[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 55 (Friday, March 21, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13945-13946]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-6783]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Intent To Prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan and 
Associated Environmental Document for Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge 
in North-central Kansas

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service intends to gather 
information necessary to prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan and 
associated environmental document for Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge 
near Phillipsburg, Kansas. The Service is issuing this notice in 
compliance with its policy to advise other organizations and the public 
of its intentions and to obtain suggestions and information on the 
scope of issues to be considered in the planning process.

DATES: Written comments should be received by August 31, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Comments and requests for more information should be sent 
to: Toni Griffin, Planning Team Leader, P.O. Box 25486, Denver Federal 
Center, Denver, CO 80225-0486; Fax (303) 236-4792; e-mail [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Toni Griffin, Planning Team Leader, 
P.O. Box 25486, Denver Federal Center, Denver, CO 80225-0486; Fax (303) 
236-4792; e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Service has initiated comprehensive 
conservation planning for Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge for the 
conservation and enhancement of its natural resource. This Refuge, 
consisting of 10,778 acres is located in the rolling hills and narrow 
valley of the North Fork of the Solomon River in Phillips county, 
Kansas.
    Kirwin National Refuge was established in 1954 as an overlay 
project

[[Page 13946]]

on a Bureau of Reclamation irrigation and flood control reservoir. ``* 
* * shall be administered by him (Secretary of the Interior) directly 
or in accordance with cooperative agreements * * * and in accordance 
with such rules and regulations for the conservation, maintenance, and 
management of wildlife, resources thereof, and its habitat thereon, * * 
*.'' 16 U.S.C. 715d (Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act). During the 
comprehensive planning process, management goals, objectives, and 
strategies will be developed to carry out the purpose of the Refuge and 
to comply with laws and policies governing refuge management and public 
use of refuges. Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge is open to public use.
    The Service requests input as to which issues affecting management 
or public use should be addressed during the planning process. The 
Service is especially interested in receiving public input in the 
following areas:
    --What do you value most about this Refuge?
    --What problems or issues do you see affecting management or public 
use of this Refuge?
    --What changes, if any, would you like to see in the management of 
this Refuge?
    The Service has provided the above questions for your optional use. 
The Service has no requirement that you provide information. The 
Planning Team developed these questions to facilitate gathering 
information about individual issues and ideas. Comments received by the 
Planning Team will be used as part of the planning process.
    Opportunities for public input will also be provided at public 
meetings during the week of May 19, 2003. Exact dates and times for 
these public meetings are yet to be determined, but will be announced 
via local media.
    All information provided voluntarily by mail, phone, or at public 
meetings (e.g., names, addresses, letters of comment, input recorded 
during meetings) becomes part of the official public record. If 
requested under the Freedom of Information Act by a private citizen or 
organization, the Service may provide copies of such information.
    The environmental 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 1500-1508), other appropriate Federal laws and regulations, 
Executive Order 12996, the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement 
Act of 1997, and Service policies and procedures for compliance with 
those regulations.

    Dated: March 3, 2003.
John A. Blankenship,
Deputy Regional Director, Denver, Colorado.
[FR Doc. 03-6783 Filed 3-20-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P