[Federal Register: February 24, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 36)]
[Notices]               
[Page 9166]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24fe99-86]

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

 
Notice of Intent To Prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan and 
Associated Environmental Impact Statement for the Great Meadows 
National Wildlife Refuge Complex

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 Impact 
Statement pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act and its 
implementing regulations, for those Great Meadows National Wildlife 
Refuge Complex refuges located in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 
These refuges include Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), 
Mashpee NWR, Massasoit NWR, Monomoy NWR, Nantucket NWR, Nomans Land 
Island NWR, and Oxbow NWR. Also included in the CCP is Assabet NWR, a 
parcel of land formerly known as Sudbury Annex, that is to transfer to 
the Service in 1999. The Refuges are in Middlesex, Plymouth, 
Barnstable, Nantucket, Dukes, and Worcester Counties, Massachusetts.
    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 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.

ADDRESSES: Address comments and requests for more information to the 
following: Refuge Manager, Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Weir 
Hill Road, Sudbury, Massachusetts 01776, (978) 443-4661.

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 information from the public via open 
houses, meetings, and written comments. Special mailings, newspaper 
articles, and announcements will inform people in the general area near 
each refuge of the time and place of opportunities for public input to 
the CCP.
    The Great Meadows NWR Complex is a diverse group of coastal and 
inland refuges. Habitats include forest, field, riparian, barrier 
island beach, freshwater marsh, and pond. Assabet NWR will contain 
2,300 acres; Great Meadows NWR contains 3,400 acres; Mashpee 281 acres; 
Massasoit 184 acres; Monomoy 2,700 acres, a portion of which is Federal 
Wilderness Area; Nantucket 40 acres; Nomans Land Island 628 acres; and 
Oxbow 1,547 acres. Two refuges in the Complex are in New Hampshire, 
John Hay NWR and Wapack NWR. They are not included in the CCP. Seven of 
the refuges are open to wildlife-dependent public use.
    Review of this project 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 1500-1508), 
other appropriate Federal laws and regulations, and Service policies 
and procedures for compliance with those regulations.
    We estimate that the draft Environmental Impact Statement will be 
available in late spring 2000 for public review and comment.

    Dated: February 16, 1999.
Ronald E. Lambertson,
Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hadley, 
Massachusetts.
[FR Doc. 99-4511 Filed 2-23-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P