[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 183 (Friday, September 20, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57876-57877]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-22956]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R3-R-2013-N164; FXRS1265030000-134-FF03R06000]


DeSoto and Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuges; Washington 
County, Nebraska, and Harrison and Pottawattamie Counties, Iowa; Draft 
Environmental Assessment and Comprehensive Conservation Plan

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the 
availability of an environmental assessment (EA) and draft 
comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) for DeSoto and Boyer Chute 
National Wildlife Refuges (Refuges, NWRs) for public review and 
comment. In this EA/Draft CCP, we describe how we propose to manage the 
refuges for the next 15 years.

DATES: To ensure consideration, we must receive your written comments 
by October 21, 2013. We will hold open house-style meetings during the 
public review period to receive comments and provide information on the 
draft plan. In addition, we will use mailings, newspaper articles, 
internet postings, and other media announcements to inform people of 
opportunities for input.

[[Page 57877]]


ADDRESSES: Send your comments or requests for more information by any 
of the following methods:
     Email: [email protected]. Include ``DeSoto and Boyer 
Chute EA/Draft CCP'' in the subject line of the message.
     Fax: Attention: Refuge Manager, 712-388-4808.
     U.S. Mail: Attention: Refuge Manager, DeSoto and Boyer 
Chute National Wildlife Refuges, 1434 316th Lane, Missouri Valley, IA 
51555.
     In-Person Drop Off: You may drop off comments during 
regular business hours at the above address.
    You will find the draft EA/CCP, as well as information about the 
planning process and a summary of the CCP, on the planning Web site: 
http://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/desoto_boyerchute/index.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Cox, 712-388-4801.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Introduction

    With this notice, we continue the CCP process for DeSoto and Boyer 
Chute National Wildlife Refuges. We began the CCP process for Boyer 
Chute Refuge by publishing a notice of intent in the Federal Register 
(75 FR 7289) on February 18, 2010 and for DeSoto Refuge by publishing a 
notice of intent in the Federal Register (76 FR 76745) on December 8, 
2011. For more information about the initial process and the history of 
these refuges, see those notices.

Background

    The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as 
amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 
(16 U.S.C. 668dd-668ee) (Administration Act), 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 toward the mission of the National 
Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS), consistent with sound principles of fish 
and wildlife management, conservation, legal mandates, and Service 
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.

Additional Information

    The draft EA/CCP, which includes detailed information about the 
planning process, refuges, issues, and management alternatives 
considered and proposed, may be found at http://www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/desoto_boyerchute/index.html.

Public Involvement

    We will give the public an opportunity to provide input at public 
meetings. You can obtain the schedule from the address or Web site 
listed in this notice (see ADDRESSES). You may also submit comments 
anytime during the comment period.

Public Availability of Comments

    Before including your address, phone number, email address, or 
other personally identifiable information in your comment, you should 
be aware that your entire comment--including your personally 
identifiable information--may be made publicly available at any time. 
While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personally 
identifiable information from public review, we cannot guarantee that 
we will be able to do so.

Charles M. Wooley,
Acting Regional Director, Midwest Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-22956 Filed 9-19-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P