[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 34 (Thursday, February 20, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8303-8304]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-4027]


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DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Intent To Prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan and 
Environmental Assessment for Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge in 
Northwestern Minnesota.

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) 
pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and its 
implementing regulations, for the Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge 
located in Marshall County, Minnesota.
    The Service is furnishing this notice in compliance with the 
National Wildlife Refuge System Administration

[[Page 8304]]

Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 668dd et seq.), to achieve the 
following:
    (1) Advise other agencies and the public of our intentions, and
    (2) Obtain additional suggestions and information on the scope of 
alternatives and impacts to be considered.
    Open house style meetings and focus group meetings will also be 
held throughout the scoping phase of the CCP development process. In 
addition, the Service is inviting comments on archaeological, historic, 
and traditional cultural sites in accordance with the National Historic 
Preservation Act.
    Special mailings, newspaper articles, and other media announcements 
will inform people of the opportunities for written input throughout 
the CCP planning process. Information on the CCP planning process will 
be posted on the Internet at http://www.midwest.fws.gov/planning/agassiz.htm

ADDRESSES: Address comments to Refuge Manager, Agassiz National 
Wildlife Refuge, 22996 290th Street NE., Middle River, MN 56737. 
Comments may also be submitted electronically at [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Refuge Manager, Agassiz National 
Wildlife Refuge, Phone: (218)-449-4115.

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 refuge 
purposes.
    The CCP planning process will consider many elements, including 
wildlife and habitat management, habitat protection and acquisition, 
wilderness preservation, public recreational activities, industrial 
use, and cultural resource preservation. 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 Refuge and how the 
Service will implement management strategies.
    The Service will prepare in Environmental Assessment (EA) in 
accordance with procedures for implementing NEPA found in the 
Departmental Manual 516 DM 6, Appendix 1.
    The Service will contract for a cultural resources overview study 
in support of the comprehensive conservation plan. The professional 
study will identify known sites on the refuge. We are also asking the 
public to identify any cultural sites that are important to them.
    Review of this project will be conducted in accordance with the 
requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act 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.
    We estimate that the draft environmental documents will be 
available in late 2003.

    Dated: November 8, 2002.
William F. Hartwig,
Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 03-4027 Filed 2-19-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M