[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 139 (Thursday, July 19, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34154-34155]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-15415]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-HQ-R-2017-N183; FXRS85110900000-XXX-FF09R40000]


Draft Long-Range Transportation Plans for U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service Lands in Regions 2, 6, and 8

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the 
availability of three draft long-range transportation plans for public 
review and comment. These draft long-range transportation plans outline 
strategies for improving and maintaining transportation assets that 
provide access to Service-managed lands in Region 2 (Arizona, New 
Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas), Region 6 (Colorado, Kansas, Montana, 
North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming), and Region 8 
(California and Nevada) over the next 20 years.

DATES: We must receive written comments on or before August 20, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Document Review: If you wish to review these draft plans, 
you may obtain copies by visiting the following websites:

<bullet> Region 2: https://ecos.fws.gov/ServCat/Reference/Profile/87706
<bullet> Region 6: https://ecos.fws.gov/ServCat/Reference/Profile/87709
<bullet> Region 8: https://ecos.fws.gov/ServCat/Reference/Profile/87710

    Alternatively, you may contact Laura Whorton, Acting Transportation 
Branch Chief, National Wildlife Refuge System, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Bailey's Crossroads, VA 22041 (phone: 703-
358-1752).
    Submitting Comments: If you wish to comment on any or all of the 
plans, you may submit your comments in writing by any one of the 
following methods:
    <bullet> U.S. mail: Acting Transportation Branch Chief, at the 
above address.
    <bullet> Hand-delivery: Acting Transportation Branch Chief Analyst, 
at the above address.
    <bullet> Fax: 703-358-1752.
    <bullet> Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#573b3622253608203f38252338391731202479303821"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5438352126350b233c3b26203b3a143223277a333b22">[email protected]</span></a>.
    For additional information about submitting comments, see the 
Public Availability of Comments section below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laura Whorton, at the above address, 
phone number, or email.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Introduction

    With this notice, we make the draft long-range transportation plans 
(LRTPs) for Regions 2, 6, and 8 of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
available for public review and comment. When finalized, the LRTPs will 
apply to Service-managed lands in Region 2 (Arizona, New Mexico, 
Oklahoma, and Texas), Region 6 (Colorado, Kansas, Montana, North 
Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming), and Region 8 (California and 
Nevada).

Background

    The Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act (Pub. L. 
114-94) requires that all Federal land management agencies conduct 
long-range transportation planning in a manner that is consistent with 
metropolitan planning organizations and State departments of 
transportation planning. We initiated these LRTPs to bring the Service 
into compliance with the FAST Act and to achieve the following goals:
    <bullet> Establish a defensible structure for sound transportation 
planning and decision-making;
    <bullet> Establish a vision, mission, goals, and objectives for 
transportation planning in each of these three Service Regions;
    <bullet> Implement coordinated and cooperative transportation 
partnerships in an effort to improve the Service's transportation 
infrastructure;
    <bullet> Integrate transportation planning and funding for national 
wildlife refuges and national fish hatcheries into existing and future 
Service management plans and strategies;
    <bullet> Increase awareness of alternative transportation systems 
and associated benefits;
    <bullet> Develop best management practices for transportation 
improvements on Service lands; and
    <bullet> Serve as a pilot project for the implementation of a 
region-level transportation planning process within the Service.

LRTP Mission, Goals, and Objectives

    Through a collaborative effort, the National Wildlife Refuge System 
and the Fish and Aquatic Conservation Program, in cooperation with the 
planning and visitor services programs within these three Regions, have 
contributed to defining the mission, goals, and objectives presented in 
this document. The resulting mission, goals, and objectives are 
intended to provide a systematic approach to guide the process for 
evaluating and selecting transportation improvement programs for the 
Service lands in these Regions. These guiding principles have shaped 
the development, conclusions, and recommendations of these LRTPs. While 
each Region's specific mission, vision,

[[Page 34155]]

goals, and objectives differ slightly, they are substantively similar.
    Mission: To support the Service's mission by connecting people to 
fish, wildlife, and their habitats through strategic implementation of 
transportation programs.
    Goals and Objectives: Each of these long-range transportation plans 
has six substantively similar goals: Safety; access, mobility, and 
connectivity; asset management; environmental protection; visitor 
experience; and partnership. Region 8 has an additional seventh goal: 
Planning. Under each goal, each Region presents distinct objectives 
that move the Service to the goal. Please see the individual draft 
LRTPs for more information.

Next Steps

    After the comment period ends, the Service will analyze the 
comments received and consider them in preparation of final LRTPs.

Public Availability of Comments

    Before including your address, phone number, email address, or 
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be 
aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying 
information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can 
ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying 
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be 
able to do so.

Gregory J. Sheehan,
Principal Deputy Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-15415 Filed 7-18-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P


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