Notice to Withdraw the Proposal To Establish the New Madrid National Wildlife Refuge Located in New Madrid County, Missouri

Résumé

This notice advises the public that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is withdrawing its proposal to establish the New Madrid National Wildlife Refuge in New Madrid County in southeastern Missouri. The proposed refuge would have been superimposed on portions of two drainage districts in the Mississippi River Floodplain: The St. Johns Levee and Drainage District and the St. Johns Bayou Basin Drainage District (Districts). The Districts opposed refuge establishment without Congressionally ratified assurances to protect and support their ongoing operations and future development plans. The Service has decided it cannot provide or support the required assurances; therefore, is withdrawing the proposal to establish the refuge. This notice further advises the public that the Service will not continue the National Environmental Policy Act process it initiated August 22, 1990, nor finalize the Draft Environmental Impact Statement dated January 29, 1993.