[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 102 (Friday, May 26, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30441-30442]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-8119]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental 
Assessment for Mingo, Pilot Knob, and Ozark Cavefish National Wildlife 
Refuges (NWRs), Wayne and Stoddard Counties, MO

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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

SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announces that the Draft 
Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental Assessment (EA) 
is available for Mingo, Pilot Knob, and Ozark Cavefish NWRs, Missouri.
    The CCP was prepared pursuant to 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. Goals and objectives in the CCP

[[Page 30442]]

describe how the agency intends to manage the refuge over the next 15 
years.

DATES: Comments on the Draft CCP/EA must be received on or before July 
10, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Draft CCP are available on compact disk or 
hard copy; you may obtain a copy by writing to: U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, Division of Conservation Planning, Bishop Henry Whipple 
Federal Building, 1 Federal Drive, Fort Snelling, Minnesota 55111 or 
you may access and download a copy via the planning Web site at http://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/mingo/index.html.
    All comments should be addressed to Mingo National Wildlife Refuge, 
Attention: CCP Comment, 24279 State Highway 51, Puxico, MO 63960, or 
direct e-mail to [email protected]. Comments may also be submitted 
through the Service's regional Web site at http://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathleen Burchett at (573) 222-3589.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Established in 1944 under authority of the 
Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the 21,592-acre Mingo NWR serves as a 
resting and wintering area for migratory waterfowl. A shallow basin, 
the Refuge lies in an abandoned channel of the Mississippi River 
bordered on the west by the Ozark Plateau and on the east by Crowley's 
Ridge. The Refuge contains approximately 15,000 acres of bottomland 
hardwood forest, 5,000 acres of marsh and water, 1,100 acres of 
cropland and moist soil units, and nearly 500 acres of grassy openings. 
During fall and spring migration, the Refuge wetlands support thousands 
of waterfowl.
    The EA evaluates four different approaches, or alternatives, to the 
future management of Mingo NWR, and two alternatives for Pilot Knob and 
Ozark Cavefish NWRs. The plan also identifies wildlife-dependent 
recreational opportunities available to the public.
    The preferred alternative for Mingo includes increased 
opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and 
photography, environmental education and interpretation. It would 
continue with improvements to the drainage system, slightly increase 
the amount of bottomland forest, and maintain a variety of open 
habitats.
    The preferred alternative for Pilot Knob includes increased 
community outreach to improve communication with local residents, 
guided public access to the summit of Pilot Knob, and increased law 
enforcement.
    The preferred alternative for Ozark Cavefish includes opening the 
Refuge to compatible wildlife dependent public uses, working with 
surrounding land owners to improve water quality, and developing a 
formal agreement with the Missouri Department of Conservation for the 
cooperative management of this remote site and their adjacent property.
    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 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 for 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).

    Dated: April 5, 2006.
Charles M. Wooley,
Acting Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fort 
Snelling, Minnesota.
[FR Doc. E6-8119 Filed 5-25-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P