[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 213 (Thursday, November 5, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57328-57329]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-26670]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R6-R-2009-N211; 60138-1265-6CCP-S3]


Cokeville Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Lincoln County, WY

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a comprehensive conservation plan, 
a hunt plan, and environmental assessment; announcement of open house 
public scoping meetings; and 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), a hunt plan, and 
environmental assessment (EA) for Cokeville Meadows National Wildlife 
Refuge. 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. We are also announcing 
public meetings and requesting public comments.

DATES: To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by 
December 31, 2009. We will hold public meetings to begin the CCP and 
hunt plan planning process; see Public Meetings under SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION for dates, times, and locations.

ADDRESSES: Send your comments or requests for more information by any 
of the following methods.
    E-mail: [email protected]. Include ``Cokeville Meadows CCP/
Hunt Plan'' in the subject line of the message.
    Fax: Bernardo Garza, (303) 236-4792.
    U.S. Mail: P.O. Box 25486--DFC, Denver, CO 80225-0486.
    In-Person Drop-off: You may drop off comments during regular 
business hours at 134 Union Boulevard, Suite 300, Lakewood, CO 80228.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carl Millegan, Project Leader, 
Seedskadee NWR Complex, (307) 875-2187 x 19, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Introduction

    With this notice, we initiate our process for developing a CCP and 
a Hunt Plan for the Cokeville Meadows NWR, in Lincoln County, WY. 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 and the Hunt Plan.

Background

The CCP Process

    The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 
U.S.C. 668dd-668ee) (Administration Act), as amended by the National 
Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, 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 and photography, and 
environmental education and interpretation. We will review and update 
the CCP at least every 15 years in accordance with the Administration 
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 
that will ensure the best possible approach to wildlife, plant, and 
habitat conservation, 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 Cokeville Meadows NWR.
    We will conduct the environmental review of this project and 
develop an 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.

Cokeville Meadows National Wildlife Refuge

    Cokeville Meadows NWR was established for the conservation of the 
wetlands of the Nation in order to maintain the public benefits they 
provide and to help fulfill international obligations contained in 
various migratory bird treaties and conventions as well as for use as 
an inviolate sanctuary for migratory birds. This refuge contains a 
mosaic of wet meadows and cattail/bulrush sloughs. Many of these 
wetlands were originally created and maintained by agricultural 
practices. Cokeville Meadows NWR provides nesting habitat for 32 water 
bird species and, if developed, these habitats could provide suitable 
nesting habitat for the trumpeter swan, a species of management 
concern. Refuge habitats also provide important habitat for resident 
species. Greater sage grouse use upland sagebrush areas for nesting 
while riparian areas provide important feeding sites for their broods. 
Big game, including antelope, mule deer, and elk also utilize Refuge 
habitats.

[[Page 57329]]

Public Meetings

    The public will have an opportunity to provide input at two public 
meetings.

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                  Date                                Time                              Location
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November 17, 2009.......................  6-9 p.m....................  Cokeville High School, Auditorium, 435
                                                                        Pine Street, Cokeville, WY 83114.
November 18, 2009.......................  6-9 p.m....................  Best Western Fossil Country Inn & Suites,
                                                                        Conference Room,
                                                                       760 Highway 189/30, Kemmerer, WY 83101.
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    You may also send comments anytime during the planning process by 
mail, e-mail, or fax (see ADDRESSES). There will be additional 
opportunities to provide public input once we have prepared a draft 
CCP.

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: October 7, 2009.
Richard A Coleman,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. E9-26670 Filed 11-4-09; 8:45 am]
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