[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 97 (Tuesday, May 20, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 27577]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-12630]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Availability of the Final Comprehensive Conservation 
Plans for the Five Refuges in the Rhode Island National Wildlife Refuge 
Complex

AGENCY: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces that 
final comprehensive conservation plans (CCP) are available for each of 
the five refuges in the Rhode Island National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) 
Complex: Trustom Pond NWR, Block Island NWR, Sachuest Point NWR, 
Ninigret NWR, and John H. Chafee NWR at Pettaquamscutt Cove. These 
CCPs, prepared pursuant to the National Wildlife Refuge System 
Administration Act of 1966, as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge 
System Improvement Act of 1997 (16 U.S.C. 6688dd et seq.), and the 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, describe how the Service 
intends to manage these refuges over the next 15 years.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the CCPs are available on compact diskette or hard 
copy, and can be obtained by writing: Rhode Island NWR Complex, 3769D 
Old Post Road, Charlestown, Rhode Island, 02813, 401-364-9124. Copies 
of the CCPs can also be accessed and downloaded at the following Web 
site address: http://northeast.fws.gov/planning.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charlie Vandemoer, Refuge Manager, at 
the address above, or Nancy McGarigal, Planning Team Leader, U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service, Northeast Regional Office, 300 Westgate Center 
Drive, Hadley, Massachusetts, 01035, (413) 253-8562.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A CCP is required by the National Wildlife 
Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as amended by the National 
Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (16 U.S.C. 6688dd et 
seq.). The purpose in developing CCPs is to provide refuge managers 
with a 15-year strategy for achieving refuge purposes and contributing 
toward the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System, consistent 
with sound principles of fish and wildlife science, conservation, legal 
mandates, and Service policies. In addition to outlining broad 
management direction on conserving wildlife and their habitats, the 
CCPs identify wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities available 
to the public, including opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife 
observation and photography, and environmental education and 
interpretation. These CCPs will be reviewed and updated at least every 
15 years in accordance with the National Wildlife Refuge System 
Administration Act of 1966, as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge 
System Improvement Act of 1997 (16 U.S.C. 6688dd et seq.), and the 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.

    Dated: September 9, 2002.
Dr. Mamie A. Parker,
Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

    Note: This document was received at the Office of the Federal 
Register on May 15, 2003.

[FR Doc. 03-12630 Filed 5-19-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P