[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 35 (Tuesday, February 23, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8106-8107]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-3557]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R8-R-2009-N261; 80230-1265-0000-S3]


Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Alameda, 
Santa Clara, and San Mateo 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 the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife 
Refuge located in Alameda, Santa Clara, and San Mateo Counties of 
California. 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 April 26, 2010.

ADDRESSES: Send your comments or requests for more information by any 
of the following methods.
    E-mail: [email protected]. Include ``Don Edwards San Francisco Bay 
CCP'' in the subject line of the message.
    Fax: Attn: Winnie Chan, (510) 792-5828.
    U.S. Mail: San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 9500 
Thornton Avenue, Newark, CA 94560.
    In-Person Drop-off: You may drop off comments during regular 
business hours; please call (510) 792-0222 for directions.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Winnie Chan, Refuge Planner, or Eric 
Mruz, Refuge Manager, at (510) 792-0222 or [email protected]. Further 
information may also be found at http://www.fws.gov/desfbay.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Introduction

    With this notice, we initiate our process for developing a CCP for 
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay NWR in Alameda, Santa Clara, and San 
Mateo 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

[[Page 8107]]

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 Administration Act of 1966 (16 
U.S.C. 668dd-668ee) (Administration Act), as amended by the National 
Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, 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 Administration 
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, objectives, and 
strategies 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 opportunities for participation by Tribal, 
State, and local governments; agencies; organizations; and the public. 
We will be contacting identified stakeholders and individuals at this 
time for initial input. If you would like to meet with planning staff 
or would like to receive periodic updates, please contact us (see 
ADDRESSES section). We anticipate holding public meetings for initial 
comments and when alternative management scenarios have been 
identified. At this time we encourage comments in the form of issues, 
concerns, ideas, and suggestions for the future management of Don 
Edwards San Francisco Bay NWR.
    We will conduct the environmental review of this project 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.

Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge

    Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge was created 
by Congress under Public Law 92-330 in 1972, but we did not acquire any 
lands within the Refuge until 1974. The Refuge was established to 
preserve and enhance wildlife habitat, protect migratory birds, protect 
threatened and endangered species, and provide opportunities for 
wildlife-dependent recreation and environmental education under several 
acts, including the Act Authorizing the Transfer of Certain Real 
Property for Wildlife, or other purposes (16 U.S.C. 667b), Endangered 
Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1537), and the Fish and Wildlife Act of 
1956 (16 U.S.C. 742f(b)(1)). The 30,000-acre Don Edwards San Francisco 
Bay National Wildlife Refuge, located in Alameda, Santa Clara, and San 
Mateo Counties of California, consists of several non contiguous 
parcels divided into four management units that surround the southern 
edge of the San Francisco Bay.

Scoping: Preliminary Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities

    We have identified preliminary issues, concerns, and opportunities 
that we may address in the CCP. These include: Wildlife management, 
habitat management, wildlife-dependent recreation, environmental 
education, and cultural resources. During public scoping, we may 
identify additional issues.

Public Meetings

    We will give the public an opportunity to provide input at a public 
meeting (or meetings). You can obtain the schedule from the refuge 
planner or refuge manager (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). You 
may also submit comments or request a meeting 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: February 11, 2010.
Ken McDermond,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific Southwest Region, Sacramento, 
California.
[FR Doc. 2010-3557 Filed 2-22-10; 8:45 am]
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