Input Sought on Public Use Activities Planned for Cullinan Ranch Unit of San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Press Release
Input Sought on Public Use Activities Planned for Cullinan Ranch Unit of San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is asking for public comment on recreation, environmental education and other activities planned for the Cullinan Ranch Unit of San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Solano, Napa and Sonoma Counties in northern California. The proposed activities include kayaking and boating, fishing, wildlife observation, photography and environmental education.

The Cullinan Ranch Unit consists of approximately 1,500 acres of former agricultural land on the Napa River delta on the northern shore of San Pablo Bay. The land was acquired by San Pablo National Wildlife Refuge in 1991 as a refuge for the endangered salt marsh salt marsh
Salt marshes are found in tidal areas near the coast, where freshwater mixes with saltwater.

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harvest mouse and California clapper rail. The unit is bordered on the west by lands managed for wildlife by the California Department of Fish and Game. The refuge plans to restore most of the former hayfield farm to tidal marsh habitats for waterfowl, waterbirds and several endangered fish and bird species. Plans also include increased public access to wildlife resources in San Pablo Bay while minimizing project-induced flood impacts to Highway 37.

Before public use activities can occur on a national wildlife refuge national wildlife refuge
A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service  for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.

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, managers must determine if those uses are compatible with the purposes for which the refuge was established and other laws. The public is being asked to comment on compatibility determinations that would allow kayaking and boating, fishing, wildlife observation, environmental interpretation and education activities on the refuge. Descriptions of these activities are detailed in documents (Compatibility Determinations) posted to the Refuge