[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 36 (Friday, February 23, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 8197]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-3108]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Revised Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental 
Assessment for Innoko National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska

AGENCY: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service, we), will be 
developing a revised Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and 
Environmental Assessment (EA) for Innoko National Wildlife Refuge 
(Refuge). We will use special mailings, newspaper articles, and other 
media announcements to inform the public of opportunities to provide 
input throughout the planning process. We will hold public meetings in 
communities near the Refuge (Grayling, Anvik, Shageluk, Holy Cross, 
Kaltag, McGrath and Takotna).

DATES: Please provide written comments on the scope of the CCP revision 
on or before 30 days from the date of publication of this Notice.

ADDRESSES: Address comments, questions, and requests for further 
information to: Rob Campellone, Planning Team Leader, Division of 
Conservation Planning and Policy, 1011 East Tudor Rd., MS-231, 
Anchorage, Alaska 99503. Comments may be faxed to (907) 786-3965, or e-
mail to [email protected]. Additional information about the refuge 
is available on the Internet at: http://alaska.fws.gov/nwr/planning/innpol.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rob Campellone, Planning Team Leader, 
at (907) 786-3982.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Established by the Alaska National Interest 
Lands Conservation Act (94 Stat. 2371) in 1980, Innoko Refuge covers 
some 3,850,000 acres and is one of the most important waterfowl areas 
in west central interior Alaska. Approximately half of the refuge 
consists of wetlands set with innumerable lakes and ponds of varying 
size. The remainder is marked by hills, most of which are less than one 
thousand feet in elevation. Almost one-third of the refuge is 
designated Wilderness. The route of the historic Iditarod Trail crosses 
the Refuge.
    Refuge purposes include (1) Conservation of fish and wildlife 
populations and habitats in their natural diversity including, but not 
limited to, waterfowl peregrine falcons, other migratory birds, black 
bear, moose, furbearers, and other mammals and salmon; (2) fulfilling 
the international treaty obligations of the United States with respect 
to fish and wildlife and their habitats; (3) providing, in a manner 
consistent with purposes (1) and (2) above, the opportunity for 
continued subsistence by local residents; and ensuring, to the maximum 
extent practicable and in a manner consistent with purpose (1) above, 
water quality and necessary water quantity within the refuge.
    We furnish this notice in accordance with the Alaska National 
Interest Lands Conservation Act, the National Wildlife Refuge System 
Administration Act as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System 
Improvement Act of 1997 (16 U.S.C. 668dd-688ee), and Service policies.
    These laws and policies require all lands within the National 
Wildlife Refuge System to be managed in accordance with an approved 
CCP. A CCP is a 15-year plan for managing a refuge. Refuge goals and 
objectives are identified in a CCP. During the CCP process, we will 
consider many elements, including conservation of the Refuge's fish and 
wildlife populations and habitats in their natural diversity; 
facilitation of subsistence use by local residents, access for 
traditional activities; and conservation of resource values including 
cultural resources, wilderness and rivers. The final revised CCP will 
detail the programs, activities, and measures necessary to best 
administer the Refuge to protect these values and fulfill refuge 
purposes over the next 15-years. Until the revised CCP is completed, 
management will continue to be guided by the original CCP, Federal 
legislation regarding management of National Wildlife Refuges, and 
other legal, regulatory, and policy guidance.
    Public Meetings: We plan to hold public meetings in communities 
near the Refuge: Grayling, Anvik, Shageluk, Holy Cross, Kaltag, McGrath 
and Takotna. Meetings will be held between December 1 and the end of 
February as weather conditions permit. Each meeting will be announced, 
in advance, locally.

    Dated: February 16, 2007.
Thomas O. Melius,
Regional Director, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Anchorage, Alaska.
 [FR Doc. E7-3108 Filed 2-22-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P