[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 143 (Thursday, July 26, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 41084]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-14425]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, Sacramento County, CA

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability: final comprehensive conservation plan 
and finding of no significant impact.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces that 
the Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) Final Comprehensive 
Conservation Plan (CCP), and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) 
are available for distribution. The CCP prepared pursuant to the 
National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, and in 
accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 
describes how the Service will manage the Refuge for the next 15 years.

DATES: The CCP and FONSI are available now. Implementation of the CCP 
may begin immediately.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the CCP may be obtained by writing to the U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service, Attn: David Bergendorf, CNO Refuge Planning 
Office, 2800 Cottage Way, W-1832, Sacramento, CA 95825. Copies of the 
CCP may be viewed at this address or at Stone Lakes National Wildlife 
Refuge, 1624 Hood-Franklin Road, Elk Grove, CA 95757. The CCP is also 
available for viewing and downloading online at: http://www.fws.gov/stonelakes/ccp.htm.
    Printed copies of the CCP and FONSI are also available at the 
following libraries: Sacramento Central Library, 828 I Street, 
Sacramento, CA 95814; Arden-Dimick Library, 891 Watt Avenue, 
Sacramento, CA 95864; Belle Cooledge Library, 5600 South Land Park 
Drive, Sacramento, CA 95822; Elk Grove Library, 8962 Elk Grove Blvd., 
Elk Grove, CA 95624; Clarksburg Yolo County Library, 52915 Netherlands 
Road, Clarksburg, CA 95612; Colonial Heights Library, 4799 Stockton 
Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95820; Courtland Library Neighborhood Library, 
170 Primasing Avenue, Courtland, CA 95615; and the Galt Branch Library 
(Marian O. Lawrence Library), 1000 Caroline Avenue, Galt, CA 95632.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Beatrix Treiterer, acting Project 
Leader, Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, 1624 Hood-Franklin Road, 
Elk Grove, CA 95757 or David Bergendorf, Refuge Planner, 2800 Cottage 
Way, W-1832, Sacramento, CA 95825, phone (916) 414-6503.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The Refuge was established in 1994 primarily to protect and manage 
wintering habitat for migratory birds and to protect endangered and 
threatened species. The Refuge is located in the Beach-Stone Lakes 
Basin within the Sacramento Valley in southwestern Sacramento County; 
it lies south of the city of Sacramento, straddling Interstate 5 from 
the town of Freeport south to Lost Slough.
    The Draft CCP and Environmental Assessment (EA) was available for a 
30-day public review and comment period, which was announced via 
several methods including press releases; updates to constituents; and 
in the Federal Register (71 FR 55801, September 25, 2006). Due to 
requests from constituents, the review and comment period was extended 
for an additional 30 days. The Draft CCP/EA identified and evaluated 
three alternatives for managing the Refuge for the next 15 years. 
Alternative A was the no-action alternative, which described current 
Refuge management activities. Alternative B emphasized continued focus 
on providing wintering habitat for migratory birds and management for 
the benefit of special status species as well as expanding overall 
visitor services. Alternative C focused on providing wintering habitat 
for migratory birds and management for the benefit of endangered 
species, while placing greater emphasis on management and restoration 
of historic habitat conditions and expanding overall visitor services.
    The Service received 25 letters, faxes and e-mails, and one phone 
call on the Draft CCP and EA during the review period. Many comments 
were also received during two public comment meetings, which were held 
on October 4 and 5, 2006. The comments received were incorporated into 
the CCP, when possible, and are responded to in an appendix to the CCP. 
In the FONSI, Alternative B was selected for implementation and is the 
basis for the CCP. The FONSI documents the decision of the Service and 
is based on the information and analysis contained in the EA.
    Under the selected alternative, the Refuge will continue its focus 
of providing wintering habitat for migratory birds and management to 
benefit endangered species. Management programs for migratory birds and 
other Central Valley wildlife will be expanded and improved and public 
use opportunities will also be expanded. The number of Refuge units 
open to the public will increase from one to five. In addition, 
environmental education, interpretation, wildlife observation, wildlife 
photography, hunting, and fishing programs will be expanded.
    The selected alternative best achieves the Refuge's purposes, 
vision, and goals; contributes to the Refuge System mission; addresses 
the significant issues and relevant mandates; and is consistent with 
principles of sound fish and wildlife management.

    Dated: July 20, 2007.
Ken McDermond,
Acting Manager, California/Nevada Operations, Sacramento, California.
 [FR Doc. E7-14425 Filed 7-25-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P