[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 5 (Monday, January 9, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1078-1079]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-130]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R8-R-2011-N239; FXRS12650800000S3-112-FF08R00000]


San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Sonoma, Napa, and Solano 
Counties, CA; Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Finding of No 
Significant Impact

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the 
availability of our final Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and 
finding of no significant impact (FONSI) for the San Pablo Bay National 
Wildlife Refuge (Refuge). In the CCP, we describe how we will manage 
the Refuge for the next 15 years.

DATES: The CCP and FONSI are available now. The FONSI was signed on 
October 5, 2011. 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/cno/refuges/SanPablo/SanPablo.cfm.
    Email: [email protected]. Include ``San Pablo Bay CCP'' in the 
subject line of the message.
    Fax: Attn: Winnie Chan, (510) 792-5828.
    Mail: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, San Francisco Bay NWR 
Complex, 9500 Thornton Avenue, Newark, CA 94560.
    In-Person Viewing or Pickup: Copies of the Final CCP and FONSI may 
also be viewed at the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge 
Complex, 1 Marshlands Road, Fremont, CA 94536 (510) 792-0222) or San 
Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Petaluma, CA (call (707) 769-4200 
for directions).
    Local Library: The final document is also available at the John F. 
Kennedy Library, 505 Santa Clara, Vallejo, CA 94590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Winnie Chan, Planning Team Leader, at 
(510) 792-0222 (see ADDRESSES), or Don Brubaker, Refuge Manager, at 
(707) 769-4200.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1970 
under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), the 
Migratory Bird Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 715d), and the Transfer of 
Certain Real Property for Wildlife Conservation Purposes Act of May 19, 
1948 (16 U.S.C. 667d; Pub. L. 80-537), as amended. The 16,490-acre 
Refuge, located in Sonoma, Napa, and Solano Counties, California, 
consists of several noncontiguous units on the northernmost edge of San 
Pablo Bay. The Refuge was established to provide habitat for migratory 
birds and endangered species.
    We announce our decision and the availability of the FONSI for the 
final CCP for San Pablo Bay in accordance with National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) (40 CFR 1506.6(b)) requirements. We completed a 
thorough analysis of impacts on the human environment, which we 
included in the environmental assessment (EA) that accompanied the 
draft CCP.
    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 intend to review and 
update the CCP at least every 15 years in accordance with the 
Administration Act.
    Our Draft CCP and Environmental Assessment (EA) were available for 
a 30-day public review and comment period, which we announced via 
several methods, including press releases,

[[Page 1079]]

updates to constituents, and a Federal Register notice (75 FR 39702; 
July 12, 2010). The Draft CCP/EA identified and evaluated three 
alternatives for managing the Refuge for the next 15 years.
    Under Alternative A (No Action), management would continue 
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. Alternative C, which was identified as the preferred 
alternative, would include all actions in Alternative B, and 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.
    We received seven letters on the Draft CCP and EA during the review 
and comment period. Comments focused upon cultural resources, habitat 
management and restoration, invasive plants, public access, and 
mosquito management. We incorporated comments we received into the CCP 
when appropriate, and we responded to the comments in an appendix to 
the CCP. In the FONSI, we selected Alternative C for implementation. 
The FONSI documents our decision and is based on the information and 
analysis contained in the EA.
    Under the selected alternative, the Service will expand both 
natural resource management and visitor services opportunities on the 
Refuge. An inventory and monitoring program will be developed, as well 
as wildlife population goals. In addition to expanded tidal restoration 
and enhancement activities, additional habitat management activities 
include improving hydrological connectivity of tidal marsh habitats. 
Priorities will also be developed for the conservation and restoration 
of sub-tidal habitat. Visitor service opportunities will be expanded 
considerably with interpretation and environmental education 
opportunities. In addition, wildlife observation and fishing programs 
will 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. Based on the 
associated environmental assessment, this alternative is not expected 
to result in significant environmental impacts and therefore does not 
require an environmental impact statement.

Alexandra Pitts,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific Southwest Region, Sacramento, 
California.
[FR Doc. 2012-130 Filed 1-6-12; 8:45 am]
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