[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 31 (Wednesday, February 14, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10312-10313]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-3691]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Availability of the Final Comprehensive Conservation 
Plans and Finding of No Significant Impact for Edwin B. Forsythe and 
Cape May National Wildlife Refuges, the Jersey Coast Refuges

SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service has prepared Final Comprehensive Conservation Plans, an 
associated Environmental Assessment, and a Finding of No Significant 
Impact for

[[Page 10313]]

both Edwin B. Forsythe and Cape May National Wildlife Refuges in New 
Jersey, collectively referred to as the Jersey Coast Refuges. These 
documents were prepared in compliance with the National Wildlife Refuge 
System Improvement Act of 1997, and the National Environmental Policy 
Act of 1969 and its implementing regulations.
    The Acting Regional Director, Northeast Regional Office, in making 
his decision considered a reasonable range of three management 
alternatives discussed in the Environmental Assessment. The three 
alternatives were:
    Alternative A. This was the No Action Alternative requirement by 
the Council of Environmental Quality's regulations on the 
implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act. Under this 
Alternative there would be no change from our current management 
programs and emphasis at both Refuges. Seasonal travel and parking of 
motor vehicles would continue to be allowed in the Holgate Unit of the 
Brigantine Wilderness Area, on lands above mean high tide, in violation 
of the Wilderness Act of 1964. The beach at the Two Mile Beach Unit 
would continue to be closed to access by the public.
    Alternative B. This was the Service's Proposed Action. This 
Alternative would initiate new wildlife population and habitat 
management programs; provide new wildlife-dependent recreation 
opportunities; increase our land protection efforts; and provide new 
office and visitor facilities at both Refuges. All lands above mean 
high tide in the Holgate Unit of the Brigantine Wilderness Area would 
be closed to motor vehicles by the public year-round in compliance with 
the Wilderness Act. We would initiate efforts to establish a seasonal 
boat concession to ferry anglers and other Refuge visitors to the 
southern tip of the Holgate Peninsula. The beach at the Two Mile Beach 
Unit would be open to seasonal access by the public.
    Alternative C. This Alternative would initiate new wildlife 
population and habitat management programs; provide new wildlife-
dependent recreation opportunities Refuge-wide; increase our land 
protection efforts; and provide new or remodeled office and visitor 
facilities at both Refuges. All lands above mean high tide in the 
Holgate Unit of the Brigantine Wilderness Area would be closed to motor 
vehicle access by the public year-round in compliance with the 
Wilderness Act. We would also seek to further restrict motor vehicle 
access at the Holgate Unit by obtaining a license from the New Jersey 
Tidelands Council to close State-owned riparian lands below the mean 
high line. We would initiate efforts to establish a seasonal boat 
concession to ferry anglers and other Refuge visitors to the southern 
tip of the Holgate Peninsula. The beach at the Two Mile Beach Unit 
would be open year-round to access by the public.
    Based on the analysis provided in the Environmental Assessment and 
the comments received from the public, the Acting Regional Director 
selected Alternative B (the Service's Proposed Action) to be enacted on 
the Refuges.
    Alternative B was selected because it best achieves Refuge 
purposes, vision and goals; helps fulfill the mission of the National 
Wildlife Refuge System; maintains and, where appropriate, restores the 
ecological integrity of both Refuges and the Refuge System; addresses 
the significant issues and mandates; and is consistent with the 
principles of sound fish and wildlife management.
    Based on his evaluation, the Acting Regional Director determined 
that the implementation of Alternative B would not have a significant 
impact on the quality of the human environment in accordance with 
Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act and 
concluded that an environmental impact statement is not required. 
However, since the proposed closure of the Holgate Unit of the 
Brigantine Wilderness Area to motor vehicle use by the public above 
mean high tide has been highly controversial, he decided to provide a 
30-day public review period for this period for this Finding of No 
Significant Impact prior to signing it. The public review period will 
end 30 days after this Notice is published. This public review period 
is in compliance with Council of Environmental Quality Regulation 
1501.4(e)(2).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Copies of either Refuge Comprehensive 
Conservation Plan, or the Finding of No Significant Impact, may be 
obtained by contacting: Mr. Stephen Atzert, Refuge Manager, Ediwn B. 
Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, P.O. Box 72, Great Creek Road, 
Oceanville, NJ 08231.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Wildlife Refuge System 
Improvement Act of 1997 and Service policy require that all lands 
within the National Wildlife Refuge System be managed in accordance 
with an approved refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan. The Plan 
guides management decisions and identifies refuge goals, objectives, 
and strategies for achieving refuge purposes. The Service's planning 
process considered many elements, including habitat and wildlife 
management, habitat protection and land acquisition, wildlife-dependent 
recreational uses, and cultural resources. Public input into the 
planning process also assisted in the development of the Refuge 
Comprehensive Conservation Plans, Environmental Assessment, and Finding 
of No Significant Impact. The Plans will provide other agencies and the 
public with a clear understanding of the desired conditions for the 
Refuges and how the Service will implement its management strategies.

    Dated: January 25, 2001.
G. Adam O'Hara,
Acting Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hadley, 
Massachusetts.
[FR Doc. 01-3691 Filed 2-13-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M