Notice of Extension of Comment Period for Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment and Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan for Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge and Wilderness

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

Notice of Extension of Comment Period for Final Programmatic

Environmental Assessment and Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan for

Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge and Wilderness

AGENCY: 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) is extending the comment period through close of

business Monday, November 30, 1998, for the Final Programmatic

Environmental Assessment and associated Draft Comprehensive

Conservation Plan (CCP) for the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge

and Wilderness, Ajo, Arizona. A Finding of No Significant Impact

(FONSI) was issued consequent to the issuance of the Final Programmatic

Environmental Assessment (EA). A notice was published in the Federal

Register notifying release of the document on September 28, 1998. The

Service is furnishing this notice to ensure that interested parties

have every opportunity to offer input, comments, and suggestions with

respect to the Service's proposed management objectives and strategies

detailed in the draft CCP document attached to the Final Programmatic

EA.

DATES: The Service will be open to written advice and comment on the

draft CCP Objectives and Strategies through November 30, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent to: Mr. Tom Baca, Natural Resource

Planner, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Southwest Region, Division of

Refuges and Wildlife, P. O. Box 1306, Albuquerque, NM 87103.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: It is the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

policy to have all lands within the National Wildlife Refuge System

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 has

considered and will continue to consider many elements, including

habitat and wildlife management, habitat protection and acquisition,

public and recreational uses, and cultural resources. Continued public

input into this planning process is essential. The CCP document when

finalized 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.

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, including the

National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, Executive

Order 12996, and Service policies and procedures for compliance with

those regulations.

The Service anticipates that a Final CCP will be available by

December 30, 1998.

Dated: November 17, 1998.

Geoffrey L. Haskett,

Acting Regional Director.

[FR Doc. 98-31187 Filed 11-20-98; 8:45 am]

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