[Federal Register: July 29, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 145)]
[Notices]
[Page 44806-44807]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr29jy10-67]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R8-R-2008-N106; 80230-1265-0000-S3]
Ellicott Slough National Wildlife Refuge, Santa Cruz County, CA
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments: draft
comprehensive conservation plan/environmental assessment.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announce the
availability of a Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and
Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Ellicott Slough National Wildlife
Refuge for public review and comment. The CCP/EA, prepared under the
National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, and in
accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969,
describes how the Service will manage the Refuge for the next 15 years.
Draft compatibility determinations for several existing and proposed
public uses are also available for review and public comment.
DATES: To ensure consideration, we must receive your written comments
by August 30, 2010.
ADDRESSES: Send your comments or requests for more information by any
of the following methods.
E-mail: fw8plancomments@fws.gov. Include ``Ellicott Slough CCP'' in
the subject line of the message.
Fax: Attn: Sandy Osborn, (916) 414-6497.
U.S. Mail: Pacific Southwest Region, Refuge Planning, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, 2800 Cottage Way, W-1832, Sacramento, CA 95825-1846.
In-Person Drop-off: You may drop off comments during regular
business hours at the above address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sandy Osborn, Planning Team Leader, at
(916) 414-6503, or Diane Kodama, Refuge Manager, at (510) 792-0222 or
fw8plancomments@fws.gov. Further information may also be found at
http://www.fws.gov/cno/refuges/ellicott/index.cfm.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Wildlife Refuge System
Improvement Act of 1997 (16 U.S.C. 668dd-668ee), which amended the
National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, requires us
to develop a CCP for each national wildlife refuge. The purpose in
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, environmental education and interpretation.
We initiated the CCP/EA for the Ellicott Slough National Wildlife
Refuge in July 2008. At that time and throughout the process, we
requested, considered, and incorporated public scoping comments in
numerous ways. Our public outreach has included a Federal Register
notice of intent published on July 14, 2008 (73 FR 40360), a planning
update, and a CCP webpage (http://www.fws.gov/cno/refuges/ellicot/
index.cfm). We received two scoping comments during the 30-day public
comment period.
Background
Ellicott Slough National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1975
under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and
the Emergency Wetlands Resources Act of 1986 (16 U.S.C. 3901-3932). The
nearly 300-acre Ellicott Slough National Wildlife Refuge, located in
Santa Cruz County, California, consists of three noncontiguous units
within and adjacent to Ellicott Slough and associated watersheds. The
Refuge was established to protect the endangered Santa Cruz long-toed
salamander by supporting 2 of the 20 known breeding populations of the
salamander. Due to the sensitivity of the habitat, the Refuge is
currently closed to the public. Through this CCP process, we will
determine whether any wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities
should be made available to the public.
Alternatives
The Draft CCP/EA identifies and evaluates three alternatives for
managing Ellicott Slough National Wildlife Refuge for the next 15
years. The alternative that appears to best meet the Refuge purposes is
identified as the preferred alternative. The preferred alternative is
identified based on the analysis presented in the Draft CCP/EA, which
may be modified following the completion of the public comment period
based on comments received from other agencies, Tribal governments,
nongovernmental organizations, or individuals.
Under Alternative A, the no action alternative, we would continue
to manage the Refuge as we have in the recent past. No major changes in
habitat management would occur. The Refuge would remain closed to the
public.
With Alternative B (preferred alternative), the Service would
standardize the monitoring and surveying program for species, construct
and improve breeding and ephemeral pond habitat, identify buffer and
corridor habitat for boundary expansion and acquisition, develop weed
management and prevention/early detection plans, assess contaminants
and disease, conduct climate change modeling, identify additional
breeding
[[Page 44807]]
and aestivation habitat for boundary expansion and acquisition, develop
a trail system, expand on-site restoration education with local
schools, and develop in-class environmental education in collaboration
with partners.
Alternative C includes all actions in Alternative B, plus expanding
natural resource surveys, expanding control of additional priority
invasive vegetation, propagating and/or reintroducing listed plants,
and improving outreach to neighbors and the community.
Public Meetings
The locations, dates, and times of public meetings will be listed
in a planning update distributed to the project mailing list and posted
on the refuge planning Web site at http://www.fws.gov/cno/refuges/
ellicott/index.cfm.
Review and Comment
Copies of the Draft CCP/EA may be obtained by writing to Sandy
Osborn (see ADDRESSES). Copies of the Draft CCP/EA may be viewed at the
same address or at the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Complex, 1 Marshlands Road, Fremont, CA 94536; and the Watsonville Main
Public Library, 275 Main Street, Suite 100, Watsonville, CA 95076. The
Draft CCP/EA will also be available for viewing and downloading online
at: http://www.fws.gov/cno/refuges/ellicot/index.cfm.
Comments on the Draft CCP/EA should be addressed to Sandy Osborn
(see ADDRESSES).
At the end of the review and comment period for this Draft CCP/EA,
comments will be analyzed by the Service and addressed in the Final
CCP/EA. 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: July 22, 2010.
Ken McDermond,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific Southwest Region, Sacramento,
California.
[FR Doc. 2010-18459 Filed 7-28-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P