[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 132 (Tuesday, July 11, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39125-39126]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-10775]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Final 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 availability.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announces that the Final 
Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) is available for Upper Mississippi River National 
Wildlife and Fish Refuge. The Final CCP/EIS 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 describe how the agency intends to manage the refuge over 
the next 15 years.

DATES: A Record of Decision will be signed by the Regional Director, 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 3, Fort Snelling, Minnesota, no 
sooner than 30 days after publication of this notice by the 
Environmental Protection Agency, in the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Final CCP/EIS may be viewed at the Upper 
Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge Headquarters, its 
district offices, and public libraries near the refuge. You may access 
and download a copy via the Planning Web site http://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/uppermiss, or you may obtain a copy on compact disk by 
contacting: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Conservation 
Planning, Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, 1 Federal Drive, Fort 
Snelling, Minnesota 55111 (1-800-247-1247, extension 5429) or Upper 
Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, Room 101, 51 East 
Forth Street, Winona, Minnesota 55987 (507-452-4232). A limited number 
of hardcopies for distribution will be available at the Refuge 
Headquarters.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Upper Mississippi River National 
Wildlife and Fish Refuge encompasses 240,000 acres along 261 miles of 
Mississippi River floodplain in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and 
Illinois. The refuge was established by Congress in 1924 to provide a 
refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds, fish, other wildlife, 
and plants. The refuge is perhaps the most important corridor of 
habitat in the central United States due to its species diversity and 
abundance and is the most visited refuge in the United States with 3.7 
million annual visitors.
    The Draft CCP/EIS was released for public review May 1, 2005, for a 
120-day comment period ending August 31, 2005. The Refuge hosted 21 
public meetings and workshops attended by 2,900 people. The workshops 
resulted in 87 workgroup reports with comments or recommendations on 
major issues. We also received 2,438 written comments including 
comments from the four states involved, the Corps of Engineers, and 41 
conservation or recreation-related organizations, and 6 petitions with 
more than 3,000 signatures.
    In response to the high degree of public interest and comment, a 
Supplement to the Draft CCP/EIS was issued December 5, 2005, for a 60-
day comment, which was extended to 90 days, ending March 6, 2006. The 
Supplement was a new preferred alternative, named Alternative E--
Modified Wildlife and Integrated Public Use Focus, and reflected many 
changes as a result of public comment. This new preferred alternative, 
along with the previous four alternatives, is included in the Final 
CCP/EIS.
    The refuge hosted nine public meetings on Alternative E attended by 
approximately 890 persons. We also received 666 written comments on 
Alternative E from individuals, state and federal agencies, and 
organizations. These comments, along with those received during the 
first comment period, are summarized in the Final CCP/EIS, along with a 
response.
    Several changes were made to Alternative E for the Final CCP/EIS in 
response to public and agency comments. These changes include the 
number, size and location of waterfowl hunting closed areas, electric 
motor areas, slow no wake areas, hiking trails, and wildlife 
observation areas; modifications to entry and use regulations 
pertaining to the above areas; minor modifications to general 
recreation regulations for camping and other beach-related uses; and 
changes to strategies and timelines for implementation of step-down 
plans and other actions.
    When the Record of Decision is available, we will publish a notice 
of availability in the Federal Register. The Record of Decision will 
document which alternative in the Final CCP/EIS will become the 15-year 
CCP for the Refuge.
    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).


[[Page 39126]]


    Dated: May 16, 2006.
Charles M. Wooley,
Acting Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fort 
Snelling, Minnesota.
 [FR Doc. E6-10775 Filed 7-10-06; 8:45 am]
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