Fish and Wildlife Service February 26, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The public is invited to comment on the following applications to conduct certain activities with endangered species and/or marine mammals.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to prepare a comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and an associated National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) document for Erie National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). We provide this notice in compliance with our planning policy to advise other agencies, Tribes, and the public of our intentions, and to obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to consider. We are also requesting public comments.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to prepare a comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and an associated National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) document for Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). We provide this notice in compliance with our planning policy to advise other agencies, Tribes, and the public of our intentions, and to obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to consider. We are also requesting public comments.

This notice advises the public and other interested parties that the comment period for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP), Incidental Take Permit (ITP) application, and Implementing Agreement (IA) regarding the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department's (OPRD) HCP for the western snowy plover is reopened for fifteen days. The original notice contains additional information and was published in the Federal Register on November 5, 2007 (72 FR 62485). The OPRD has submitted an application to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for an ITP pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). As required by section 10(a)(2)(B) of the ESA, the OPRD has also prepared an HCP that describes the proposed actions and measures the applicant will implement to minimize and mitigate take of the threatened western snowy plover (Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus). The permit application is related to public use, recreation, beach management, and resource management activities along Oregon's coastal shores. The Service generally allows 45 days for public comment on a DEIS which evaluates the impacts of a proposed HCP and associated ITP on the human environment. The original comment period on the DEIS was from November 5, 2007, to January 4, 2008, and extended over several Federal holidays so the Service provided a 60-day comment period. However, during that period, the Pacific Northwest coast experienced extreme weather with coastal wind damage and flooding, potentially affecting the ability of interested parties to obtain necessary documents for review. Since the area damaged by severe weather encompassed the area potentially affected by the proposed HCP, we are reopening the public comment period for 15 days following publication of this notice. Comments received will become part of the public record and will be available for review pursuant to section 10(c) of the ESA. For locations to review the documents, please see the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below.