[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 191 (Friday, October 2, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53087-53088]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-26401]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Intent To Prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan and 
Associated Environmental Document for Flint Hills National Wildlife 
Refuge, Hartford, KS

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a comprehensive conservation plan 
and associated environmental document.

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

SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service intends to gather 
information necessary to prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan and 
associated environmental document for the Flint Hills National Wildlife 
Refuge near Hartford, Kansas. The Service is issuing this notice in 
compliance with its policy to advise other organizations 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 November 13, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments and requests for more information should be sent 
to: Refuge Manager, Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge, 530 West 
Maple, P.O. Box 128, Hartford, Kansas 66854. Fax (316) 392-5554. Email: 
[email protected]

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jerre Gamble, Refuge Manager, (316) 
392-5553 extension 102.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Service has initiated comprehensive 
conservation planning for Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge for the 
conservation and development of its natural resources. This Refuge is 
located in the central portion of eastern Kansas, surrounding portions 
of the John Redmond Reservoir, near the town of Hartford. The Refuge is 
open to Public use.
    Comprehensive planning will develop management goals, objectives, 
and strategies to carry out the purposes of the Refuge and comply with 
laws and policies governing refuge management and public use of 
refuges.
    The Service requests input as to what issues, affecting management 
or public use, should be addressed during the planning process. The 
Service is especially interested in receiving public input in the 
following areas:
     What makes the Refuge special for you?
     What problems or issues do you see affecting management or 
public use of the Refuges?
     What improvements do you recommend for the Refuge?
     What changes, if any, would you like to see in the 
management of the Refuge?
    The Service has provided the above questions for your optional use. 
The Service has no requirement that you must provide information. The 
Planning Team developed these questions to facilitate finding out more 
information about individual issues and ideas. Comments received by the 
Planning Team will be used as part of the planning process; individual 
comments will not be referenced in our reports or directly responded 
to.
    An opportunity will also be provided for public input at an open 
house in early November 1998 which will be held to scope issues and 
concerns (schedule can be obtained from the Flint Hills National 
Wildlife Refuge at above address). All information provided voluntarily 
by mail, phone, or at public meetings becomes part of the official 
public record (i.e., names, addresses, letters of comment, input 
recorded during meetings). If requested under the Freedom of 
Information Act by a private

[[Page 53088]]

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.

    Dated: September 25, 1998.
Terry T. Terrell,
Deputy Regional Director, Denver, Colorado.
[FR Doc. 98-26401 Filed 10-1-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M