[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 104 (Thursday, May 30, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 37852]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-13288]



[[Page 37852]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Intent To Prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan and 
Associated Environmental Impact Statement for the Upper Mississippi 
River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge Complex (Refuge Complex)

AGENCY: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan 
and associated Environmental Impact Statement for the Upper Mississippi 
River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge Complex.

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SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service (Service) intends to prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan 
and an associated Environmental Impact Statement for the Upper 
Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge Complex. The Refuge 
Complex includes the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish 
Refuge in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois; the Trempealeau 
National Wildlife Refuge in Wisconsin; and the Driftless Area National 
Wildlife Refuge in Iowa. The Service is furnishing this notice in 
compliance with Service Comprehensive Conservation Plan policy and the 
National Environmental Policy Act and implementing regulations to 
achieve the following: (1) Advise other agencies and the public of our 
intentions; (2) Obtain suggestions and information on the scope of 
issues, opportunities, and concerns for inclusion in the Comprehensive 
Conservation Plan and Environmental Impact Statement; and (3) Solicit 
information from the public about archaeological sites, buildings and 
structures, historic places, cemeteries, and traditional use sites that 
could influence decisions about management of the Refuge.

DATES: Beginning in August 2002, the Service will solicit information 
from the public via public meetings, workshops, focus groups, and 
written comments. Special mailings, newspaper articles, radio 
announcements, and the Services Web site http://midwest.fws.gov/planning/uppermisstop.htm will inform people of the times and places of 
public involvement opportunities.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Address comments and requests for 
additional information to: Thomas Magnuson, Project Manager, U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service, 1 Federal Drive, Fort Snelling, Minnesota 55111. 
Telephone: 1-800-247-1247 extension 5467.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: It is Service policy to have all lands 
within the National Wildlife Refuge System managed in accordance with 
an approved Comprehensive Conservation Plan. The Comprehensive 
Conservation Plan will guide management decisions and identify refuge 
goals, objectives, and strategies for achieving refuge purposes. Public 
input into this planning process is encouraged. The Comprehensive 
Conservation Plan will provide other agencies and the public with a 
clear understanding of the desired future conditions of the Refuge 
Complex and how the Service will implement management strategies.
    The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge was 
established by public law in 1924 to protect and preserve habitats for 
migratory birds, fish, and a variety of other wildlife. The refuge 
extends 261 miles along the Mississippi River from the Chippewa River 
in Wisconsin almost to Rock Island, Illinois. It encompasses 
approximately 230,000 acres in parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and 
Illinois and is a component of the Service-managed National Wildlife 
Refuge System. Parts of 19 counties and two Army Corps of Engineers 
districts are included in the Refuge. More than half of the land within 
the Refuge is owned by the Army Corps of Engineers. Those lands are 
managed by the Refuge under a cooperative agreement.
    The Trempealeau Wildlife Refuge was established in 1936 to provide 
breeding and migration habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife. 
It is located in Buffalo and Trempealeau counties Wisconsin, and 
currently consists of 5,754 acres of land.
    The Driftless National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1989 to 
protect and enhance populations of the federally endangered Iowa 
Pleistocene snail and federally threatened Northern monkshood plant. It 
is located in Clayton, Dubuque, Jackson, and Allamakee counties, Iowa, 
and currently consists of 775 acres of land.

    Dated: May 2, 2002.
Marvin Moriarty,
Acting Regional Director, Region 3.
[FR Doc. 02-13288 Filed 5-29-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M