[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 173 (Thursday, September 8, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-22049]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: September 8, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service

 

Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) for 
Proposed Protection of Additional Habitat for the Shiawassee National 
Wildlife Refuge in Saginaw County, Michigan

AGENCY: 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) intends to prepare an EA for a proposal to protect 
additional habitat for the existing 9,042-acre Shiawassee National 
Wildlife Refuge (Refuge). The Refuge is located at the confluence of 
the Shiawassee, Cass and Tittabawassee Rivers, adjacent to the Saginaw 
metropolitan area in Saginaw County, in Michigan's Lower Peninsula.
    The EA will evaluate four preliminary alternatives on the basis of 
their biological and socioeconomic impacts. Preparation of the EA is in 
response to issues presented at meetings with officials of the 
townships of Bridgeport, James, Saginaw, Spaulding, and Thomas, with 
officials of the City of Saginaw and Saginaw County, and with 
individual landowners in the area surrounding the existing Refuge.
    This Notice is being furnished as required by the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Regulations (40 CFR 1501.7) to obtain 
further suggestions and information from other agencies and the public 
on the scope of issues to be addressed in the EA. Comments and 
participation in this scoping process are welcomed.

DATES: Written comments should be received by October 11, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be addressed to: Regional Director, 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, 
1 Federal Drive, Fort Snelling, Minnesota 55111-4056; Attention: 
Stanley Jackowicz, RE-AP. Proposal documents are available for public 
inspection during normal business hours at the Shiawassee National 
Wildlife Refuge headquarters, 6975 Mower Road, Saginaw, Michigan 48601.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Doug Spencer, Refuge Manager at (517) 777-5930.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Service proposes to protect 
approximately 7,635 acres of additional habitat in association with the 
existing Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) located along the 
Saginaw River in the east-central portion of Michigan's Lower 
Peninsula. This additional protection is proposed to restore, protect 
and manage bottomland and upland habitat that would support the 
existing Refuge and tributary watersheds of the Saginaw River. 
Historically the area was predominantly lowland hardwood forest, upland 
forest, emergent marsh, and scattered areas of lakeplain prairie. The 
proposal is also meant to provide areas of lakeplain prairie and 
emergent marshes that are either lacking or under-represented on the 
existing Refuge. This would help to restore the habitat and wildlife 
diversity the area once supported. The proposal is also meant to 
protect the lower reaches of the Cass, Tittabawassee and Shiawassee 
River watersheds that feed and support the existing refuge and the 
Saginaw Bay of Lake Huron.
    The purposes of additional habitat for the Shiawassee National 
Wildlife Refuge are to:
    1. Protect and restore bottomland hardwood forest habitat.
    2. Protect and restore floodplain wetlands.
    3. Protect and maintain the biological diversity of the area by 
preserving the native habitats and associated migratory and resident 
wildlife.
    4. Facilitate the conservation of resources in the watersheds that 
support the refuge.
    5. Provide for recreational, environmental, and interpretative 
opportunities to the surrounding communities and the general public.
    6. Improve fisheries through protection and restoration of 
wetlands.
    7. Increase bank fishing opportunities near existing trails and 
roads.
    8. Establish a visitor center or visitor contact station adjacent 
to Interstate 75 to orient the visiting public.
    Primary alternatives to be considered in preparation of the EA are:
    1. No Action--Rely on existing Federal, State, and local government 
laws, regulations, and ordinances to protect resources.
    2. Private Lands Agreements--Rely on a program of technical 
outreach sponsored by the Service and Michigan Department of Natural 
Resources to assist Landowners in the restoration and enhancement of 
wildlife and fish habitats in the area. The area would encompass 7,635 
acres along the Cass, Shiawassee and Tittabawassee Rivers.
    3. Acquisition of 7,635 acres by Service as an Addition to the 
Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge--Under this alternative, the 
Service would use acquisition of fee title, easements, and leases from 
willing sellers, subject to appropriated funds to add to the existing 
Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge.
    4. Acquistion of 5,688 acres by Service as an Addition to the 
Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge--Under this alternative, the 
Service would use acquisition of fee title, easements, and leases from 
willing sellers along the lower reaches of the Cass, Shiawassee, and 
Tittabawassee Rivers, subject to appropriated funds to add to the 
existing Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge.
    At this time the Service does not have a preferred alternative. the 
major issues expected include Service acquisition policy, effects on 
the tax base, loss of cropland, maintenance of existing ditches and 
dikes, effects on adjacent cropland, loss of residential development, 
fire protection responsibilities, and maintenance of township roads.
    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. 4371 et seq.), NEPA Regulations (40 
CFR 1500-1508), other appropriate Federal regulations, and Service 
procedures for compliance with those regulations.
    The Draft EA will be made available to the public on or before 
January 1, 1995. Public meetings will then be announced and held to 
solicit additional comments for preparing the Final EA.
Marvin E. Moriarty,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 94-22049 Filed 9-7-94; 8:45 am]
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