[Federal Register: December 29, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 248)]
[Notices]
[Page 68861-68862]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr29de09-109]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R8-R-2009-N160; 80230-1265-0000-S3]
Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Humboldt and Del
Norte Counties, CA
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability; final comprehensive conservation plan/
final environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact.
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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the
availability of the final Comprehensive Conservation Plan/Final
Environmental Assessment (CCP/EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact
(FONSI) for Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The Humboldt
Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex is composed of Humboldt Bay
National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) and Castle Rock NWR. The CCP, 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 Refuges for the next 15
years.
DATES: The CCP/EA and FONSI are available now. The FONSI was signed on
September 24, 2009. Implementation of the CCP may begin immediately.
ADDRESSES: You may view or obtain copies of the final CCP and FONSI/EA
by any of the following methods. You may request a hard copy or CD-ROM.
Agency Web Site: Download a copy of the document(s) at http://
www.fws.gov/humboldtbay/ccp.html.
[[Page 68862]]
E-mail: fw8plancomments@fws.gov. Include ``Humboldt Bay CCP'' in
the subject line.
Mail: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Attn: Sandy Osborn, Refuge
Planner, 2800 Cottage Way, W-1832, Sacramento, CA 95825-1846.
In-Person Viewing or Pickup: Call 707-733-5406 to make an
appointment during regular business hours at Humboldt Bay National
Wildlife Refuge Complex, 1020 Ranch Road, Loleta, CA 95551-9633.
Local Library or Libraries: The document(s) are also available for
review at the libraries listed under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric T. Nelson, Project Leader,
Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex, P.O. Box 576, Loleta, CA
95551-9633, phone (707) 733-5406 or Sandy Osborn, Refuge Planner, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, 2800 Cottage Way, W-1832, Sacramento, CA,
95825, phone (916) 414-6503.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Humboldt Bay NWR is located on Humboldt Bay on California's north
coast near Eureka and Arcata. In 1971, the Humboldt Bay NWR was
established to conserve coastal habitats for a great diversity of
animals and plants, especially migratory birds. The Refuge Complex also
includes Castle Rock NWR, a 14-acre island located in Del Norte County,
less than a mile offshore, northwest of Crescent City. This refuge
hosts one of the largest and most diverse colonies of breeding seabirds
on the Pacific coast and provides a roost for approximately 20,000
Aleutian cackling geese during their migration.
The Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental
Assessment (CCP/EA) were available for a 45-day public review and
comment period, which was announced via several methods including news
releases; updates to constituents; and in the Federal Register (74 FR
6301 February 6, 2009). The Draft CCP/EA identified and evaluated three
alternatives for managing Humboldt Bay and Castle Rock Refuges for the
next 15 years.
The Service received 35 comment letters on the Draft CCP/EA during
the review period. The comments received were incorporated into the
CCP, when possible, and responses are included in an appendix to the
CCP. In the FONSI, Alternative C for both Humboldt Bay and Castle Rock
NWRs was selected for implementation and is the basis for the CCP. The
FONSI documents the decision of the Service based on the information
and analysis contained in the EA.
Under the selected alternative, the Refuges would achieve an
optimal balance of biological resource objectives and visitor services
opportunities. Habitat management and associated biological resources
monitoring would be improved. For Humboldt Bay NWR, environmental
education, interpretation, wildlife observation, photography, and
hunting programs would be improved or expanded. For Castle Rock NWR, a
recommendation for wilderness designation, if approved by the Service's
Director, would afford additional protections. The selected alternative
best meets 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.
Public Availability of Documents
In addition to the methods in ADDRESSES, you can view or obtain
documents at the following locations:
Our Web site: http://www.fws.gov/humboldtbay/ccp.html.
Public Libraries: during regular library hours, at the
following libraries:
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Library Address Phone number
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Arcata Library................... 500 7th Street, Arcata, CA 95521 707-822-5954
College of the Redwoods Library.. 7351 Tompkins Hill Road, Arcata, CA 707-476-426
95501
Del Norte County Public Library.. 190 Price Mall, Crescent City, CA 707-464-9793
95331
Fortuna Library.................. 753 14th Street, Fortuna, CA 95540 707 725-3460
Humboldt County Library.......... 1313 3rd Street, Eureka, CA 95501 707-269-1900
Humboldt State University Library 1 Harpst Street, Arcata, CA 95521 707-826-3441
Conservation Library............. USFWS-NCTC, 698 Conservation Way, 304-876-7304
Shepherdstown, WV 25443
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Dated: December 16, 2009.
Ren Lohoefener,
Regional Director, Pacific Southwest Region, Sacramento, California.
[FR Doc. E9-30563 Filed 12-28-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P