[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 112 (Tuesday, June 12, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32306-32307]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-11315]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge, Buffalo and Trempealeau 
Counties, WI

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability of a draft comprehensive conservation 
plan and environmental impact statement; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announces that a 
Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and associated 
Environmental Impact Statement are available for the Trempealeau 
National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). This notice is furnished in compliance 
with our CCP policy to

[[Page 32307]]

advise other agencies and the public of their opportunity to comment on 
the draft documents.

DATES: To ensure consideration, your written comments must be received 
by August 11, 2007. A public open house meeting will be held to accept 
comments in person; the date, time, and location of the meeting will be 
announced in local media.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Draft CCP are available on compact disk or 
hard copy. You may access and download a copy via the planning Web site 
at http://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/Trempealeau or you may obtain a 
copy by writing to the following address: U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, Division of Conservation Planning, Bishop Henry Whipple 
Federal Building, 1 Federal Drive, Fort Snelling, Minnesota 55111.
    Send your comments to Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge, W28488 
Refuge Road, Trempealeau, Wisconsin, 54661 or direct e-mail to 
[email protected]. Comments may also be submitted through the 
Service's regional Web site at: http://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vickie Hirschboeck, 608-539-2311 
extension 12.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: With this notice, the Service announces the 
availability of the Draft CCP/EIS for the Trempealeau NWR with 
headquarters in Trempealeau, WI.

Background

The CCP Process

    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), 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.
    Each unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System is established 
with specific purposes. The Service uses these purposes to develop and 
prioritize management goals and objectives within the National Wildlife 
Refuge System mission, and to guide which public uses will occur on 
these Refuges. The planning process is a way for us and the public to 
evaluate management goals and objectives for the best possible means to 
conserve the Refuge's important wildlife habitat, while providing for 
wildlife-dependent recreation opportunities that are compatible with 
the Refuges' establishing purposes and the mission of the National 
Wildlife Refuge System.
    The environmental review of this project is being conducted in 
accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy 
Act of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); NEPA Regulations (40 
CFR parts 1500-1508); other appropriate Federal laws and regulations; 
and our policies and procedures for compliance with those regulations. 
All comments we receive from individuals on our environmental impact 
statements become part of the official public record. We will handle 
requests for such comments in accordance with the Freedom of 
Information Act, NEPA (40 CFR 1506.6(f)), and other Departmental and 
Service policies and procedures.

Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge

    The Refuge, established by an Executive Order in 1936 to provide a 
refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife, 
encompasses 6,226 acres. The Refuge is part of the Upper Mississippi 
River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge Complex. An estimated 70,000 
visitors enjoy birding, hiking, biking, hunting, fishing, or 
photography at the Refuge. Over 2,000 young people learn about their 
environment each year through education programs. A dedicated force of 
volunteers contributes to the quality of the visitor experience, as 
well as successful habitat management.
    In September 2002 and March 2003, public meetings were held and 
written comments were accepted to identify issues and concerns relevant 
to the Refuge. The issues were grouped into five topic areas: 
Landscape; wildlife and habitat; public use; neighboring landowners and 
communities; and administration and operations.
    The focus of the CCP over the next 15 years will be on enhancing 
forest and wetland habitat; improving outreach, access, and wildlife-
dependent recreation opportunities; and improving staffing and 
infrastructure capability.
    Three alternatives were evaluated in the EIS: (1) No action or 
current direction; (2) wildlife and habitat focus; and (3) integrated 
public use and wildlife and habitat focus (preferred). The alternatives 
differ mainly in the level of effort and resources given to fish, 
wildlife, and habitat management and public use opportunities and 
programs. Under the preferred alternative all current recreational uses 
would continue, and regulations would be reviewed to ensure consistency 
with existing laws and policy.

    Dated: February 15, 2007.
Charles M. Wooley,
Acting Regional Director, Region 3, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
Fort Snelling, Minnesota.

    This document was received at the Office of the Federal Register 
on June 7, 2007.
[FR Doc. E7-11315 Filed 6-11-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P