[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 103 (Tuesday, May 31, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30968-30969]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-10718]


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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 the Farallon National Wildlife Refuge

AGENCY: 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) 
for the Farallon National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) located in San 
Francisco County, California. This notice advises the public that the 
Service intends to gather information necessary to prepare a CCP and EA 
pursuant to the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 
1966, as amended, and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The 
public and other agencies are

[[Page 30969]]

encouraged to participate in the planning process by sending written 
comments on management actions that the Service should consider. The 
Service is also furnishing this notice in compliance with the Service 
CCP policy to obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues 
to include in the CCP and EA. Opportunities for public input will be 
announced throughout the CCP/EA planning and development process.

DATES: To ensure that the Service has adequate time to evaluate and 
incorporate suggestions and other input into the planning process, 
comments should be received on or before August 1, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments or requests to be added to the mailing 
list to the following address: Winnie Chan, Refuge Planner, Farallon 
Refuge CCP, San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex, P.O. 
Box 524, Newark, California 94560. Written comments may also be faxed 
to (510) 792-5828, or [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Winnie Chan, Refuge Planner, or Joelle 
Buffa, Refuge Manager, at (510) 792-0222.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Wildlife Refuge System 
Administration Act of 1966, as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge 
System Improvement Act of 1997, mandates that all lands within the 
National Wildlife Refuge System are to be managed in accordance with an 
approved CCP. The CCP will guide management decisions for approximately 
the next 15 years and identify Refuge goals, long-range objectives, and 
management strategies for achieving these objectives. The planning 
process will consider many elements, including habitat and wildlife 
management, habitat protection, compatible wildlife-dependent 
recreation, and environmental effects. Public input into this planning 
process is very important. The CCP 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.
    Comments received will be used to develop goals, key issues 
evaluated in the NEPA document, and habitat management strategies. All 
comments received, including names and addresses, will become part of 
the administrative record and may be made available to the public. 
Opportunities for public participation will occur throughout the 
process.
    The Service will send Planning Updates to people who are interested 
in the CCP process, and the updates will also be available on the 
planning website at http://pacific.fws.gov/planning. These mailings 
will provide information on how to participate in the CCP process. 
Interested federal, state, and local agencies, organizations, and 
individuals are invited to provide input. The Service expects to 
complete the CCP in 2007.

Background

    The Farallon National Wildlife Refuge is located offshore in the 
Pacific Ocean, approximately 28 miles west of San Francisco, 
California. The 211 acre Refuge is an archipelago made up of four major 
islands and several small islands. The Refuge was initially established 
by Theodore Roosevelt in 1909 under Executive Order 1043; it is also 
designated as a State Ecological Reserve and a Golden Gate Biosphere 
Reserve. The Refuge serves `` * * * as a preserve and breeding ground 
for native birds'' (Executive Order 1043, dated February 27, 1909).
    The Refuge was established to provide wintering and nesting habitat 
for migratory seabirds and pinnipeds. In 1974, Congress enacted Public 
Law 93-550 which designated all the islands, except for Southeast 
Island, as the Farallon Wilderness, totaling 141 acres.
    The Service anticipates a draft CCP and EA to be available for 
public review and comment in late 2006.

    Dated: May 24, 2005.
Ken McDermond,
Acting Manager, CA/NV Operations, Sacramento, California.
[FR Doc. 05-10718 Filed 5-27-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P