[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 22 (Friday, February 1, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 4993]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-2088]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Intent To Prepare Comprehensive Conservation Plan and 
Environmental Impact Statement for the Great Dismal Swamp National 
Wildlife Refuge

SUMMARY: This amends the previous Notice of Intent published October 9, 
2001. 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 Impact 
Statement (EIS) pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA) of 1969, and its implementing regulations. A CCP 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 Nansemond 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 
EIS. Times and dates for public scoping meetings are identified below 
and will remain the same as those published in the previous notice.

DATES: Please submit comments on the Draft CCP and EIS on or before 
March 1, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Please submit comments on the Draft CCP and EIS to Refuge 
Manager, Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, PO Box 349, 
Suffolk, VA 23439-0349.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Refuge Manager, Great Dismal Swamp 
National Wildlife Refuge, PO Box 349, Suffolk, VA 23439-0349 at 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 NWR 
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 Draft EIS are planned for public review by December 2002. Review of 
the project will be conducted in accordance with the requirements of 
NEPA, 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.

    Dated: December 6, 2001.
Richard O. Bennett,
Acting Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hadley, 
Massachusetts.
[FR Doc. 02-2088 Filed 1-31-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P