[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 158 (Monday, August 17, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 43954]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-22129]


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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 Louisiana Black Bear Habitat Protection 
Project, Tensas, Concordia, and St. Mary Parishes, Louisiana

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability of the Draft Environmental Assessment 
and Land Protection Plan for the Louisiana Black Bear Habitat 
Protection Project.

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SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, Southeast Region, proposes to establish two new national 
wildlife refuges and expand an existing national wildlife refuge in the 
State of Louisiana for the benefit of the Louisiana black bear, a 
federally listed threatened species. The purpose of the proposal is to 
facilitate the recovery of the Louisiana black bear by protecting 
currently occupied bear habitat, enhancing potential immigration areas, 
and establishing core areas to serve as key links in bear movement 
corridors. These actions are recommended by the Black Bear Conservation 
Committee, a group whose membership includes over 50 wildlife 
management agencies and conservation organizations. If implemented, the 
project would help meet the goals of the Louisiana Black Bear Recovery 
Plan.
    A Draft Environmental Assessment and Land Protection Plan for the 
Louisiana Black Bear Habitat Protection Proposal has been developed by 
Service biologists in coordination with the Louisiana Department of 
Wildlife and Fisheries, the Black Bear Conservation Committee, parish 
officials, and other local entities. The assessment considers the 
biological, environmental, and socioeconomic effects of implementing 
the project and evaluates two alternative actions and their potential 
impacts on the environment. Written comments or recommendations 
concerning the proposal are welcomed and should be sent to the address 
given 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 August 17, 1998. 
Written comments must be received no later than September 18, 1998, in 
order to be considered for the 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 R. 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 proposal would establish the Glade Woods 
National Wildlife Refuge on 13,000 acres in Tensas Parish and the Bayou 
Teche National Wildlife Refuge on 28,000 acres in St. Mary Parish, 
Louisiana. It would also add 5,000 acres to the existing Bayou Cocodrie 
National Wildlife Refuge in Concordia Parish, Louisiana. The project 
lands are being proposed for protection and management by the Service 
through fee title purchases from willing sellers. The management 
objectives of the two new refuges and the refuge expansion would be to 
(1) contribute to the Recovery Plan goals for the Louisiana black bear; 
(2) provide habitat for a diversity of other wildlife, including white-
tailed deer, turkey, woodcock, wading birds, wood ducks, wintering 
waterfowl, and neotropical migratory birds; and (3) provide 
opportunities for compatible public use, such as hunting, fishing, 
wildlife observation and photography, and environmental education and 
interpretation.

    Dated: August 7, 1998.
Sam D. Hamilton,
Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 98-22129 Filed 8-14-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M