[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 136 (Monday, July 18, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41232-41233]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-14046]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Notice of Intent To Prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan and
Environmental Assessment for Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa and Sutter
National Wildlife Refuges, Glenn, Colusa, and Sutter Counties, CA
AGENCY: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is preparing a
Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental Assessment (EA)
document for Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa, and Sutter National Wildlife
Refuges (NWRs) which are part of the Sacramento NWR Complex (NWRC).
This notice advises the public that the Service intends to gather
information necessary to prepare a CCP and an EA pursuant to the
National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as amended,
and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The public is invited
to participate in the planning process. The Service is furnishing this
notice in compliance with the Service's CCP policy to:
1. Advise other agencies and the public of our intentions;
2. Obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to
include in the environmental documents; and
The Service will solicit information from the public via open
houses, meetings, and written comments. Special mailings, newspaper
articles, and announcements will provide information regarding
opportunities for public involvement in the planning process.
DATES: Please provide written comments to the address below by
September 1, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Address comments, questions, and requests for further
information to: Jackie Ferrier, Refuge Planner, Sacramento National
Wildlife Refuge Complex, 752 County Road 99 W, Willows, California
95988. You may find additional information concerning the refuges at
the Sacramento NWRC Internet site http://[email protected].
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jackie Ferrier, Refuge Planner,
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 752 County Road 99 W,
Willows, California 95988; telephone (530) 934-2801; fax (530) 934-
7814.
[[Page 41233]]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: By Federal law (National Wildlife Refuge
System Administration Act of 1966, as amended by the National Wildlife
Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (Administration Act) (16 U.S.C.
668dd-668ee)), the Service is to manage all lands within the National
Wildlife Refuge System in accordance with an approved comprehensive
conservation plan. The plan guides management decisions and identifies
refuge goals, long-range objectives, and strategies for achieving
refuge purposes. The planning process will consider many elements,
including wildlife and habitat management, public recreational
activities, and cultural resource protection. Public input into the
planning process is essential.
The CCP will provide other agencies and the public with information
regarding the future desired conditions for the refuges and how the
Service will implement management strategies. The Service will prepare
an EA in accordance with procedures for implementing the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321-4370d).
Sacramento NWRC consists of five NWRs and three wildlife management
areas. This CCP will include Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa, and Sutter
NWRs. The NWRC provides more than 24,000 acres of wetland and upland
habitat critical to flyway and continental waterfowl populations. About
forty percent of Pacific Flyway waterfowl populations winter in the
Sacramento Valley. The vast majority of wetlands in the Sacramento
Valley have been converted to agricultural, industrial, and urban
development. Remaining wetlands are intensively managed to optimize
wildlife benefits.
Comments received will be used to help identify key issues and to
develop Refuge goals, habitat management and visitor services
strategies. Additional opportunities for public participation will
occur throughout the planning process, which is expected to be
completed in 2008. Data collection has been initiated to create
computerized mapping, including vegetation, topography, habitat types
and existing land uses. The outcome of this planning process will be a
CCP to guide refuge management for the next 15 years. We have estimated
that a draft CCP and EA will be made available for public review in
2007.
Dated: July 12, 2005.
Ken McDermond,
Acting Manager, California/Nevada Operations Office, Sacramento, CA.
[FR Doc. 05-14046 Filed 7-15-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P