[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 245 (Friday, December 19, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 77828]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-30183]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R4-2008-N0285; 40136-1265-0000-S3]


Desecheo National Wildlife Refuge, Puerto Rico

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 documents for Desecheo National Wildlife 
Refuge (NWR). We provide this notice in compliance with our CCP policy 
to advise other agencies 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 February 2, 2009 Special mailings, newspaper articles, and other 
media announcements will inform people of the opportunities for written 
input throughout the planning process.

ADDRESSES: Comments, questions, and requests for information should be 
sent to: Joseph Schwagerl, Caribbean Islands National Wildlife Refuge, 
P.O. Box 510, Boquer[oacute]n, Puerto Rico, 00622.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph Schwagerl; Telephone: 787/851-
7258; Fax: 787/255-6725; E-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Introduction

    With this notice, we initiate our process for developing a CCP for 
Desecheo NWR off the coast of the main island of Puerto Rico.
    This notice complies with our CCP policy to (1) advise other 
Federal and State agencies 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 in 
developing a CCP is to provide refuge managers with a 15-year strategy 
for achieving refuge purposes and contributing to 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.
    Each unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System is 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 the refuge's establishing 
purposes and the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System.
    Our CCP process provides participation opportunities for 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 Desecheo NWR. Special 
mailings, newspaper articles, and other media outlets will be used to 
announce opportunities for input throughout the planning process.
    We will conduct the environmental assessment 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 
1500-1508); other appropriate Federal laws and regulations; and our 
policies and procedures for compliance with those laws and regulations.
    The Desecheo NWR was established in 1976, when administrative 
jurisdiction was transferred from the National Institute of Health to 
the Service. The total area of this island refuge is 360 acres. It is 
located approximately 14 miles off the coast of the main island of 
Puerto Rico and is administered by the Caribbean Islands National 
Wildlife Refuge Complex, headquartered in Boquer[oacute]n, Puerto Rico. 
Before its establishment as a refuge, Desecheo Island had been under 
the control of the Spanish Crown, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the 
U.S. military (for bombing and survival training), and the National 
Institute of Health (which introduced rhesus monkeys for medical 
research). At one time it contained the largest Brown booby nesting 
colony in the world. Today, there is little or no seabird nesting on 
the island. The native forest of Desecheo NWR has been severely 
degraded by introduced rats, goats, and monkeys. As a result of prior 
military training activities, there is still unexploded ordnance on the 
refuge; therefore, it is closed to all public use. The refuge 
objectives are to restore and protect historic seabird colonies and 
natural island ecosystems.

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: November 7, 2008.
Cynthia K. Dohner,
Acting Regional Director.
 [FR Doc. E8-30183 Filed 12-18-08; 8:45 am]
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