[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 228 (Monday, November 30, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62584-62585]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-28567]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R8-R-2009-N0070; 80230-1265-0000-S3]


Butte Sink, Willow Creek-Lurline, and North Central Valley 
Wildlife Management Areas; Tehama, Butte, Glenn, Colusa, Yuba, Sutter, 
Placer, Yolo, Solano, Contra Costa, and San Joaquin Counties, CA

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a comprehensive conservation plan 
and environmental assessment; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to 
prepare a comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and environmental 
assessment (EA) for Butte Sink, Willow Creek-Lurline, and North Central 
Valley Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs). The WMAs are part of the 
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex. We provide this notice in 
compliance with our CCP policy to advise other Federal and State 
agencies, Tribes, and the public of our intentions, and to obtain 
suggestions and information on the scope of issues to consider in the 
planning process.

DATES: To ensure consideration, we must receive your written comments 
by January 15, 2010. We will announce opportunities for public input in 
local news media throughout the CCP process.

ADDRESSES: Send your comments or requests for more information by any 
of the following methods.
    E-mail: [email protected]. Include ``CCP'' in the subject 
line of the message.
    Fax: Attn: Jackie Ferrier, (530) 934-7814.
    U.S. Mail: Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, 752 County Road 
99W, Willows, California, 95988.
    In-Person Drop-off: You may drop off comments during regular 
business hours at the above address.
    Additional information about the CCP planning process is available 
on the Internet at http://sacramentovalleyrefuges.fws.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg Mensik, Acting Project Leader, at 
(530) 934-2801 or Jackie Ferrier, Planning Team Leader, at (530) 934-
2801.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Introduction

    With this notice, we initiate our process for developing a CCP for 
Butte Sink, Willow Creek-Lurline, and North Central Valley WMAs, in 
Tehama, Butte, Glenn, Colusa, Yuba, Sutter, Placer, Yolo, Solano, 
Contra Costa, and San Joaquin counties, CA. This notice complies with 
our CCP policy to (1) Advise other Federal and State agencies, Tribes, 
and the public of our intention to conduct detailed planning on this 
refuge and (2) obtain suggestions and information on the scope of 
issues to consider in the environmental document and during development 
of the CCP.

Background

The CCP Process

    The National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (16 
U.S.C. 668dd-668ee) (Improvement Act), which amended the National 
Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, requires us to 
develop a CCP for each national wildlife refuge. The purpose for 
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, and environmental education and interpretation. We will 
review and update the CCP at least every 15 years in accordance with 
the Improvement Act.
    Each unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System was established 
for specific purposes. We use these purposes as the foundation for 
developing and prioritizing the management goals and objectives for 
each refuge within the National Wildlife Refuge System mission, and to 
determine how the public can use each refuge. The planning process is a 
way for us and the public to evaluate management goals and objectives 
that will ensure the best possible approach to wildlife, plant, and 
habitat conservation, while providing for wildlife-dependent recreation 
opportunities that are compatible with each refuge's establishing 
purposes and the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System.
    Our CCP process provides participation opportunities for Tribal, 
State, and local governments; agencies; organizations; and the public. 
At this time we encourage input in the form of issues, concerns, ideas, 
and suggestions for the future management of [the] North Central 
Valley, Willow Creek-Lurline, and Butte Sink WMAs.
    We will conduct the environmental review of this project and 
develop an EA in accordance with the requirements of the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et 
seq.); NEPA regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508); other appropriate 
Federal laws and regulations; and our policies and procedures for 
compliance with those laws and regulations.

Butte Sink, Willow Creek-Lurline, and North Central Valley Wildlife 
Management Areas

    Sacramento NWRC consists of five NWRs and three wildlife management 
areas. This CCP will include Butte Sink, Willow Creek-Lurline, and 
North Central Valley WMAs. The Butte Sink WMA was established in 1979 
and currently consists of 733 acres of fee title lands and 35 
conservation easements on approximately 10,260 acres. The acquisition 
objective for the Butte Sink WMA has been met. The Willow Creek-Lurline 
WMA was established in 1985 and currently consists of 84 conservation 
easements on approximately 5,795 acres; with an approved acquisition 
objective of 8,000 acres within Glenn and Colusa counties. The North 
Central Valley WMA was established in 1991 and currently consists of 
approximately 1,732 acres of fee title lands and 28 conservation 
easements on approximately 14,740 acres; with an approved acquisition 
objective of 55,000 acres within eleven counties.
    The vast majority of wetlands in the Central Valley have been 
converted to agricultural, industrial, and urban development. The WMAs 
consist of intensively managed wetlands, associated uplands and 
riparian habitats that support large concentrations of migratory birds 
and many other wetland-dependent species. Collectively, these lands 
play a significant role in supporting approximately forty percent of 
Pacific Flyway wintering waterfowl populations.

Scoping: Preliminary Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities

    We have identified preliminary issues, concerns, and opportunities 
that could be addressed in the CCP. These issues are briefly summarized 
below. During public scoping additional issues may be identified.

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    During the CCP planning process, the Service will evaluate: Methods 
for enhancing the wildlife and habitat resources, water supply and 
quality, mosquito control/public health, long-term easement compliance 
monitoring, and future acquisitions. Visitor service opportunities on 
fee title lands will also be evaluated.

Public Meetings

    We will give the public an opportunity to provide input at public 
meetings. You can obtain the schedule from the planning team leader or 
project leader (see addresses). You may also submit comments anytime 
during the planning process by mail, e-mail, or fax (see ADDRESSES). 
There will be additional opportunities to provide public input once we 
have prepared a draft CCP.

Public Availability of Comments

    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: November 20, 2009.
Ren Lohoefener,
Regional Director, Pacific Southwest Region, Sacramento, California.
[FR Doc. E9-28567 Filed 11-27-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P