Butte Sink Wildlife Management Area

Updated July 25, 2024

ALERTS: 

• RED FLAG WARNING: The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Red Flag Warning for parts of the Sacramento Valley from 1pm July 25 through 11pm July 26. From the NWS: "A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior." 
  Visit NWS's forecast page for the Sacramento NWR for up-to-date info on the Red Flag Warning.
   
• AUTO TOUR CLOSURE: The Sacramento NWR Auto Tour Route will be closed to all visitors for roadwork and maintenance Monday July 28 through Thursday August 1. Thank you for your understanding while we complete this important work.
   
• WE ARE HIRING: GS-12 Supervisory Wildland Firefighter (Fire Management Officer). Application window extended to Friday August 9. More info on our Get Involved page!
   

CDFW Soliciting Recommendations for Sacramento Valley Wildlife Areas and Federal Refuges: 

• The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), along with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), will hold an online outreach meeting to take comments and recommendations regarding hunting programs in the Northern Sacramento Valley from licensed hunters. The meeting will include updates on habitat conditions, availability of water for wetlands, Avian Influenza, and hunting access opportunities.
• State lands to be discussed include the Gray Lodge and Upper Butte Basin wildlife areas including the Little Dry Creek, Howard Slough, and Llano Seco units. Federal refuge personnel will also be available to speak about the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex including Delevan, Sacramento, Colusa, and Sutter NWRs.
• The meeting will be held using Microsoft Teams from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, August 27, 2024. Please email Gray Lodge Wildlife Area at glwla@wildlife.ca.gov for a link and instructions on how to submit comments and questions.
• CDFW annually provides an opportunity for licensed hunters to comment and make recommendations on public hunting programs, including anticipated habitat conditions in the hunting areas on Type A wildlife areas through public meetings and outreach.

Public Review of Draft Environmental Assessment and Compatibility Determinations - Big Notch Project Special Use Permit

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to issue a short-term special use permit to the California Department of Water Resources to allow for increased flows on properties in the Yolo Bypass where the Service has conservation easements. These easements are part of the Steve Thompson North Central Valley Wildlife Management Area. The increased flows are for the purpose of implementing the Yolo Bypass Salmonid Habitat Restoration and Fish Passage Project.  

A draft environmental assessment (EA) and compatibility determinations (CDs) evaluating the proposed issuance of the permit are now available for public review (links below). The EA and CDs are available for public review through August 25, 2024. Comments may be submitted by email to: fw8plancomments@fws.gov. In the subject line of the email, please indicate “Big Notch Project Special Use Permit.” 

• Draft Environmental Assessment
• Draft Compatibility Determination - North Area Properties (Attachment A)
• Draft Compatibility Determination - Central Area Properties (Attachment B)
• Draft Compatibility Determination - South Area Properties (Attachment C)
• Ducks Unlimited Report - Yolo Bypass USFWS Easements Impact Analysis from the Big Notch Project (Attachment D)