[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 130 (Thursday, July 6, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41718-41719]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-17013]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR


Fish and Wildlife Service

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior.

ACTION:  Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement 
Act of 1997, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has published a Revised 
Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment for 
the Edwin B. Forsythe and Cape May National Wildlife Refuges in New 
Jersey. This plan describes how the Service intends to manage the 
Forsythe and Cape May Refuges for the next 15 years.

DATES: A formal public hearing will be held at 7 PM on July 19, 2000. 
The hearing will provide an opportunity for all interested parties to 
present oral or written testimony on the revised draft document before 
a hearing officer and court reporter. Those wishing to do so will be 
able to sign up to speak when they enter the hearing room. This formal 
public hearing will be held at: Absegami High School, 201 South 
Wrangleboro Road, Galloway Township, Atlantic County, New Jersey.
    All other comments should be sent by either traditional or 
electronic mail, no later than August 4, 2000, to: The Jersey Coast 
Refuges Planning Team, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 300 Westgate 
Center Drive, Hadley, MA 01035-9589, or [email protected].

ADDRESSES: Additional information or copies of an executive summary of 
the plan or the complete document may be obtained by contacting Steve 
Atzert, Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, P.O. Box 72, Great 
Creek Road, Oceanville, New Jersey 08231-0072, telephone 609/652-1665.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Service's Proposed Action and two other 
alternatives are described, along with the process used to develop them 
and the environmental consequences of implementing each one. The three 
alternatives are:
    Alternative A. This is the No Action Alternative required by the 
Council of Environmental Quality's regulations on the implementation of 
the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Selection of this 
Atlernative would mean that there would be no change from our current 
management programs and emphasis at both Refuges. Seasonal travel and 
parking of motor vehicles would continue to be allowed in the Holgate 
Unit of the Brigantine Wilderness Area, on lands above mean high tide, 
in violation of the Wilderness Act of 1964.
    Alternative B. Alternative B is the Service's Proposed Action. This 
Alternative would initiate new wildlife population and habitat 
management programs; provide new wildlife-dependent recreation 
opportunities; increase our land protection efforts; and provide new 
office and visitor facilities at both Refuges. All lands above mean 
high tide in the Holgate Unit of the Brigantine Wilderness Area would 
be closed to motor vehicle use by the public year-round in compliance 
with the provisions of the Wilderness Act. We would initiate efforts to 
establish a seasonal boat concession to ferry anglers and other Refuge 
visitors to the southern tip of the Holgate Peninsula.
    Alternative C. This Alternative would initiate new wildlife 
population and habitat management programs; provide new wildlife-
dependent recreation opportunities Refuge-wide; increase our land 
protection efforts; and provide new or remodeled office and visitor 
facilities at both Refuges. All lands above mean high tide in the 
Holgate Unit of the Brigantine Wilderness Area would be closed to motor 
vehicle use by the public year-round in compliance with the provisions 
of the Wilderness Act. We would also seek to further restrict motor 
vehicle access at the Holgate Unit by obtaining a license from the New 
Jersey Tidelands Council to close State-owned riparian lands below the 
mean high tide line. Efforts would be initiated to establish a seasonal 
boat concession to ferry anglers and other Refuge visitors

[[Page 41719]]

to the southern tip of the Holgate Peninsula.

    Dated: June 27, 2000.
Mamie A. Parker,
Acting Regional Director, Fish and Wildlife Service, Hadley, 
Massachusetts.
[FR Doc. 00-17013 Filed 7-5-00; 8:45 am]
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