[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 103 (Tuesday, May 30, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30688-30689]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-4907]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Delta and Breton National Wildlife Refuges

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan 
and Environmental Assessment for Delta National Wildlife Refuge in 
Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, and Breton National Wildlife Refuge in 
St. Bernard and Plaquemines Parishes, Louisiana.

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

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

[[Page 30689]]

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: To ensure consideration, written comments must be received no 
later than June 29, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Comments, questions, and requests for more information 
regarding the planning process for Delta and Breton National Wildlife 
Refuges should be sent to: Refuge Manager, Delta and Breton National 
Wildlife Refuges, Southeast Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 
61389 Highway 434, Lacombe, Louisiana 70445. Comments may also be 
submitted electronically to: [email protected]; or by 
telephone: 985/882-2000.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORAMTION: The comprehensive conservation planning 
process will consider many elements, including wildlife and habitat 
management, habitat protection and acquisition, wilderness 
preservation, public recreational activities, industrial use, and 
cultural resource preservation. Public input into this planning process 
is essential. Open house style meetings and focus group meetings will 
be held throughout the scoping phase of the planning process for each 
refuge. The Service will conduct a cultural resources overview study in 
support of the comprehensive conservation plan. The professional study 
will identify known sites on the refuge.
    Special mailings, newspaper articles, and other media announcements 
will inform people of opportunities for written input throughout the 
planning process. Information on this process will be posted on the 
Internet at http://southeastlouisiana.fws.gov. All comments received 
from individuals become part of the official public record. Requests 
for such comments will be handled in accordance with the Freedom of 
Information Act and the Council on Environmental Quality's NEPA 
regulations [40 CFR 1506.6(f)].
    Delta National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1935. Its 49,000 
acres were formed by the deposition of sediment carried by the 
Mississippi River. The primary purpose of the refuge is to provide 
sanctuary and habitat for wintering waterfowl.
    Breton National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1904 through 
executive order of President Theodore Roosevelt. It's the second-oldest 
refuge among the National Wildlife Refuge System. Its objectives are to 
provide sanctuary for nesting and wintering seabirds, to protect and 
conserve the wilderness character of the islands, and to provide sandy 
beach habitat for a variety of wildlife species.

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

    Dated: April 13, 2006.
Cynthia K. Dohner,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 06-4907 Filed 5-26-06; 8:45am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M