Fish and Wildlife Service September 14, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Fish and Wildlife Service announces that a Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge Complex, with refuges in Jackson, Lauderdale, Limestone, Madison, and Morgan Counties, Alabama, is available for distribution. The CCP was prepared pursuant to the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, and in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, and describes how the refuge complex will be managed for the next 15 years.

We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), advise the public that the Washington Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) has applied for an incidental take permit (ITP), pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The requested 50- year permit would authorize the incidental take of covered species associated with WDNR's management of the State's Commercial Geoduck Fishery. We are requesting comments on the permit application and on whether the proposed Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) qualifies as a ``low-effect'' HCP, eligible for a categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended. We explain the basis for this possible determination in a draft environmental action statement (EAS), which is also available for public review.