[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 149 (Monday, August 4, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41968-41969]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-20436]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Intent To Prepare a Comprehensive Management Plan and 
Associated Environmental Document

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service (Service) intends to gather information necessary to prepare a 
comprehensive management plan (CMP) and an environmental document 
(environmental assessment or environmental impact statement) for the 
proposed Alameda National Wildlife Refuge, Alameda County, California. 
The Service is furnishing this notice in compliance with the Service 
CMP policy and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and its 
implementing regulations:
    (1) To advise other agencies and the public of our intentions, and
    (2) To obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to 
include in the environmental document.

DATES: Written comments should be received by September 12, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Address comments and requests for more information to: 
Charles J. Houghten, Chief, Planning Branch, ARW/RE, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, 911 NE 11th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97232-4181.
    See the Supplementary Information Section for the electronic access 
and filing address.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background Information

    The Service is beginning the planning/compliance process for the 
proposed Alameda National Wildlife Refuge (NWR). This process includes 
preparation of an environmental document to establish an approved 
refuge boundary and to evaluate management alternatives and preparation 
of a comprehensive

[[Page 41969]]

management plan. An open house will be held in Alameda on August 12, 
1997. Issues and concerns expressed by the public at this meeting will 
be considered in the development of the CMP and NEPA documentation. The 
Service will inform interested parties of the open house through a 
``Planning Update,'' news release, and legal notice.
    U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service policy is to have all lands within 
the National Wildlife Refuge System managed in accordance with an 
approved CMP. The CMP guides management decisions and identifies refuge 
goals, long-range objectives, and strategies for achieving refuge 
purposes. Public input into this planning process is encouraged. The 
CMP will provide other agencies and the public with a clear 
understanding of the desired conditions for the Refuge and how the 
Service will implement management strategies.
    The 2,796-acre Naval Air Station Alameda was closed on April 25, 
1997. The Service has requested 900 acres (525 acres of land and 375 
acres of open water) for use as a wildlife refuge.
    A CMP is needed because no formal, long-term management direction 
exists for managing the proposed Alameda NWR. Until the CMP is 
completed, Refuge management will be guided by official Refuge 
purposes; Executive Order 8104; Federal legislation regarding 
management of national wildlife refuges; and other legal, regulatory, 
and policy guidance.
    Upon implementation, the CMP would apply only to Federal lands 
within the proposed boundaries of the Alameda NWR. Issues to be 
addressed in the plan include habitat management, public use, nuisance 
species management, and secondary uses, such as a limited-use airport. 
The plan will include the following topics:
    (a) Population monitoring of the California least terns an 
endangered species;
    (b) Wildlife habitat management including control of exotic 
vegetation; maintenance, habitat enhancement, and expansion of the 
existing California Least tern breeding site; installation of 
additional electric fence around tern nesting sites; and construction 
and maintenance of a chain-link perimeter fence to protect terns from 
terrestrial predators, human trespass, and other disturbance;
    (c) Nuisance species management including the reduction of predator 
habitat and raptor perches immediately adjacent to the tern nesting 
site; trapping and removal of nonnative target animals;
    (d) Public use including environmental education, docent-led tours, 
perimeter trail, interpretive signs and panels, viewing platform;
    (e) Non-recreational uses, such as a limited-use private airport;
    (f) Road access to pedestrians and bicycles;
    (g) Law enforcement;
    (h) Facilities management including existing bunkers and small 
supply buildings.
    Alternatives that address the issues and management strategies 
associated with these topics will be included in the environmental 
document.
    With the publication of this notice, the public is encouraged to 
send written comments on these and other issues, courses of action that 
the Service should consider, and potential impacts that could result 
from CMP implementation on the proposed Alameda NWR. Comments already 
received are on record and need not be resubmitted.
    The environmental review of this project will be conducted in 
accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy 
Act of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), NEPA regulations (40 
CFR 1500-1509), other appropriate Federal laws and regulations, 
Executive Order 12996, and Service policies and procedures for 
compliance with those regulations.
    We estimate that the draft environmental document will be available 
in November 1997.

Electronic Access and Filing Address

    You may submit comments by sending electronic mail (e-mail) to 
[email protected] (with ``Alameda NWR'' typed in the subject 
line). Submit comments as an ASCII file, avoiding the use of special 
characters and any form of encryption.

    Dated: July 28, 1997.
Thomas J. Dwyer,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 97-20436 Filed 8-1-97; 8:45 am]
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