UPDATED May 10, 2024
ALERTS:
Jobs and Internships
- We are currently accepting applications for one permanent, full-time Wildland Firefighter (deadline to apply: May 17, 2024) and two Terrestrial Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) Monitoring Program Interns (deadline to apply: May 30, 2024). Please visit our Jobs and Volunteer Descriptions page to learn more about these opportunities!
Intermittent Closure of River Units starting Monday April 29, 2024
- There will be intermittent closures of various units on the Sacramento River NWR starting 4/29 for follow-up fuel reduction work. Crews will be starting at the Packer Unit and moving north through the River Refuge. Expect a sign at the gate if a unit is closed. Thank you for your patience, understanding and flexibility while we get this important work done!
Request for Scoping Comments for the Draft Environmental Assessment for the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex, San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Complex, and Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge for Management of Aquatic Invasive Plants
- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is preparing a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) to evaluate the potential physical, environmental, cultural, and socioeconomic effects associated with the management of aquatic invasive plants within and surrounding the Butte Sink Wildlife Management Area (WMA), Colusa National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Delevan NWR, Sacramento NWR, Sacramento River NWR, Steve Thompson North Central Valley WMA, Sutter NWR, San Joaquin River NWR, San Luis NWR, Merced NWR, Grasslands WMA, and Stone Lakes NWR (hereto referred to as the “Covered Refuges”).
- View or download the full scoping letter here.
- The Service respectfully requests that you consider the proposed action and provide any comments and/or available information that you may have regarding resources within and adjacent to the Covered Refuges. At this time, we are seeking input to help identify the scope of issues and potential alternatives to be analyzed in the Draft EA, as well as regulatory concerns and any other relevant information. Please provide any comments in writing via email by 5:00 P.M. on May 25, 2024 to fw8plancomments@fws.gov. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, please 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.
Visit Us
Welcome to the Llano Seco Unit of the Steve Thompson North Central Valley Wildlife Management Area!
Steve Thompson North Central Valley Wildlife Management Area is just one of the 5 National Wildlife Refuges and 3 Wildlife Management Areas that make up the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex. This WMA is primarily composed of privately-owned properties under conservation easement conservation easement
A conservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement between a landowner and a government agency or qualified conservation organization that restricts the type and amount of development that may take place on a property in the future. Conservation easements aim to protect habitat for birds, fish and other wildlife by limiting residential, industrial or commercial development. Contracts may prohibit alteration of the natural topography, conversion of native grassland to cropland, drainage of wetland and establishment of game farms. Easement land remains in private ownership.
Learn more about conservation easement , but does have one Service-owned property that is open to the public: the Llano Seco Unit. Located about 10 miles southwest of the city of Chico in Butte County, the Llano Seco Unit offers opportunities for photography, wildlife viewing and a 1-mile trail.
PLAN YOUR VISIT <-- Click here to find all the information you need to visit the Complex.....
• ACTIVITIES
• visitor center
• auto tours
• trails
• photography
• bicycling
• hunting
• environmental education
• HOURS
• FEES AND PERMITS
• RULES AND POLICIES
• ACCESSIBILITY
• DIRECTIONS
• OTHER LOCAL INFORMATION
Other Facilities in the Complex
The Steve Thompson North Central Valley Wildlife Management Area is managed as part of the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex, with headquarters at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge. The Refuge Complex is comprised of 5 National Wildlife Refuges (Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa, Sutter and Sacramento River NWRs) and 3 Wildlife Management Areas (Willow Creek-Lurline, Butte Sink and Steve Thompson North Central Valley WMAs).
Rules and Policies
Plan Your Visit <-- Please see the Rules and Policies section on our Plan Your Visit page
Locations
Llano Seco Unit Viewing Platforms and Walking Trail:
Traveling south on I-5:
- exit at Hwy 32 at Orland
- go 10 miles east on Hwy 32
- go 8 miles south on Hwy 45
- go 5.7 miles east on Ord Ferry Rd
- go 2.1 miles south on Seven Mile Ln
- turn right into Steve Thompson North Central Valley WMA/ Llano Seco Unit parking lot
- Click here for a map with directions
Traveling north on I-5:
- exit at Road 68 (9.1 miles north of Maxwell)
- go 4 miles north on Hwy 99W
- go 9.6 miles east on Road 60/61 to Four Corners
- continue 5 miles east on Hwy 162
- go 10.8 miles north on County Rd Z/Seven Mile Ln
- turn left into Steve Thompson North Central Valley WMA/ Llano Seco Unit parking lot
- Click here for a map with directions