[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 77 (Friday, April 21, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20722-20723]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-5981]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment for 
Seney National Wildlife Refuge and Kirtland's Warbler Wildlife 
Management Area in Michigan, Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge in 
Missouri, and St. Croix and Leopold Wetland Management Districts in 
Wisconsin

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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

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 (NWR), Wildlife 
Management Area (WMA), and Wetland Management Districts (WMD): Seney 
NWR in the Upper Peninsula, Michigan and Kirtland's Warbler WMA in 8 
counties in the northern Lower Peninsula, Michigan, Swan Lake NWR in 
Chariton County, Missouri, Leopold WMD with lands in 16 counties in 
southeastern Wisconsin, and St. Croix WMD with lands in 8 counties in 
western Wisconsin. The CCPs will describe how we intend to manage the 
refuges and districts 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.
    Special mailings, newspaper articles, internet postings, and other 
media announcements will inform people of the opportunities for written 
comments.

ADDRESSES: Comments for Seney NWR or Kirtland's Warbler WMA can be 
mailed to: Refuge Manager, Seney National Wildlife Refuge, 1674 Refuge 
Entrance Road, Seney, Michigan 49883.
    Comments for Swan Lake NWR can be mailed to: Refuge Manager, Swan 
Lake National Wildlife Refuge, 16194 Swan Lake Avenue, Sumner, Missouri 
64681.
    Comments for Leopold WMD can be mailed to: District Manager, W10040 
Cascade Mountain Road, Portage, Wisconsin 53901.
    Comments for St. Croix WMD can be mailed to: District Manager, 1764 
95th Street, New Richmond, Wisconsin 54017.
    You may also find information on the CCP planning process and 
submit comments electronically on the planning Web site http://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning or you may e-mail comments to 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tracy Casselman, Seney NWR or 
Kirtland's Warbler WMA, at 906-586-9851 or John Guthrie, Swan Lake NWR, 
at 660-856-3323 or Steve Lenz, Leopold WMD, at 608-742-7100 or Chet 
McCarty, St. Croix WMD, at 715-246-7784.

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. Land parcels managed by the Service within a Wetland Management 
District are also units of the National Wildlife Refuge System. The 
purpose in developing a CCP is to provide refuge and district 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 Refuge, Wildlife Management Area, and Wetland 
Management District lands 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) for each 
CCP 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

[[Page 20723]]

procedures for compliance with those regulations.

    Dated: March 28, 2006.
Robyn Thorson,
Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fort Snelling, 
Minnesota.
 [FR Doc. E6-5981 Filed 4-20-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P