[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 215 (Wednesday, November 5, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65871-65872]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-26367]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R2-R-2008-N0211; 20131-1265-2CCP S3]


Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge, Colorado and 
Austin Counties, TX

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 environmental 
assessment (EA) for Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge, 
located in Colorado and Austin Counties, Texas. We provide this notice 
in compliance with our CCP policy to advise other Federal and State 
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 January 5, 2009. We will hold public meetings to begin the CCP 
planning process. We will announce opportunities for public input in 
the local news media throughout the CCP planning process. Open house 
meetings will be scheduled and held throughout the scoping phase of the 
CCP development process.

ADDRESSES: Send your comments, questions, and requests for more 
information by any of the following methods.
    E-mail: [email protected]. Include ``Attwater Prairie Chicken 
CCP'' in the subject line of the message.

[[Page 65872]]

    Fax: Attn: Chris Perez, CCP Planner, 956-782-0641.
    U.S. Mail: Rt 2, Box 202A, Alamo, TX 78516.
    In-Person Drop-off: You may drop off your comments during regular 
business hours at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Terry Rossignol, Refuge Manager; 
Telephone: 979-234-3021; Fax: 979-234-3278. Chris Perez, CCP Planner; 
Telephone: 956-784-7553; Fax: 956-782-0641.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Introduction

    With this notice, we initiate our process for developing a CCP for 
Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge), located in 
Colorado and Austin Counties, TX. This notice complies with our CCP 
policy to (1) other Federal and State agencies, Tribes, and the public 
of our intention to conduct detailed planning on this Refuge, and (2) 
obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to consider 
in the environmental document and during development of the CCP.

Background

The CCP Process

    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 the 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.
    Each unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System was established 
for specific purposes. We use these purposes as the foundation for 
developing and prioritizing the management goals and objectives for 
each refuge within the National Wildlife Refuge System mission, and to 
determine how the public can use each 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 each refuge's establishing 
purposes and the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System.
    Our CCP process provides participation opportunities for Tribal, 
State, and local governments; agencies; organizations; and the public. 
At this time, we encourage input in the form of issues, concerns, 
ideas, and suggestions for the future management of Attwater Prairie 
Chicken National Wildlife Refuge.
    We will conduct the EA in accordance with the requirements of the 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 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 laws and regulations.
    The purposes of Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge 
are to preserve and restore coastal prairie habitat for the endangered 
Attwater's prairie chicken, and for the development, advancement, 
management, conservation, and protection of other fish and wildlife 
resources.

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.

    Dated: September 12, 2008.
Brian Millsap,
Acting, Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Albuquerque, 
New Mexico.
[FR Doc. E8-26367 Filed 11-4-08; 8:45 am]
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