[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 5 (Friday, January 7, 1994)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1024-1025]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-207]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: January 7, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service

 

Notice of Availability of Draft Environmental Impact Statement 
for the Proposed Patoka River National Wetlands Project, Pike and 
Gibson Counties, Indiana

AGENCY: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service (Service) has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement 
(DEIS), which is available for public review. The DEIS evaluates a 
proposal to establish the Patoka River National Wetlands Project 
(Project) in Pike and Gibson Counties in southwest Indiana. Four 
alternatives, including a No Action alternative are being considered. 
The three action alternatives are aimed at protecting and enhancing the 
valuable resources of the Patoka River valley. The Project encompasses 
one of the last remaining stretches of bottomland forest in Indiana and 
the Midwest. It provides some of the best wood duck production habitat 
in the state and is used by endangered species including bald eagles. 
Alternative 4 is the Service's preferred alternative. It proposes to 
acquire 22,083 acres of land from willing sellers. Full acquisition may 
take 20 years or more. About 6,800 acres would be purchased as the 
Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge. Additionally, wildlife 
management areas would be purchased from within an adjacent 15,283-acre 
selection area. Project lands would be managed to protect and enhance 
bottomland hardwood forests, other wetland habitat, and complementary 
uplands. The goal would be to provide essential food, cover and resting 
areas for migratory birds, threatened and endangered species, and 
resident fish and wildlife; and to improve outdoor recreation and 
education opportunities.

DATES: Public comment on the DEIS is solicited pursuant to National 
Environmental Policy Act regulations (40 CFR 1503.1). All agencies and 
individuals are urged to provide comments and suggestions for improving 
this DEIS. The formal comment period extends for a 60-day period from 
the date of distribution of the DEIS. All comments received by March 8, 
1994, will be considered in preparation of the Final EIS.
    Formal comments will be received at any time during this 60-day 
period in person or by mail at the Project and Regional Offices as well 
as at the scheduled public open house and meeting. The Project Office 
in Oakland City, Indiana, is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The 
Regional Office in the Twin Cities, Minnesota, is open weekdays from 
7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. In addition, the Service will hold a public open 
house on Friday, February 11, 1994, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, 
February 12, 1994, from 8 a.m. to 12 m. (noon) at the Wirth Park 
Community Building on the west side of Oakland City, Indiana, for 
general information. A public meeting will be held on Saturday, 
February 12, 1994, starting at 1:30 p.m. in the East Gibson School 
cafeteria in Oakland City to receive verbal and written comments.

WRITTEN COMMENTS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO: Project Manager, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, Patoka River National Wetlands Project, 510\1/2\ West 
Morton, Box 217, Oakland City, Indiana 47660.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
William McCoy, Project Manager, Patoka River National Wetlands Project, 
at the above address, telephone (812) 749-3199; or Jeanne Holler, 
Wildlife Biologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bishop Henry 
Whipple Federal Building, 1 Federal Drive, Fort Snelling, Minnesota 
55111-4056, telephone (612) 725-3306. Individuals wishing copies of 
this DEIS for review should contact Mr. McCoy or Ms. Holler. Copies 
have been sent to all landowners and renters within the proposed 
Project boundaries; to Federal, state and local government officials; 
interested parties; and to all individuals, agencies, and organizations 
who requested copies.

    Dated: December 22, 1993.
Sam Marler,
Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 94-207 Filed 1-6-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M