[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 195 (Tuesday, October 9, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 51444]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-25191]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Intent to Prepare Comprehensive Conservation Plans and 
Associated Environmental Documents for the Great Dismal Swamp National 
Wildlife Refuge

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of Interior.

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 documents 
pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act and its implementing 
regulations. CCPs will be prepared for the Great Dismal Swamp National 
Wildlife Refuge (NWR) located in Suffolk and Chesapeake, Virginia and 
Gates and Camden Counties, North Carolina and the Nanesmond Refuge Unit 
located within the City of Suffolk, Virginia. A Wilderness Review of 
Great Dismal Swamp NWR will also be completed concurrently in 
accordance with the Wilderness Act of 1964, as amended and Refuge 
Planning policy 602 FW Chapters 1, 2, and 3. 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 address below for dates of planning activity and 
due dates for comments. The public scoping meetings will be held in 
January 2002 in the cities of Suffolk and Chesapeake, Virginia and also 
in Elizabeth City and Gatesville, North Carolina in the following 
locations:

January 8, 2002
Hampton Inn, 402 Halstead Boulevard, Elizabeth City, North Carolina

January 10, 2002
Performing Arts Building, Gates County High School, 088 Highway 158 
West, Gatesville, North Carolina

January 22, 2002
City Council Chambers, 441 Market Street, Suffolk, Virginia

January 24, 2002
Major Hillard Public Library, Deep Creek, 824 Old George Washington 
Highway, Chesapeake, Virginia

ADDRESSES: Address comments, questions, and request for more 
information to the following: Refuge Manager, Great Dismal Swamp 
National Wildlife Refuge, P.O. Box 349, Suffolk, VA 23439-0349, 757-
986-3706.

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 refuges 
purposes. The planning process will consider many elements including 
habitat and wildlife management, habitat protection and acquisition, 
public uses, 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 impact management strategies.
    The Service will solicit public input via, open houses, public 
meetings, workshops, and written comments. Special mailings, newspaper 
articles, and announcements will inform people of the time and place of 
such opportunities for public input to the CCP. The Great Dismal Swamp 
National Wildlife Refuge encompasses some 109,000 acres of marshes, 
wooded wetlands/swamps, and open water. Comments on the protection of 
threatened and endangered species and migratory birds and the 
protection and management of their habitat will be solicited as part of 
the planning process. A Draft CCP and Environmental Assessment are 
planned for public review by December of 2002.
    Review of the 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 parts 1500-
1508), other appropriate Federal laws and regulations, and Service 
policies and procedures for compliance with those regulations.

Mamie A. Parker,
Acting Regional Director U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hadley, 
Massachusetts.
[FR Doc. 01-25191 Filed 10-5-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P