[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 204 (Tuesday, October 22, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 62648]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-24590]



[[Page 62648]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R4-R-2013-N161; FXRS12650400000S3-123-FF04R02000]


Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge; West Feliciana Parish, 
Louisiana

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent; 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 Cat Island National 
Wildlife Refuge (NWR). 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 November 21, 2013.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, questions, and requests for 
information to: Robert Strader, Project Leader, USFWS, Lower 
Mississippi River Refuge Complex, P.O. Box 217, Sibley, MS, 39165.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michelle Paduani, Project Planner, 
662-323-5548, [email protected] or Robert Strader, Project 
Leader, 601-442-6696, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Introduction

    With this notice, we initiate our process for developing a CCP for 
Cat Island NWR, West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana. 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 Cat Island NWR.
    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 parts 1500-1508); other appropriate Federal laws 
and regulations; and our policies and procedures for compliance with 
those laws and regulations.
    The Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge was established and shall 
be managed--(1) to conserve, restore, and manage habitats as necessary 
to contribute to the migratory bird population goals and habitat 
objective as established through the Lower Mississippi Valley Joint 
Venture; (2) to conserve, restore, and manage the significant aquatic 
resource values associated with the area's forested wetlands and to 
achieve the habitat objectives of the ``Mississippi River Aquatic 
Resources Management Plan''; (3) to conserve, enhance, and restore the 
historic native bottomland community characteristics of the lower 
Mississippi alluvial valley and its associated fish, wildlife, and 
plant species; (4) to conserve, enhance, and restore habitat to 
maintain and assist in the recovery of endangered, and threatened 
plants and animals; and (5) to encourage the use of volunteers and 
facilitate partnerships among the United States Fish and Wildlife 
Service, local communities, conservation organizations, and other non-
Federal entities to promote public awareness of the resources of the 
Refuge and the National Wildlife Refuge System and public participation 
in the conservation of those resources. 114 STAT. 1418. dated Oct. 27, 
2000

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: September 5, 2013.
Cynthia K. Dohner,
Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 2013-24590 Filed 10-21-13; 8:45 am]
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