[Federal Register: July 12, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 132)]
[Notices]
[Page 39702-39703]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr12jy10-64]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R8-R-2010-N104; 81640-1265-0000-S3]
San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Sonoma, Napa, and Solano
Counties, CA
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments: draft
comprehensive conservation plan/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/Environmental
Assessment (CCP/EA) for the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge for
public review and comment. The CCP/EA, 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. 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 August 11, 2010.
ADDRESSES: For more information on obtaining documents and submitting
comments, see ``Review and Comment'' under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Winnie Chan, Refuge Planner, 9500
Thornton Avenue, Newark, CA 94560, phone (510) 792-0222.
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.
We initiated the CCP/EA for the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife
Refuge in July 2006. At that time and throughout the process, we
requested, considered, and incorporated public scoping comments in
numerous ways. Our public outreach has included a Federal Register
notice of intent published on July 26, 2006 (71 FR 42413), one
stakeholder meeting, one public meeting, planning updates, and a CCP
Web page. We received approximately six scoping comments during the 45-
day public comment period.
Background
The Refuge lies on the northernmost end of the San Francisco Bay
Estuary and was formally established in 1970, but lands were not
acquired until 1974. The Service owns 1,990 acres and manages 11,200
leased acres within the 23,700-acre acquisition boundary. The Refuge
provides large expanses of tidal marsh that protects endangered
species, and conserves migratory birds and other wildlife.
Alternatives
The Draft CCP/EA identifies and evaluates three alternatives for
managing San Pablo Bay National
[[Page 39703]]
Wildlife Refuge for the next 15 years. The alternative that appears to
best meet the Refuge purposes is identified as the preferred
alternative. The preferred alternative is identified based on the
analysis presented in the Draft CCP/EA, which may be modified following
the completion of the public comment period based on comments received
from other agencies, Tribal governments, nongovernmental organizations,
or individuals.
Under Alternative A, the no action alternative, we would continue
to manage the Refuge as we have in the recent past. Existing tidal
restoration activities would continue. The existing hunting, fishing,
wildlife observation, photography, environmental education, and
interpretation opportunities would remain unchanged.
Under Alternative B, the Service would develop an inventory and
monitoring program; expand tidal restoration and enhancement activities
for the benefit of migratory birds, endangered species, and other
native wildlife; improve and expand visitor services by developing new
public access locations; develop shoreline fishing locations; and
provide some additional environmental education programs.
Under Alternative C (preferred alternative), the Service would
incorporate those developments outlined in Alternative B, but would
also emphasize wildlife management by studying population health and
developing population goals for wildlife; provide greater interpretive
opportunities; and substantially expand the environmental education
program.
Review and Comment
The Draft CCP/EA will be available for viewing and downloading
online at http://www.fws.gov/cno/refuges/planning/ccp.cfm. Copies of
the Draft CCP/EA may also be obtained by writing to the SF Bay National
Wildlife Refuge Complex, Attn: Winnie Chan, 9500 Thornton Avenue,
Newark, CA 94560.
Copies of the Draft CCP/EA may also be viewed at the San Francisco
Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 1 Marshlands Road, Fremont, CA
94536; San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Petaluma, CA (call
(707) 769-4200 for directions); and John F. Kennedy Library, 505 Santa
Clara, Vallejo, CA 94590.
Comments on the Draft CCP/EA should be addressed to: Winnie Chan,
SF Bay NWRC, 9500 Thornton Avenue, Newark, CA 94560. Comments may also
be faxed to (510) 792-5828 or sent via e-mail to sfbaynwrc@fws.gov.
At the end of the review and comment period for this Draft CCP/EA,
the Service will analyze comments and address them in the Final CCP/EA.
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 6, 2010.
Ken McDermond,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific Southwest Region.
[FR Doc. 2010-16867 Filed 7-9-10; 8:45 am]
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