[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 167 (Tuesday, August 27, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 44075]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-21747]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service


Cape Cod National Seashore, Massachusetts; Environmental 
Assessment: Interim Pheasant Management Program

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability and Public Comment Period for the 
Environmental Assessment, Interim Pheasant Management.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969 (NEPA 42 USC 4321 et. seq.), the National Park Service, Cape Cod 
National Seashore, announces that an Environmental Assessment (EA) for 
the Interim Pheasant Management Program is available for public review 
and comment.
    The public comment period is from August 29, 1996 to September 29, 
1996. Interested persons may review the document and make written 
comments to the Superintendent, Cape Cod National Seashore, 
Headquarters Building, 99 Marconi Site Road, Wellfleet, Massachusetts 
02667. Written comments and visits or phone inquiries by interested 
parties will be accepted.
    The EA analyzes the impacts of two alternatives for an interim 
proposal for the research and management of the Ring-Necked Pheasant 
(Phasianus colchicus) hunting and stocking program at Cape Cod National 
Seashore. The two alternatives include a no action option which 
continues current management, and a two year research and evaluation 
alternative to assess impacts to native resources and provide an 
objective evaluation of the stocking and hunting program.
    Numerous groups interested in the issue of pheasant management have 
increasingly questioned or requested review or changes as to how the 
State of Massachusetts and the National Park Service manage the 
pheasant hunting program. Many hunting interests have also asked that 
the program be preserved and allowed to continue within the seashore. 
Currently, little or no data exist on pheasant survival, population, 
movement patterns, harvest numbers, and impacts the release may have on 
the native Seashore ecosystems. Based on this lack of data, the long 
history of pheasant stocking in the Seashore, and policy questions that 
require data on which to base informed management decisions, the EA 
analyzes impacts and provides for public review of the two alternatives 
to initiate an appropriate research and management program.
    Copies of the document are available at the address listed above or 
by calling Mike Reynolds at (508) 349-3785 x216 at the Seashore 
Headquarters for copies, questions, or other inquiries.

    Dated: August 20, 1996.
Maria Burks,
Superiontendent, Cape Cod National Seashore.
[FR Doc. 96-21747 Filed 8-26-96; 8:45 am]
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