[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 89 (Wednesday, May 8, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 30950]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-11326]



[[Page 30950]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Intent To Prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan and 
Environmental Impact Statement for Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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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 Impact 
Statement (EIS) pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act and 
its implementing regulations. A CCP will be prepared for Back Bay 
National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) located within the City of Virginia 
Beach, Virginia. A Wilderness Review of Back Bay 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.

ADDRESSES: Address comments, questions, and request for more 
information to the following: Refuge Manager, Back Bay National 
Wildlife Refuge, 4005 Sandpiper Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23456-4325, 
757-721-2412.

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 clearer understanding of the desired future conditions 
for Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and how the Service will 
implement management strategies.
    The Service has already held a series of local public meetings in 
Virginia Beach during January 2002 to solicit comments. The Service 
will continue to 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 
additional opportunities for public input to the CCP. Back Bay NWR 
encompasses over 8,700 acres of beach, dunes, woodland, farm fields, 
and marsh habitats. Comments on the protection of threatened and 
endangered species and migratory birds, and the protection and 
management of their habitats will be solicited as part of the planning 
process. A Draft CCP and EIS are planned for public review in 2003.
    Review of the project will be conducted in accordance with the 
requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 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,
Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hadley, 
Massachusetts.
[FR Doc. 02-11326 Filed 5-7-02; 8:45 am]
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