[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 51 (Tuesday, March 16, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 12344]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-5854]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Intent To Prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan and 
Environmental Assessment for D'Arbonne National Wildlife Refuge Located 
in Union and Ouachita Parishes, Louisiana

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior
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 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 other agencies and the public of our intentions, and
    (2) Obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issued 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. An open house style meeting will be held during the scoping 
phase of the comprehensive conservation plan development process.

DATES: To ensure consideration, we must receive written comments on or 
before April 30, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Address comments, questions, and requests for more 
information to Lindy Garner, Planning Biologist, North Louisiana 
National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 11372 Highway 143, Farmerville, 
Louisiana 71241.

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. This plan guides management 
decisions and identifies the goals, long-range objectives, and 
strategies for achieving refuge purposes. The planning process will 
consider many elmenets, including wildlife and habitat management, 
public recreational activities, and cultural resource protection. 
Public input into this planning process is essential.
    D'Arbonne National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1975, is located 
within the Lower Mississippi River Valley floodplain in north 
Louisiana. The refuge is located approximately 6 miles north of West 
Monroe Louisiana. The refuge's 17,421 acres include deep overflow 
swamp, bottomland hardwood forests, and upland mixed pine/hardwoods. 
D'Arbonne Refuge provides habitat for thousands of wintering waterfowl, 
wading birds, waterbirds, and year-round habitat for nesting wood 
ducks, squirrels, deer, river otters, and raccoons. The refuge is open 
year-round for wildlife observation, nature photography, and hiking. 
Hunting and fishing opportunities are permitted on most areas of the 
refuge.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Planning Biologist, North Louisiana 
National Wildlife Refuge Complex, telephone: 318/726-4222; fax 318/726-
4667; e-mail: [email protected]; or mail (write to the Planning 
Biologist at address in the ADDRESSES Section).

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

    Dated: February 27, 2004.
J. Mitch King,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 04-5854 Filed 3-15-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M