Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, Seneca, Wayne, and Cayuga Counties, NY, 25286-25287 [2010-10822]
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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 88 / Friday, May 7, 2010 / Notices
jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with NOTICES
refuge. The planning process is a way
for us and the public to evaluate
management goals and objectives that
will ensure the best possible approach
to wildlife, plant, and habitat
conservation, while providing for
wildlife-dependent recreation
opportunities that are compatible with
each refuge’s establishing purposes and
the mission of the NWRS.
Our CCP process provides
participation opportunities for Tribal,
State, and local governments,
conservation organizations, and the
public. At this time, we encourage input
in the form of issues, concerns, ideas,
and suggestions for the future
management of John Heinz NWR.
We will conduct the environmental
review of this project and develop an
EA 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.
John Heinz NWR
Under legislation passed by Congress
in 1972, authorization was given to the
Secretary of the Interior to acquire 1,200
acres to preserve Tinicum Marsh and
establish a ‘‘Tinicum National
Environmental Center.’’ The
Congressional mandate set forth for the
refuge was to preserve, restore, and
enhance habitat; provide opportunities
for the public to study wildlife in its
natural habitat; and to promote
environmental education. In November
1991, in a bill sponsored by
Congressman Curt Weldon (R–PA), the
name of the refuge was changed to John
Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at
Tinicum to honor the late Senator who
helped preserve Tinicum Marsh.
The refuge protects five varied
habitats: Freshwater tidal marsh,
impounded water, woods, meadow, and
field. The 200 acres of freshwater tidal
marsh represents approximately 80
percent of Pennsylvania’s remaining
coastal wetlands. The refuge is an
important stopover for migratory birds
along the Atlantic Flyway, and provides
breeding habitat for several State-listed
threatened and endangered species. It
has over 10 miles of trails, and visitors
can actually pass through, or by, most
of the habitats using these trails.
John Heinz NWR is the most urban
refuge managed by the Service. Over
100,000 visitors come to the refuge each
year, and the refuge’s urban setting
provides unique opportunities for
public education and involvement. To
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19:19 May 06, 2010
Jkt 220001
better address these opportunities and
promote environmental education, the
refuge completed construction on the
Cusano Environmental Education
Center in 2001.
The mission of the Cusano
Environmental Education Center is to
demonstrate, within an urban setting,
the importance of the natural world to
the quality of human life and to inspire
visitors to become responsible stewards
of the environment.
Scoping: Preliminary Issues,
Concerns, and Opportunities. The
planning team has identified some
preliminary issues, concerns, and
opportunities to address in the CCP. We
list below the categories for issues we
have identified. During public scoping,
we expect additional issues may be
raised.
(1) Ecoregional or ecosystemwide
issues, such as climate change, regional
land conservation, and protection of
water quality throughout the Delaware
River estuary;
(2) Biological program issues, such as
habitat and species management needs,
protection, restoration, monitoring,
inventories, and research;
(3) Public use program issues, such as
the breadth and quality of programs,
public access, user conflicts, and use
impacts on natural resources;
(4) Infrastructure and staffing issues,
such as appropriateness of facilities,
safety, accessibility, and additional
staffing needs;
(5) Community relations and outreach
issues and opportunities, such as
tourism, and local economic impacts;
and
(6) Coordination and communication
issues and opportunities with other
environmental educators, and Federal,
State, and Tribal Governments, and with
non-governmental conservation
partners.
Public Meetings
We will give the public an
opportunity to provide input at a public
meeting. You can obtain the schedule
from the refuge manager (see FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). You
may also send comments anytime
during the planning process by mail,
electronic mail, or facsimile (see
ADDRESSES). There will be additional
opportunities to provide public input
once we have prepared a draft CCP.
Public Availability of Comments
Before including your address, phone
number, electronic mail address, or
other personal identifying information
in your comment, you should be aware
that your entire comment—including
your personal identifying information—
PO 00000
Frm 00102
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
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.
Dated: March 29, 2010.
Richard O. Bennett,
Acting Regional Director, Northeast Region,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hadley, MA
01035.
[FR Doc. 2010–10819 Filed 5–6–10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–M
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS–R5–R–2010–N018; BAC–4311–K9 S3]
Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge,
Seneca, Wayne, and Cayuga Counties,
NY
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 environmental
assessment (EA) for Montezuma
National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in
Seneca, Wayne, and Cayuga Counties,
New York. We provide this notice in
compliance with our CCP policy to
advise other Federal and State agencies,
Tribal Governments, and the public of
our intentions, and to obtain suggestions
and information on the scope of issues
to consider in the planning process. We
are also announcing public meetings
and requesting public comments.
DATES: To ensure consideration, please
send your written comments by June 30,
2010. We will announce opportunities
for public input in local news media
throughout the CCP process.
ADDRESSES: Send your comments or
requests for more information by any of
the following methods:
Electronic mail:
northeastplanning@fws.gov. Include
‘‘Montezuma NWR CCP’’ in the subject
line of the message.
Facsimile: Attention: Nancy
McGarigal, 413–253–8468.
U.S. Mail: U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, 300 Westgate Center Drive,
Hadley, MA 01035.
In-Person Drop-off: You may drop off
comments during regular business hours
at Montezuma NWR, 3395 U.S. Route 20
East, Seneca Falls, NY 13148–9423.
E:\FR\FM\07MYN1.SGM
07MYN1
Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 88 / Friday, May 7, 2010 / Notices
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom
Jasikoff, Refuge Manager, Montezuma
NWR, 3395 U.S. 20 East, Seneca Falls,
NY 13148–9423; phone: (315) 568–5987;
electronic mail: tom_jasikoff@fws.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we initiate our
process for developing a CCP for
Montezuma NWR in Seneca, Wayne,
and Cayuga Counties, New York. This
notice complies with our CCP policy to
(1) advise other Federal and State
agencies, Tribal Governments, 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
jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with NOTICES
The CCP Process
The National Wildlife Refuge System
Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C.
668dd–668ee) (Administration Act), as
amended by the National Wildlife
Refuge System Improvement Act of
1997, requires us to develop a CCP for
each national wildlife refuge. The
purpose for developing a CCP is to
provide refuge managers with a 15-year
plan for achieving refuge purposes and
contributing toward the mission of the
National Wildlife Refuge System
(NWRS), 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 and photography,
and environmental education and
interpretation. We will review and
update the CCP at least every 15 years
in accordance with the Administration
Act.
Each unit of the NWRS was
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 NWRS 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 that
will ensure the best possible approach
to wildlife, plant, and habitat
conservation, while providing for
wildlife-dependent recreation
opportunities that are compatible with
VerDate Mar<15>2010
19:19 May 06, 2010
Jkt 220001
each refuge’s establishing purposes and
the mission of the NWRS.
Our CCP process provides
participation opportunities for Tribal,
State, and local governments,
conservation organizations, and the
public. At this time, we encourage input
in the form of issues, concerns, ideas,
and suggestions for the future
management of Montezuma NWR.
We will conduct the environmental
review of this project and develop an
EA 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.
Montezuma NWR
Montezuma NWR was established as
a refuge in 1938 primarily in recognition
of its importance as a stopover area for
migratory birds and other wildlife. The
refuge provides resting, feeding, and
nesting habitat for waterfowl and other
migratory birds and is located in the
middle of one of the most active
migratory bird pathways in the Atlantic
Flyway. Over 1,000,000 migrating geese
and ducks, and one of the largest
concentrations of migrating shorebirds
in New York, are observed each year.
Located at the north end of Cayuga Lake
in the Finger Lakes Region of New York,
Montezuma NWR consists of 9,073
acres.
Refuge habitats are very diverse. They
consist of approximately 4,700 acres of
freshwater wetlands in 16
impoundments; 1,646 acres in
floodplain forest; 360 acres in cropland;
700 acres in early or mid-successional
forest; 584 acres in grassland, 157 acres
in canals, river, or dikes, and the
remainder in roads, trails and other
infrastructure.
Montezuma NWR hosts over 150,000
visitors annually. Popular activities
include driving on the 3-mile auto tour,
observing and photographing nature on
the 5.5 miles of walking trails, and
hunting, fishing, or participating in the
many educational and interpretive
programs. The refuge visitor center,
open from April 1 to November 30 each
year, is a popular destination for visitors
to the area.
Scoping: Preliminary Issues, Concerns,
and Opportunities
The planning team is in the process
of identifying preliminary issues,
concerns, and opportunities to address
in the CCP. We list below the categories
for issues we have identified. During
PO 00000
Frm 00103
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 9990
25287
public scoping, we expect additional
issues may be raised.
(1) Ecoregional or ecosystemwide
issues, such as climate change, regional
land conservation, and the protection of
water quality throughout the West
Oswego River watershed;
(2) Biological program issues, such as
habitat and species management needs,
protection, restoration, monitoring,
inventories, and research;
(3) Public-use program issues, such as
the breadth and quality of programs,
public access, user conflicts, and use
impacts on natural resources;
(4) Infrastructure and staffing issues,
such as appropriateness of facilities,
safety, accessibility, and additional
staffing needs;
(5) Community relations and outreach
issues and opportunities, such as
tourism and local economic impacts;
and
(6) Coordination and communication
issues and opportunities with Federal,
State, and Tribal Governments, and with
non-governmental conservation
partners.
Public Meetings
We will give the public an
opportunity to provide input at a public
meeting. You can obtain the schedule
from the planning team leader or refuge
manager (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT). You may also send comments
anytime during the planning process by
mail, electronic mail, or facsimile (see
ADDRESSES). There will be additional
opportunities to provide public input
once we have prepared a draft CCP.
Public Availability of Comments
Before including your address, phone
number, electronic 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.
Dated: March 26, 2010.
James G. Geiger,
Acting Regional Director, Northeast Region,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2010–10822 Filed 5–6–10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–M
E:\FR\FM\07MYN1.SGM
07MYN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 88 (Friday, May 7, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25286-25287]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-10822]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R5-R-2010-N018; BAC-4311-K9 S3]
Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, Seneca, Wayne, and Cayuga
Counties, NY
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 environmental
assessment (EA) for Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Seneca,
Wayne, and Cayuga Counties, New York. We provide this notice in
compliance with our CCP policy to advise other Federal and State
agencies, Tribal Governments, and the public of our intentions, and to
obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to consider
in the planning process. We are also announcing public meetings and
requesting public comments.
DATES: To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by
June 30, 2010. We will announce opportunities for public input in local
news media throughout the CCP process.
ADDRESSES: Send your comments or requests for more information by any
of the following methods:
Electronic mail: northeastplanning@fws.gov. Include ``Montezuma NWR
CCP'' in the subject line of the message.
Facsimile: Attention: Nancy McGarigal, 413-253-8468.
U.S. Mail: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 300 Westgate Center
Drive, Hadley, MA 01035.
In-Person Drop-off: You may drop off comments during regular
business hours at Montezuma NWR, 3395 U.S. Route 20 East, Seneca Falls,
NY 13148-9423.
[[Page 25287]]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Jasikoff, Refuge Manager,
Montezuma NWR, 3395 U.S. 20 East, Seneca Falls, NY 13148-9423; phone:
(315) 568-5987; electronic mail: tom_jasikoff@fws.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we initiate our process for developing a CCP for
Montezuma NWR in Seneca, Wayne, and Cayuga Counties, New York. This
notice complies with our CCP policy to (1) advise other Federal and
State agencies, Tribal Governments, 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 Administration Act of 1966 (16
U.S.C. 668dd-668ee) (Administration Act), as amended by the National
Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, requires us to develop
a CCP for each national wildlife refuge. The purpose for developing a
CCP is to provide refuge managers with a 15-year plan for achieving
refuge purposes and contributing toward the mission of the National
Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS), 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 and
photography, and environmental education and interpretation. We will
review and update the CCP at least every 15 years in accordance with
the Administration Act.
Each unit of the NWRS was 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 NWRS
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 that will ensure the best possible approach to
wildlife, plant, and habitat conservation, while providing for
wildlife-dependent recreation opportunities that are compatible with
each refuge's establishing purposes and the mission of the NWRS.
Our CCP process provides participation opportunities for Tribal,
State, and local governments, conservation organizations, and the
public. At this time, we encourage input in the form of issues,
concerns, ideas, and suggestions for the future management of Montezuma
NWR.
We will conduct the environmental review of this project and
develop an EA 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.
Montezuma NWR
Montezuma NWR was established as a refuge in 1938 primarily in
recognition of its importance as a stopover area for migratory birds
and other wildlife. The refuge provides resting, feeding, and nesting
habitat for waterfowl and other migratory birds and is located in the
middle of one of the most active migratory bird pathways in the
Atlantic Flyway. Over 1,000,000 migrating geese and ducks, and one of
the largest concentrations of migrating shorebirds in New York, are
observed each year. Located at the north end of Cayuga Lake in the
Finger Lakes Region of New York, Montezuma NWR consists of 9,073 acres.
Refuge habitats are very diverse. They consist of approximately
4,700 acres of freshwater wetlands in 16 impoundments; 1,646 acres in
floodplain forest; 360 acres in cropland; 700 acres in early or mid-
successional forest; 584 acres in grassland, 157 acres in canals,
river, or dikes, and the remainder in roads, trails and other
infrastructure.
Montezuma NWR hosts over 150,000 visitors annually. Popular
activities include driving on the 3-mile auto tour, observing and
photographing nature on the 5.5 miles of walking trails, and hunting,
fishing, or participating in the many educational and interpretive
programs. The refuge visitor center, open from April 1 to November 30
each year, is a popular destination for visitors to the area.
Scoping: Preliminary Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities
The planning team is in the process of identifying preliminary
issues, concerns, and opportunities to address in the CCP. We list
below the categories for issues we have identified. During public
scoping, we expect additional issues may be raised.
(1) Ecoregional or ecosystemwide issues, such as climate change,
regional land conservation, and the protection of water quality
throughout the West Oswego River watershed;
(2) Biological program issues, such as habitat and species
management needs, protection, restoration, monitoring, inventories, and
research;
(3) Public-use program issues, such as the breadth and quality of
programs, public access, user conflicts, and use impacts on natural
resources;
(4) Infrastructure and staffing issues, such as appropriateness of
facilities, safety, accessibility, and additional staffing needs;
(5) Community relations and outreach issues and opportunities, such
as tourism and local economic impacts; and
(6) Coordination and communication issues and opportunities with
Federal, State, and Tribal Governments, and with non-governmental
conservation partners.
Public Meetings
We will give the public an opportunity to provide input at a public
meeting. You can obtain the schedule from the planning team leader or
refuge manager (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). You may also send
comments anytime during the planning process by mail, electronic mail,
or facsimile (see ADDRESSES). There will be additional opportunities to
provide public input once we have prepared a draft CCP.
Public Availability of Comments
Before including your address, phone number, electronic 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.
Dated: March 26, 2010.
James G. Geiger,
Acting Regional Director, Northeast Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-10822 Filed 5-6-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M
