[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 194 (Friday, October 7, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 58738]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-20171]



[[Page 58738]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Preparation of a Supplement to the Draft Comprehensive 
Conservation Plan and Environmental Impact Statement for the Upper 
Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, Illinois, Iowa, 
Minnesota, and 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 prepare a Supplement to the Draft 
Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA) and its implementing regulations, for the Upper Mississippi 
River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge (Refuge) located in Illinois, 
Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
    The Refuge has decided to draft a new preferred alternative 
(Alternative E) in the form of a Supplement to the Draft CCP and EIS. 
All current alternatives in the Draft CCP and EIS (Alternatives A 
through D) will remain and will be considered in preparing the Final 
CCP and EIS.
    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 of 
1969, to advise other agencies and the public of our intentions.

ADDRESSES: Address comments to Refuge Manager, Upper Mississippi River 
National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, 51 East Fourth Street, Room 101, 
Winona, MN 55987. Comments may also be submitted electronically to 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Don Hultman at (507) 452-4232.

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.
    The Service issued a Draft CCP and EIS on May 1, 2005, with a 120-
day public review and comment period. The comment period ended August 
31, 2005. During this time, 21 public information meetings and public 
workshops were held and attended by 2,900 citizens. More than 2,500 
written comments were received.
    The public will have an opportunity to review and comment on the 
Supplement for 60 days following its release. Public open houses will 
also be held in several communities during the comment period. Notice 
of availability of the Supplement will be published in the Federal 
Register. In addition, announcements of Supplement availability and 
public involvement opportunities will be made through special mailings, 
media announcements, and on the planning website listed below.
    The current Draft CCP and EIS, along with other information on the 
planning process are available at http://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/uppermiss/index.html.
    We estimate that the Supplement to the Draft CCP and EIS will be 
available in November 2005.

    Dated: September 8, 2005.
Robyn Thorson,
Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fort Snelling, 
Minnesota.
[FR Doc. 05-20171 Filed 10-6-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P