[Federal Register: July 21, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 140)]
[Notices]
[Page 42363-42364]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr21jy08-67]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R8-R-2008-N0099; 80230-1265-0000-S3]
Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa, and Sutter National Wildlife Refuges
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments: draft
comprehensive conservation plan and environmental assessment.
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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the
availability of a Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and
Environmental Assessment (Draft CCP/EA) for Sacramento, Delevan,
Colusa, and Sutter National Wildlife Refuges (Refuges) for public
review and comment. The Draft CCP/EA, prepared pursuant to 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 Refuges for the next 15 years. Draft
compatibility determinations for several existing and proposed public
uses are also available for review and public comment with the Draft
CCP/EA.
DATES: Written comments must be received at the address below on or
before September 12, 2008.
ADDRESSES: For more information on obtaining documents and submitting
comments, see ``Review and Comment'' under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin Foerster, Project Leader at
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex or Jackie Ferrier, Refuge
Planner at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex address under
``Review and Comment'' or at (530) 934-2801 (telephone).
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.
Background
Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa, and Sutter National Wildlife Refuges
are located in the Sacramento Valley of California approximately ninety
miles north of the city of Sacramento. The Refuges manage and protect
wintering habitat for migratory birds and endangered and threatened
species. The Refuges contain approximately 24,000 acres of critically
important habitats for a great diversity of wildlife, particularly
migratory birds. Over forty percent of the Pacific Flyway waterfowl
winters in the Sacramento Valley. The vast majority of wetlands in the
Sacramento Valley have been converted to agricultural, industrial, and
urban development. Remaining wetlands are intensively managed to
optimize wildlife benefits.
Alternatives
The Draft EA/CCP evaluates the environmental effects of four
alternatives for managing the Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa, and Sutter
National Wildlife Refuges for the next 15 years. We propose to
implement Alternative C, as described in the EA. Alternative C best
achieves the Refuges' purposes, vision, and goals; contributes to the
Refuge System mission; addresses the significant issues and relevant
mandates; and is consistent with principles of sound fish and wildlife
management. This alternative is described in more detail in the CCP.
There are many features of proposed Refuge management that are
common to all three alternatives. Features common to all alternatives
include ongoing coordination with mosquito control, invasive species
management, vernal pool management, habitat management and restoration,
implementation of a hunt program, and providing wildlife observation,
photography, environmental education, and interpretation opportunities.
There are also many features of each alternative that are distinct.
Alternative A, the no action alternative, assumes no change from
current management programs and is considered the baseline to compare
other alternatives against. Under
[[Page 42364]]
Alternative A, the primary management focus of the Refuges would
continue to be providing habitat for migrating, wintering, and nesting
migratory and resident birds with an emphasis on waterbirds and
endangered species by restoring and maintaining wetland, vernal pool,
alkali meadow, riparian, and grassland habitats. We would continue to
offer wildlife-dependent recreation opportunities on the Refuges
including wildlife observation, photography, environmental education,
interpretative programs, and hunting, with emphasis on youth and
disabled hunters.
Under Alternative B, we would emphasize management for biological
resources on the Refuges. Biological opportunities would be maximized
to allow optimum wildlife and habitat management throughout the
majority of the Refuges. We would continue the current focus of the
Refuges to provide wintering habitat for migratory birds and management
to benefit endangered species. Habitat and invasive species management
programs would be expanded. We would reduce environmental education,
interpretation, wildlife observation, wildlife photography, and hunting
programs.
Under Alternative C, we would seek to achieve an optimal balance of
biological resource objectives and visitor services opportunities on
the Refuges. Habitat management and associated biological resource
monitoring would be improved. Visitor service opportunities would focus
on quality wildlife-dependant recreation distributed throughout the
Refuges. In addition, we would expand environmental education,
interpretation, wildlife observation, photography, and hunting programs
beyond Alternative A.
Under Alternative D, we would emphasize management for visitor
services on the Refuges. Wildlife-dependant recreational opportunities
would be expanded. Opportunities for the six priority public uses:
hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, photography, environmental
education, and interpretation, would be expanded beyond Alternatives A,
B, and C.
Review and Comment
Copies of the Draft CCP/EA may be obtained by writing to the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, Attn: Jackie Ferrier, Sacramento National
Wildlife Refuge Complex, 752 County Road 99W, Willows, CA 95988. Copies
of the Draft CCP/EA may also be viewed at this address. The Draft CCP/
EA will also be available for viewing and downloading online at http://
sacramentovalleyrefuges.fws.gov. Printed documents will also be
available for review at the following libraries: Bayliss Library, 7830
County Road 39, Glenn, CA 95943; Butte County Library, 1108 Sherman
Avenue, Chico, CA, 95926; Butte County Public Library, 1820 Mitchell
Avenue, Oroville, CA, 95966, Colusa County Library, 738 Market Street,
Colusa, CA, 95932; Colusa County Library, 232 Prince Street, Princeton,
CA, 95970; Corning Library, 740 3rd Street, Corning, CA, 96021; Orland
City Library, 333 Mill Street, Orland, CA 95963; Sutter County Library,
750 Forbes Avenue, Yuba City, CA, 95991; and Willows Public Library,
201 North Lassen Street, Willows, CA, 95988.
Comments on the Draft CCP/EA should be addressed to: Jackie
Ferrier, Refuge Planner, Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex,
752 County Road 99W, Willows, CA 95988. Comments may also be faxed to
(530) 934-7814 or submitted via electronic mail to jackie_
ferrier@fws.gov.
After the review and comment period ends for this Draft CCP/EA,
comments will be analyzed by the Service and addressed in the Final
CCP. 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 15, 2008.
Frances E. Mann
Acting Regional Director, California and Nevada Region, Sacramento,
California.
[FR Doc. E8-16584 Filed 7-18-08; 8:45 am]
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