Biologists seek comments on continued mining ban at Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is seeking public comments on an Environmental Assessment (EA) that proposes to continue a ban on mining exploration on the riverbed of the Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). Mining activity on this 2,598-acre area has been prohibited since the early 1980s. This proposal could continue the ban for the next 100 years.
In their EA, Service biologists propose keeping the riverbed acreage for wildlife habitat, facilitating continued management at Bill Williams River NWR. The EA will evaluate the effects associated with the proposed action and complies with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in accordance with Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations (40 CFR 1500-1509) and Department of the Interior (43 CFR 46; 516 DM 8) and the Service (550 FW 3) regulations and policies. NEPA requires an examination of the effects of proposed actions on the quality of the human environment.
Copies of the Environmental Assessment will be available for review at both the Bill Williams River NWR office and on the Refuge website at https://www.fws.gov/refuge/bill-williams-river. The period to provide comment on the Environmental Assessment will be from February 22, until March 8. Comments may be submitted via email to r2_plancomments@fws.gov. Comments may also be sent to the refuge at 60911 Hwy 95, Parker, AZ 85344.
The public is encouraged to contact the HQ Refuges office at (928) 667-4144 for more details. Find up-to-date information on refuge activities at fws.gov/refuge/bill-williams-river.
