[Federal Register: November 30, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 228)]
[Notices]
[Page 62584-62585]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr30no09-66]
[[Page 62584]]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R8-R-2009-N0070; 80230-1265-0000-S3]
Butte Sink, Willow Creek-Lurline, and North Central Valley
Wildlife Management Areas; Tehama, Butte, Glenn, Colusa, Yuba, Sutter,
Placer, Yolo, Solano, Contra Costa, and San Joaquin Counties, CA
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a comprehensive conservation plan
and environmental assessment; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to
prepare a comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and environmental
assessment (EA) for Butte Sink, Willow Creek-Lurline, and North Central
Valley Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs). The WMAs are part of the
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex. We provide this notice in
compliance with our CCP policy to advise other Federal and State
agencies, Tribes, and the public of our intentions, and to obtain
suggestions and information on the scope of issues to consider in the
planning process.
DATES: To ensure consideration, we must receive your written comments
by January 15, 2010. We will announce opportunities for public input in
local news media throughout the CCP process.
ADDRESSES: Send your comments or requests for more information by any
of the following methods.
E-mail: Jackie_Ferrier@fws.gov. Include ``CCP'' in the subject
line of the message.
Fax: Attn: Jackie Ferrier, (530) 934-7814.
U.S. Mail: Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, 752 County Road
99W, Willows, California, 95988.
In-Person Drop-off: You may drop off comments during regular
business hours at the above address.
Additional information about the CCP planning process is available
on the Internet at http://sacramentovalleyrefuges.fws.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg Mensik, Acting Project Leader, at
(530) 934-2801 or Jackie Ferrier, Planning Team Leader, at (530) 934-
2801.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we initiate our process for developing a CCP for
Butte Sink, Willow Creek-Lurline, and North Central Valley WMAs, in
Tehama, Butte, Glenn, Colusa, Yuba, Sutter, Placer, Yolo, Solano,
Contra Costa, and San Joaquin counties, CA. This notice complies with
our CCP policy to (1) Advise other Federal and State agencies, Tribes,
and the public of our intention to conduct detailed planning on this
refuge and (2) obtain suggestions and information on the scope of
issues to consider in the environmental document and during development
of the CCP.
Background
The CCP Process
The National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (16
U.S.C. 668dd-668ee) (Improvement Act), which amended the National
Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, requires us to
develop a CCP for each national wildlife refuge. The purpose for
developing a CCP is to provide refuge managers with a 15-year plan for
achieving refuge purposes and contributing toward the mission of the
National Wildlife Refuge System, consistent with sound principles of
fish and wildlife management, conservation, legal mandates, and our
policies. In addition to outlining broad management direction on
conserving wildlife and their habitats, CCPs identify wildlife-
dependent recreational opportunities available to the public, including
opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and
photography, and environmental education and interpretation. We will
review and update the CCP at least every 15 years in accordance with
the Improvement Act.
Each unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System was established
for specific purposes. We use these purposes as the foundation for
developing and prioritizing the management goals and objectives for
each refuge within the National Wildlife Refuge System mission, and to
determine how the public can use each refuge. The planning process is a
way for us and the public to evaluate management goals and objectives
that will ensure the best possible approach to wildlife, plant, and
habitat conservation, while providing for wildlife-dependent recreation
opportunities that are compatible with each refuge's establishing
purposes and the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System.
Our CCP process provides participation opportunities for Tribal,
State, and local governments; agencies; organizations; and the public.
At this time we encourage input in the form of issues, concerns, ideas,
and suggestions for the future management of [the] North Central
Valley, Willow Creek-Lurline, and Butte Sink WMAs.
We will conduct the environmental review of this project and
develop an EA in accordance with the requirements of the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et
seq.); NEPA regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508); other appropriate
Federal laws and regulations; and our policies and procedures for
compliance with those laws and regulations.
Butte Sink, Willow Creek-Lurline, and North Central Valley Wildlife
Management Areas
Sacramento NWRC consists of five NWRs and three wildlife management
areas. This CCP will include Butte Sink, Willow Creek-Lurline, and
North Central Valley WMAs. The Butte Sink WMA was established in 1979
and currently consists of 733 acres of fee title lands and 35
conservation easements on approximately 10,260 acres. The acquisition
objective for the Butte Sink WMA has been met. The Willow Creek-Lurline
WMA was established in 1985 and currently consists of 84 conservation
easements on approximately 5,795 acres; with an approved acquisition
objective of 8,000 acres within Glenn and Colusa counties. The North
Central Valley WMA was established in 1991 and currently consists of
approximately 1,732 acres of fee title lands and 28 conservation
easements on approximately 14,740 acres; with an approved acquisition
objective of 55,000 acres within eleven counties.
The vast majority of wetlands in the Central Valley have been
converted to agricultural, industrial, and urban development. The WMAs
consist of intensively managed wetlands, associated uplands and
riparian habitats that support large concentrations of migratory birds
and many other wetland-dependent species. Collectively, these lands
play a significant role in supporting approximately forty percent of
Pacific Flyway wintering waterfowl populations.
Scoping: Preliminary Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities
We have identified preliminary issues, concerns, and opportunities
that could be addressed in the CCP. These issues are briefly summarized
below. During public scoping additional issues may be identified.
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During the CCP planning process, the Service will evaluate: Methods
for enhancing the wildlife and habitat resources, water supply and
quality, mosquito control/public health, long-term easement compliance
monitoring, and future acquisitions. Visitor service opportunities on
fee title lands will also be evaluated.
Public Meetings
We will give the public an opportunity to provide input at public
meetings. You can obtain the schedule from the planning team leader or
project leader (see addresses). You may also submit comments anytime
during the planning process by mail, e-mail, or fax (see ADDRESSES).
There will be additional opportunities to provide public input once we
have prepared a draft CCP.
Public Availability of Comments
Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be
aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying
information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can
ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be
able to do so.
Dated: November 20, 2009.
Ren Lohoefener,
Regional Director, Pacific Southwest Region, Sacramento, California.
[FR Doc. E9-28567 Filed 11-27-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P