[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 132 (Monday, July 12, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39702-39703]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-16867]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R8-R-2010-N104; 81640-1265-0000-S3]


San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Sonoma, Napa, and Solano 
Counties, CA

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments: draft 
comprehensive conservation plan/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/Environmental 
Assessment (CCP/EA) for the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge for 
public review and comment. The CCP/EA, 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 Refuge 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 August 11, 2010.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Winnie Chan, Refuge Planner, 9500 
Thornton Avenue, Newark, CA 94560, phone (510) 792-0222.

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.
    We initiated the CCP/EA for the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife 
Refuge in July 2006. At that time and throughout the process, we 
requested, considered, and incorporated public scoping comments in 
numerous ways. Our public outreach has included a Federal Register 
notice of intent published on July 26, 2006 (71 FR 42413), one 
stakeholder meeting, one public meeting, planning updates, and a CCP 
Web page. We received approximately six scoping comments during the 45-
day public comment period.

Background

    The Refuge lies on the northernmost end of the San Francisco Bay 
Estuary and was formally established in 1970, but lands were not 
acquired until 1974. The Service owns 1,990 acres and manages 11,200 
leased acres within the 23,700-acre acquisition boundary. The Refuge 
provides large expanses of tidal marsh that protects endangered 
species, and conserves migratory birds and other wildlife.

Alternatives

    The Draft CCP/EA identifies and evaluates three alternatives for 
managing San Pablo Bay National

[[Page 39703]]

Wildlife Refuge for the next 15 years. The alternative that appears to 
best meet the Refuge purposes is identified as the preferred 
alternative. The preferred alternative is identified based on the 
analysis presented in the Draft CCP/EA, which may be modified following 
the completion of the public comment period based on comments received 
from other agencies, Tribal governments, nongovernmental organizations, 
or individuals.
    Under Alternative A, the no action alternative, we would continue 
to manage the Refuge as we have in the recent past. Existing tidal 
restoration activities would continue. The existing hunting, fishing, 
wildlife observation, photography, environmental education, and 
interpretation opportunities would remain unchanged.
    Under Alternative B, the Service would develop an inventory and 
monitoring program; expand tidal restoration and enhancement activities 
for the benefit of migratory birds, endangered species, and other 
native wildlife; improve and expand visitor services by developing new 
public access locations; develop shoreline fishing locations; and 
provide some additional environmental education programs.
    Under Alternative C (preferred alternative), the Service would 
incorporate those developments outlined in Alternative B, but would 
also emphasize wildlife management by studying population health and 
developing population goals for wildlife; provide greater interpretive 
opportunities; and substantially expand the environmental education 
program.

Review and Comment

    The Draft CCP/EA will be available for viewing and downloading 
online at http://www.fws.gov/cno/refuges/planning/ccp.cfm. Copies of 
the Draft CCP/EA may also be obtained by writing to the SF Bay National 
Wildlife Refuge Complex, Attn: Winnie Chan, 9500 Thornton Avenue, 
Newark, CA 94560.
    Copies of the Draft CCP/EA may also be viewed at the San Francisco 
Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 1 Marshlands Road, Fremont, CA 
94536; San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Petaluma, CA (call 
(707) 769-4200 for directions); and John F. Kennedy Library, 505 Santa 
Clara, Vallejo, CA 94590.
    Comments on the Draft CCP/EA should be addressed to: Winnie Chan, 
SF Bay NWRC, 9500 Thornton Avenue, Newark, CA 94560. Comments may also 
be faxed to (510) 792-5828 or sent via e-mail to [email protected].
    At the end of the review and comment period for this Draft CCP/EA, 
the Service will analyze comments and address them in the Final CCP/EA. 
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 6, 2010.
Ken McDermond,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific Southwest Region.
[FR Doc. 2010-16867 Filed 7-9-10; 8:45 am]
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