[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 87 (Friday, May 4, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 22592]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-11221]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Intent To Prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan and 
Environmental Assessment for Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, in 
Central Minnesota

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan 
and Environmental Assessment for Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge.

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SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service (Service) intends to gather information necessary to prepare a 
Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental Assessment (EA) 
pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and its 
implementing regulations, for the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge 
located in Sherburne County, Minnesota. 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.), to 
achieve the following:
    (1) Advise other agencies and the public our intentions, and
    (2) Obtain additional suggestions and information on the scope of 
alternatives and impacts to be considered.
    Open house style meetings and focus group meetings will also be 
held throughout the scoping phase of the CCP development process. In 
addition, the Service is inviting comments on archaeological, historic, 
and traditional cultural sites in support of the National Historic 
Preservation Act.
    Special mailings, newspaper articles, and other media announcements 
will inform people of the opportunities for written input throughout 
the CCP planning process.

DATES: The Service is soliciting written comments and will hold two 
public open house scoping meetings in the School House on the Sherburne 
National Wildlife Refuge, 17076 293rd Avenue, Zimmerman, Minnesota, on 
the following dates: May 29, 2001  10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m., May 30, 2001  
6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

ADDRESSES: Address comments to Refuge Manager, Sherburne National 
Wildlife Refuge, 17076 293rd Avenue, Zimmerman, MN 56346. Comments may 
also be submitted electronically at [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Refuge Manager, Sherburne National 
Wildlife Refuge, 763/389-3323.

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 CCP planning process will consider many elements, including 
wildlife and habitat management, habitat protection and acquisition, 
wilderness preservation, public recreational activities, industrial 
use, and cultural resource preservation. 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 Refuge and how the 
Service will implement management strategies.
    The Service will prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) in 
accordance with procedures for implementing NEPA found in the 
Departmental Manual 516 DM 6, Appendix 1.
    The Service will contract for a cultural resources overview study 
in support of the comprehensive conservation plan. The professional 
study will identify known sites on the refuge. We are also asking the 
public to identify any cultural sites that are important to them.
    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.
    We estimate that the draft environmental documents will be 
available in summer 2002.

    Dated: April 26, 2001.
Marvin E. Moriarty,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 01-11221 Filed 5-3-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M