[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 238 (Monday, December 13, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72210-72211]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-27279]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Comprehensive Conservation Plans and an Environmental Impact 
Statement for Monomoy and Nomans Land Island National Wildlife Refuges

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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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 
Comprehensive Conservation Plans (CCP) for Monomoy and Nomans Land 
Island National Wildlife Refuges (NWR) and an associated Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS). The CCPs/EIS will present management 
alternatives and analyze the effects of implementing the management 
actions. The refuges are a part of the Eastern Massachusetts NWR 
Complex and are located in Barnstable and Dukes Counties, 
Massachusetts, respectively. The EIS will be prepared pursuant to 
section 102(2)C of the National Environmental Policy Act and its 
implementing regulations. The CCPs of three refuges within the Eastern 
Massachusetts NWR Complex (Great Meadows, Oxbow, and Assabet River 
NWRs) are in final development, and the remaining three refuges of the 
Eastern Massachusetts NWR Complex (Mashpee, Massasoit, and Nantucket 
NWRs) will be evaluated under separate process(es).
    This notice amends previous notices, published on February 24, 
1999, that stated an EIS would be developed for all eight units of the 
complex (previously called Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge 
Complex), and on February 15, 2001, that stated an EIS would be 
developed for three units (Monomoy, Nantucket, and Nomans Land Island 
NWRs). Comments already received for these refuges under the previous 
notices will be considered. The Service invites agencies, groups, and 
the public to submit any additional comments concerning the scope of 
issues to be addressed, as well as possible management alternatives and 
environmental impacts to consider in the EIS. We will hold public 
meetings regarding the CCP process in the near future. Notices of such 
meetings will be advertised in the local newspaper, announced on the 
refuge Web site, and sent to the refuge CCP mailing list. If you would 
like to be included on the mailing list, please contact Bill Perry at 
the address listed below.
    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.):
    (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 following address for dates of planning activity. 
Comments concerning the scope of issues to be addressed must be 
submitted by January 27, 2005.
    Send Comments To: Bill Perry, Refuge Planner, 73 Weir Hill Road, 
Sudbury, Massachusetts 01776, or e-mail comments to 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9ef0f1eceaf6fbffedeaeef2fff0f0f7f0f9def8e9edb0f9f1e8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4927263b3d212c283a3d392528272720272e092f3e3a672e263f">[email protected]</span></a> with a subject line stating ``Monomoy and 
Nomans Land Island NWRs.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill Perry, Refuge Planner, 73 Weir 
Hill Road, Sudbury, Massachusetts 01776, 978-449-4661 extension 32, or 
e-mail <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2a68434646757a4f5858536a4c5d59044d455c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="43012a2f2f1c132631313a032534306d242c35">[email protected]</span></a>. Information will be periodically updated on 
the refuge Web site at http://monomoy.fws.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the National Wildlife 
Refuge Improvement Act of 1997, 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, public use, and cultural resources. 
Public input into this planning process is essential. The CCP

[[Page 72211]]

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 has already solicited information from the public via 
open houses, meetings, and written comments. Special mailings, 
newspaper articles, and announcements will continue to inform people in 
the general area near the refuges of the time and place of 
opportunities for further public input to the CCP.
    The Eastern Massachusetts NWR Complex is a diverse group of coastal 
and inland refuges. Habitats include forest, field, riparian, barrier 
island beach, freshwater marsh, and pond. Monomoy NWR contains 7,604 
acres in a combination of land and open water. With the exception of 
approximately 300 acres, all of the land area is a designated Federal 
Wilderness Area. Nomans Land Island NWR contains 628 acres.
    Review of this project will be 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 
laws and regulations, and Service policies and procedures for 
compliance with those regulations. Concurrent with the CCP process we 
will conduct a wilderness review of Nomans Land Island and the non-
wilderness portion of South Monomoy Island and incorporate a summary of 
the review into the CCP. Wilderness review is the process we use to 
determine if we should recommend National Wildlife Refuge System lands 
and waters to Congress for wilderness designation.
    We estimate that the draft environmental documents will be 
available December 2005 for public review and comment.

    Dated: October 1, 2004.
Marvin E. Moriarty,
Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hadley, 
Massachusetts.
[FR Doc. 04-27279 Filed 12-10-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P


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