[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 73 (Tuesday, April 15, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 20329]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-7911]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R3-R-2008-N0047; 30136-1265-0000-S3]


Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge, Wisconsin

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announces that the Final 
Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) is available for Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge.
    The Final CCP/EIS was prepared pursuant to the National Wildlife 
Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as amended by the National 
Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, and the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Goals and objectives in the CCP 
describe how the agency intends to manage the refuge over the next 15 
years.

DATES: A Record of Decision will be signed by the Regional Director, 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 3, Fort Snelling, Minnesota, no 
sooner than 30 days after publication of this notice by the 
Environmental Protection Agency, in the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Final CCP/EIS may be viewed at the Trempealeau 
National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters and public libraries near the 
refuge. 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 on compact disk by contacting: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
Division of Conservation Planning, Bishop Henry Whipple Federal 
Building, 1 Federal Drive, Fort Snelling, Minnesota 55111 (1-800-247-
1247, extension 5429) or Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge, W28488 
Refuge Road, Trempealeau, WI 54661-7246 (608-539-2311). A limited 
number of hardcopies for distribution will be available at the Refuge 
Headquarters.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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.
    The Draft CCP/EIS was released for public review June 12, 2007, for 
a 60-day comment period ending August 11, 2007. During the comment 
period the Refuge hosted a public meeting and a workshop attended by a 
total of 28 people. We received written comments from 18 individuals, 
two special interest groups, and two governmental agencies during the 
comment period.
    In response to comments by the State of Wisconsin Department of 
Natural Resources, we made three modifications to species lists, added 
three strategies, and modified one objective and accompanying strategy 
in the preferred alternative. We also amended our discussion of climate 
change impacts. We consider all modifications minor.
    When the Record of Decision is available, we will publish a notice 
of availability in the Federal Register. The Record of Decision will 
document which alternative in the Final CCP/EIS will become the 15-year 
CCP for the Refuge.
    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 et seq.), requires the Service to develop a CCP 
for each National Wildlife Refuge. The purpose in developing a CCP 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 for conserving 
wildlife and their habitats, the CCP identifies wildlife-dependent 
recreational opportunities available to the public, including 
opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and 
photography, and environmental education and interpretation. We will 
review and update these CCPs at least every 15 years in accordance with 
the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as 
amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, 
and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321-
4370d).

    Dated: February 15, 2008.
Charles M. Wooley,
Acting Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fort 
Snelling, Minnesota.
 [FR Doc. E8-7911 Filed 4-14-08; 8:45 am]
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