[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 153 (Thursday, August 9, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44850-44851]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-15603]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Modoc National Wildlife Refuge, Modoc County, CA

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a comprehensive conservation plan 
and environmental assessment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is preparing a 
Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental Assessment (EA) 
for the Modoc National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) located in Modoc County 
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 30, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments or requests to be added to the mailing 
list to the following address: Jackie Ferrier, Refuge Planner, 
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, 752 County Road 99W, Willows, CA 
95988. Written comments may also be faxed to (530) 934-7814, or sent by 
electronic mail to [email protected]. You may find additional 
information concerning the Refuge at the Internet site http://www.fws.gov/modoc/.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jackie Ferrier, Refuge Planner, at 
(530) 934-2801 or Steve Clay, Refuge Manager, at (530) 233-3572.

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, plants 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 other elements, including cultural resource protection, 
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 help develop goals and 
objectives, as well as identify key issues evaluated in the NEPA 
document. All comments

[[Page 44851]]

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 2009.

Background

    The 7,021 acre Modoc National Wildlife Refuge is located southeast 
of Altuas, California. The Refuge was established in 1961 pursuant to 
the Migratory Bird Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 715d) and the Refuge 
Recreation Act (16 U.S.C. 460k-460K.4). Lands within the Refuge have 
been set aside for use as an inviolate sanctuary, and other management 
purposes, for migratory birds, for incidental fish and wildlife-
oriented recreational development, for the protection of natural 
resources, and for the conservation of endangered species or threatened 
species.
    Located near the confluence of the north and south forks of the Pit 
River, the Refuge conserves, protects, and manages a mosaic of 
freshwater lakes and ponds, seasonal wetlands, irrigated meadows, 
grasslands, and sagebrush/juniper upland habitats. These habitats 
provide important resting, feeding, and nesting areas for ducks, geese, 
and other migratory birds including the greater sandhill crane.
    The Service anticipates a draft CCP and EA to be available for 
public review and comment in 2008.

    Dated: August 3, 2007.
Ken McDermond,
Acting Manager, CA/NV Operations, Sacramento, California.
 [FR Doc. E7-15603 Filed 8-8-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P