Fish and Wildlife Service March 30, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This notice announces that a Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Impact Statement for the Roanoke River National Wildlife Refuge are available for review and comment. The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, 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, the plan identifies wildlife- dependent recreational opportunities available to the public, including opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and environmental education and interpretation.

The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is reopening the public comment period on the Draft Arnaudo Brothers, Wathen-Castanos and River East Holding Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) and Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for an incidental take permit for the endangered San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica, ``kit fox'') in Merced County, California.