[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 204 (Friday, October 20, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63086-63087]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-27019]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife


Notice of Intent To Prepare Comprehensive Conservation Plans and 
Associated Environmental Document for Missisquoi National Wildlife 
Refuge

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

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 documents 
pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act and its implementing 
regulations. One CCP will be prepared for Missisquoi National Wildlife 
Refuge, located in Franklin County, Vermont. A Wilderness Review of 
Missisquoi NWR will also be completed concurrently in accordance with 
the Wilderness Act of 1964, as amended and Refuge Planning Policy 602 
FW Chapters 1, 2, and 3. 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

[[Page 63087]]

obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to include in 
the environmental documents.

DATES: Inquire at the address below for dates of planning activity and 
due dates for comments. Further notice announcing times and locations 
of public meetings and open houses will be published in local news 
media prior to the hearing date.

ADDRESSES: Address comments, questions and requests for more 
information to the following: Refuge Manager, Missisquoi National 
Wildlife Refuge 371 North River St., Swanton, VT 05488-8148, (802) 868-
4781.

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 planning process will consider many elements including 
habitat and wildlife management, habitat protection and acquisition, 
public use, and cultural resources. 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 
Refuges and how the Service will implement management strategies.
    The Service will solicit public input via open houses, public 
meetings, workshops, and written comments. Special mailings, newspaper 
articles, and announcements will inform people of the time and place of 
such opportunities for public input to the CCP.
    Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) includes 6,592 acres of 
the Missisquoi River delta's marshes, open water, old fields and wooded 
swamps. Comments on the protection of threatened and endangered species 
and migratory birds and the protection and management of their habitats 
will be solicited as part of the planning process. A draft CCP is 
planned for public review in the fall of 2001.
    Review of these projects 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 Parts 1500-
1508), other appropriate Federal laws and regulations, and Service 
policies and procedures for compliance with those regulations.

    Dated: October 13, 2000.
Mamie A. Parker,
Acting Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hadley, 
Massachusetts.
[FR Doc. 00-27019 Filed 10-19-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P