[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 30 (Tuesday, February 16, 1999)] [Notices] [Page 7662] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 99-3617] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Environmental Statements; Notice of Intent Eastern Shore of Virginia/Wallkill River National Wildlife Refugees; New Jersey and New York
Agency
Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
Action
Notice of Intent to prepare Comprehensive Conservation Plans and Associated Environmental Documents for the Eastern Shore of Virginia and Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuges.
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Summary
This notice advises the public that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) intends to gather information necessary to prepare two Comprehensive Conservation Plans (CCP) and environmental documents pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act and its implementing regulations. One CCP will be prepared for Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge, in Northampton County, Virginia. The second CCP will be prepared for the Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge, located in Sussex County, New Jersey, and Orange County, New York. The Service if furnishing this notice in compliance with the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 668dd et seq.). (1) To advise other agencies and the public of our intentions, and (2) To obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to include in the environmental documents.
Dates
Inquire at the address below for dates of planning activity and due dates for comments regarding specific projects.
Addresses
Address comments, questions and requests for more information to the following:
Refuge Manager, Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge, 5003 Hallett Circle, Cape Charles, VA 23310, (757) 331-2760 Refuge Manager, Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge, 1547 County Route 565, Sussex, NJ 07461, (973) 702-7266
Supplementary Information
By federal law, all lands within the National Wildlife Refuge System are to be managed in accordance with an approved CCP. The CCP guides management decisions and identifies refuge goals, long-range objectives, and strategies for achieving refuge purposes. The planning process will consider many elements including habitat and wildlife management, habitat protection and acquisition, public use, and cultural resources. Public input into this planning process is essential. The CCP will provide other agencies and the public with a clear understanding of the desired conditions for the Refuges and how the Service will implement management strategies. The Service will solicit public input via open houses, public meetings, workshops, and written comments. Special mailings, newspaper articles, and announcements will inform people of the time and place of such opportunities for public input to the CCP. The Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) includes 745 acres of wetland, forest, and grassland habitat. The 1,850 acre Fisherman Island NWR will be included with the Eastern Shore of Virginia CCP, since both Refuges are managed by the staff of the Eastern Shore of Virginia NWR. Comments on the protection of threatened and endangered species and migratory birds and the protection and management of their habitats will be solicited as part of the planning process. A draft CCP is planned for public review in April 2000. The Wallkill River NWR currently consists of 3,851 acres of wetland and upland habitats. An additional 621 acres of uplands habitat, the former Army Training facility in Shawangunk, NY, Ulster County, will be transferred in whole or part by June 1999 and administered from the Wallkill NWR office. Comments on the protection of threatened and endangered species and migratory birds and the restoration and management of wetland and grassland habitats will be solicited as part of the CCP process. Additional land protection may also be considered in support of these resources. A draft CCP is planned for public review in April 2000. Review of these projects will be conducted in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), NEPA Regulations (40 CFR Parts 1500- 1508), other appropriate Federal laws and regulations, and Service policies and procedures for compliance with those regulations.
Dated: February 4, 1999. Ronald E. Lambertson, Regional Director, U.S., Fish and Wildlife Service, Hadley, Massachusetts. [FR Doc. 99-3617 Filed 2-12-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-M