[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 173 (Monday, September 8, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47215-47216]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-23678]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Availability of Draft Environmental Impact Statement 
for the Establishment of the Northern Tallgrass Prairie Habitat 
Preservation Area in Western Minnesota and Northwestern Iowa

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has prepared a 
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) which is available for 
public review. The DEIS evaluates the establishment of a Northern 
Tallgrass Prairie Habitat Preservation Area as a means of working with 
individuals, groups, and governmental entities to permanently preserve 
remnant tracts of northern tallgrass prairie. Three alternatives, 
including a No Action alternative are being considered. The action 
alternatives are aimed at permanently protecting and enhancing prairie 
remnants.
    The Service's preferred alternative (Alternative B) is to 
permanently protect and enhance prairie remnants through partnerships, 
incentives, education, and cooperative agreements. Any conservation 
easements, or acquisition of full title would be done by the Service 
and Service Partners. Service acquisition of easements and fee interest 
in lands would be on a voluntary basis from willing sellers.

DATES: Public comment on the DEIS is solicited pursuant to National 
Environmental Policy Act regulations (40 CFR 1503.1). All agencies and 
individuals are urged to provide comments and suggestions for improving 
the DEIS. The formal comment period extends for a 60-day period from 
the date of distribution of the DEIS. All comments received by November 
6, 1997, will be considered in preparation of the Final EIS. Formal 
comments will be received at any time during this 60-day period in 
person, by mail, or at the open house (specific locations and times are 
listed under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION).

WRITTEN COMMENTS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO: Jane West, Project Manager, 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, BHW Federal Building, 1 Federal Drive, 
Fort Snelling, MN 551121-4056.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jane West at the address listed above or by telephone at 612/725-3306.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: America's native grasslands are a vanishing 
ecosystem, and mounting evidence indicates that many species are 
disappearing as fast as the prairie habitats on which they depend. Few 
other ecosystem types have experienced as great a degree of loss and 
alteration. In Minnesota and Iowa, the native northern tallgrass 
prairie has declined to less than 1 percent of its original 25 million 
acres (10.1 million hectares).
    Through an integrated ecosystem approach, the Service, with its 
partners, proposes to protect and restore fish and wildlife habitats 
through holistic management strategies using a wide variety of tools, 
and techniques. The Service proposes to participate in public and 
private partnerships at many levels, complementing other prairie 
projects such as those of the Iowa County Conservation Boards, Iowa and 
Minnesota Departments of Natural Resources, the Nature Conservancy, and 
others.
    The Service will hold 10 open houses from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the 
following locations and dates: (1) Nobles County

[[Page 47216]]

Courthouse, Worthington, MN (9/29/97), (2) Stub's Ranch Kitchen, 
Spencer, IA (9/30/97), (3) Loess Ridge Nature Center, Sioux City, IA 
(10/1/97), (4) Storey County Conservation Board--McFarland Park, Ames, 
IA (10/2/97), (5) Lime Creek Nature Center, Mason City, IA (10/3/97), 
(6) Northland Community & Technical College, Thief River Falls, MN (10/
6/97), (7) Barnesville High School, Barnesville, MN (10/7/97), (8) 
Morris Wetland Management District, Morris, MN (10/8/97), (9) Lyon 
County Courthouse, Marshall, MN (10/9/97), and (10) MN Department of 
Natural Revenues, New Ulm, MN (10/10/97).

    Dated: September 7, 1997.
John Christian,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 97-23678 Filed 9-5-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M