Notice of Intent To Prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment for Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, in Central Minnesota
Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
[Federal Register: May 4, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 87)]
[Notices]
[Page 22592]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr04my01-115]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Notice of Intent To Prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan and
Environmental Assessment for Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, in
Central Minnesota
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan
and Environmental Assessment for Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge.
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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 a
Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental Assessment (EA)
pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and its
implementing regulations, for the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge
located in Sherburne County, Minnesota. The Service is furnishing this
notice in compliance with the National Wildlife Refuge System
Administration Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 668dd et seq.), to
achieve the following:
(1) Advise other agencies and the public our intentions, and
(2) Obtain additional suggestions and information on the scope of
alternatives and impacts to be considered.
Open house style meetings and focus group meetings will also be
held throughout the scoping phase of the CCP development process. In
addition, the Service is inviting comments on archaeological, historic,
and traditional cultural sites in support of the National Historic
Preservation Act.
Special mailings, newspaper articles, and other media announcements
will inform people of the opportunities for written input throughout
the CCP planning process.
DATES: The Service is soliciting written comments and will hold two
public open house scoping meetings in the School House on the Sherburne
National Wildlife Refuge, 17076 293rd Avenue, Zimmerman, Minnesota, on
the following dates: May 29, 2001 10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m., May 30, 2001
6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
ADDRESSES: Address comments to Refuge Manager, Sherburne National
Wildlife Refuge, 17076 293rd Avenue, Zimmerman, MN 56346. Comments may
also be submitted electronically at R3RW_SHB@fws.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Refuge Manager, Sherburne National
Wildlife Refuge, 763/389-3323.
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 CCP planning process will consider many elements, including
wildlife and habitat management, habitat protection and acquisition,
wilderness preservation, public recreational activities, industrial
use, and cultural resource preservation. 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 Refuge and how the
Service will implement management strategies.
The Service will prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) in
accordance with procedures for implementing NEPA found in the
Departmental Manual 516 DM 6, Appendix 1.
The Service will contract for a cultural resources overview study
in support of the comprehensive conservation plan. The professional
study will identify known sites on the refuge. We are also asking the
public to identify any cultural sites that are important to them.
Review of this project 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 1500-1508),
other appropriate Federal laws and regulations, and Service policies
and procedures for compliance with those regulations.
We estimate that the draft environmental documents will be
available in summer 2002.
Dated: April 26, 2001.
Marvin E. Moriarty,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 01-11221 Filed 5-3-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M
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