[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 12 (Wednesday, January 21, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3628-3629]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-1030]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R4-R-2008-N0315; 40136-1265-0000-S3]


White River National Wildlife Refuge, Desha, Monroe, Arkansas, 
and Phillips Counties, AR

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 Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to prepare 
a comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and associated National 
Environmental Policy Act documents for White River National Wildlife 
Refuge (NWR). We provide this notice in compliance with our CCP policy 
to advise other 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 March 9, 2009. An open house meeting will be held during the scoping 
phase of the CCP development process. The date, time, and place for the 
meeting will be announced in the local media.

ADDRESSES: Comments, questions, and requests for information should be 
sent to: Mike Dawson, Refuge Planner, Fish and Wildlife Service, 6578 
Dogwood View Parkway, Suite B, Jackson, MS 39213.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Dawson; Telephone: 601/965-4903, 
ext. 20; Fax: 601/965-4010; e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Introduction

    With this notice, we initiate our process for developing a CCP for 
White River NWR in Desha, Monroe, Arkansas, and Phillips Counties, 
Arkansas.
    This notice complies with our CCP policy to (1) advise 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 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

[[Page 3629]]

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 the 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, 
tribal, 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 White River 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.
    White River NWR was established in 1935 for the protection of 
migratory birds. The refuge lies in the floodplain of the White River 
near where it meets the Mississippi River. The refuge has one of the 
largest remaining bottomland hardwood forests in the Mississippi River 
Valley. The refuge's fertile forests and 300 lakes are interlaced with 
streams, sloughs, and bayous. The result is a haven for a myriad of 
native wildlife and migratory birds.
    Approximately two-thirds of the bird species found in Arkansas can 
be seen at White River NWR. Many of these are neotropical migratory 
songbirds that use the refuge as a stopping point on their journey to 
and from Central and South America.
    The refuge provides important opportunities for compatible 
wildlife-dependent recreational activities involving hunting, fishing, 
wildlife observation, wildlife photography, and environmental education 
and interpretation. In 2003, White River NWR completed construction of 
a 10,000-square-foot office and visitor center off Highway 1 in St. 
Charles, Arkansas. This facility houses an auditorium, environmental 
education classroom, an exhibit hall, and the Friends of White River 
Bookstore.

Public Availability of Comments

    Before including your address, phone number, e-mail, 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: December 5, 2008.
Cynthia K. Dohner,
Acting Regional Director.
 [FR Doc. E9-1030 Filed 1-16-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P