PUBLIC NOTICE

Public Use Projects Included in Phase 1 of the South Bay Salt Pond
Restoration Project On Pond A16, Moffett Bay Trail, Pond SF-2 on the
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Draft Compatibility Determinations
April 1, 2008

Click here to download Draft Compatibility Determinations (pdf) 1.9 MB
Maps (pdf) 2.5 MB

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is evaluating a proposal to implement public uses with new facilities on Pond A16, the Moffett Bay Trail (Ponds A2E, AB1, AB2 and A3W) and Pond SF-2 as a part of Phase 1 of the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project on the Don Edward's San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge). These activities will take place in Alviso (San Jose), Sunnyvale, Mountain View and Menlo Park, California.

The two Compatibility Determinations ("CD") cover all public uses proposed to be constructed during Phase 1 of the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project. The first CD covers the following four Priority Public Uses: Wildlife Observation and Photography, Environmental Education and Interpretation with the infrastructure to support these uses (e.g., trails, viewing platforms, benches). Priority Public Uses in the National Wildlife refuge System, as defined in the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, are wildlife-dependent and non-consumptive. They are given priority on Refuges over all other public uses. The second CD covers the following public uses the Refuge System does not consider to be Priority Public Uses: Hiking, Jogging and Bicycling. The
infrastructure needed for these three non Priority Public Uses is the same as that
described in the first CD.

Prior to allowing these uses on the Refuge, Federal law requires that the Service first determine that these proposed projects are compatible uses. A compatible use is a proposed use of a national wildlife refuge that, based on sound professional judgment, will not materially interfere with or detract from the fulfillment of the National Wildlife Refuge System mission or the purposes of the national wildlife refuge. We develop a Compatibility Determinations document to facilitate evaluation of such uses.

The mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System is " to administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management, and where appropriate restoration of fish, wildlife, and plant resources and their habitats within the United States for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans." The purpose for which the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge was established "... is for the preservation and enhancement of highly significant habitat ... for the protection of migratory waterfowl and other wildlife, including species known to be threatened with
extinction, and to provide opportunity for wildlife oriented recreation and nature study ..." 86 Stat 399, dated June 30, 1972.

The Service would like to know what you think about these proposed refuge uses. We are especially interested in information you have or studies you are aware of regarding the effects of such uses. A CD has been drafted, and is available for public review and comment. All comments received within 30 days following the date of this notice
(April 1, 2008) will be considered in finalizing that determination.

To request a copy of the CD, to learn of the final decision regarding these proposed uses, or for more information, contact Clyde Morris, Don Edwards San Francisco Bay NWR by phone: (510) 792-0222, fax: (510) 792-5828 or by email: at clyde_morris@fws.gov.

Click here to download Draft Compatibility Determinations (pdf) 1.9 MB
Maps (pdf) 2.5 MB