[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 64 (Wednesday, April 2, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17994-17995]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-6782]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R4-R-2008-N0017; 40136-1265-0000-S3]


Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge, Henry, Benton, Decatur, and 
Humphreys Counties, TN

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a comprehensive conservation plan 
and environmental assessment; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to 
prepare a comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and associated National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents for Tennessee National 
Wildlife Refuge. We provide this notice in compliance with our CCP 
policy to advise other agencies, Tribes, and the public of our 
intentions, and to obtain suggestions and information on the scope of 
issues to consider in the planning process.

DATES: To ensure consideration, we must receive your written comments 
by May 19, 2008. We will announce opportunities for public input in 
local news media throughout the CCP planning process.

ADDRESSES: Send your comments or requests for more information to: John 
Taylor, Refuge Manager, Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge, 3006 
Dinkins Lane, Paris, TN 38242.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Taylor; Telephone: 731/642-2091.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Introduction

    With this notice, we initiate our process for developing a CCP for 
Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge in Henry, Benton, Decatur, and 
Humphreys Counties. We provide this notice in compliance with our 
planning policy to (1) advise other Federal and State agencies and the 
public of our intention to conduct detailed planning on the refuge, and 
(2) obtain suggestions and information on the scope of topics to 
consider in the environmental document and during development of the 
CCP.

Background

    The National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (16 
U.S.C. 668dd-668ee) which amended the National Wildlife Refuge System 
Administration Act of 1966, requires us to develop a CCP for each 
national wildlife refuge. The purpose for developing a CCP is to 
provide refuge managers with a 15-year plan 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 our policies. In addition 
to outlining broad management direction on conserving wildlife and 
their habitats, CCPs identify wildlife-dependent recreational 
opportunities available to the public, including opportunities for 
hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, wildlife photography, and 
environmental education and interpretation. We will review and update 
the CCP at least every 15 years in accordance with the Improvement Act 
and NEPA.
    We establish each unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System for 
specific purposes. We use these purposes as the bases to develop and 
prioritize management goals and objectives for the refuge within the 
National Wildlife Refuge System mission, and to determine how the 
public can use the refuge. The planning process is a way for us and the 
public to evaluate management goals and objectives for the best 
possible conservation approach to this important wildlife habitat, 
while providing for wildlife-dependent recreation opportunities that 
are compatible with the refuge's establishing purposes and the mission 
of the National Wildlife Refuge System.
    Our CCP process provides opportunities for Tribal, State, and local 
governments; agencies; organizations; and the public to participate. At 
this time we encourage the public to provide input in the form of 
issues, concerns, ideas, and suggestions for the future management of 
Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge.
    We will conduct the environmental review of this project in 
accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy 
Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); NEPA 
regulations (40 CFR parts

[[Page 17995]]

1500-1508); other appropriate Federal laws and regulations; and our 
policies and procedures for compliance with those laws and regulations.
    Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge was initially established in 
1945 by executive order. These lands, around Kentucky Lake, were 
designated for use by the Department of the Interior as a management 
area for migratory birds, especially wintering waterfowl and other 
wildlife. The Department of the Interior and the Tennessee Valley 
Authority entered into an agreement regarding which lands were to be 
reserved and managed as a national wildlife refuge. Currently, the 
refuge manages over 51,000 acres within three units: Big Sandy, Duck 
River, and Busseltown.

Public Availability of Comments

    Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or 
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be 
aware that your entire comment, including your personal identifying 
information, may be made publicly available at any time. While you can 
ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying 
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be 
able to do so.

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

    Dated: January 4, 2008.
Jon Andrew,
Acting Regional Director.
 [FR Doc. E8-6782 Filed 4-1-08; 8:45 am]
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