[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 243 (Thursday, December 18, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70520-70521]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-31165]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Tallahatchie, Dahomey, and Coldwater River National Wildlife 
Refuges

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan 
and Environmental Assessment for Tallahatchie, Dahomey, and Coldwater 
River National Wildlife Refuges, located in the State of Mississippi.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service, Southeast Region, intends to 
gather information necessary to prepare a comprehensive conservation 
plan and environmental assessment pursuant to the National 
Environmental Policy Act

[[Page 70521]]

and its implementing regulations. The Service is furnishing this notice 
in compliance with the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration 
Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 668dd et seq.), to achieve the 
following:
    (1) Advise our agencies and the public of our intentions, and
    (2) Obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to 
include in the environmental document.
    Special mailings, newspaper articles, and other media announcements 
will be used to inform the public and state and local government 
agencies of the opportunities for input throughout the planning 
process.

ADDRESSES: Address comments, questions, and requests for more 
information to Stephen W. Gard, Project Leader, North Mississippi 
National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 2776 Sunset Drive, P.O. Box 1070, 
Grenada, Mississippi 38901; Telephone: 662/226-8286; Fax: 662/226-8488; 
E-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: By Federal law, all lands within the 
National Wildlife Refuge System are to be managed in accordance with an 
approved comprehensive conservation plan. The plan guides management 
decisions and identifies refuge goals, long-range objectives, and 
strategies for achieving refuge purposes. The planning process will 
consider many elements including wildlife and habitat management, 
public recreational activities, and cultural resource protection. 
Public input in the planning process is essential as the Service 
establishes management priorities and explores opportunities for non-
invasive and low-impact activities.
    Tallahatchie National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1990, is 
located in Grenada and Tallahatchie Counties, Mississippi. It consists 
of 4,083 acres and is managed primarily to provide habitat for 
migratory waterfowl. Refuge objectives are to create a woodland 
corridor along Tippo Bayou for migratory neotropical songbirds, convert 
marginal agricultural land to hardwood forests, and provide fallow 
field habitat for wintering grassland birds.
    Dahomey National Wildlife Refuge, also established in 1990, is 
located in Bolivar County, Mississippi. It consists of 9,691 acres, and 
is the largest remaining tract of bottomland hardwood forested wetlands 
in the northwest portion of Mississippi. Objectives are to provide 
habitat for migratory waterfowl and other migratory birds, and to 
provide recreational use and environmental education to the public.
    Coldwater River National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1991, is 
located in Tallahatchie and Quitman Counties, Mississippi. It consists 
of 2,202 acres, much of which is inaccessible during the winter months 
due to backwater flooding of the Tallahatchie River. Objectives are to 
provide habitat for migratory waterfowl, shorebirds, and wading birds; 
convert marginal agricultural land to hardwood forests; and provide 
fallow field habitat for wintering grassland birds.

    Authority: This notice is published under the authority of the 
National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, Pub. L. 
105-57.

    Dated: November 14, 2003.
J. Mitch King,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 03-31165 Filed 12-17-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M