[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 219 (Tuesday, November 15, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-27962]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: November 15, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
 

Notice to Withdraw the Proposal To Establish the New Madrid 
National Wildlife Refuge Located in New Madrid County, Missouri

AGENCY: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service (Service) is withdrawing its proposal to establish the New 
Madrid National Wildlife Refuge in New Madrid County in southeastern 
Missouri. The proposed refuge would have been superimposed on portions 
of two drainage districts in the Mississippi River Floodplain: The St. 
Johns Levee and Drainage District and the St. Johns Bayou Basin 
Drainage District (Districts). The Districts opposed refuge 
establishment without Congressionally ratified assurances to protect 
and support their ongoing operations and future development plans. The 
Service has decided it cannot provide or support the required 
assurances; therefore, is withdrawing the proposal to establish the 
refuge.
    This notice further advises the public that the Service will not 
continue the National Environmental Policy Act process it initiated 
August 22, 1990, nor finalize the Draft Environmental Impact Statement 
dated January 29, 1993.

DATES: This action will become effective November 30, 1994. Although a 
public comment period is not required, the Service will accept comments 
on this action during this fifteen day period.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be mailed to Regional Director, U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service, Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, 1 
Federal Drive, Fort Snelling, Minnesota 55111-4056.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Sue Haseltine, Assistant Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, 1 Federal Drive, Fort 
Snelling, Minnesota 55111-4056, telephone (612) 725-3507.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 22, 1993, the Service published in 
the Federal Register a Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental 
Impact Statement for the creation of the New Madrid National Wildlife 
Refuge. Subsequently, a Draft Environmental Impact Statement was 
prepared and released for public review and comment on January 29, 
1993. A public meeting was held April 1, 1993, and comments were 
accepted through April 26, 1993. The number of written comments 
supporting and opposing the proposal were nearly equal. The Service 
tried to reconcile the opposition of the Local Drainage Districts by 
drafting a cooperative agreement that accommodated their concerns about 
loss of tax levels and assured freedom to operate, maintain, and 
further develop their facilities. The Districts' development plans 
include a project authorized by the Water Resources Department Act of 
1986 that also includes closure (Authorized by the 1954 Flood Control 
Act) of a 1,500-foot opening in an existing Mississippi River levee. 
Because of the complexities created in trying to make the proposed 
refuge compatible with the operations of the Districts the Service is 
withdrawing its proposal to establish the refuge.
    The Service remains committed to initiating a major habitat 
preservation and restoration effort in the Missouri Bootheel in support 
of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. In coordination with 
the Missouri Department of Conservation, the Service intends soon to 
identify other suitable habitat areas in the Bootheel as possible 
national wildlife refuge sites. Subsequently, the planning for refuge 
establishment at such sites would proceed in accordance with the 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.
Sam Marler,
Regional Director, Region 3, Twin Cities, MN.
[FR Doc. 94-27962 Filed 11-14-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M