Notice of Availability of Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Patoka River National Wetlands Project, Pike and Gibson Counties, Indiana

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

Notice of Availability of Draft Environmental Impact Statement

for the Proposed Patoka River National Wetlands Project, Pike and

Gibson Counties, Indiana

AGENCY: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Service (Service) has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement

(DEIS), which is available for public review. The DEIS evaluates a

proposal to establish the Patoka River National Wetlands Project

(Project) in Pike and Gibson Counties in southwest Indiana. Four

alternatives, including a No Action alternative are being considered.

The three action alternatives are aimed at protecting and enhancing the

valuable resources of the Patoka River valley. The Project encompasses

one of the last remaining stretches of bottomland forest in Indiana and

the Midwest. It provides some of the best wood duck production habitat

in the state and is used by endangered species including bald eagles.

Alternative 4 is the Service's preferred alternative. It proposes to

acquire 22,083 acres of land from willing sellers. Full acquisition may

take 20 years or more. About 6,800 acres would be purchased as the

Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge. Additionally, wildlife

management areas would be purchased from within an adjacent 15,283-acre

selection area. Project lands would be managed to protect and enhance

bottomland hardwood forests, other wetland habitat, and complementary

uplands. The goal would be to provide essential food, cover and resting

areas for migratory birds, threatened and endangered species, and

resident fish and wildlife; and to improve outdoor recreation and

education opportunities.

DATES: Public comment on the DEIS is solicited pursuant to National

Environmental Policy Act regulations (40 CFR 1503.1). All agencies and

individuals are urged to provide comments and suggestions for improving

this DEIS. The formal comment period extends for a 60-day period from

the date of distribution of the DEIS. All comments received by March 8,

1994, will be considered in preparation of the Final EIS.

Formal comments will be received at any time during this 60-day

period in person or by mail at the Project and Regional Offices as well

as at the scheduled public open house and meeting. The Project Office

in Oakland City, Indiana, is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The

Regional Office in the Twin Cities, Minnesota, is open weekdays from

7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. In addition, the Service will hold a public open

house on Friday, February 11, 1994, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday,

February 12, 1994, from 8 a.m. to 12 m. (noon) at the Wirth Park

Community Building on the west side of Oakland City, Indiana, for

general information. A public meeting will be held on Saturday,

February 12, 1994, starting at 1:30 p.m. in the East Gibson School

cafeteria in Oakland City to receive verbal and written comments.

WRITTEN COMMENTS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO: Project Manager, U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service, Patoka River National Wetlands Project, 510\1/2\ West

Morton, Box 217, Oakland City, Indiana 47660.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

William McCoy, Project Manager, Patoka River National Wetlands Project,

at the above address, telephone (812) 749-3199; or Jeanne Holler,

Wildlife Biologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bishop Henry

Whipple Federal Building, 1 Federal Drive, Fort Snelling, Minnesota

55111-4056, telephone (612) 725-3306. Individuals wishing copies of

this DEIS for review should contact Mr. McCoy or Ms. Holler. Copies

have been sent to all landowners and renters within the proposed

Project boundaries; to Federal, state and local government officials;

interested parties; and to all individuals, agencies, and organizations

who requested copies.

Dated: December 22, 1993.

Sam Marler,

Regional Director.

[FR Doc. 94-207 Filed 1-6-94; 8:45 am]

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