80 FR 76298 - Draft Long Range Transportation Plan for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Lands in the Southeast Region

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 235 (December 8, 2015)

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of a draft long range transportation plan for public review and comment. The Draft Long Range Transportation Plan outlines a strategy for improving and maintaining transportation assets that provide access to Service-managed lands in the Southeast Region (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands) over the next 20 years.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 235 (Tuesday, December 8, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76298-76299]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-30815]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R4-R-2015-N106; FXRS85510445RG0-XXX-FF04R04000]


Draft Long Range Transportation Plan for U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service Lands in the Southeast Region

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 a draft long range transportation plan for public 
review and comment. The Draft Long Range Transportation Plan outlines a 
strategy for improving and maintaining transportation assets that 
provide access to Service-managed lands in the Southeast Region 
(Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, 
North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin 
Islands) over the next 20 years.

DATES: We must receive written comments on or before January 7, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Document Review: If you wish to review the draft plan, you 
may obtain a copy by visiting our Web site at http://www.fws.gov/southeast/refuges/roads/pdf/southeast-region-long-range-transportation-plan.pdf.
    Alternatively, you may contact Jo Ann Clark, Regional 
Transportation Program Manager, Southeast Region, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, 1875 Century Blvd., Atlanta, GA 30345 (404-679-4114).
    Submitting Comments: If you wish to comment on the plan, you may 
submit your comments in writing by any one of the following methods:

[[Page 76299]]

     U.S. mail: Regional Transportation Program Manager, at the 
above address.
     Hand-delivery: Regional Transportation Program Manager, at 
the above address.
     Email: [email protected].
    For additional information about submitting comments, see the 
``Public Availability of Comments'' section below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jo Ann Clark, at the above address, 
phone number, or email.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Introduction

    With this notice, we make the Draft LRTP for the Southeast Region 
of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service available for public review and 
comment. When finalized, the LRTP will apply to Service-managed lands 
in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, 
Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Puerto Rico, 
and the Virgin Islands.

Background

    The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) 
requires all Federal land management agencies to conduct long-range 
transportation planning in a manner that is consistent with 
metropolitan planning organization and State departments of 
transportation planning. This LRTP was initiated within the Service to 
achieve the following:
     Establish a defensible structure for sound transportation 
planning and decision-making.
     Establish a vision, mission, goals, and objectives for 
transportation planning in the Service's Southeast Region.
     Implement coordinated and cooperative transportation 
partnerships in an effort to improve the Service's transportation 
infrastructure.
     Integrate transportation planning and funding for wildlife 
refuges and fish hatcheries into existing and future Service management 
plans and strategies--e.g., comprehensive conservation plans (CCPs) and 
comprehensive hatchery management plans (CHMPs).
     Increase awareness of Alternative Transportation Systems 
(ATS) and associated benefits.
     Develop best management practices (BMP) for transportation 
improvements on Service lands.
     Serve as a pilot project for the implementation of a 
region-level transportation planning process within the Service.

LRTP Mission, Goals, and Objectives

    Through a collaborative effort, the National Wildlife Refuge System 
and Fisheries Programs, in cooperation with the Divisions of Planning 
and Visitor Services within the Service's Southeast Region, have 
contributed to defining the mission, goals, and objectives presented in 
this document. The resulting mission, goals, and objectives are 
intended to provide a systematic approach to guide the process for 
evaluating and selecting transportation improvement for the Service 
lands in the Southeast Region. These guiding principles have shaped the 
development, conclusions, and recommendations of this LRTP.

Mission

    To support the Service's mission by connecting people to fish, 
wildlife, and their habitats through strategic implementation of 
transportation programs.

Goals and Objectives

    This long-range transportation plan has six categories of goals: 
Resource protection, safety and condition, welcome and orientation, 
planning, partnerships, and sustainability. Under each goal, we present 
distinct objectives that move us to the goal.
     Natural Resource Protection: Ensure that the 
transportation program helps to conserve and enhance fish, wildlife, 
and plant resources and their habitats.
    Objective 1: Identify, research, and adopt BMPs for planning, 
design, construction, and maintenance that mitigate impacts of 
transportation.
    Objective 2: Reduce transportation-related conflicts with fish and 
wildlife corridors on or adjacent to Service lands.
     Safety and Conditions: Provide a safe and reliable 
transportation network to and within Service lands.
    Objective 1: Identify and reduce safety problems and modal 
conflicts to and within Service lands.
    Objective 2: Ensure that mission-critical transportation assets are 
maintained in ``good'' condition.
     Welcome and Orientation: Develop and maintain a 
transportation network that enhances the welcoming and orienting 
experience of visitors.
    Objective 1: Provide public information to enable visitors to 
easily get to refuges and hatcheries and to use their sites.
    Objective 2: Engage the visitors with compelling information so 
they have a better understanding of the purpose of wildlife 
conservation and enjoyment of natural resources.
    Objective 3: Create a consistent and recognizable identity 
throughout all Service units by using standard materials for readily 
observed physical elements associated with the transportation system.
     Planning: Integrate appropriate transportation planning 
into Service plans and processes.
    Objective 1: Ensure consistency and coordination between the 
project, unit, regional, and national levels of planning.
    Objective 2: Define need for infrastructure improvements, and 
prioritize projects using a scientific and objective process.
     Partnerships: Develop partnerships to leverage resources 
and develop integrated transportation solutions.
    Objective 1: Maximize leveraging opportunities for both funding and 
resources.
    Objective 2: Work with partners to address shared transportation 
issues that impact Service goals.
     Sustainability: Adopt and promote sustainable 
transportation practices.
    Objective 1: Address climate change and other environmental factors 
at all levels of transportation planning, design, project delivery, and 
maintenance.
    Objective 2: Improve access to and within Service lands by transit 
or non-motorized transportation and information systems.
    Objective 3: Reduce fossil fuel energy consumption.

Next Steps

    After this comment period ends, we will analyze the comments and 
address them in the form of a final LRTP.

Public Availability of 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.

    Dated: September 2, 2015.
 Mike Oetker,
Acting Regional Director.
    Note: The Federal Register received this document on December 2, 
2015.

[FR Doc. 2015-30815 Filed 12-7-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4333-55-P