[Federal Register: February 16, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 30)]
[Notices]               
[Page 7662]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16fe99-95]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife

 
Environmental Statements; Notice of Intent Eastern Shore of 
Virginia/Wallkill River National Wildlife Refugees; New Jersey and New 
York

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare Comprehensive Conservation Plans 
and Associated Environmental Documents for the Eastern Shore of 
Virginia and Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuges.

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SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service (Service) intends to gather information necessary to prepare 
two Comprehensive Conservation Plans (CCP) and environmental documents 
pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act and its implementing 
regulations. One CCP will be prepared for Eastern Shore of Virginia 
National Wildlife Refuge, in Northampton County, Virginia. The second 
CCP will be prepared for the Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge, 
located in Sussex County, New Jersey, and Orange County, New York. The 
Service if 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 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 regarding specific projects.

ADDRESSES: Address comments, questions and requests for more 
information to the following:

Refuge Manager, Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge, 
5003 Hallett Circle, Cape Charles, VA 23310, (757) 331-2760
Refuge Manager, Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge, 1547 County 
Route 565, Sussex, NJ 07461, (973) 702-7266

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.
    The Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) 
includes 745 acres of wetland, forest, and grassland habitat. The 1,850 
acre Fisherman Island NWR will be included with the Eastern Shore of 
Virginia CCP, since both Refuges are managed by the staff of the 
Eastern Shore of Virginia NWR. 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 April 2000.
    The Wallkill River NWR currently consists of 3,851 acres of wetland 
and upland habitats. An additional 621 acres of uplands habitat, the 
former Army Training facility in Shawangunk, NY, Ulster County, will be 
transferred in whole or part by June 1999 and administered from the 
Wallkill NWR office. Comments on the protection of threatened and 
endangered species and migratory birds and the restoration and 
management of wetland and grassland habitats will be solicited as part 
of the CCP process. Additional land protection may also be considered 
in support of these resources. A draft CCP is planned for public review 
in April 2000.
    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: February 4, 1999.
Ronald E. Lambertson,
Regional Director, U.S., Fish and Wildlife Service, Hadley, 
Massachusetts.
[FR Doc. 99-3617 Filed 2-12-99; 8:45 am]
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