[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 235 (Monday, December 8, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64595-64596]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-32007]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR


Environmental Statements; Availability, etc.: National Bison 
Range Complex, MT: Comprehensive Conservation Plan

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a comprehensive conservation plan.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This notice advises that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
(Service) intends to gather information necessary to prepare a 
comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and associated environmental 
document for the National Bison Range Complex in northwestern Montana. 
The Service is furnishing this notice in compliance with Service CCP 
policy to advise other agencies and the public of its intentions and to 
obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to be 
considered in the planning process.

DATES: Written comments should be received by January 7, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments and requests for more information to Project 
Leader, Attention Planning Team, National Bison Range Complex, 132 
Bison Range Road, Moiese, Montana 59824.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dave Wiseman, Refuge Manager 406-644-2211.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Service has initiated Comprehensive 
Conservation Planning for the National Bison Range Complex. The Complex 
includes the National Bison Range; Ninepipe, Pablo, and Swan River 
National Wildlife Refuges; and the Northwest Montana Wetland Management 
District. Each National Wildlife Refuge has purposes for which it was 
established. Those purposes are used to develop and prioritize 
management goals and objectives within the National Wildlife Refuge 
System mission, and to guide which public uses occur on the refuge. The 
planning process is a way for the Service and the public to evaluate 
management goals and objectives for the best possible conservation 
efforts of this important wildlife habitat, while providing for 
wildlife-dependent recreation opportunities that are compatible with 
each national wildlife refuge's establishing purposes.
    In 1908, the first purchase of land for the exclusive protection of 
wildlife occurred when Congress appropriated money for the 
establishment of the National Bison Range ``for a permanent national 
bison range for the herd of bison.'' (45 Stat. 267-8) and subsequently 
in 1921 ``as refuges and breeding grounds for birds,'' (Executive Order 
3596). Ninepipe and Pablo National Wildlife Refuges were established as 
easement refuges in 1921 ``as a refuge and breeding ground for native 
birds,'' (Executive Order 3503-Ninepipe, Executive Order 3504--Pablo). 
The Tribes have the right to use these for all purposes consistent with 
the permanent refuge easements. Swan River National Wildlife Refuge was 
established in 1973 ``for use as an inviolate sanctuary, or for any 
other management purpose, for migratory birds,'' (Migratory Bird 
Conservation Act, 16 U.S.C. 715-715r). Finally, the Northwest Montana 
Wetland Management District are lands acquired ``as Waterfowl 
Production Areas'' subject to ``all of the provisions of such Act 
(Migratory Bird Conservation Act) * * * except the inviolate sanctuary 
provisions,'' (Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act, 16 
U.S.C. 718).
    The National Bison Range Complex is an integral part of the 
community in northwestern Montana. The National Bison Range, Ninepipel 
and Pablo National Wildlife Refuges, and that portion of the Wetland 
Management District in Lake County, Montana lie within the exterior 
boundaries of the Flathead Indian Reservation of the Confederated 
Salish and Kootenai Tribes. The units of the Complex that are not 
within the reservation include the Swan River National Wildlife Refuge 
and that portion of the Wetland Management District in Flathead County, 
Montana. The Comprehensive Conservation Plan will define how the 
Complex is managed, not who manages it. Therefore, this planning effort 
is separate from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes' 
compacting requests for management authority. The Service and the 
Tribes have discussed working together to develop the CCP.

[[Page 64596]]

The Service may contract with the Tribes for resource personnel or 
services as needed. The Service will conduct the planning process 
providing the Tribes, as well as other governments, agencies, 
organizations, and the public with an opportunity to participate in the 
scoping and public comment process.
    The Service is requesting input for concerns, ideas, and 
suggestions for the future management of the National Bison Range 
Complex. Anyone interested in providing input is invited to respond to 
the following three questions.
    (1) What makes the National Bison Range Complex (or any specific 
unit) special or unique for you?
    (2) What problems or issues do you want to see addressed in the 
Comprehensive Conservation Plan?
    (3) What improvements would you recommend for the National Bison 
Range Complex (or any specific unit)?
    The Service has provided the above questions for your optional use. 
There is no requirement to provide information to the Service. The 
Planning Team developed these questions to facilitate finding out more 
information about individual issues and ideas concerning the National 
Bison Range Complex. Comments received by the Planning Team will be 
used as part of the planning process, individual comments will not be 
reference in our reports or directly responded to.
    There will also be an opportunity to provide input at open houses 
scheduled for late January 1998 to scope issues and concerns (schedule 
can be obtained from the National Bison Range at above address). All 
information provided voluntarily by mail, phone, or at public meetings 
becomes part of the official public record (e.g., names, addresses, 
letters of comment, input recorded during meetings). If requested under 
the Freedom of Information Act by a private citizen or organization, 
the Service may provide copies of such information.
    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, the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement 
Act of 1997, and Service policies and procedures for compliance with 
those regulations.
    We estimate that the draft environmental document will be available 
for review in June 1999.

    Dated: November 26, 1997.
Ralph O. Morgenweck,
Regional Director, Denver, Colorado.
[FR Doc. 97-32007 Filed 12-5-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M