[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 215 (Tuesday, November 7, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65122-65123]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-9100]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan 
and Environmental Assessment for Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge in 
Anson and Richmond Counties, North Carolina.

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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: To ensure consideration, written comments must be received no 
later than December 7, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Address comments, questions, and requests for further 
information to: Jeff Bricken, Refuge Manager, Pee Dee National Wildlife 
Refuge, 5770 U.S. Highway 52 North, Wadesboro, North Carolina 28170; 
Telephone: 704/694-4424; Fax: 704/694-6570. You may find additional 
information concerning the refuge at its Internet site: http://www.fws.gov/peedee/index.html.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The comprehensive conservation planning 
process will consider many elements, including wildlife and habitat 
management, public recreational activities, and cultural resource 
protection. Public input to the planning process is essential. A public 
scoping meeting will be held. Please contact the refuge manager in the 
ADDRESSES section regarding the public scoping meeting. 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)].
    Congress established Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge in 1963 as a 
migratory bird refuge. Located along the Pee Dee River in North 
Carolina, it comprises 8,443 acres of bottomland hardwoods, mixed-pine 
hardwoods, upland pines, croplands, old fields, and moist-soil units. 
Management of the refuge includes cooperative farming that enhances 
wildlife food and cover, impoundment management for waterfowl and 
wading birds, timber management, field border and old field management, 
prescribed burning, deer heard management, and regional partnerships.


[[Page 65123]]


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

    Dated: October 4, 2006.
Cynthia K. Dohner,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 06-9100 Filed 11-6-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M