[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 196 (Thursday, October 9, 1997)] [Notices] [Pages 52764-52765] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-26809] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Notice of Intent To Prepare a Comprehensive Management Plan and Associated Environmental Document SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) intends to gather information necessary to prepare a Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP) and an environmental document (environmental assessment or environmental impact statement) for Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, Thurston and Pierce Counties, Washington. The Service is furnishing this notice in compliance with Service CMP policy and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and implementing regulations: (1) To advise other agencies and the public of our intentions, (2) to obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to include in the environmental document, and (3) to announce a public open house to occur near the end of October. Information about the time and location of the open house will be published in local media or is available by contacting the refuge. DATES: Written comments should be received on or before November 10, 1997. ADDRESSES: Address comments and requests for more information to: Refuge Manager, Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, 100 Brown Farm Road, Olympia, Washington, 98516 (360/753-9467). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill Hesselbart at the above address. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The Service started the comprehensive management planning process for Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge (Nisqually NWR) IN 1996. Several meetings were held with a variety of public and private interest groups, including a preliminary public scoping meeting in July 1996. Two planning updates soliciting additional comments were mailed on August 20, 1996, and November 10, 1996, to more than 200 addresses. Comments received are being used to develop goals, key issues, and habitat management strategies to be presented at a public scoping meeting in the fall of 1997. Additional opportunities for public participation will occur throughout the process, which is expected to be completed in late 1998, or early 1999. Data collection has been initiated to create computerized mapping, including vegetation, topography, habitat types and existing land uses. Data collection and mapping will continue through 1997. It is Service policy to have all lands within the National Wildlife Refuge System managed in accordance with an approved CMP. The CMP guides management decisions and identifies [[Page 52765]] refuge goals, long-range objectives, and strategies for achieving refuge purposes. Public input into this planning process is encouraged. The CMP will provide other agencies and the public with a clear understanding of the desired conditions for the Refuge and how the Service will implement management strategies. The Nisqually NWR was established in 1974, ``* * * for use as an inviolate sanctuary, or for any other management purpose, for migratory birds'' (16 U.S.C. 715d). A CMP is needed to update the 1978 Nisqually NWR Conceptual Plan and facilitate potential changes in habitat management and associated public uses, with full public participation. Until the CMP is completed, Refuge management will be guided by official Refuge purposes; Federal legislation regarding management of national wildlife refuges; the Nisqually NWR Conceptual Plan and other legal, regulatory and policy guidance. The major issues to be addressed in the CMP include habitat protection and enhancement, boundary expansion and completion of the Refuge, riparian and tidal restoration, control of invasive and exotic vegetation, future flooding, compatibility of secondary uses, jurisdiction over navigable waters within the Refuge, public access and accessibility, and hunting and fishing. The plan will include the following topics: (a) Habitat management, including management of forest, freshwater, estuarine, tidal and riparian areas, water courses, wetlands, old farm fields, and meadows; (b) Wildlife population management, including federally-listed endangered and threatened species, migratory birds, and native mammals and fish; (c) Public use management, including hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, environmental education and interpretation, hiking, biking; (d) Cultural resource identification and protection; and (e) Expansion of partnerships, community outreach and volunteers. Alternatives (and their effects) that address the issues and management strategies associated with these topics will be included in the environmental document. With the publication of this notice, the public is encouraged to send written comments on these and other issues, courses of action that the Service should consider, and potential impacts that could result from CMP implementation on Nisqually NWR. Comments already received are on record and need not be resubmitted. 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. 4321 et seq.), NEPA Regulations (40 CFR 1500-1508), other appropriate Federal laws and regulations, Executive Order 12996, and Service policies and procedures for compliance with those regulations. We estimate that the draft environmental document will be available by Fall 1998. Dated: September 25, 1997. Thomas J. Dwyer, Acting, Regional Director, Region I, Portland Oregon. [FR Doc. 97-26809 Filed 10-8-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-M