Environmental statements; notice of intent: Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge Complex, CO; comprehensive management plans and environmental assessments,

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Federal Register: March 2, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 40)NoticesPage 10235-10236From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

DOCID:fr02mr98-89

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

Notice of Intent To Prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Associated Environmental Document

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a comprehsive conservation plan and associated environmental document.

SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service intends to gather information necessary to prepare a comprehensive conservation plan and associated environmental document for the Alamosa-Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge Complex in southern Colorado. The Service is issuing this notice in compliance with its policy to advise other organizations and the public of its intentions and to obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to be considered in the planning process.

DATES: Written comments should be received by April 30, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments and requests for more information should be sent to: Refuge Manager, Alamosa-Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 9383 El Rancho Lane, Alamosa, Colorado 81101-9003. Fax (719) 589-9184. E-mail: r6rw__alm@fws.gov

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Blenden, Refuge Manager, (719) 589-4021 or visit the website: http://www.r6.fws.gov/alamosanwr/

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Service has initiated comprehensive conservation planning for all properties of the Alamosa-Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge Complex. This Complex is located near the town of Alamosa and Monte Vista, respectively, in the San Luis Valley of southern Colorado. Alamosa and Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuges were established under the authority of the Migratory Bird Conservation Act ``for use as inviolate sanctuaries, or for any other management purpose, for migratory birds''. Comprehensive planning will develop management goals, objectives, and strategies to carry out the establishment purposes of the Refuges and comply with laws and policies governing refuge management and public use of refuges.

The Service requests inputs as to what issues, affecting management or public use, should be addressed during the planning process. The Service is

[Page 10236]especially interested in receiving public input in the following areas:

--what makes the Refuges special for you: --what problems or issues do you see affecting management or public use of the Refuges? --what improvements do you recommend for the Refuges? --what changes, if any, would you like to see in the management of the Refuges?

The Service has provided the above questions for your optional use. There is no requirement to provide information to the Service. The Planning Team developed these questions to facilitate finding out more information about individual issues and ideas. Comments received by the Planning Team will be used as part of the planning process; individual comments will not be referenced in our reports or directly respond to.

There will also be an opportunity to provide input at open houses scheduled for March 1998 to scope issues and concerns (schedules can be obtained from the Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge at above address). All information provided voluntarily by mail, phone, or at public meetings becomes part of the official public record (i.e., names, addresses, letters of comment, input recorded during meetings). If requested under the Freedom of Information Act by a private citizen or organization, the Service may provide copies of such information.

The environmental 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, Executive Order 12996, the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, and Service policies and procedures for compliance with those regulations.

We estimate that the draft environmental document will be available for review in the fall of 1998.

Dated: February 23, 1998. Joseph J. Webster, Acting Regional Director, Denver, Colorado.

FR Doc. 98-5229Filed2-27-98; 8:45 amBILLING CODE 4310-55-M

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