[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 53 (Wednesday, March 19, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13162-13163]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-6888]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Assessment and 
Land Protection Plan for the Proposed Establishment of Black Bayou Lake 
National Wildlife Refuge, Ouachita Parish, LA

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability of the Draft Environmental Assessment 
and Land Protection Plan for the Proposed Plan for the Proposed 
Establishment of Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge.

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SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife, Southeast Region, proposes to establish a new national 
wildlife refuge on Black Bayou lake near the city of Monroe in Ouachita 
Parish, Louisiana. The purpose of the proposed refuge is to

[[Page 13163]]

protect, enhance, and manage the habitats of Black Bayou Lake and 
certain surrounding lands for the benefit of the Lake's fishery, 
resident migratory waterfowl, wading birds, neotropical migratory 
birds, and other native wildlife. A Draft Environmental Assessment and 
Land Protection Plan for the establishment of the proposed refuge has 
been developed by Service biologists in coordination with the Louisiana 
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the City of Monroe, and other 
local entities. The assessment considered the biological, 
environmental, and socioeconomic effects of establishing the refuge and 
evaluates three alternative actions and their potential impacts on the 
environment. Written comments or recommendations concerning the 
proposal was welcomed and should be sent to the address below.

DATES: Land acquisition planning for the project is currently underway. 
The draft environmental assessment and land protection plan will be 
available to the public for review and comment on March 18, 1997. 
Written comments must be received no later than April 18, 1997, in 
order to be considered for preparation of the final environmental 
assessment.

ADDRESSES: Comments and requests for copies of the draft environmental 
assessment and for further information on the project should be 
addressed to Mr. Charles M. Danner, Team Leader, Planning and Support 
Team, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1875 Century Boulevard, Atlanta, 
Georgia 30345, or by telephone at 800/419/9582.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed refuge area is located on Black 
Bayou Lake immediately north of Monroe and West Monroe in Ouachita 
Parish, Louisiana. The lake is a secondary source of water for the city 
of Monroe and is connected to Bayou de Siard, which serves as the 
primary source of water for the city. Over the past several years, the 
Monroe City Council and the Chamber of Commerce have expressed 
considerable interest in seeking to protect Black Bayou Lake and ensure 
public use. In 1996, the City of Monroe purchased 1,661 acres on the 
lake. The city has offered to enter into a long-term lease with the 
Service to create an overlay refuge on the property. The Service 
proposes to establish the refuge by entering into this lease with the 
city and by acquiring certain lands around the lake through fee title 
purchases, other leases, and easements from willing sellers.

    The proposed refuge would consist of up to 6,200 acres of land and 
water on and around Black Bayou Lake. The lake is locally renowned for 
its recreational fishing for largemouth bass and chinquapin bream, and 
the lands surrounding the lake provide abundant habitat for resident 
and migratory waterfowl, wading birds, neotropical migratory birds, and 
other native wildlife. The federally-listed red-cockaded woodpecker and 
bald eagle also use the habitats of the proposed refuge area.

    Dated: March 7, 1997.
Noreen K. Clough,
Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 97-6888 Filed 3-18-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M