
National Wildlife Refuge Complex,
´
headquartered in Boqueron, Puerto
Rico. Before its establishment as a
refuge, Desecheo Island had been under
the control of the Spanish Crown, the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S.
military (for bombing and survival
training), and the National Institute of
Health (which introduced rhesus
monkeys for medical research). At one
time it contained the largest Brown
booby nesting colony in the world.
Today, there is little or no seabird
nesting on the island. The native forest
of Desecheo NWR has been severely
degraded by introduced rats, goats, and
monkeys. As a result of prior military
training activities, there is still
unexploded ordnance on the refuge;
therefore, it is closed to all public use.
The refuge objectives are to restore and
protect historic seabird colonies and
natural island ecosystems.
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: November 7, 2008.
Cynthia K. Dohner,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. E8–30183 Filed 12–18–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
E:\FR\FM\19DEN1.SGM
19DEN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 245 (Friday, December 19, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77827-77828]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-30270]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R4-R-2008-N0284; 40136-1265-0000-S3]
Culebra National Wildlife Refuge, Puerto Rico
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 documents for Culebra National Wildlife Refuge
(NWR). We provide 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 consider in the
planning process.
DATES: To ensure consideration, we must receive your written comments
by February 2, 2009. Special mailings, newspaper articles, and other
media announcements will inform people of the opportunities for written
input throughout the planning process.
ADDRESSES: Comments, questions, and requests for information should be
sent to: Ana Roman, Culebra NWR, P.O. Box 190, Culebra, Puerto Rico
00775.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ana Roman; Telephone: 787/742-0115;
Fax: 787/742-1303.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we initiate our process for developing a CCP for
Culebra NWR in Puerto Rico.
This notice complies with our CCP policy to (1) advise other
Federal and State agencies 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 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 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 Culebra NWR. 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.
Portions of the Culebra Archipelago were designated as a wildlife
reserve in 1909, subject to naval and lighthouse purposes. Numerous
islands of the Archipelago, as well as the Flamenco Peninsula, were
used for gunnery and bombing practice by the U.S. Navy until its
departure in 1976. The following year, jurisdiction of those areas was
transferred to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the Service. On-site
administration of the refuge was established in 1983. Approximately one
quarter (1,510 acres) of the Culebra Archipelago's total land mass is
now included within the refuge.
Culebra NWR is administered as a unit of the Caribbean Islands
National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The refuge is composed of lands on
the main island of Culebra and 22 small islands nearby. Wildlife
habitats on these lands include subtropical dry forest, a unique
habitat known as the boulder forest, mangroves, and grasslands. These
habitats support flora and fauna including a seabird nesting colony on
Flamenco Peninsula and nesting beaches utilized by leatherback and
hawksbill sea turtles. Culebra NWR focuses on protecting, monitoring,
and managing significant seabird colonies and endangered marine
turtles, as well as restoring and protecting native tropical vegetative
communities.
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.
[[Page 77828]]
Dated: November 18, 2008.
Cynthia K. Dohner,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. E8-30270 Filed 12-18-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
