[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 72 (Thursday, April 14, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21001-21002]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-8812]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R5-R-2011-N001; BAC-4311-K9-S3]


Presquile National Wildlife Refuge, Chesterfield County, VA; 
Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to 
prepare a comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and environmental 
assessment (EA) for Presquile National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) located in 
Chesterfield County, Virginia, approximately 20 miles south of Richmond 
on the James River. 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, please send your written comments by 
May 16, 2011. We will announce opportunities for public input in local 
news media throughout the CCP process.

[[Page 21002]]


ADDRESSES: Send your comments or requests for more information by any 
of the following methods.
    E-mail: [email protected]. Include ``Presquile NWR CCP'' in 
the subject line of the message.
    Fax: Attention: Nancy McGarigal, 413-253-8468.
    U.S. Mail: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 300 Westgate Center 
Drive, Hadley, MA 01305.
    In-Person Drop-off: You may drop off comments during regular 
business hours at 11110 Kimages Road, Charles City, VA 23030.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eastern Virginia Rivers National 
Wildlife Refuge Complex; phone: 804-333-1470; fax: 804-333-3396.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Introduction

    With this notice, we initiate our process for developing a CCP for 
Presquile NWR in Chesterfield County, VA. 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 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 (NWRS), 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 NWRS 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 NWRS 
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 NWRS.
    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 Presquile NWR.
    We will conduct the environmental review of this project and 
develop an EA 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.

Presquile National Wildlife Refuge

    Presquile NWR is one of four refuges that comprise the Eastern 
Virginia Rivers NWR Complex. The refuge is a 1,329-acre island in the 
James River. The Service acquired the land in 1952. It was previously 
operated as a dairy farm. Established to protect habitat for wintering 
waterfowl and other migratory birds, Presquile NWR is an important 
anchor in the network of refuges on and around the Chesapeake Bay.
    Refuge habitats include swamp, tidal marsh, open fields and 
brushland, forest riparian, and river escarpment. This landscape 
supports a wide diversity of wildlife species. Over 200 species of 
birds have been documented on the refuge, 90 of which occur in the 
summer breeding season. Other refuge wildlife includes 59 fish species, 
22 mammal species, 4 amphibian species, and 18 different reptile 
species.

Scoping: Preliminary Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities

    We have identified preliminary issues, concerns, and opportunities 
that we may address in the CCP. We have briefly summarized these issues 
below. During public scoping, we may identify additional issues.
    (1) Ecoregional or ecosystem-wide issues, such as climate change, 
regional land conservation, and protection of water quality on the 
James River and throughout the Chesapeake Bay Watershed;
    (2) Biological program issues, such as habitat and species 
management needs, protection, restoration, monitoring, inventories, and 
research;
    (3) Public use program issues, such as the breadth and quality of 
programs, public access, user conflicts, and use impacts on natural 
resources;
    (4) Community relations and outreach issues and opportunities, such 
as tourism, and local economic impacts; and
    (5) Coordination and communication issues and opportunities with 
other environmental educators, and Federal, State, and Tribal 
Governments, and with non-governmental conservation partners.

Public Meetings

    We will give the public an opportunity to provide input at a public 
meeting (or meetings). You can obtain the schedule from the planning 
team leader or project leader (see ADDRESSES). 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: March 11, 2011.
Wendi Weber,
Acting Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-8812 Filed 4-13-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P