[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 17 (Thursday, January 26, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 4373]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-732]


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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 Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge in 
Barbour and Russell Counties, AL, and Stewart and Quitman Counties, GA

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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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 of 1969 and its implementing regulations.
    The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as 
amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, 
requires the Service to develop a comprehensive conservation plan for 
each national wildlife refuge. The purpose in developing a 
comprehensive conservation plan 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, plans 
identify wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities available to the 
public, including opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife 
observation, wildlife photography, and environmental education and 
interpretation.
    The purpose of this notice is to achieve the following:
    (1) Advise other agencies and the public of our intentions, and
    (2) Obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to 
include in the environmental document.

DATES: An open house style meeting will be held during the scoping 
phase and public draft phase of the comprehensive conservation plan 
development process. Special mailings, newspaper articles, and other 
media announcements will be used to inform the public and state and 
local government agencies of the dates and opportunities for input 
throughout the planning process.

ADDRESSES: Comments and requests for more information regarding the 
Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge planning process should be sent to: 
Mike Dawson, Refuge Planner, Fish and Wildlife Service, 6578 Dogwood 
View Parkway, Suite B, Jackson, Mississippi 39213; Telephone: 601/965-
4903, ext. 20; Fax: 601/965-4010; Electronic mail: [email protected]. To ensure consideration, written comments must be 
received no later than March 13, 2006. Our practice is to make 
comments, including names and addresses of respondents, available for 
public review during regular business hours. Individual respondents may 
request that we withhold their home addresses from the record, which we 
will honor to the extent allowable by law.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge was 
established in 1964 to provide food and resting habitat for migratory 
waterfowls and wood ducks. It consists of 11,184 acres and several 
conservation easements and fee title tracts. The refuge occupies the 
upper portion of the Corps of Engineers' Walter F. George Reservoir 
(Lake Eufaula).
    Some of the recreation and education opportunities on the refuge 
include hunting, fishing, photography, and wildlife observation. 
Approximately 325,000 people visit the refuge annaully.
    The Service will conduct a comprehensive conservation planning 
process that will provide opportunity for state and local governments, 
agencies, organizations, and the public to participate in issue scoping 
and public comment. Comments received by the planning team will be used 
as part of the planning process.

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

    Dated: October 27, 2005.
Cynthia K. Dohner,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 06-732 Filed 1-25-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M