[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 52 (Monday, March 19, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12811-12812]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-4911]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Intent To Prepare Comprehensive Conservation Plans and 
Environmental Assessments for Mandalay and Bayou Teche National 
Wildlife Refuges in South Louisiana

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the Fish and Wildlife 
Service intends to gather information necessary to prepare 
comprehensive conservation plans and environmental assessments pursuant 
to the National Environmental Policy Act and its implementing 
regulations for Mandalay and Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuges in 
Terrebonne and Saint Mary Parishes, Louisiana. Mandalay and Bayou Teche 
Refuges are two of the eight refuges administered by the Southeast 
Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge Complex. 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 documents.

DATES: Please provide written comments on the scope of issues to 
include in the environmental documents by May 18, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Address comments, questions, and requests for further 
information to the following: Charlotte Parker, Natural Resource 
Planner, Southeast Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 61389 
Highway 434, Lacombe, Louisiana 70445; Telephone: 985-882-2000. 
Comments may also be submitted electronically to [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Open house style public scoping meetings 
will be held in Houma and Franklin during the comprehensive 
conservation plan development phase. 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. 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

[[Page 12812]]

comments will be handled in accordance with the Freedom of Information 
Act and other Service and Departmental policies and procedures.
    Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1996, is in 
Terrebone Parish in southeast Louisiana. The 4,212-acre refuge is 
composed of freshwater marsh and cypress-tupelo swamp. The refuge 
provides excellent habitat for waterfowl, wading birds, and neotropical 
migratory songbirds.
    Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge, established in 2001, is in 
Saint Mary Parish in southeast Louisiana. The 19,113-acre refuge is 
composed of bottomland hardwood and cypress-gum forests. The refuge 
provides habitat for the threatened Louisiana black bear, as well as 
high-quality habitat for migratory birds.

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

     Dated: December 19, 2006.
Cynthia K. Dohner,
Acting Regional Director.
 [FR Doc. E7-4911 Filed 3-16-07; 8:45 am]
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