[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 22 (Thursday, February 3, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5693-5694]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-2083]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment for 
Rice Lake and Mille Lacs National Wildlife Refuges in East Central 
Minnesota and Horicon and Fox River National Wildlife Refuges (NWR) in 
Southeast Wisconsin

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 
Comprehensive Conservation Plans (CCP) and Environmental Assessments 
(EA) for the following National Wildlife Refuges: Rice Lake NWR in 
Aitkin and Pine Counties, Minnesota and Mille Lacs NWR in Mille Lacs 
County, Minnesota, which are managed by Rice Lake NWR staff, and 
Horicon NWR in Dodge and Fond du Lac Counties, Wisconsin and Fox River 
NWR in Marquette County, Wisconsin, which are managed by Horicon NWR 
staff. The CCPs will describe how we intend to manage the refuges for 
the next 15 years.
    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.), and the National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA).
    Open house style meetings and possibly focus group meetings and 
workshops will be held during the scoping phase of the CCP development 
process to obtain additional suggestions and information on the scope 
of alternatives and impacts to be considered.
    In addition, the Service is inviting comments on archeological, 
historic, and traditional cultural sites in accordance with the 
National Historic Preservation Act. Cultural resource overview studies 
will be conducted to identify known historic and cultural sites on the 
refuges.
    Special mailings, newspaper articles, Internet postings, and other 
media announcements will inform people of the opportunities for written 
comments.

ADDRESSES: Comments for Rice Lake NWR or Mille Lacs NWR can be mailed 
to: Refuge Manager, Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge, 36289 State 
Highway 65, McGregor, Minnesota 55760 or submit comments electronically 
at the following Web site: http://midwest.fws.gov/planning/ricelake/index.html.
    Comments for Horicon NWR or Fox River NWR can be mailed to: Refuge 
Manager, Horicon National Wildlife Refuge, W4279 Headquarters Road, 
Mayville, Wisconsin 53050 or submit comments electronically at the 
following Web site: http://midwest.fws.gov/planning/horicon/index.html.
    You may also find information on the CCP planning process and 
submit comments electronically at the planning Web site: http://midwest.fws.gov/planning/index.html or you may e-mail comments to: 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Stefanski, Rice Lake NWR, at 
(218) 768-2402 or Patti Meyers, Horicon NWR, at (920) 387-2658.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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. 668dd-668ee et seq.) requires 
the Service to develop a CCP for each National Wildlife Refuge. The 
purpose

[[Page 5694]]

in developing a CCP 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 management, conservation, legal 
mandates, and Service policies. In addition to outlining broad 
management direction on conserving wildlife and their habitats, the CCP 
identifies wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities available to 
the public, including opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife 
observation and photography, and environmental education and 
interpretation. We will review and update these CCPs 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, and the National Environmental Policy 
Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321-4370d).
    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 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 CCP planning process will consider many elements, including 
wildlife and habitat management, habitat protection and acquisition, 
wilderness preservation, public recreational activities, and cultural 
resource preservation. Public input into this planning process is 
essential.
    The Service will prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) in 
accordance with procedures for implementing NEPA found in the 
Departmental Manual 516 DM 6, Appendix 1.
    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, and Service policies 
and procedures for compliance with those regulations.

    Dated: January 7, 2005.
Charles M. Wooley,
Acting Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fort 
Snelling, Minnesota, Region 3.
[FR Doc. 05-2083 Filed 2-2-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P