[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 58 (Monday, March 28, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15639-15640]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-6033]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Intent To Prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan and 
Environmental Assessment for the Long Island National Wildlife Refuge 
Complex

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

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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

SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service (Service) intends to prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan 
(CCP) and Environmental Assessment (EA) pursuant to the National 
Environmental Policy Act and its implementing regulations, for the Long 
Island National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Complex refuges located in the 
State of New York. The Long Island NWR Complex is a diverse group of 
eight refuges totaling over 6,200 acres, and contains most of the 
habitat types found on Long Island which are important to migratory 
birds and other wildlife. These refuges include Amagansett, Conscience 
Point, Lido Beach, Morton, Oyster Bay, Seatuck, Target Rock, and 
Wertheim NWRs. The refuges are in Suffolk and Nassau Counties, New 
York. This notice also advises the public that the Service is 
withdrawing a previous notice, published on May 30, 2000, stating that 
an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) would be developed for the 
refuge complex. Comments already received under the previous notice 
will be considered during preparation of the subject CCP/EA.
    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.): (1) To advise other agencies and the public 
of our intentions, and (2) to obtain suggestions and information on the 
scope of issues

[[Page 15640]]

to include in the environmental documents.

DATES: Please provide any comments on the subject CCP/EA by April 15, 
2005. The Service will notify the public of subsequent meetings on 
development of the proposed CCP/EA via Federal Register notice and 
other means, including special mailings, newspaper articles, and Web 
site announcements. Inquire at the address below for future dates of 
planning activity.

ADDRESSES: Comments and requests for more information may be addressed 
to Refuge Manager, Long Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex, P.O. 
Box 21, Shirley, New York 11976, 631-286-0485.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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. Public input into this planning process is essential. The CCP 
will provide other agencies and the public with a clear understanding 
of the desired conditions for the refuges and how the Service will 
implement management strategies. Public input into this planning 
process is essential.
    The Service began soliciting information from the public in 2000 
via open houses, meetings, and written comments. Special mailings, 
newspaper articles, and Web site announcements helped to inform the 
public in the general area near each refuge of the time and place of 
opportunities for input to the CCP.
    The refuge complex has recently completed two EAs independent of 
the CCP process; one EA specifically addressed the issue of deer 
hunting at Wertheim NWR, and another EA addressed development of a 
headquarters and visitor center at Wertheim NWR. The Service has 
determined that, at this time, an EA is a more appropriate document 
than an EIS to accompany the CCP.
    The need to prepare an EIS is a matter of professional judgment 
requiring consideration of all issues in question. If the EA determines 
that the CCP will constitute a major Federal action significantly 
affecting the quality of the human environment, an EIS will then be 
prepared. The primary purpose of an EIS is to ensure that a full and 
fair discussion of all significant environmental impacts occurs and to 
inform decision makers and the public of the reasonable alternatives 
that would avoid or minimize adverse impacts or enhance the quality of 
the human environment.
    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. Concurrent with 
the CCP process, the Service will conduct a wilderness review and 
incorporate a summary of the review into the CCP, as well as include 
compatibility determinations for all applicable refuge uses. We 
estimate that the Draft CCP/EA will be available in the summer 2005.

    Dated: March 3, 2005.
Richard O. Bennett,
Deputy Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hadley, 
Massachusetts.
[FR Doc. 05-6033 Filed 3-25-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P