[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 90 (Wednesday, May 10, 1995)] [Notices] [Pages 24873-24874] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 95-11471] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Establishment of a National Wildlife Refuge in Georgetown, Horry, and Marion Counties, South Carolina, and Notice of Meetings to Seek Public Participation
Agency
Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
Action
Notice of intent and meetings.
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Summary
This notice advises the public that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Southeast Region, intends to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the proposed establishment of a national wildlife refuge in Georgetown, Horry, and Marion Counties, South Carolina, and plans to hold two scoping meetings in the vicinity of the proposed refuge to involve the public in the preparation of the EIS.
Dates
The Service will hold two scoping meetings as follows: (1) At 7:00 p.m. on June 20, 1995, at the Georgetown High School Auditorium, Georgetown, South Carolina; and (2) at
7:00 p.m. on June 21, 1995, at the Horry County Council Chambers, Conway, South Carolina.
For Further Information Contact
Mr. Charles R. Danner, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1875 Century Boulevard, Atlanta, GA 30345.
Supplementary Information
The study area for the proposed refuge includes approximately 42,000 acres of wetlands and upland forests between the Intracoastal Waterway and U.S. Highway 701 north of Winyah Bay in Coastal South Carolina. The boundaries of the proposed refuge have not been determined. The specific location will be based on availability of land, ecosystem needs, and public comments on the suitability of the proposal. The purpose of the proposed refuge is to protect an important component of the Winyah Bay ecosystem for the benefit of endangered and threatened species, migratory birds, anadromous fish, and forest wildlife. The study area contains extensive freshwater tidal wetlands; large contiguous blocks of bottom land hardwood forests; and upland plant communities consisting of longleaf and loblolly pine and mixed hardwoods such as turkey, water,and laurel oak. It provides some of the most valuable production and wintering habitat for wood ducks in the state and is recognized as a key emphasis area in the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. The associated upland forests provide habitat for the red-cocked woodpecker, bald eagle, and wood stork, all federally listed endangered species. Another endangered species, the shortnose sturgeon, inhabits the area's rivers and waterways.
Dated: May 1, 1995. Noreen K. Clough, Regional Director. [FR Doc. 95-11471 Filed 5-9-95; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-M