[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]


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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

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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