[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 248 (Tuesday, December 29, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68861-68862]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-30563]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R8-R-2009-N160; 80230-1265-0000-S3]


Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Humboldt and Del 
Norte Counties, CA

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability; final comprehensive conservation plan/
final environmental assessment 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/Final 
Environmental Assessment (CCP/EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact 
(FONSI) for Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The Humboldt 
Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex is composed of Humboldt Bay 
National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) and Castle Rock NWR. The CCP, prepared 
under 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/EA and FONSI are available now. The FONSI was signed on 
September 24, 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://www.fws.gov/humboldtbay/ccp.html.

[[Page 68862]]

    E-mail: [email protected]. Include ``Humboldt Bay CCP'' in 
the subject line.
    Mail: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Attn: Sandy Osborn, Refuge 
Planner, 2800 Cottage Way, W-1832, Sacramento, CA 95825-1846.
    In-Person Viewing or Pickup: Call 707-733-5406 to make an 
appointment during regular business hours at Humboldt Bay National 
Wildlife Refuge Complex, 1020 Ranch Road, Loleta, CA 95551-9633.
    Local Library or Libraries: The document(s) are also available for 
review at the libraries listed under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric T. Nelson, Project Leader, 
Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex, P.O. Box 576, Loleta, CA 
95551-9633, phone (707) 733-5406 or Sandy Osborn, Refuge Planner, U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service, 2800 Cottage Way, W-1832, Sacramento, CA, 
95825, phone (916) 414-6503.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Humboldt Bay NWR is located on Humboldt Bay on California's north 
coast near Eureka and Arcata. In 1971, the Humboldt Bay NWR was 
established to conserve coastal habitats for a great diversity of 
animals and plants, especially migratory birds. The Refuge Complex also 
includes Castle Rock NWR, a 14-acre island located in Del Norte County, 
less than a mile offshore, northwest of Crescent City. This refuge 
hosts one of the largest and most diverse colonies of breeding seabirds 
on the Pacific coast and provides a roost for approximately 20,000 
Aleutian cackling geese during their migration.
    The Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental 
Assessment (CCP/EA) were available for a 45-day public review and 
comment period, which was announced via several methods including news 
releases; updates to constituents; and in the Federal Register (74 FR 
6301 February 6, 2009). The Draft CCP/EA identified and evaluated three 
alternatives for managing Humboldt Bay and Castle Rock Refuges for the 
next 15 years.
    The Service received 35 comment letters on the Draft CCP/EA during 
the review period. The comments received were incorporated into the 
CCP, when possible, and responses are included in an appendix to the 
CCP. In the FONSI, Alternative C for both Humboldt Bay and Castle Rock 
NWRs was selected for implementation and is the basis for the CCP. The 
FONSI documents the decision of the Service 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 resources 
monitoring would be improved. For Humboldt Bay NWR, environmental 
education, interpretation, wildlife observation, photography, and 
hunting programs would be improved or expanded. For Castle Rock NWR, a 
recommendation for wilderness designation, if approved by the Service's 
Director, would afford additional protections. 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://www.fws.gov/humboldtbay/ccp.html.
     Public Libraries: during regular library hours, at the 
following libraries:

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             Library                               Address                              Phone number
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Arcata Library...................  500 7th Street, Arcata, CA 95521        707-822-5954
College of the Redwoods Library..  7351 Tompkins Hill Road, Arcata, CA     707-476-426
                                    95501
Del Norte County Public Library..  190 Price Mall, Crescent City, CA       707-464-9793
                                    95331
Fortuna Library..................  753 14th Street, Fortuna, CA 95540      707 725-3460
Humboldt County Library..........  1313 3rd Street, Eureka, CA 95501       707-269-1900
Humboldt State University Library  1 Harpst Street, Arcata, CA 95521       707-826-3441
Conservation Library.............  USFWS-NCTC, 698 Conservation Way,       304-876-7304
                                    Shepherdstown, WV 25443
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    Dated: December 16, 2009.
Ren Lohoefener,
Regional Director, Pacific Southwest Region, Sacramento, California.
[FR Doc. E9-30563 Filed 12-28-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P