[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 92 (Friday, May 13, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-11634]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: May 13, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
 

Notice of Intent (Notice) To Prepare an Environmental Impact 
Statement for Proposed U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Habitat 
Protection Activities in Selected Areas Within the Western Portions of 
Washington, Oregon, and Northern California

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: This Notice advises the public the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service (Service) intends to gather information necessary for the 
preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS); ``U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service Habitat Protection in Selected Areas of the Middle-
Upper Pacific Coast.'' This Notice is being furnished pursuant to 
Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for Implementing National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Regulations (40 CFR 1508.022).

WRITTEN COMMENTS INFORMATION: Interested agencies, organizations, and 
individuals are encouraged to provide written comments to the Service 
during the scoping period. Written comments should be received within 
45 days after publication of this Notice. Address comments to the EIS 
Team Leader as shown below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Paul Benvenuti, EIS Team Leader, Planning Branch, Division of Realty, 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 911 Northeast 11th Avenue, Portland, 
Oregon 97232-4181, (503) 231-2231.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of the proposed action is to 
identify and implement a strategy for Service habitat protection 
activities in support of the Pacific Coast Joint Venture (Joint 
Venture) though the year 2010.

    The Joint Venture is a nonfederal coalition of private groups and 
government agencies that strives to coordinate efforts to protect and 
maintain important wetlands and related habitats on the Pacific Coast 
of North America, from northern California to northern British 
Columbia. Its efforts are directed toward supporting the waterfowl 
management goals of the North American Plan, maintenance of biological 
diversity, protection of endangered and otherwise sensitive wildlife, 
and maintenance and enhancement of anadromous fish and other native 
fish and shellfish populations.
    The Service proposes to support the goals of the Joint Venture by 
ensuring increased habitat protection at selected target areas 
identified in the Pacific Coast Joint Venture Strategic Plan (Strategic 
Plan). Such protection could take the form of easements, leases, 
cooperative agreements, or fee title purchases from willing sellers.
    Loss and degradation of estuarine and freshwater and wetland 
habitats have contributed significantly to decline in populations of 
many of the region's wildlife species. In some areas, development has 
eliminated thousands of hectares of tidal wetlands.
    This EIS will explore a range of alternative methods for protecting 
wildlife habitat within the Joint Venture. Some of the possible 
alternatives could emphasize cooperative efforts in which most lands 
remain in private ownership, other alternatives may recommend fee title 
land acquisition from willing sellers and the establishment of new 
units of the National Wildlife Refuge System.
    The alternatives examined in the EIS will be limited to the habitat 
protection activities of the Service. The activities of other Joint 
Venture partners will not be considered, since they are not Federal 
actions or contain Federal actions (such as grants or permits) that 
cannot be controlled or adequately foreseen by the Service.
    The actions under consideration are limited to those areas 
identified in the Strategic Plan and do not consider possible actions 
beyond the year 2010.
    This EIS will focus on the methods of habitat protection. The scope 
and timing of possible future site specific operational planning 
efforts cannot be predicted at this time since it depends on which 
protection methods are used, the willingness of landowners to 
participate, and the availability of funding.
    Significant issues identified for review include: natural resource 
impacts, recreation and public use impacts, agricultural industry 
impacts, forest industry impacts, fishing industry impacts, and other 
socioeconomic impacts.
    The Service urges all interested parties to provide comments 
regarding this proposed scope for the EIS, the alternatives to be 
developed, and the potential significant environmental impacts which 
may occur from the implementation of alternative actions.
    The environmental review of this project will be conducted in 
accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy 
Act of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C., et seq.), Council for Environmental 
Quality Regulations for Implementing NEPA (40 CFR part 1500, et seq.), 
and other appropriate Federal regulations and Service policies for 
compliance with those regulations.

    Dated: May 6, 1994.
Don Weathers,
Acting Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 94-11634 Filed 5-12-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M