[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 192 (Thursday, October 3, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 62075]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-25102]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Withdrawal of the Little Darby National Wildlife Refuge 
Proposal and Availability of the Little Darby Creek Conservation 
Through Local Initiatives Final Report

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the U.S. Fish & Wildlife 
Service (Service) is withdrawing its proposal to establish the Little 
Darby National Wildlife Refuge in Madison and Union counties in Ohio. A 
concluding Final Report provides tools that could be useful in pursuing 
a local conservation initiative.

DATES: This action will become effective with this notice. The Service 
notified the public of the decision to withdraw the proposal in March; 
formal notice of the decision is being made concurrent with the 
availability of the Final Report. Copies of the Final Report are 
available on the Service's Web site: http://midwest.fws.gov/planning/Idarbytop.htm, or by writing to the address listed below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Larson, Chief of Ascertainment and 
Planning, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Bishop Henry Whipple Federal 
Building, 1 Federal Drive, Fort Snelling, MN 55111. Telephone 612/713-
5430.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: There were both supporters and opponents to 
the proposal to create a new national wildlife refuge in south central 
Ohio, but the community consistently expressed support for the 
conservation of agricultural and natural resource areas. In withdrawing 
the proposal to establish a refuge, the Service is supporting interest 
in locally-driven conservation efforts. The Final Report includes an 
overview of the refuge proposal, a brief history of the area, 
description of the natural resource values of the Little Darby Creek 
Watershed, information on local perceptions and expectations related to 
conservation, and information on resources available for local 
conservation initiatives. The Report reiterates the Service's belief in 
preserving the watershed's resource values.

    Dated: August 14, 2002.
William F. Hartwig,
Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 02-25102 Filed 10-2-02; 8:45 am]
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