[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 1 (Wednesday, January 3, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 143-144]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-22468]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Intent To Prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan and 
Environmental Assessment for Santee National Wildlife Refuge in 
Clarendon County, South Carolina

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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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 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: Please provide written comments on the scope of issues to 
include in the environmental document by March 5, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Comments, questions, and requests for more information 
regarding the Santee National Wildlife Refuge planning process should 
be sent to: Van Fischer, Natural Resource Planner, South Carolina 
Lowcountry Refuge Complex, 5801 Highway 17 North, Awendaw, South 
Carolina 29429; Telephone: 843/928-3264; Fax: 843/928-3803; Electronic 
mail: [email protected].

[[Page 144]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Special mailings, newspaper articles, and 
other media announcements will be used to inform the public and state 
and local government agencies of the opportunities for input throughout 
the planning process. Open-house style public meetings will be held 
during the scoping phase of the comprehensive conservation plan 
development process. During this process, many elements will be 
considered, including wildlife and habitat management, public 
recreational activities, and cultural resource protection. Public input 
into the planning process is essential. All comments received become 
part of the official public record. Requests for such comments will be 
handled in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act and other 
Service and Departmental policies and procedures.
    Santee National Wildlife Refuge was established on May 5, 1941, to 
alleviate the loss of natural waterfowl and wildlife habitat caused by 
the construction of hydro-electric projects on the Santee and Cooper 
Rivers. Stretching for 18 miles along the northern shore of Lake 
Marion, the refuge protects 15,095 acres within the upper coastal plain 
region of Clarendon County, South Carolina. Additional information 
concerning this refuge may be found at the Service's Internet site: 
http://www.fws.gov/refuges.

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

    Dated: December 2, 2006.
Cynthia K. Dohner,
Acting Regional Director.
 [FR Doc. E6-22468 Filed 12-29-06; 8:45 am]
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