[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 112 (Tuesday, June 11, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40002-40003]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-14543]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Intent To Prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan and 
Environmental Assessment for Eastern Neck 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 Assessment (EA)

[[Page 40003]]

pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act and its implementing 
regulations. A CCP will be prepared for Eastern Neck National Wildlife 
Refuge (NWR) located within the Town of Rock Hall, Maryland. 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 
June 2002 in the Towns of Rock Hall, Chestertown and Centreville.

ADDRESSES: Address comments, questions, and request for more 
information to the following: Refuge Manager, Eastern Neck National 
Wildlife Refuge, 1730 Eastern Neck Road, Rock Hall, Maryland 21661, 
410-639-7056.

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 implement 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. Eastern Neck National 
Wildlife Refuge is located on Eastern Neck Island, which sits at the 
mouth of the Chester River in Kent County, Maryland. Total refuge 
acreage is 2,285 acres and includes brackish tidal marsh, cropland, 
forest, grassland and open water impoundments. 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.
    Review of this 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.

    Dated: June 4, 2002.
Mamie A. Parker,
Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hadley, 
Massachusetts.
[FR Doc. 02-14543 Filed 6-10-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P