[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 127 (Tuesday, July 2, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 44471]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-16576]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Intent To Prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan and 
Associated Environmental Assessment for the Detroit River International 
Wildlife Refuge, Wayne and Monroe Counties, MI

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

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan 
and associated Environmental Assessment for the Detroit Rivers 
International Wildlife Refuge.

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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 Assessment for the Detroit River 
International Wildlife Refuge located in Wayne and Monroe Counties, 
Michigan. 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 Assessment; 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 late June 2002, the Service will solicit 
information from the public via public open house events, workshops, 
focus groups, and written comments. Special mailings, newspaper 
articles, radio announcements, and the Service's web site http://midwest.fws.gov/planning/detroitrivertop.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: Gary Muehlenhardt, NWRS-AP, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, 1 Federal Drive, Fort Snelling, Minnesota 55111-5406. 
Email: [email protected]. Telephone: 1-800-247-1247 extension 
5477.

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. The 
public is encouraged to participate in the planning process. The 
Comprehensive Conservation Plan will provide other agencies and the 
public with a clear understanding of the desired future conditions of 
the Refuge and how the Service will implement management strategies.
    The Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) was 
established by Public Law 107-91 on December 21, 2002 and is the first 
international wildlife refuge in North America. The Refuge will 
conserve, protect and restore habitat for 29 species of waterfowl, 65 
kinds of fish and 300 species of migratory birds along the lower 
Detroit River in Michigan and Canada. The authorized refuge boundary 
includes islands, coastal wetlands, marshes, shoals and riverfront 
lands along 18 miles of the Lower Detroit River.
    The Refuge establishing act included Mud Island and Grassy Islands, 
lands already managed by the Service as Wyandotte National Wildlife 
Refuge (394 acres). The Act created an ``acquisition'' boundary for the 
refuge, called for partnerships with Canada and local communities, and 
directed the Service to ``conduct a study of fish and wildlife habitat 
and aquatic and terrestrial communities of the north reach of the 
Detroit River'' for potential inclusion in the Refuge, and to report 
back to Congress in 18 months. To meet this obligation, the Service 
will be developing a Comprehensive Conservation Plan for the new 
Refuge.

    Dated: June 3, 2002.
William F. Hartwig,
Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 02-16576 Filed 7-1-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M