[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 188 (Wednesday, September 29, 1999)] [Notices] [Pages 52516-52517] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 99-25255] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Notice of Availability of Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment for Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge in Collier County, FL, and Notice of Meeting To Seek Public Participation
Summary
This notice advises the public that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Southeast Region, has made available for public review a Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment for Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge in Collier County, Florida, and plans to hold a public meeting in the vicinity of the refuge to solicit public comments on the draft plan. The Service is furnishing this notice in compliance with Service comprehensive conservation planning policy, the National Environmental Act Policy, and implementing regulations to achieve the following: (1) Advise other agencies and the public of our intentions, and (2) Obtain comments on the proposed plan and the other alternatives considered in the planning process.
Dates
The Service will hold the public meeting on Saturday, October 23, 1999, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Fish and Wildlife Service office located in the Comfort Inn, 3860 Tollgate Boulevard, Naples, Florida 34114. In addition, written comments on the draft plan should be sent no later than November 8, 1999, to the address given below.
Addresses
Comments and requests for copies of the draft plan should be addressed to Mr. Ed Loth, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Southeast Regional Office, 1875 Century Boulevard, Atlanta, Georgia 30345, or by calling 404/679-7155.
Supplementary Information
Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge consists of approximately 35,000 acres located approximately 20 miles southeast of Naples, Florida, and South of U.S. Highway 41. The refuge was established under the authority of the Florida/Arizona Land Exchange Act in order to develop, advance, manage, conserve and protest its unique estuarine ecosystem and fish and wildlife resources. The refuge represents a variety of coastal habitats including mangrove forests, freshwater marsh systems, interspersed freshwater ponds, and small islands or hammocks of upland habitat. It is the desire of the Fish and Wildlife Service that Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge become ``a model for natural systems management, featuring unique coastal marshes, islands, and subtropical estuarine mangrove ecosystems. The refuge will provide essential habitat for threatened and endangered species and be an area noted for its cultural resources. Through effective management and partnering, the refuge will provide outstanding recreational opportunities for present and future generations.'' To accomplish this vision, the refuge seeks to achieve the following six goals: (1) Wildlife and Habitat Conservation-- conserve, enhance, and protect fish and wildlife resources and other natural values supported within the refuge portion of this unique south Florida coastal ecosystem; (2) Public Use--Provide visitors with quality recreational opportunities, guided by the refuge's vision and mission, and compatible with its purpose; (3) Commercial Use--co-manage sustained-yield commercial harvesting, guiding, and other enterprises that are compatible with the purpose of the refuge; (3) Environmental Education--promote the interpretation, education, and appreciation of coastal natural resources for the Ten Thousand Islands area, and the importance of conserving them; (5) Cooperative Management--promote cooperation among agencies, private landowners, organizations, and other stakeholders in the management of natural and cultural resources within the Big Cypress Watershed; and (6) Archaeological Resources-- protect refuge cultural resources, encourage archaeological investigations, and promote interpretation and appreciation of the area's history. The draft plan evaluates three alternatives for managing the refuge over the next 15 years: Alternative A (no action) advocates that the refuge be managed with minimal monitoring and management direction; Alternative B (ecosystem approach) would allow recreational and commercial activities to continue coupled with extensive monitoring programs to assess the quality of the environment; and Alternative C (maximum public use) emphasizes fishing as well as many other recreational pursuits for the refuge. The Service believes that Alternative B (ecosystem approach) is the best alternative to guide the refuge's future direction. In essence, this alternative will: • Best meet the primary purposes for which the refuge was established--protecting and enhancing the refuge's unique estuarine ecosystem; • Recognize the importance of the refuge within the Big Cypress Watershed and define refuge actions to protect and enhance the natural features of this ecosystem; • Continue to provide the public access to the refuge; visitation would be monitored for its impacts on flora and fauna; and • Ensure that environmental education and partnership efforts increase.
Dated: September 14, 1999. Sam D. Hamilton, Regional Director. [FR Doc. 99-25255 Filed 9-28-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-M