National Wildlife Refuge System Planning Policies (602 FW 1-4) for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 63547-63549 [2023-19994]
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 178 / Friday, September 15, 2023 / Proposed Rules
understand, including answers to
questions such as the following:
• Are the requirements in the
proposed priorities, requirements, and
definitions clearly stated?
• Do the proposed priorities,
requirements, and definitions contain
technical terms or other wording that
interferes with their clarity?
• Does the format of the proposed
priorities, requirements, and definitions
(grouping and order of sections, use of
headings, paragraphing, etc.) aid or
reduce their clarity?
• Would the proposed priorities,
requirements, and definitions be easier
to understand if we divided them into
more (but shorter) sections?
• Could the description of the
proposed priorities, requirements, and
definitions in the SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION section of this preamble be
more helpful in making the proposed
priorities, requirements, and definitions
easier to understand? If so, how?
• What else could we do to make the
proposed priorities, requirements, and
definitions easier to understand?
To send any comments that concern
how the Department could make these
proposed priorities, requirements, and
definitions easier to understand, see the
instructions in the ADDRESSES section.
Intergovernmental Review: This
program is subject to Executive Order
12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR
part 79. One of the objectives of the
Executive order is to foster an
intergovernmental partnership and a
strengthened federalism. The Executive
order relies on processes developed by
State and local governments for
coordination and review of proposed
Federal financial assistance.
This document provides early
notification of our specific plans and
actions for this program.
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with PROPOSALS1
Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification
The Secretary certifies that these
proposed priorities, requirements, and
definitions would not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities. The U.S. Small
Business Administration Size Standards
define proprietary institutions as small
businesses if they are independently
owned and operated, are not dominant
in their field of operation, and have total
annual revenue below $7,000,000.
Nonprofit institutions are defined as
small entities if they are independently
owned and operated and not dominant
in their field of operation. Public
institutions are defined as small
organizations if they are operated by a
government overseeing a population
below 50,000.
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The small entities that this proposed
regulatory action would affect are IHEs,
or public or private entities with
relevant experience and capacity, in
consortia with LEAs or SEAs applying
for and receiving funds under this
program. The Secretary believes that the
costs imposed on applicants by the
proposed priorities, requirements, and
definitions would be limited to
paperwork burden related to preparing
an application and that the benefits
would outweigh any costs incurred by
applicants.
Participation in this program is
voluntary. For this reason, the proposed
priorities, requirements, and definitions
would impose no burden on small
entities in general. Eligible applicants
would determine whether to apply for
funds and have the opportunity to
weigh the requirements for preparing
applications, and any associated costs,
against the likelihood of receiving
funding and the requirements for
implementing projects under the
program. Eligible applicants most likely
would apply only if they determine that
the likely benefits exceed the costs of
preparing an application. The likely
benefits include the potential receipt of
a grant as well as other benefits that may
accrue to an entity through its
development of an application, such as
the use of that application to seek
funding from other sources to address a
shortage in bilingual or multilingual
teachers working in a language
instruction education program or
serving ELs.
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
These proposed priorities,
requirements, and definitions do not
contain any information collection
requirements.
Accessible Format: On request to the
program contact person listed under FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT,
individuals with disabilities can obtain
this document in an accessible format.
The Department will provide the
requestor with an accessible format that
may include Rich Text Format (RTF) or
text format (txt), a thumb drive, an MP3
file, braille, large print, audiotape, or
compact disc, or other accessible format.
Electronic Access to This Document:
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documents of this Department
published in the Federal Register, in
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63547
have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is
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You may also access documents of the
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Specifically, through the advanced
search feature at this site, you can limit
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the Department.
Montserrat Garibay,
Assistant Deputy Secretary and Director for
the Office of English Language Acquisition.
[FR Doc. 2023–20011 Filed 9–14–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Chapter I
[Docket No. FWS–HQ–NWRS–2023–0024;
FXRS12610900000–FF09R25000–234]
National Wildlife Refuge System
Planning Policies (602 FW 1–4) for the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Proposed policy updates;
request for comment.
AGENCY:
We, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (Service), are making
available for public comment our
proposed updated planning policies,
602 FW 1–4, for the National Wildlife
Refuge System (Refuge System). The
purpose of these policy updates is to
modernize the Refuge System’s refuge
management by incorporating landscape
conservation plans and consideration of
climate change and other anthropogenic
forces in refuge management.
DATES: The Service will accept
comments received or postmarked on or
before October 16, 2023. Please note that
if you are using Regulations.gov (see
ADDRESSES), the deadline for submitting
an electronic comment is 11:59 p.m.
Eastern Standard Time on this date.
ADDRESSES:
Obtaining Documents: You may
obtain copies of the documents online at
https://www.regulations.gov. In the
Search box, enter the docket number,
which is FWS–HQ–NWRS–2023–0024.
Submitting Comments: You may
submit comments by one of the
following methods:
• Internet: https://
www.regulations.gov. In the Search box,
enter the docket number, which is
FWS–HQ–NWRS–2023–0024. You may
enter a comment by clicking on the
‘‘Comment’’ button. Please ensure that
SUMMARY:
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 178 / Friday, September 15, 2023 / Proposed Rules
you have found the correct docket
before submitting your comment.
• U.S. mail or hand delivery: Public
Comments Processing, Attn: Docket No.
FWS–HQ–NWRS–2023–0024; Policy
and Regulations Branch; U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service; 5275 Leesburg Pike,
MS: PRB (JAO/3W); Falls Church, VA
22041–3803.
We will post all comments on https://
www.regulations.gov. This generally
means that we will post any personal
information you provide us (see Request
for Information, below, for more
information).
Julie
Henning, Chief, Branch of Conservation
Planning and Policy, National Wildlife
Refuge System, via email at julie_
henning@fws.gov; by mail at U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, c/o Julie Henning,
5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA
22041–3803; or by telephone at (703)
358–1945. Individuals in the United
States who are deaf, deafblind, hard of
hearing, or have a speech disability may
dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to
access telecommunications relay
services. Individuals outside the United
States should use the relay services
offered within their country to make
international calls to the point-ofcontact in the United States.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with PROPOSALS1
Introduction
We are providing four proposed
updated National Wildlife Refuge
System (Refuge System) planning
policies for public comment. The Refuge
System’s authority for these policies
comes from the Refuge System
Administration Act of 1966, as amended
by the Refuge System Improvement Act
of 1997 (Administration Act) (16 U.S.C.
668dd–668ee). When these proposed
policies become final, we will
incorporate them in part 602 of the
Service Manual, and they will replace
the existing policies at 602 FW 1, 3, and
4. Service Manual chapter 602 FW 2
will replace 341 FW 1 and 2, both
published in 1996. The purpose of the
policy updates is to modernize the
Refuge System’s refuge management by
incorporating landscape conservation
planning and design and consideration
of climate change and other
anthropogenic forces in refuge
management.
Draft Policies
Refuge planning sets the broad vision
for refuge management and determines
goals, objectives, strategies, and actions
to ensure refuges are managed
consistently with a refuge’s purposes;
the Refuge System’s mission and goals;
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the Administration Act, as amended; the
Alaska National Interest Lands
Conservation Act (ANILCA, for Alaska
refuges); and all other applicable laws
and regulations. The four planning
policies the Service is updating are:
Refuge Planning Overview (602 FW 1),
Land Protection Planning (602 FW 2),
Comprehensive Conservation Planning
(602 FW3), and Step-down Planning
(602 FW 4).
• 602 FW 1, Refuge Planning
Overview, describes the Service’s
overall policy and goals for refuge
planning, such as landscape context and
habitat connectivity, as well as how the
Refuge System incorporates climate
adaptation and resiliency into refuge
planning. The policy also describes how
the Refuge System coordinates with
Federal, State, and local agencies;
Tribes; Alaska Native Corporations
(ANCs); Alaska Native Organizations
(ANOs); the Native Hawaiian
Community; territories; and other
partners and stakeholders in refuge
planning.
• 602 FW 2, Land Protection
Planning, describes the Service’s overall
policy and goals for land protection
planning, and establishes who is
responsible for different aspects of land
protection planning. The policy
provides an overview of the Service’s
land protection planning process,
including coordination with partners,
land acquisition, and minor and major
refuge boundary modifications.
• 602 FW 3, Comprehensive
Conservation Planning, describes the
Service’s overall policy and goals for
comprehensive conservation planning,
and establishes who is responsible for
different aspects of the process. The
policy provides an overview of the
requirements for developing
comprehensive conservation plans
(CCPs), including CCPs for new refuges,
their scope, their required content, and
coordination with partners. Finally, it
provides guidance for reviewing and
updating CCPs.
• 602 FW 4, Step-down Planning,
describes the Service’s overall policy
and goals for step-down planning, and
establishes who is responsible for
different aspects of step-down planning.
The policy provides an overview of the
requirements for developing step-down
plans, including how they are integrated
with CCPs, consideration of the
National Environmental Policy Act, and
coordination with partners. Finally, it
provides guidance for reviewing and
updating step-down plans.
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Background and Development of These
Draft Policies
Many of the planning and natural
resource regulations and policies
guiding the Refuge System were
developed following passage of the
Improvement Act more than 20 years
ago. Much has changed since then, and
there is a need to consider climate
change and other anthropogenic forces
more explicitly and effectively in Refuge
System management. The Service must
also incorporate landscape planning and
design into its planning policies. These
are just a few of the drivers that led to
convening five chartered national
Service teams to update existing or
develop new natural resource
regulations, policies, and handbooks for
the Refuge System. The Service’s
Conservation Planning team is
comprised of Service planning subjectmatter experts from across the agency’s
Regions.
These draft policy updates were
distributed for internal Service review
throughout all Regions and programs
within the agency in August of 2022.
We provided an opportunity for State
engagement through the Association of
Fish and Wildlife Agencies in February
2023. Additionally, we hosted national
webinars and provided opportunity for
engagement by Tribal leaders, ANCs,
ANOs, and the Native Hawaiian
Community in February and March
2023. We will incorporate feedback
received from these partners and
stakeholders into the planning policies
after the public comment period is
complete.
Open Comment Period
While this publication opens the 30day public review period, we also invite
and encourage Tribes, ANCs, ANOs, and
the Native Hawaiian Community to
continue to review and submit
comments within this review period.
Comments from local, State, and Federal
agencies and other partners and
stakeholders are also welcome.
Request for Information
Before including your address, phone
number, email 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.
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 178 / Friday, September 15, 2023 / Proposed Rules
Authority
The authority for this action is the
National Wildlife Refuge System
Administration Act of 1966, as amended
by the National Wildlife Refuge System
Improvement Act of 1997
63549
(Administration Act, as amended; 16
U.S.C. 668dd–668ee).
Martha Williams,
Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2023–19994 Filed 9–14–23; 8:45 am]
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 178 (Friday, September 15, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 63547-63549]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-19994]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Chapter I
[Docket No. FWS-HQ-NWRS-2023-0024; FXRS12610900000-FF09R25000-234]
National Wildlife Refuge System Planning Policies (602 FW 1-4)
for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Proposed policy updates; request for comment.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are making
available for public comment our proposed updated planning policies,
602 FW 1-4, for the National Wildlife Refuge System (Refuge System).
The purpose of these policy updates is to modernize the Refuge System's
refuge management by incorporating landscape conservation plans and
consideration of climate change and other anthropogenic forces in
refuge management.
DATES: The Service will accept comments received or postmarked on or
before October 16, 2023. Please note that if you are using
Regulations.gov (see ADDRESSES), the deadline for submitting an
electronic comment is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on this date.
ADDRESSES:
Obtaining Documents: You may obtain copies of the documents online
at https://www.regulations.gov. In the Search box, enter the docket
number, which is FWS-HQ-NWRS-2023-0024.
Submitting Comments: You may submit comments by one of the
following methods:
Internet: https://www.regulations.gov. In the Search box,
enter the docket number, which is FWS-HQ-NWRS-2023-0024. You may enter
a comment by clicking on the ``Comment'' button. Please ensure that
[[Page 63548]]
you have found the correct docket before submitting your comment.
U.S. mail or hand delivery: Public Comments Processing,
Attn: Docket No. FWS-HQ-NWRS-2023-0024; Policy and Regulations Branch;
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 5275 Leesburg Pike, MS: PRB (JAO/3W);
Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.
We will post all comments on https://www.regulations.gov. This
generally means that we will post any personal information you provide
us (see Request for Information, below, for more information).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Julie Henning, Chief, Branch of
Conservation Planning and Policy, National Wildlife Refuge System, via
email at [email protected]; by mail at U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, c/o Julie Henning, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-
3803; or by telephone at (703) 358-1945. Individuals in the United
States who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a speech
disability may dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access
telecommunications relay services. Individuals outside the United
States should use the relay services offered within their country to
make international calls to the point-of-contact in the United States.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
We are providing four proposed updated National Wildlife Refuge
System (Refuge System) planning policies for public comment. The Refuge
System's authority for these policies comes from the Refuge System
Administration Act of 1966, as amended by the Refuge System Improvement
Act of 1997 (Administration Act) (16 U.S.C. 668dd-668ee). When these
proposed policies become final, we will incorporate them in part 602 of
the Service Manual, and they will replace the existing policies at 602
FW 1, 3, and 4. Service Manual chapter 602 FW 2 will replace 341 FW 1
and 2, both published in 1996. The purpose of the policy updates is to
modernize the Refuge System's refuge management by incorporating
landscape conservation planning and design and consideration of climate
change and other anthropogenic forces in refuge management.
Draft Policies
Refuge planning sets the broad vision for refuge management and
determines goals, objectives, strategies, and actions to ensure refuges
are managed consistently with a refuge's purposes; the Refuge System's
mission and goals; the Administration Act, as amended; the Alaska
National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA, for Alaska refuges);
and all other applicable laws and regulations. The four planning
policies the Service is updating are: Refuge Planning Overview (602 FW
1), Land Protection Planning (602 FW 2), Comprehensive Conservation
Planning (602 FW3), and Step-down Planning (602 FW 4).
602 FW 1, Refuge Planning Overview, describes the
Service's overall policy and goals for refuge planning, such as
landscape context and habitat connectivity, as well as how the Refuge
System incorporates climate adaptation and resiliency into refuge
planning. The policy also describes how the Refuge System coordinates
with Federal, State, and local agencies; Tribes; Alaska Native
Corporations (ANCs); Alaska Native Organizations (ANOs); the Native
Hawaiian Community; territories; and other partners and stakeholders in
refuge planning.
602 FW 2, Land Protection Planning, describes the
Service's overall policy and goals for land protection planning, and
establishes who is responsible for different aspects of land protection
planning. The policy provides an overview of the Service's land
protection planning process, including coordination with partners, land
acquisition, and minor and major refuge boundary modifications.
602 FW 3, Comprehensive Conservation Planning, describes
the Service's overall policy and goals for comprehensive conservation
planning, and establishes who is responsible for different aspects of
the process. The policy provides an overview of the requirements for
developing comprehensive conservation plans (CCPs), including CCPs for
new refuges, their scope, their required content, and coordination with
partners. Finally, it provides guidance for reviewing and updating
CCPs.
602 FW 4, Step-down Planning, describes the Service's
overall policy and goals for step-down planning, and establishes who is
responsible for different aspects of step-down planning. The policy
provides an overview of the requirements for developing step-down
plans, including how they are integrated with CCPs, consideration of
the National Environmental Policy Act, and coordination with partners.
Finally, it provides guidance for reviewing and updating step-down
plans.
Background and Development of These Draft Policies
Many of the planning and natural resource regulations and policies
guiding the Refuge System were developed following passage of the
Improvement Act more than 20 years ago. Much has changed since then,
and there is a need to consider climate change and other anthropogenic
forces more explicitly and effectively in Refuge System management. The
Service must also incorporate landscape planning and design into its
planning policies. These are just a few of the drivers that led to
convening five chartered national Service teams to update existing or
develop new natural resource regulations, policies, and handbooks for
the Refuge System. The Service's Conservation Planning team is
comprised of Service planning subject-matter experts from across the
agency's Regions.
These draft policy updates were distributed for internal Service
review throughout all Regions and programs within the agency in August
of 2022. We provided an opportunity for State engagement through the
Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies in February 2023.
Additionally, we hosted national webinars and provided opportunity for
engagement by Tribal leaders, ANCs, ANOs, and the Native Hawaiian
Community in February and March 2023. We will incorporate feedback
received from these partners and stakeholders into the planning
policies after the public comment period is complete.
Open Comment Period
While this publication opens the 30-day public review period, we
also invite and encourage Tribes, ANCs, ANOs, and the Native Hawaiian
Community to continue to review and submit comments within this review
period. Comments from local, State, and Federal agencies and other
partners and stakeholders are also welcome.
Request for Information
Before including your address, phone number, email 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.
[[Page 63549]]
Authority
The authority for this action is the National Wildlife Refuge
System Administration Act of 1966, as amended by the National Wildlife
Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (Administration Act, as amended;
16 U.S.C. 668dd-668ee).
Martha Williams,
Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-19994 Filed 9-14-23; 8:45 am]
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