Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 111 Part 2.djvu/178

 Ill STAT. 1258 PUBLIC LAW 105-57 —OCT. 9, 1997 "(i) propose a comprehensive conservation plan for each refuge or related complex of refuges (referred to in this subsection as a 'planning unit') in the System; Federal Register, "(ii) publish a notice of opportunity for public comment publication. in the Federal Register on each proposed conservation plan; "(iii) issue a final conservation plan for each planning unit consistent with the provisions of this Act and, to the extent practicable, consistent with fish and wildlife conservation plans of the State in which the refuge is located; and "(iv) not less frequently than 15 years after the date of issuance of a conservation plan under clause (iii) and every 15 years thereafter, revise the conservation plan as may be necessary. "(B) The Secretary shall prepare a comprehensive conservation plan under this subsection for each refuge within 15 years after the date of enactment of the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997. "(C) The Secretary shall manage each refuge or planning unit under plans in effect on the date of enactment of the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, to the extent such plans are consistent with this Act, until such plans are revised or superseded by new comprehensive conservation plans issued under this subsection. "(D) Uses or activities consistent with this Act may occur on any refuge or planning unit before existing plans are revised or new comprehensive conservation plans are issued under this subsection. "(E) Upon completion of a comprehensive conservation plan under this subsection for a refuge or planning unit, the Secretary shall manage the refuge or planning unit in a manner consistent with the plan and shall revise the plan at any time if the Secretary determines that conditions that affect the refuge or planning unit have changed significantly. "(2) In developing each comprehensive conservation plan under this subsection for a planning unit, the Secretary, acting through the Director, shall identify and describe— "(A) the purposes of each refuge comprising the planning unit; "(B) the distribution, migration patterns, and abundance of fish, wildlife, and plant populations and related habitats within the planning unit; "(C) the archaeological and cultural values of the plemning unit; "(D) such areas within the planning unit that are suitable for use as administrative sites or visitor facilities; "(E) significant problems that may adversely affect the populations and habitats of fish, wildlife, and plants within the planning unit and the actions necessary to correct or mitigate such problems; and "(F) opportunities for compatible wildlife-dependent recreational uses. "(3) In preparing each comprehensive conservation plan under this subsection, and any revision to such a plan, the Secretary, acting through the Director, shall, to the maximum extent practicable and consistent with this Act— "(A) consult with adjoining Federal, State, local, and private landowners and affected State conservation agencies; and

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