[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 210 (Wednesday, October 29, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 64363]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-25778]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R4-R-2008-N0217; 40136-1265-0000-S3]


Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge, Anson and Richmond Counties, NC

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability: Final comprehensive conservation plan 
and finding of no significant impact.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the 
availability of our final comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and 
finding of no significant impact (FONSI) for Pee Dee National Wildlife 
Refuge. In the final CCP, we describe how we will manage this refuge 
for the next 15 years.

ADDRESSES: A copy of the CCP may be obtained by writing to: Jeffrey 
Bricken, Refuge Manager, Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge, 5770 U.S. 
Highway 52 North, Wadesboro, NC 28170. The CCP may also be accessed and 
downloaded from the Service's Internet Site: http://southeast.fws.gov/planning.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffrey Bricken; telephone: 704/694-
4424.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Introduction

    With this notice, we finalize the CCP process for Pee Dee National 
Wildlife Refuge. We started this process through a notice of intent in 
the Federal Register on November 7, 2006 (71 FR 65122). For more about 
the process, see that notice.
    Established in 1963, Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge is located 
approximately 48 miles east of Charlotte, North Carolina, in Anson and 
Richmond Counties. The 8,433-acre refuge includes a diversity of 
habitats consisting of bottomland hardwoods, upland pine forests, 
croplands, open fields, moist-soil units, and mixed-pine hardwoods. 
These areas support a variety of wildlife and plant species, including 
waterfowl and other migratory birds, as well as federal- and state-
listed species. Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge straddles several 
miles of the Pee Dee River, and contains numerous creeks, lakes, and 
ponds. In addition, the refuge protects historical and archaeological 
sites.
    We announce our decision and the availability of the final CCP and 
FONSI for Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge in accordance with National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (40 CFR 1506.6(b)) requirements. We 
completed a thorough analysis of impacts on the human environment, 
which we included in the draft comprehensive conservation plan and 
environmental assessment (Draft CCP/EA).
    The CCP will guide us in managing and administering Pee Dee 
National Wildlife Refuge for the next 15 years. Alternative C, as we 
described in the final CCP, is the foundation for the CCP.
    The compatibility determinations for (1) boating; (2) deer and 
feral hog hunting; (3) turkey hunting; (4) small game hunting; (5) 
fishing; (6) wildlife observation and photography; (7) environmental 
education and interpretation; (8) bicycling and jogging; (9) horseback 
riding; (10) forest management/timber harvest; and (11) cooperative 
farming are also available in the CCP.

Background

    The National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (16 
U.S.C. 668dd-668ee) (Improvement Act), 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.

Comments

    We solicited comments on the Draft CCP/EA for a 30-day period as 
announced in the Federal Register on April 22, 2008 (73 FR 21641). All 
comments were analyzed and changes were made to the CCP where 
warranted.

Selected Alternative

    The Draft CCP/EA identified and evaluated three alternatives for 
managing the refuge. After considering the comments we received and 
based on the professional judgment of the planning team, we have 
selected Alternative C for implementation. Under this alternative, 
refuge management will focus on maintaining biodiversity, restoring 
habitats, improving conditions for threatened and endangered species, 
and increasing public use opportunities.

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

    Dated: August 25, 2008.
Cynthia K. Dohner,
Acting Regional Director.
 [FR Doc. E8-25778 Filed 10-28-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P