[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