The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announces the availability of a Draft Compatibility Determination for a non-motorized boating trail through Shallow Lake and Grand Marais in the Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge for public review and comment. The public comment period will extend from November 19 through December 3, 2014. Interested parties are encouraged to review the draft determinations and provide written comments to the Refuge Manager.
A compatibility determination is the end result of a process whereby the Refuge Manager reviews a proposed use on a refuge and determines whether the use is compatible with the purpose for which the refuge was established. If determined to be compatible, then the use may be permitted. If the use is determined incompatible, then it is not permitted to occur on the Refuge. Policy issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in October 2000 requires that compatibility determinations be provided to the public for review and comment.
When completing compatibility determinations, the Refuge Manager uses sound professional judgment to determine if a proposed use will materially interfere or detract from the fulfillment of the Service's mission or the purpose of the Refuge.
The Draft Compatibility Determination is available on-line at: http://www.fws.gov/Felsenthal/.
Copies may also be obtained by visiting the Felsenthal NWR Headquarters/Visitor Center at 5531 Hwy 82 West in Crossett between the hours of 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The interested public has until December 3, 2014 to provide comments in writing to Refuge Headquarters/ Visitor Center. Comments may be sent by fax to (870) 364-3757 or by e-mail to Michael_Stroeh@fws.gov. Comments received will be reviewed and, if appropriate, incorporated into the Final Compatibility Determination, which is expected by early 2015. Individuals who submit comments will be notified upon completion of the Final Compatibility Determination for the proposed use.
While visiting the Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge tune your radio to 1620 am or follow us on Facebook at South Arkansas Refuge Complex for refuge information and more. For more information or to speak with our staff contact Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge, (870)364-3167.
USFWS is the principal federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting, and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American public. In addition to maintaining the 94-million–acre National Wildlife Refuge System, it operates 70 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 78 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid Program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.
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