[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 140 (Monday, July 21, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42363-42364]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-16584]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R8-R-2008-N0099; 80230-1265-0000-S3]


Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa, and Sutter National Wildlife Refuges

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments: draft 
comprehensive conservation plan and environmental assessment.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the 
availability of a Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and 
Environmental Assessment (Draft CCP/EA) for Sacramento, Delevan, 
Colusa, and Sutter National Wildlife Refuges (Refuges) for public 
review and comment. The Draft CCP/EA, 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 Refuges for the next 15 years. Draft 
compatibility determinations for several existing and proposed public 
uses are also available for review and public comment with the Draft 
CCP/EA.

DATES: Written comments must be received at the address below on or 
before September 12, 2008.

ADDRESSES: For more information on obtaining documents and submitting 
comments, see ``Review and Comment'' under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:  Kevin Foerster, Project Leader at 
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex or Jackie Ferrier, Refuge 
Planner at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex address under 
``Review and Comment'' or at (530) 934-2801 (telephone).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Wildlife Refuge System 
Improvement Act of 1997 (16 U.S.C. 668dd-668ee), which amended the 
National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, requires us 
to develop a CCP for each national wildlife refuge. The purpose in 
developing a CCP is to provide refuge managers with a 15-year plan 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 our 
policies. In addition to outlining broad management direction on 
conserving wildlife and their habitats, CCPs identify wildlife-
dependent recreational opportunities available to the public, including 
opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and 
photography, environmental education and interpretation.

Background

    Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa, and Sutter National Wildlife Refuges 
are located in the Sacramento Valley of California approximately ninety 
miles north of the city of Sacramento. The Refuges manage and protect 
wintering habitat for migratory birds and endangered and threatened 
species. The Refuges contain approximately 24,000 acres of critically 
important habitats for a great diversity of wildlife, particularly 
migratory birds. Over forty percent of the Pacific Flyway waterfowl 
winters 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.

Alternatives

    The Draft EA/CCP evaluates the environmental effects of four 
alternatives for managing the Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa, and Sutter 
National Wildlife Refuges for the next 15 years. We propose to 
implement Alternative C, as described in the EA. Alternative C best 
achieves the Refuges' 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. This alternative is described in more detail in the CCP.
    There are many features of proposed Refuge management that are 
common to all three alternatives. Features common to all alternatives 
include ongoing coordination with mosquito control, invasive species 
management, vernal pool management, habitat management and restoration, 
implementation of a hunt program, and providing wildlife observation, 
photography, environmental education, and interpretation opportunities. 
There are also many features of each alternative that are distinct.
    Alternative A, the no action alternative, assumes no change from 
current management programs and is considered the baseline to compare 
other alternatives against. Under

[[Page 42364]]

Alternative A, the primary management focus of the Refuges would 
continue to be providing habitat for migrating, wintering, and nesting 
migratory and resident birds with an emphasis on waterbirds and 
endangered species by restoring and maintaining wetland, vernal pool, 
alkali meadow, riparian, and grassland habitats. We would continue to 
offer wildlife-dependent recreation opportunities on the Refuges 
including wildlife observation, photography, environmental education, 
interpretative programs, and hunting, with emphasis on youth and 
disabled hunters.
    Under Alternative B, we would emphasize management for biological 
resources on the Refuges. Biological opportunities would be maximized 
to allow optimum wildlife and habitat management throughout the 
majority of the Refuges. We would continue the current focus of the 
Refuges to provide wintering habitat for migratory birds and management 
to benefit endangered species. Habitat and invasive species management 
programs would be expanded. We would reduce environmental education, 
interpretation, wildlife observation, wildlife photography, and hunting 
programs.
    Under Alternative C, we would seek to achieve an optimal balance of 
biological resource objectives and visitor services opportunities on 
the Refuges. Habitat management and associated biological resource 
monitoring would be improved. Visitor service opportunities would focus 
on quality wildlife-dependant recreation distributed throughout the 
Refuges. In addition, we would expand environmental education, 
interpretation, wildlife observation, photography, and hunting programs 
beyond Alternative A.
    Under Alternative D, we would emphasize management for visitor 
services on the Refuges. Wildlife-dependant recreational opportunities 
would be expanded. Opportunities for the six priority public uses: 
hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, photography, environmental 
education, and interpretation, would be expanded beyond Alternatives A, 
B, and C.

Review and Comment

    Copies of the Draft CCP/EA may be obtained by writing to the U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service, Attn: Jackie Ferrier, Sacramento National 
Wildlife Refuge Complex, 752 County Road 99W, Willows, CA 95988. Copies 
of the Draft CCP/EA may also be viewed at this address. The Draft CCP/
EA will also be available for viewing and downloading online at http://sacramentovalleyrefuges.fws.gov. Printed documents will also be 
available for review at the following libraries: Bayliss Library, 7830 
County Road 39, Glenn, CA 95943; Butte County Library, 1108 Sherman 
Avenue, Chico, CA, 95926; Butte County Public Library, 1820 Mitchell 
Avenue, Oroville, CA, 95966, Colusa County Library, 738 Market Street, 
Colusa, CA, 95932; Colusa County Library, 232 Prince Street, Princeton, 
CA, 95970; Corning Library, 740 3rd Street, Corning, CA, 96021; Orland 
City Library, 333 Mill Street, Orland, CA 95963; Sutter County Library, 
750 Forbes Avenue, Yuba City, CA, 95991; and Willows Public Library, 
201 North Lassen Street, Willows, CA, 95988.
    Comments on the Draft CCP/EA should be addressed to: Jackie 
Ferrier, Refuge Planner, Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 
752 County Road 99W, Willows, CA 95988. Comments may also be faxed to 
(530) 934-7814 or submitted via electronic mail to  
[email protected].
    After the review and comment period ends for this Draft CCP/EA, 
comments will be analyzed by the Service and addressed in the Final 
CCP. Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or 
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be 
aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying 
information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can 
ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying 
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be 
able to do so.

    Dated: July 15, 2008.
Frances E. Mann
Acting Regional Director, California and Nevada Region, Sacramento, 
California.
[FR Doc. E8-16584 Filed 7-18-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P