[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 32 (Thursday, February 15, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10506-10507]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-3822]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Intent To Prepare Comprehensive Conservation Plans and 
an Associated Environmental Impact Statement

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare comprehensive conservation plans 
and an associated environmental impact statement for island units of 
the eastern Massachusetts national wildlife refuge complex.

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SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service

[[Page 10507]]

(Service) intends to gather information necessary to prepare 
Comprehensive Conservation Plans (CCP) and an associated Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) pursuant to section 102(2)C of the National 
Environmental Policy Act and its implementing regulations, for three 
units of the eight-unit Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge 
Complex , located in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. These three 
refuges are Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Nantucket NWR, and 
Nomans Land Island NWR. The Refuges are in Barnstable, Nantucket, and 
Dukes Counties, Massachusetts. Concurrent with the CCP process, the 
Service will conduct a wilderness review and incorporate a summary of 
the review into the appropriate CCP and EIS. The CCPs of the remaining 
five refuges of the Complex (Assabet River NWR, Great Meadows NWR, 
Mashpee NWR, Massasoit NWR, and Oxbow NWR) will be evaluated in a 
separate Environmental Assessment (EA).
    This notice amends a previous notice, published on February 24, 
1999, that stated an EIS would be developed for all eight units of the 
Complex (then called Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge Complex). 
Comments already received for these refuges under the previous notice 
will be considered. The Service invites agencies, groups and the public 
to submit any additional comments concerning the scope of issues to be 
addressed, as well as possible alternatives and environmental impacts 
to consider in the EIS.
    The Service is furnishing this notice in compliance with the 
National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as amended 
(16 U.S.C. 668dd et seq.):
    (1) To advise other agencies and the public of our intentions, and
    (2) To obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to 
include in the environmental documents.

DATES: Inquire at the following address for dates of planning activity 
and due dates for comments.

ADDRESSES: Address comments and requests for more information to the 
following: Refuge Manager, Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Weir 
Hill Road, Sudbury, Massachusetts 01776, (978) 443-4661.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: By Federal law, all lands within the 
National Wildlife Refuge System are to be managed in accordance with an 
approved CCP. The CCP guides management decisions and identifies refuge 
goals, long-range objectives, and strategies for achieving refuge 
purposes. The planning process will consider many elements, including 
habitat and wildlife management, habitat protection and acquisition, 
public use, and cultural resources. Public input into this planning 
process is essential. The CCP will provide other agencies and the 
public with a clear understanding of the desired conditions for the 
Refuges and how the Service will implement management strategies.
    The Service has already solicited information from the public via 
open houses, meetings, and written comments. Special mailings, 
newspaper articles, and announcements will continue to inform people in 
the general area near each refuge of the time and place of 
opportunities for further public input to the CCP.
    The Eastern Massachusetts NWR Complex is a diverse group of coastal 
and inland refuges. Habitats include forest, field, riparian, barrier 
island beach, freshwater marsh, and pond. Monomoy NWR contains 2,700 
acres, a portion of which is Federal Wilderness Area; Nantucket 40 
acres; and Nomans Land Island 628 acres.
    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, and Service policies 
and procedures for compliance with those regulations. Concurrent with 
the CCP process we will conduct a wilderness review and incorporate a 
summary of the review into the CCP. Wilderness review is the process we 
use to determine if we should recommend Refuge System lands and waters 
to Congress for wilderness designation.
    We estimate that the draft environmental documents will be 
available in fall 2001 for public review and comment.

    Dated: January 19, 2001.
Mamie Parker,
Acting Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hadley, 
Massachusetts.
[FR Doc. 01-3822 Filed 2-14-01; 8:45 am]
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