Notice of Intent To Prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment for the Farallon National Wildlife Refuge, 30968-30969 [05-10718]

Download as PDF 30968 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 103 / Tuesday, May 31, 2005 / Notices Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 33 S. Barr Road, Port Angeles, Washington, 98362, phone (360) 457– 8451. Comments may also be submitted via electronic mail to FW1PlanningComments@fws.gov. Please use WA Islands Refuges CCP, in the subject line. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin Ryan, Refuge Manager, at the address and phone number above, or Michael Marxen, Pacific Northwest Planning Team, 16507 Roy Rogers Road, Sherwood, Oregon, 97140, phone (503) 590–6596. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Copies of the Draft CCP/EA may be obtained by writing to Michael Marxen, Pacific Northwest Planning Team, 16507 Roy Rogers Road, Sherwood, Oregon, 97140. Copies of the Draft CCP/EA may be viewed at this address or at Washington Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 33 S. Barr Road, Port Angeles, Washington, 98362. The Draft CCP/EA will also be available for viewing and downloading online at https:// pacific.fws.gov/planning. Printed documents will also be available for review at the following libraries: Aberdeen Library, Hoquiam Timberland Library, Jefferson County Library, Montesano Timberland Library, North Olympic Library (at locations in Clallam Bay, Port Angeles, Forks, and Sequim), Ocean Shores Library, Westport Timberland Library, and Seattle Public Library. Background The Washington Islands Refuges extend over 100 miles along the Pacific Coast and include more than 600 rocks, reefs, and islands. The Refuges are located in Clallam, Jefferson, and Grays Harbor Counties, Washington. The administrative center for the Washington Islands Refuges is the Washington Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Complex in Port Angeles, Washington. The Washington Islands Refuges are part of the National Wildlife Refuge System. This system of 544 refuges is managed by the Fish and Wildlife Service. The three Washington Islands Refuges are included in one planning process because they are part of the same ecosystem, and share many of the same issues and management opportunities. The Washington Islands Refuges were established in 1907 by President Theodore Roosevelt ‘‘* * * as a preserve and breeding ground for native birds and animals.’’ Approximately 80% of the seabirds in Washington State nest within the Refuges. Because of the physical characteristics of these islands, VerDate jul<14>2003 16:14 May 27, 2005 Jkt 205001 landings and access are extremely hazardous. Since establishment, the Refuges have been closed to public entry to protect wildlife values and human safety. On October 23, 1970, the Washington Islands Wilderness was established by Pub. L. 92–504. This placed all of the Refuge islands, except for Destruction Island, under wilderness designation. Proposed Action The Service proposes to adopt and implement a Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) to guide management of the three Washington Islands Refuges for approximately 15 years. The CCP identifies Refuge goals, long-range objectives, and strategies for achieving Refuge purposes. In the Draft CCP/EA, two alternatives for managing the Washington Islands Refuges are identified and evaluated. Alternative A, the ‘‘no action’’ or ‘‘status quo’’ alternative is the current management of the Refuges. Alternative B, the Aproposed action’’ describes management actions proposed to address current threats and opportunities. The alternatives are briefly described below. Under Alternative A, the Service would continue to manage the Refuges under the management goals that were identified in the Refuges’ 1989 Management Plan. Management actions to maintain habitat and provide protection for priority species including Federal and State listed species, and provide research opportunities and offsite wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities, would continue. New mandates related to refuge management enacted since 1989 would also be implemented. Under Alternative B, the following goals have been developed to guide management of the refuges: • Protect migratory birds and other native wildlife and their associated habitats, with special emphasis on seabirds. • Protect and support the recovery of federally threatened and endangered species and Washington state special status species and their habitats. • Protect and manage the Washington Islands Wilderness Area to maintain its wilderness character and values. • Through effective coordination and cooperation with others, promote conservation of Refuge resources, with special emphasis on governmental agencies and tribes with adjoining ownership or jurisdiction. • Continue to enhance long-term monitoring and sustain applied scientific research. PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 • Increase public interpretation and awareness programs to enhance appreciation, understanding, and enjoyment of Refuge resources. Public Comments With the publication of this notice, the public is encouraged to send written comments regarding the Draft CCP/EA for the Washington Islands Refuges. Public comments are requested, considered, and incorporated throughout the planning process in numerous ways. Public outreach has included meetings with State and Federal agencies and Tribes, planning update mailings, and Federal Register notices. After the review and comment period ends for this Draft CCP/EA, comments will be analyzed by the Service and addressed in revised planning documents. All comments received from individuals, including names and addresses, become part of the official public record and may be released. Requests for such comments will be handled in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act, the Council on Environmental Quality’s NEPA regulations [40 CFR 1506.6(f)] and other Service and Departmental policies and procedures. Dated: May 5, 2005. Don Weathers, Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon. [FR Doc. 05–10298 Filed 5–27–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Notice of Intent To Prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment for the Farallon National Wildlife Refuge Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior. ACTION: Notice of intent. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is preparing a Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Farallon National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) located in San Francisco County, California. This notice advises the public that the Service intends to gather information necessary to prepare a CCP and EA pursuant to the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as amended, and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The public and other agencies are E:\FR\FM\31MYN1.SGM 31MYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 103 / Tuesday, May 31, 2005 / Notices encouraged to participate in the planning process by sending written comments on management actions that the Service should consider. The Service is also furnishing this notice in compliance with the Service CCP policy to obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to include in the CCP and EA. Opportunities for public input will be announced throughout the CCP/EA planning and development process. The Service will send Planning Updates to people who are interested in the CCP process, and the updates will also be available on the planning website at https://pacific.fws.gov/ planning. These mailings will provide information on how to participate in the CCP process. Interested federal, state, and local agencies, organizations, and individuals are invited to provide input. The Service expects to complete the CCP in 2007. To ensure that the Service has adequate time to evaluate and incorporate suggestions and other input into the planning process, comments should be received on or before August 1, 2005. ADDRESSES: Send written comments or requests to be added to the mailing list to the following address: Winnie Chan, Refuge Planner, Farallon Refuge CCP, San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex, P.O. Box 524, Newark, California 94560. Written comments may also be faxed to (510) 792–5828, or sfbaynwrc@fws.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Winnie Chan, Refuge Planner, or Joelle Buffa, Refuge Manager, at (510) 792– 0222. Background The Farallon National Wildlife Refuge is located offshore in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 28 miles west of San Francisco, California. The 211 acre Refuge is an archipelago made up of four major islands and several small islands. The Refuge was initially established by Theodore Roosevelt in 1909 under Executive Order 1043; it is also designated as a State Ecological Reserve and a Golden Gate Biosphere Reserve. The Refuge serves ‘‘ * * * as a preserve and breeding ground for native birds’’ (Executive Order 1043, dated February 27, 1909). The Refuge was established to provide wintering and nesting habitat for migratory seabirds and pinnipeds. In 1974, Congress enacted Public Law 93– 550 which designated all the islands, except for Southeast Island, as the Farallon Wilderness, totaling 141 acres. The Service anticipates a draft CCP and EA to be available for public review and comment in late 2006. DATES: The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, mandates that all lands within the National Wildlife Refuge System are to be managed in accordance with an approved CCP. The CCP will guide management decisions for approximately the next 15 years and identify Refuge goals, long-range objectives, and management strategies for achieving these objectives. The planning process will consider many elements, including habitat and wildlife management, habitat protection, compatible wildlife-dependent recreation, and environmental effects. Public input into this planning process is very important. The CCP will provide other agencies and the public with a clear understanding of the desired conditions for the Refuge and how the Service will implement management strategies. Comments received will be used to develop goals, key issues evaluated in the NEPA document, and habitat management strategies. All comments received, including names and addresses, will become part of the administrative record and may be made available to the public. Opportunities for public participation will occur throughout the process. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VerDate jul<14>2003 16:14 May 27, 2005 Jkt 205001 Dated: May 24, 2005. Ken McDermond, Acting Manager, CA/NV Operations, Sacramento, California. [FR Doc. 05–10718 Filed 5–27–05; 8:45 am] 30969 Holy Cross Abbey Community Center, 2951 E. Highway 50, Canon City, Colorado 81212. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ken Smith, (719) 269–8500. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 15 member Council advises the Secretary of the Interior, through the Bureau of Land Management, on a variety of planning and management issues associated with public land management in the Royal Gorge Field Office and San Luis Valley, Colorado. Planned agenda topics include: Manager updates on current land management issues, and travel management planning. All meetings are open to the public. The public is encouraged to make oral comments to the Council at 9:30 a.m. or written statements may be submitted for the Councils consideration. Depending on the number of persons wishing to comment and time available, the time for individual oral comments may be limited. Summary minutes for the Council Meeting will be maintained in the Royal Gorge Field Office and will be available for public inspection and reproduction during regular business hours within thirty (30) days following the meeting. Meeting Minutes and agenda (10 days prior to each meeting) are also available at: https:// www.blm.gov/rac/co/frrac/co_fr.htm. ADDRESSES: Dated: May 23, 2005. Roy L. Masinton, Royal Gorge Field Manager. [FR Doc. 05–10716 Filed 5–27–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–JB–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [O–200–0777–XX–241A] Revised Draft Backcountry Management Plan, General Management Plan Amendment and Environmental Impact Statement, Denali National Park and Preserve, AK AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior. Announcement of public meetings and public comment date change. SUMMARY: In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (FACA), the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Front Range Resource Advisory Council (RAC), will meet as indicated below. DATES: The meeting will be held July 6, 2005 from 9:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS) announces public meetings to obtain public comment on the Revised Draft Backcountry Management Plan, General Management Plan Amendment and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Denali National Park and Preserve. The document describes and analyzes the environmental impacts of a preferred alternative and four action alternatives for managing the park and preserve’s backcountry. A no action Notice of Meeting, Front Range Resource Advisory Council (Colorado) Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of public meeting. PO 00000 Frm 00049 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 AGENCY: ACTION: E:\FR\FM\31MYN1.SGM 31MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 103 (Tuesday, May 31, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30968-30969]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-10718]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Intent To Prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan and 
Environmental Assessment for the Farallon National Wildlife Refuge

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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

SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is preparing a 
Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental Assessment (EA) 
for the Farallon National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) located in San 
Francisco County, California. This notice advises the public that the 
Service intends to gather information necessary to prepare a CCP and EA 
pursuant to the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 
1966, as amended, and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The 
public and other agencies are

[[Page 30969]]

encouraged to participate in the planning process by sending written 
comments on management actions that the Service should consider. The 
Service is also furnishing this notice in compliance with the Service 
CCP policy to obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues 
to include in the CCP and EA. Opportunities for public input will be 
announced throughout the CCP/EA planning and development process.

DATES: To ensure that the Service has adequate time to evaluate and 
incorporate suggestions and other input into the planning process, 
comments should be received on or before August 1, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments or requests to be added to the mailing 
list to the following address: Winnie Chan, Refuge Planner, Farallon 
Refuge CCP, San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex, P.O. 
Box 524, Newark, California 94560. Written comments may also be faxed 
to (510) 792-5828, or sfbaynwrc@fws.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Winnie Chan, Refuge Planner, or Joelle 
Buffa, Refuge Manager, at (510) 792-0222.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Wildlife Refuge System 
Administration Act of 1966, as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge 
System Improvement Act of 1997, mandates that all lands within the 
National Wildlife Refuge System are to be managed in accordance with an 
approved CCP. The CCP will guide management decisions for approximately 
the next 15 years and identify Refuge goals, long-range objectives, and 
management strategies for achieving these objectives. The planning 
process will consider many elements, including habitat and wildlife 
management, habitat protection, compatible wildlife-dependent 
recreation, and environmental effects. Public input into this planning 
process is very important. The CCP will provide other agencies and the 
public with a clear understanding of the desired conditions for the 
Refuge and how the Service will implement management strategies.
    Comments received will be used to develop goals, key issues 
evaluated in the NEPA document, and habitat management strategies. All 
comments received, including names and addresses, will become part of 
the administrative record and may be made available to the public. 
Opportunities for public participation will occur throughout the 
process.
    The Service will send Planning Updates to people who are interested 
in the CCP process, and the updates will also be available on the 
planning website at https://pacific.fws.gov/planning. These mailings 
will provide information on how to participate in the CCP process. 
Interested federal, state, and local agencies, organizations, and 
individuals are invited to provide input. The Service expects to 
complete the CCP in 2007.

Background

    The Farallon National Wildlife Refuge is located offshore in the 
Pacific Ocean, approximately 28 miles west of San Francisco, 
California. The 211 acre Refuge is an archipelago made up of four major 
islands and several small islands. The Refuge was initially established 
by Theodore Roosevelt in 1909 under Executive Order 1043; it is also 
designated as a State Ecological Reserve and a Golden Gate Biosphere 
Reserve. The Refuge serves `` * * * as a preserve and breeding ground 
for native birds'' (Executive Order 1043, dated February 27, 1909).
    The Refuge was established to provide wintering and nesting habitat 
for migratory seabirds and pinnipeds. In 1974, Congress enacted Public 
Law 93-550 which designated all the islands, except for Southeast 
Island, as the Farallon Wilderness, totaling 141 acres.
    The Service anticipates a draft CCP and EA to be available for 
public review and comment in late 2006.

    Dated: May 24, 2005.
Ken McDermond,
Acting Manager, CA/NV Operations, Sacramento, California.
[FR Doc. 05-10718 Filed 5-27-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
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