[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 93 (Tuesday, May 15, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27328-27329]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-9278]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge Complex, South Dakota

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare comprehensive conservation plan and 
environmental assessment; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This notice advises that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
(Service) intends to gather information necessary to prepare a 
comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and associated environmental 
documents for the Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge Complex 
(Complex), South Dakota.
    The Service is furnishing this notice in compliance with Service 
CCP policy to advise other agencies and the public of its intentions 
and to obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to be 
considered in the planning process.

DATES: Written comments should be received by June 14, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Comments and requests for more information regarding the 
Complex should be sent to Bernardo Garza, Planning Team Leader, 
Division of Refuge Planning, 134 Union Boulevard, Suite 300, Lakewood, 
CO 80228.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bernardo Garza, 303-236-4377, or John 
F. Esperance, 303-236-4369.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Service has initiated the CCP for the 
Complex with headquarters in Lake Andes, South Dakota.
    Each unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System, including this 
Complex, has specific purposes for which it was established. Those 
purposes are used to develop and prioritize management goals and 
objectives within the National Wildlife Refuge System mission and to 
guide which public uses will occur on the Complex. The planning process 
is a way for the Service and the public to evaluate management goals 
and objectives for the best possible conservation efforts of this 
important wildlife habitat, while providing for wildlife-dependent 
recreation opportunities that are compatible with each national 
wildlife refuge and wetland management district's establishing purposes 
and the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System.
    The Complex is made up of three separate entities: Lake Andes 
National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Lake Andes Wetland Management District 
(WMD), and Karl E. Mundt NWR. Lake Andes NWR was established in 1936 to 
preserve an important piece of habitat for waterfowl and other water 
birds. The Lake Andes WMD was formed in the 1960s to protect wetland 
and grassland habitat that is critical to our nation's duck population. 
In 1967, the Service identified an area that was supporting almost 300 
endangered bald eagles each winter; this area became the Karl E. Mundt 
NWR. Hunting and wildlife observation are the two most prevalent public 
uses on the Complex.

[[Page 27329]]

    The Service will conduct a comprehensive conservation planning 
process that will provide opportunity for Tribal, State, and local 
governments; agencies; organizations; and the public to participate in 
issue scoping and public comment. The Service is requesting input for 
issues, concerns, ideas, and suggestions for the future management of 
the Complex. Anyone interested in providing input is invited to respond 
to the following questions.
    (1) What problems or issues do you want to see addressed in the 
CCP?
    (2) What improvements would you recommend for the Complex?
    The Service has provided the above questions for your optional use; 
you are not required to provide information to the Service. The 
planning team developed these questions to facilitate finding out more 
information about individual issues and ideas concerning these three 
units of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Comments received by the 
planning team will be used as part of the planning process; individual 
comments will not be referenced in our reports or responded to 
directly.
    An opportunity will be given to the public to provide input at open 
houses to scope issues and concerns (schedules can be obtained from the 
planning team leader at the above address). Comments may also be 
submitted anytime during the planning process by writing to the above 
address. All information provided voluntarily by mail, phone, or at 
public meetings becomes part of the official public record (i.e., 
names, addresses, letters of comment, input recorded during meetings). 
If requested under the Freedom of Information Act by a private citizen 
or organization, the Service may provide informational copies.
    The environmental review of this project will be conducted in 
accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy 
Act (NEPA) 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. All comments received from individuals on 
Service Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Statements 
become part of the official public record. Requests for such comments 
will be handled in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act, NEPA 
(40 CFR 1506.6(f)), and other Departmental and Service policies and 
procedures.

    Dated: September 19, 2006.
James J. Slack,
Deputy Regional Director, Region 6, Denver, Colorado.

    Editorial Note: This document was received at the Office of the 
Federal Register on May 10, 2007.
 [FR Doc. E7-9278 Filed 5-14-07; 8:45 am]
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