[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 119 (Tuesday, June 23, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29715-29716]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-14662]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R8-R-2009-N0066; 80230-1265-0000-S3]


Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa, and Sutter National Wildlife 
Refuges, Glenn, Colusa, and Sutter Counties, 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: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the 
availability of the Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and 
Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for Sacramento, Delevan, 
Colusa, and Sutter National Wildlife Refuges (Refuges). 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 Refuges for the 
next 15 years.

DATES: The CCP and FONSI are available now. The FONSI was signed On 
March 17, 2009. Implementation of the CCP may begin immediately.

ADDRESSES: You may view or obtain copies of the final CCP and FONSI/EA 
by any of the following methods. You may request a hard copy or CD-ROM.
    Agency Web Site: Download a copy of the document(s) at http://sacramentovalleyrefuges.fws.gov.
    E-mail: [email protected].
    Mail: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Attn: Jackie Ferrier, 
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 752 County Road 99W, 
Willows, CA 95988.
    In-Person Viewing or Pickup: Call 530-934-2801 to make an 
appointment during regular business hours at Sacramento National 
Wildlife Refuge Complex, 752 County Road 99W, Willows, CA 95988.
    Local Library or Libraries: The document(s) are also available for 
review at the libraries listed under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin Foerster, Project Leader at 
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex or Jackie Ferrier, Refuge 
Planner at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex 752 County Road 
99W, Willows, CA 95988 or at (530) 934-2801 (telephone), or [email protected] (e-mail).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa, and Sutter National Wildlife Refuges 
are located in the Sacramento Valley of California, approximately 90 
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 40 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.
    The Draft CCP and Environmental Assessment (EA) were available for 
a 54-day public review and comment period, which was announced via 
several methods, including press releases; updates to constituents; and 
in the Federal Register (73 FR 42363, July 21, 2008). The Draft CCP/EA 
identified and evaluated four alternatives for managing

[[Page 29716]]

the Refuges for the next 15 years. Alternative A was the no-action 
alternative, which described current Refuge management activities. 
Alternative B placed greater emphasis on biological resources than on 
visitor services. Alternative C (the selected alternative) provided an 
optimal balance of improved biological resource objectives and expanded 
visitor services opportunities. Alternative D placed greater emphasis 
on visitor services than on biological resources.
    The Service received 75 comment letters on the Draft CCP and EA 
during the review period. The comments received were incorporated into 
the CCP when possible, and we responded to the comments in an appendix 
to the CCP. In the FONSI, Alternative C 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 Refuges would achieve an 
optimal balance of biological resource objectives and visitor services 
opportunities. 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, environmental education, interpretation, wildlife 
observation, photography, and hunting programs would be improved and/or 
expanded.
    The selected alternative best meets 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.

Public Availability of Documents

    In addition to the methods in ADDRESSES, you can view or obtain 
documents at the following locations:
     Our Web site: http://sacramentovalleyrefuges.fws.gov.
     Public Libraries: during regular library hours, at the 
following libraries:

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            Library                    Address           Phone  number
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Bayliss Library...............  7830 County Road 39,        530-934-2287
                                 Glenn, CA 95943.
Butte County Library..........  1108 Sherman Avenue,        530-891-2762
                                 Chico, CA 95926.
Butte County Public Library...  1820 Mitchell Avenue,       530-538-7641
                                 Oroville, CA 5966.
Colusa County Library.........  738 Market Street,          530-458-7671
                                 Colusa, CA 95932.
Colusa County Library.........  232 Prince Street,          530-439-2235
                                 Princeton, CA 95970.
Corning Library...............  740 3rd Street,             530-824-7050
                                 Corning, CA 96021.
Orland City Library...........  333 Mill Street,            530-865-1640
                                 Orland, CA 95963.
Sutter County Library.........  750 Forbes Avenue,          530-822-7137
                                 Yuba City, CA 95991.
Willows Public Library........  201 North Lassen            530-934-5156
                                 Street, Willows, CA
                                 95988.
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    Dated: June 17, 2009.
Margaret T. Kolar,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific Southwest Region, Sacramento, 
California.
[FR Doc. E9-14662 Filed 6-22-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P