[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 151 (Tuesday, August 10, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43672-43673]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-16524]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R8-NWRS-2021-N015; FXRS12610800000-212-FF08R04000]
San Diego National Wildlife Refuge, CA; Final Comprehensive
Conservation Plan/Environmental Assessment and Finding of No
Significant Impact
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the
availability of a final Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP),
environmental assessment (EA), and finding of no significant impact
(FONSI) for the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) in
California. The CCP/EA/FONSI, prepared in accordance with the National
Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, and in accordance with
the National Environmental Policy Act, describes how the Service will
manage the Refuge for the next 15 years. Compatibility determinations
for five public uses are also included in the final CCP.
ADDRESSES: Document Availability: You may view or download copies of
the final CCP and the EA/FONSI on the Refuge's website at https://ecos.fws.gov/ServCat/Reference/Profile/133810.
[[Page 43673]]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Victoria Touchstone, Refuge Planner,
at victoria_touchstone@fws.gov, or by phone at (619) 476-9150 ex 101;
Dwane Binns, Refuge Manager, at dwane_binns@fws.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We announce the availability of a final
comprehensive conservation plan, environmental assessment, and finding
of no significant impact (CCP/EA/FONSI) for San Diego National Wildlife
Refuge (Refuge, or NWR), which is located in San Diego County,
California. The CCP/EA/FONSI, 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. Compatibility
determinations for public uses are also included in the final CCP.
Introduction
With this notice, we complete the CCP process for San Diego
National Wildlife Refuge, which we began by publishing a notice of
intent in the Federal Register on May 24, 2006 (71 FR 29973). For more
about the initial process and the history of the Refuge, see that
notice. We released the draft CCP and EA to the public, announcing and
requesting comments in a notice of availability on June 19, 2014 (79 FR
35183). The 90-day comment period ended on September 17, 2014. A
summary of public comments and our responses are included in the final
CCP.
Background
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 the Service to develop a CCP for
each National Wildlife Refuge. The purpose of 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 (NWRS), 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 will review and update the CCP at
least every 15 years in accordance with the Improvement Act.
Each unit of the NWRS 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 NWRS, and to
determine how the public can use each refuge. The planning process is a
way for us 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 NWRS.
Additional Information
The final CCP can be found at https://ecos.fws.gov/ServCat/Reference/Profile/133810. The final CCP includes detailed information
about the planning process, Refuge, issues, and management alternative
selected. The website also includes an EA, prepared in accordance with
the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (43 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).
The EA includes discussion of five management alternatives. The
Service's selected alternative is reflected in the final CCP, and also
in the FONSI.
A modified version of Alternative D was selected for
implementation. Under the selected alternative, we will optimize
species and habitat protection, with a focus on conserving listed and
sensitive species and their habitats. Wildlife and habitat management
activities will also include monitoring of listed and sensitive
species, invasive species control, and habitat restoration. A step-down
Feral Pig Monitoring and Eradication Plan and an Integrated Pest
Management Plan, both provided for review and comment along with the
draft CCP/EA, will also be implemented. Existing wildlife-dependent
recreational uses will be expanded, per available funding and staffing.
Following the completion of a hunt plan and processing of an opening
package, hunting in accordance with California Department of Fish and
Wildlife regulations for big game, resident small game, and resident
and migratory upland game birds will be permitted on about 160 acres in
the southeastern portion of Refuge. A designated multiple use trail
system would be established, and leashed dogs will be permitted on
multiple use trails.
National Environmental Policy Act Compliance
We announce our decision and the availability of the FONSI for the
Final CCP/EA for the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge, in accordance
with the National Environmental Policy Act requirements (40 CFR
1506.6(b)). We completed a thorough analysis of impacts on the human
environment, which we included in the draft EA that accompanied the
Draft CCP. This notice is in addition to our announcement of the
completion of the CCP process on the Refuge website.
The final EA discusses the direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts
of the alternatives on biological resources, cultural resources, water
quality, and other environmental resources. Measures to minimize
adverse environmental effects are identified and discussed in the final
CCP/EA.
Martha Maciel,
Acting Regional Director, Sacramento, California.
[FR Doc. 2021-16524 Filed 8-9-21; 8:45 am]
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