Service Seeks Public Input on Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment for Butte Sink, Willow Creek-Lurline, and North Central Valley Wildlife Management Areas
Sacramento— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has released the Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment (CCP/EA) for the Butte Sink, Willow Creek-Lurline, and North Central Valley Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in Tehama, Butte, Glenn, Colusa, Yuba, Sacramento, Sutter, Placer, Yolo, Solano, Contra Costa, and San Joaquin Counties in California. The public is encouraged to comment on the Draft CCP/EA, which describes how the WMAs will be managed for the next 15 years. Comments will be accepted through September 9, 2015.
“The primary conservation priority for the WMAs is protecting wetlands and wildlife friendly agriculture to support migratory bird populations in the Pacific Flyway,” said Project Leader, Daniel Frisk, “We want to involve the public during the planning process.”
Written comments on the Draft CCP/EA may be submitted by mail, e-mail, or fax to:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pacific Southwest Region, Attn: Refuge Planning, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento CA, 95825; fw8plancomments@fws.gov (e-mail), or 916-414-6497 (fax). The Draft CCP/EA is available at: http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Sacramento/CCP/WildlifeManagementAreas.html.
Highlights of the draft plan include voluntary conservation easements to protect habitat on private lands for migratory waterfowl and other wildlife while maintaining private ownership and management. Management alternatives being considered include a proposed voluntary agricultural easement program for the North Central Valley WMA to protect farmland that provides important migratory bird habitat and/or open space buffers to existing protected wetlands.
More information about the Butte Sink, Willow Creek-Lurline, and North Central Valley WMAs is available online at: http://www.fws.gov/refuge/NorthCentralValley/Conservation/ConservationEasements.html.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit http://www.fws.gov/cno. Connect with our Facebook page, follow our tweets, watch our YouTube Channel, and download photos from our Flickr page.
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