[Federal Register: May 21, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 98)] [Notices] [Page 27802-27803] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr21my99-91] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Notice of Availability of the Comprehensive Management Plan for the Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge and Associated Environmental Assessment and Comprehensive Management Plan for the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This notice advises agencies and the public that the Comprehensive Management Plan for the Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) and associated Environmental Assessment are available from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for public review and comment. The purpose of the Comprehensive Management Plan is to guide Refuge management decisions and to identify strategies to meet the goals and objectives of the Tijuana Slough Refuge and National Wildlife Refuge System. The Comprehensive Management Plan addresses the following management issues, functions, and programs: administrative framework; resource protection, management, and restoration; research and monitoring; education and interpretation; public involvement, use, and access; facilities development; appropriate and compatible Refuge uses determination; and watershed coordination between the United States and Mexico for the Tijuana Slough Refuge. The Environmental Assessment evaluates the alternatives and analyzes the environmental effects of implementing the Comprehensive Management Plan. The two alternatives evaluated in the Environmental [[Page 27803]] Assessment provide different levels of wildlife management and visitor services opportunities. The Environmental Assessment will be used to determine whether the implementation of the selected alternative would have a significant impact upon the quality of the human environment. The Comprehensive Management Plan for the Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge was integrated into and coordinated with the update of the 1986 Management Plan for the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR). The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) administers the National Estuarine Research Reserve System. NOAA requires that each NERR have an approved written management plan that is periodically updated. The Comprehensive Management Plan is the first update of the 1986 Tijuana River NERR Management Plan. DATES: Written comments should be postmarked or electronically-mailed no later than June 21, 1999. ADDRESSES: There are three options for submitting comments on the Tijuana Slough EA and CMP, mail, fax, or electronic mail. Mail or fax your comments to Dean Rundle, Manager, San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 2736 Loker Avenue West, Suite A, Carlsbad, CA 92008, phone (760) 930-0168, facsimile (760) 930-0256. You may submit comments by electronic mail (e-mail) to: r1planning--guest@fws.gov. Submit comments as an ASCII file avoiding the use of special characters and any form of encryption, and enter ``Tijuana Slough NWR CMP/EA'' in the subject line. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Availability of Documents Individuals who want copies of the Comprehensive Management Plan for the Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge and Associated Environmental Assessment, should immediately contact Charles Houghten, Acting Chief, Division of Refuge Planning, 911 NE 11th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97232, telephone (503) 231-2231, facsimile (503) 231- 6161. These documents will also be available for viewing on the following Fish and Wildlife Service webpage www.r1.fws.gov/ plnhome.html. Background Information The Tijuana Slough Refuge provides habitat for several endangered, threatened, and migratory species. The salt marsh, tidal channels, mudflats, sand beaches, and dunes provide habitat for the endangered light-footed clapper rail, endangered California least tern, endangered brown pelican, endangered salt marsh bird's beak, threatened western snowy plover, State-endangered Belding's savannah sparrow, and many species of migratory shorebirds and waterfowl. The riparian woodlands provide habitat for the endangered least Bell's vireo, endangered southwestern willow flycatcher, and many species of migratory birds. Two alternatives are analyzed in the Environmental Assessment. Alternative A (preferred alternative) would implement increased levels of both wildlife management and visitor services at the Tijuana Slough Refuge. Alternative B (no action) would implement existing levels of wildlife management and visitor services at the Tijuana Slough Refuge. The Environmental Assessment also analyzes the environmental effects of (1) predator management for the recovery of endangered and threatened species, (2) construction of new office and classroom space, (3) acquisition of additional lands along Sea Coast Drive, (4) annual sand dune maintenance, (5) relocation of damaged trails in the Tijuana River floodplain, and (6) emergency dredging of the mouths of Oneonta Slough and Tijuana River. The environmental review of the Refuge Comprehensive Management Plan and associated Environmental Assessment will be conducted in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), NEPA regulations (40 CFR 1500-1508), National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (16 U.S.C. 668dd et seq.), other appropriate Federal laws and regulations, and Service policies and procedures for compliance with those regulations. Dated: May 17, 1999. Elizabeth H. Stevens, Acting Manager, California/Nevada Operations Office, Sacramento, California. [FR Doc. 99-12838 Filed 5-20-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-P