[Federal Register: February 23, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 35)]
[Notices]
[Page 8106-8107]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr23fe10-107]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R8-R-2009-N261; 80230-1265-0000-S3]
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Alameda,
Santa Clara, and San Mateo Counties, CA
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a comprehensive conservation plan
and environmental assessment; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to
prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental
Assessment (EA) for the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife
Refuge located in Alameda, Santa Clara, and San Mateo Counties of
California. 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 April 26, 2010.
ADDRESSES: Send your comments or requests for more information by any
of the following methods.
E-mail: sfbaynwrc@fws.gov. Include ``Don Edwards San Francisco Bay
CCP'' in the subject line of the message.
Fax: Attn: Winnie Chan, (510) 792-5828.
U.S. Mail: San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 9500
Thornton Avenue, Newark, CA 94560.
In-Person Drop-off: You may drop off comments during regular
business hours; please call (510) 792-0222 for directions.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Winnie Chan, Refuge Planner, or Eric
Mruz, Refuge Manager, at (510) 792-0222 or sfbaynwrc@fws.gov. Further
information may also be found at http://www.fws.gov/desfbay.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we initiate our process for developing a CCP for
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay NWR in Alameda, Santa Clara, and San
Mateo 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
[[Page 8107]]
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 Administration Act of 1966 (16
U.S.C. 668dd-668ee) (Administration Act), as amended by the National
Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, 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 Administration
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, objectives, and
strategies 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 opportunities for participation by Tribal,
State, and local governments; agencies; organizations; and the public.
We will be contacting identified stakeholders and individuals at this
time for initial input. If you would like to meet with planning staff
or would like to receive periodic updates, please contact us (see
ADDRESSES section). We anticipate holding public meetings for initial
comments and when alternative management scenarios have been
identified. At this time we encourage comments in the form of issues,
concerns, ideas, and suggestions for the future management of Don
Edwards San Francisco Bay NWR.
We will conduct the environmental review of this project 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.
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge was created
by Congress under Public Law 92-330 in 1972, but we did not acquire any
lands within the Refuge until 1974. The Refuge was established to
preserve and enhance wildlife habitat, protect migratory birds, protect
threatened and endangered species, and provide opportunities for
wildlife-dependent recreation and environmental education under several
acts, including the Act Authorizing the Transfer of Certain Real
Property for Wildlife, or other purposes (16 U.S.C. 667b), Endangered
Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1537), and the Fish and Wildlife Act of
1956 (16 U.S.C. 742f(b)(1)). The 30,000-acre Don Edwards San Francisco
Bay National Wildlife Refuge, located in Alameda, Santa Clara, and San
Mateo Counties of California, consists of several non contiguous
parcels divided into four management units that surround the southern
edge of the San Francisco Bay.
Scoping: Preliminary Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities
We have identified preliminary issues, concerns, and opportunities
that we may address in the CCP. These include: Wildlife management,
habitat management, wildlife-dependent recreation, environmental
education, and cultural resources. During public scoping, we may
identify additional issues.
Public Meetings
We will give the public an opportunity to provide input at a public
meeting (or meetings). You can obtain the schedule from the refuge
planner or refuge manager (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). You
may also submit comments or request a meeting 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: February 11, 2010.
Ken McDermond,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific Southwest Region, Sacramento,
California.
[FR Doc. 2010-3557 Filed 2-22-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P