[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 153 (Wednesday, August 10, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-19452]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: August 10, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
 

Notice of Availability: Records of Decision and Statement of 
Findings for the Environmental Impact Statement on Reintroduction of 
the Gray Wolf to Yellowstone National Park and Central Idaho

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the 
United States Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service (Service) announces the availability of the Records of Decision 
and Statement of Findings upon consideration of the Final Environmental 
Impact Statement (FEIS) for the reintroduction of gray wolves to 
Yellowstone National Park and central Idaho. The FEIS was filed with 
the Environmental Protection Agency on May 4, 1994, and its 
availability was announced to the public on May 13, 1994.

DATES: The Record of Decision and Statement of Findings was approved by 
the Secretary of the Interior on June 15, 1994. A concurring Record of 
Decision was approved by the Secretary of Agriculture on July 19, 1994.

ADDRESSES: The documents announced in this notice are available from: 
Gray Wolf Reintroduction, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 
8017, Helena, Montana 59601.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Edward E. Bangs, at the above address, or telephone (406) 449-5202.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Under the provisions of NEPA, the Service prepared an environmental 
impact statement (EIS) for the reintroduction of gray wolves to 
Yellowstone National Park and central Idaho. The conference report 
(House Report No. 102-256) that accompanied the 1992 U.S. Department of 
the Interior appropriations bill (Public Law 102-154) directed the 
Service to prepare a draft EIS on wolf reintroduction in Yellowstone 
National Park and central Idaho, in consultation with the National Park 
Service and Forest Service. The conference report further directed that 
the EIS cover a broad range of alternatives and follow normal 
distribution patterns including appropriate Congressional distribution. 
The 1993 U.S. Department of the Interior appropriations bill (Public 
Law 102-381) directed the Service to finalize the EIS and stated that 
it expected the preferred alternative to conform to existing law.
    The Service evaluated and considered alternatives for the long 
range recovery and management of wolf populations in the Yellowstone 
National Park and central Idaho areas as presented in the FEIS and 
reviewed and considered public and agency comments. Based upon that 
evaluation and review, the Service selected the Proposed Action 
Alternative as described in the FEIS for implementation. Reintroduced 
populations of gray wolves are proposed to be designated as 
nonessential experimental populations according to the provisions of 
section 10(j) of the Act. A proposed nonessential experimental 
population rule will be published in the Federal Register and provided 
for review by the public. Based upon public comment and the results of 
a continuing Service-led monitoring program to document wolf breeding 
activity in Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming, the Service will decide 
whether to issue and implement a final rule as soon as practicable. The 
process to establish these regulatory guidelines and the opportunity 
for public comment will be widely publicized. This determination was 
based on a thorough analysis of environmental, social, economic, and 
similar considerations.
    On June 15, 1994, the Secretary of the Interior approved a 
Statement of Findings and Record of Decision adopting the selected 
alternative. On July 19, 1994, the Secretary of Agriculture approved a 
concurring Record of Decision. These documents are available from the 
office named above under ADDRESSES.

    Dated: August 4, 1994.
Mollie H. Beattie,
Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 94-19452 Filed 8-9-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M