[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 146 (Tuesday, July 30, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45953-45954]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-18231]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R4-R-2013-N104; FXRS12650400000S3-123-FF04R02000]


Theodore Roosevelt National Wildlife Refuge, Sharkey County, MS; 
and Holt Collier National Wildlife Refuge in Washington County, MS

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 (NEPA) documents for Theodore Roosevelt and 
Holt Collier National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs). We provide this notice 
in compliance with our CCP policy to advise other Federal and State 
agencies, Native-American 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 August 29, 2013.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, questions, and requests for 
information to: Justin Sexton, Refuge Manager, Yazoo National Wildlife 
Refuge, 595 Yazoo Refuge Road, Hollandale, MS 38748.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Justin Sexton, at 662/839-2638 
(telephone); or you may email Mr. Sexton at, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Introduction

    With this notice, we initiate our process for developing a CCP for 
Theodore Roosevelt and Holt Collier NWRs in Sharkey and Washington 
Counties, MS. This notice complies with our CCP policy to: (1) Advise 
other Federal and State agencies, Native-American 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, 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 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 
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 Tribal, 
State, and local governments; agencies; organizations; and the public. 
We encourage input in the form of issues, concerns, ideas, and 
suggestions for the future management of Theodore Roosevelt and Holt 
Collier NWRs.
    We will conduct the environmental review of this project 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 1500-1508); other appropriate Federal laws and 
regulations; and our policies and procedures for compliance with those 
laws and regulations.
    Both refuges were created ``for conservation purposes'' (7 U.S.C. 
2002). The legislative authority for Holt Collier National Wildlife 
Refuge also comes from the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (16 
U.S.C. 661-667e). This refuge consists of approximately 1,439 acres of 
former Farmers Home Administration (now known as the Farm Service 
Agency) lands in Washington County. Holt Collier NWR is located near 
Darlove, MS. The refuge is open year-round for wildlife-related 
activities such as hunting, wildlife observation, and nature 
photography. The refuge habitat, formerly consisting of agricultural 
lands, has been nearly reforested to bottomland hardwoods.
    Theodore Roosevelt National Wildlife Refuge is in Sharkey County. 
To date, 870 acres have been purchased in fee-title. The habitat 
consists of: Former, native bottomland hardwoods planted to trees; 
farmlands; and open water. The refuge is not open to the public. There 
are no public facilities on either of these refuges.

[[Page 45954]]

Public Availability and Comments

    Before including your address, phone number, email 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 (16 U.S.C. 668dd et 
seq.).

    Dated: June 14, 2013.
Mike Oetker,
Deputy Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 2013-18231 Filed 7-29-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P