[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 143 (Wednesday, July 26, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42413-42414]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-11915]


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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 San Pablo Bay 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 San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) located in 
Solano, Napa and Sonoma Counties of 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 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 September 11, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments or requests to be added to the mailing 
list to the following address: Winnie Chan, Refuge Planner, San Pablo 
Bay NWR 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, at (510) 
792-0222 or Christy Smith, Refuge Manager, at (707) 769-4200.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Wildlife Refuge System 
Administration Act of 1966, as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge 
System Improvement Act of 1997, requires the Service to develop a CCP 
for each National Wildlife Refuge. The purpose in developing a CCP is 
to provide refuge managers with a 15-year strategy for achieving refuge 
purposes and contributing toward the mission of the National Wildlife 
Refuge System, consistent with sound principles of fish and wildlife 
management, conservation, legal mandates, and Service policies. In 
addition to outlining broad management direction on conserving wildlife 
and their habitats, the CCP will identify compatible wildlife-dependent 
recreational opportunities available to the public. The recreational 
opportunities that will receive priority consideration are hunting, 
fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and environmental 
education and interpretation. The planning process will consider many 
elements, including habitat and wildlife management, compatible 
wildlife-dependent recreation, cultural resource protection, desired 
future conditions, land acquisition, environmental effects, and 
administrative resources. 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 and objectives, as 
well as identify key issues evaluated in the NEPA document. 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. 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 2008.

Background

    The San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge is located in the cities 
of Petaluma, Vallejo, Napa and Novato. The 11,000-acre Refuge sits on 
the northernmost point of the San Francisco Bay Estuary known as the 
San Pablo Bay portion of the Estuary. The Refuge was initially 
established ``* * * for use as an inviolate sanctuary, or for any other 
management purpose, for migratory birds'' (16 U.S.C. 715d (Migratory 
Bird Conservation Act)); ``* * * particular value in carrying out the 
national migratory bird management program'' (16 U.S.C. 667b (An Act 
Authorizing the Transfer of Certain Real Property for Wildlife, or 
other purposes)); and

[[Page 42414]]

``* * * to conserve (A) fish or wildlife which are listed as endangered 
species or threatened species * * * or (B) plants'' (16 U.S.C. 1534 
(Endangered Species Act of 1973)).
    The Refuge was established to protect endangered species, and to 
conserve migratory birds and other wildlife by preserving habitat and 
open space while providing compatible wildlife-oriented outdoor 
recreation to the public. While the Refuge was formally established in 
1970, lands were not acquired until 1974.
    The Service anticipates a draft CCP and EA to be available for 
public review and comment in 2007.

Doug S. Vandegraft,
Acting Manager, CA/NV Operations, Sacramento, California.
 [FR Doc. E6-11915 Filed 7-25-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P