[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 176 (Wednesday, September 10, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 52668]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-20974]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R4-R-2008-N0248; 40136-1265-0000-S3]


Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability of the Final Comprehensive Conservation 
Plan and Finding of No Significant Impact for Alligator River National 
Wildlife Refuge in Manteo, North Carolina.

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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service announces that a Final 
Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Finding of No Significant Impact 
for Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is available for 
distribution. The plan was prepared pursuant to the National Wildlife 
Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, and in accordance with the 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, and describes how the refuge 
will be managed for the next 15 years. The compatibility determinations 
for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, 
environmental education and interpretation, and trapping of selected 
furbearers are also available in the plan.

ADDRESSES: A copy of the plan may be obtained by writing to the 
Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, P.O. Box 1969, Manteo, North 
Carolina 27954. The plan may also be accessed and downloaded from the 
Service's Web site: http://southeast.fws.gov/planning/.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The availability of the Draft Comprehensive 
Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment for a 45-day public 
review and comment period was announced in the Federal Register on May 
30, 2006 (71 FR 30687). The plan and environmental assessment 
identified and evaluated three alternatives for managing the refuge 
over the next 15 years. Alternative 1, the no-action alternative, would 
have continued current management of the refuge. Alternative 3 would 
have resulted in substantial program increases.
    Based on the environmental assessment and the comments received, 
the Service adopted Alternative 2 as its preferred alternative. 
Alternative 2 directs the development of programs to best achieve the 
refuge purpose and goals; emphasizes wildlife conservation as our 
highest priority in refuge management; collects habitat and wildlife 
data; and ensures long-term achievement of refuge and Service 
objectives. At the same time, these management actions provide balanced 
levels of compatible public use opportunities consistent with existing 
laws, Service policies, and sound biological principles. Alternative 2 
provides the best mix of program elements to achieve desired long-term 
conditions.
    Under this alternative, all lands under the management and 
direction of the refuge will be protected, maintained, and enhanced to 
best achieve national, ecosystem, and refuge-specific goals and 
objectives within anticipated funding and staffing levels. In addition, 
the action positively addresses significant issues and concerns 
expressed by the public.
    Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is located in Dare and 
Hyde Counties, North Carolina, about 3.5 hours east of Raleigh and 1.5 
hours south of the Virginia line. The refuge covers a total of 153,017 
acres within the 239,800-acre acquisition boundary and occupies the 
eastern-most portion of the Albemarle-Pamlico Peninsula in eastern 
North Carolina. The refuge is the lead refuge in the North Carolina 
Coastal Plain Refuge Complex and consists of a variety of habitats, 
including forested wetlands, shrub wetlands, agricultural lands, moist-
soil areas, open waters, dirt/gravel access roads and trails, and 
recently reforested areas. Annually, more than 35,000 people visit the 
refuge.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bonnie Strawser, Wildlife Interpretive 
Specialist, Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge; telephone: 252-
473-1131; fax: 252-473-1668; e-mail: [email protected]; or by 
writing to the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge at the address 
in the ADDRESSES section.

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

    Dated: March 30, 2007.
Cynthia K. Dohner,
Acting Regional Director.

    Editorial Note: This document was received in the Office of the 
Federal Register on September 5, 2008.
[FR Doc. E8-20974 Filed 9-9-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P