[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 235 (Friday, December 6, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 73557-73559]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-29126]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R8-R-2013-N160; FXRS1265080000-145-FF08R00000]


Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge, San Luis Obispo 
County, CA: Intent To Prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan and 
Environmental Assessment

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to

[[Page 73558]]

prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental 
Assessment (EA) for the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge 
located in San Luis Obispo County 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 February 4, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Send your comments or requests for more information by any 
of the following methods.
    Email: [email protected]. Include ``GND CCP'' in the subject 
line of the message.
    Fax: Attn: GND CCP, 805-644-1732.
    U.S. Mail: Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 2493 
Portola Road, Suite A, Ventura, CA 93003.
    In-Person Drop-off: You may drop off comments during regular 
business hours; please call 805-644-5185 for directions.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Winnie Chan, Refuge Planner at 510-
792-0222 or [email protected], or Glenn Greenwald, Wildlife Refuge 
Manager, at 805-343-9151. Further information may also be found at  
http://www.fws.gov/hoppermountain/GuadalupeNDNWR/GuadalupeNipomoDunesNWR.html.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Introduction

    With this notice, we initiate our process for developing a CCP for 
Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) in San Luis 
Obispo County, California. 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 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 potentially when alternative management scenarios have 
been identified. At this time we encourage comments in the form of 
issues, concerns, ideas, and suggestions for the management of the 
Refuge.
    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 and 43 CFR part 46); other 
appropriate Federal laws and regulations; and our policies and 
procedures for compliance with those laws and regulations.

Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge

    Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge was established in 
2000 under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1537) to 
preserve and conserve Central California coastal dune and associated 
wetlands habitats and assist in the recovery of native plants and 
animals that are federally listed as threatened or endangered. Interim 
Refuge management goals include protecting federally listed species and 
critical habitat, protecting and restoring biodiversity, creating and 
leading conservation partnerships, and providing safe and high-quality 
opportunities for compatible wildlife-dependent educational and 
recreational activities. The 2,553-acre Refuge currently is bordered to 
the west by the Pacific Ocean, lands owned by private agricultural 
interests to the east, Oso Flaco Lake Natural Area (a management unit 
of the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area) to the north, and 
Chevron Guadalupe Restoration Project (former Guadalupe Oil Fields) to 
the south.

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 may contact the Refuge Planner or Wildlife 
Refuge Manager to be added to our contact list for meeting 
announcements (see FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT). You may also submit 
comments during the planning process by mail, email, 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, email 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

[[Page 73559]]

cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

Alexandra Pitts,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific Southwest Region, Sacramento, 
California.
[FR Doc. 2013-29126 Filed 12-5-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P