Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment for Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, 55801-55802 [06-8159]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 185 / Monday, September 25, 2006 / Notices rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES and native riparian plant seedlings. Transplanting outside of the dormant period for elderberry shrubs, November 16 to February 15, would increase the likelihood of adult beetles and larvae being killed or injured. Therefore, the Applicant has agreed to purchase 12 additional habitat credits from the conservation bank (i.e., a total of 23 credits) if the elderberry shrubs are transplanted during the active growing season. The Applicant’s Plan also describes measures and funding sources that ensure the elements of the Plan would be implemented in a timely manner, actions to be taken if unforeseen events occur, and other required elements. The Service’s proposed action consists of approving the Applicant’s Plan and issuance of an incidental take permit for the Applicant’s project. As required by the Act, the Applicant’s Plan also considered alternatives to the take considered under the proposed action. Under the No Action Alternative, no permit would be issued, the office buildings and parking lot would not be built, and no take would occur. Under the Reduced Take Alternative, the office buildings and parking lot would be built, but the size and scope would be reduced. This alternative would allow some elderberry shrubs to remain on the project site with fewer elderberry shrubs transplanted to the Service-approved conservation bank, thus reducing take below the level anticipated for the proposed action. National Environmental Policy Act As discussed in the EAS, the Service has made a preliminary determination that approval of the proposed Plan and issuance of the permit would qualify as a Categorical Exclusion under NEPA, as provided by Federal regulations (40 CFR 1500.5(k), 1507.3(b)(2), 1508.4) and the Department of Interior Manual (516 DM 2 and 516 DM8). The EAS found that the proposed Plan qualifies as a ‘‘loweffect’’ habitat conservation plan, as defined by the Service’s Habitat Conservation Planning Handbook (November 1996). Determination of loweffect habitat-conservation plans is based on the following criteria: (1) Implementation of the Plan would result in minor or negligible effects on federally listed, proposed, and candidate species and their habitats; (2) implementation of the Plan would result in minor or negligible effects on other environmental values or resources; (3) impacts of the Plan, considered together with the impacts of other past, present and reasonably foreseeable similarly situated projects would not result, over time, in cumulative effects to VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:46 Sep 22, 2006 Jkt 208001 environmental values or resources which would be considered significant. Based upon the preliminary determinations in the EAS, the Service does not intend to prepare further NEPA documentation. The Service will consider public comments when making the final determination on whether to prepare an additional NEPA document on the proposed action. Public Review The Service provides this notice pursuant to section 10(c) of the Act and the NEPA public-involvement regulations (40 CFR 1500.1(b), 1500.2(d), and 1506.6). The Service will evaluate the permit application, including the Plan, and comments submitted thereon to determine whether the application meets the requirements of section 10(a) of the Act. If the requirements are met, the Service will issue a permit to Mark III Engineering Contractors for the incidental take of the beetle during construction of the Offices at Parkshore. The Service will make the final permit decision no sooner than 30 days from the date of this notice. Dated: September 19, 2006. David L. Harlow, Acting Field Supervisor, Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office, Sacramento, California. [FR Doc. 06–8161 Filed 9–22–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment for Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior. AGENCY: Notice of availability; request for comments. ACTION: SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces that a Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment (Draft CCP/ EA) for Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) is available for review and comment. Also available for review with the Draft CCP/EA are draft compatibility determinations for fishing; wildlife observation and photography; environmental education and interpretation; high-speed boating; recreational boating associated with hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography; research; plant gathering; and mosquito monitoring and control. PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 55801 Written comments must be received at the address below by October 28, 2006. In addition, two public meetings will be held on October 4 and October 5, 2006 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in California. ADDRESSES: For more information on obtaining documents and submitting comments, see ‘‘Review and Comment’’ under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. For public meeting location see ‘‘Public Meetings.’’ FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Harvey, Project Leader at the Stone Lakes NWR address under ‘‘Review and Comment’’ or David Bergendorf, Refuge Planner, at the CA/NV Refuge Planning Office address under ‘‘Review and Comment’’ or at (916) 414–6503 (telephone). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This Draft CCP/EA, prepared pursuant to the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge Improvement Act of 1997 (16 U.S.C 668dd et seq.) as amended and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321–4347) as amended, describes the Service’s proposal for managing the Refuge for the next 15 years. DATES: Review and Comment Copies of the Draft CCP/EA may be obtained by writing to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Attn: David Bergendorf, CA/NV Refuge Planning Office, 2800 Cottage Way, W–1832, Sacramento, CA 95825–1846. Copies of the Draft CCP/EA may be viewed at this address or at Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, 1624 Hood-Franklin Road, Elk Grove, CA 95758. The Draft CCP/EA will also be available for viewing and downloading online at https://www.fws.gov/stonelakes/ publicreview.htm. Printed documents will also be available for review at the following libraries: Sacramento Central Library, 828 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814; Arden-Dimick Library, 891 Watt Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95864; Belle Cooledge Library, 5600 South Land Park Drive, Sacramento, CA 95822; Elk Grove Library, 8962 Elk Grove Blvd., Elk Grove, CA 95624; Clarksburg Yolo County Library, 52915 Netherlands Road, Clarksburg, CA 95612; Colonial Heights Library, 4799 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95820; Courtland Library Neighborhood Library, 170 Primasing Avenue, Courtland, CA 95615; and the Galt Branch Library (Marian O. Lawrence Library), 1000 Caroline Avenue, Galt, CA 95632. Comments on the Draft CCP/EA should be addressed to: David E:\FR\FM\25SEN1.SGM 25SEN1 55802 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 185 / Monday, September 25, 2006 / Notices Bergendorf, Refuge Planner, 2800 Cottage Way, W–1832, Sacramento, CA 95825–1846. Comments may also be faxed to (916) 414–6497 or submitted via electronic mail to david_bergendorf@fws.gov. If submitting comments by fax, please address to Attn: David Bergendorf, re: Stone Lakes NWR CCP. If submitting electronic mail, please type ‘‘Stone Lakes NWR CCP’’ in the subject line. Public Meetings Our two public meetings will take place at the Elk Grove Community Services District, Administration Building, boardroom located at 8820 Elk Grove Blvd., Elk Grove, CA 95624. Background The Refuge was established in 1994 under the authority of the Emergency Wetlands Resources Act of 1986, the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956, the Migratory Bird Conservation Act and the Endangered Species Act of 1973. The Refuge boundary encompasses 17,600 acres; this includes a core Refuge area of about 9,000 acres and a 9,000acre cooperative Wildlife Management Area that encompasses land managed by other agencies in concert with Refuge purposes. The Service actively manages about 6,000 acres. The Refuge is located in the Beach-Stone Lakes Basin within the Sacramento Valley in southwestern Sacramento County; it lies about 10 miles south of the city of Sacramento, straddling Interstate 5 from the town of Freeport south to Lost Slough. rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES Purpose and Need for Action The Service prepared the Stone Lakes NWR Draft CCP to guide management of wildlife, other natural resources, and public use on the Refuge for the next 15 years. The CCP is flexible; it will be revised periodically to ensure that its goals, objectives, implementation strategies and timetables remain valid and appropriate. Major revisions require and provide a process for public involvement and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review, if needed. Alternatives The draft EA/CCP presents an evaluation of the environmental effects of three alternatives for managing the Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge for the next 15 years. The Service proposes to implement Alternative B, as described in the EA. Alternative B best achieves the Refuges’ purposes, vision, and goals; contributes to the Refuge System mission; addresses the significant issues and relevant mandates; and is consistent with VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:46 Sep 22, 2006 Jkt 208001 principles of sound fish and wildlife management. This alternative is described in more detail in the CCP. There are many features of proposed Refuge management that are common to all three alternatives. Features common to all alternatives include ongoing coordination with the Sacramento/Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District on mosquito control, ongoing weed management including coordination with the Stone Lakes Water Hyacinth Control Group, implementation of a hunt program, vernal pool management, boating access with a no-wake zone on all Refuge waters, and riparian habitat maintenance and restoration. There are also many features of each alternative that are distinct. Alternative A, the no action alternative, assumes no change from current management programs and is considered the baseline to compare other alternatives against. Under Alternative A, the primary management focus of the Refuge would continue to be providing habitat for migrating, wintering and nesting migratory and resident birds with an emphasis on waterbirds and endangered species by restoring and maintaining wetland, riparian woodland and grassland habitats, and valuable agricultural lands. The Refuge would continue to offer limited wildlife-dependent recreation, including volunteer participation in restoration, limited wildlife observation and photography, limited environmental education and interpretative programs, and hunting, with emphasis on youth and disabled hunters. Under Alternative B, the Refuge would continue its current focus of providing wintering habitat for migratory birds and management to benefit endangered species. Management programs for migratory birds and other Central Valley wildlife would be expanded and improved and public use opportunities would also be expanded. The number of units open to the public would increase from one to five. In addition, environmental education, interpretation, wildlife observation, wildlife photography, hunting, and fishing programs would be expanded. Under Alternative C, the Refuge would continue to focus on providing wintering habitat for migratory birds and managing for endangered species while placing a greater emphasis on historic conditions in management and habitat restoration activities. Opportunities for the six priority public uses: Hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, environmental education and PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 interpretation, would be expanded beyond both Alternatives A and B. Public Comments After the review and comment period ends for this Draft CCP/EA, comments will be analyzed by the Service and addressed in the Final CCP. 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, and other Service and Departmental policies and procedures. Dated: July 31, 2006. Margaret T. Kolar, Acting Manager, California/Nevada Operations, Sacramento, California. [FR Doc. 06–8159 Filed 9–22–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [WY–920–1320–EL, WYW173097] Notice of Invitation for Coal Exploration License Application, Wyoming Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of Invitation for Coal Exploration License Application, Ark Land Company, WYW173097, Wyoming. AGENCY: SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 2(b) of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as amended by section 4 of the Federal Coal Leasing Amendments Act of 1976, 90 Stat. 1083, 30 U.S.C. 201 (b), and to the regulations adopted as 43 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 3410, all interested qualified parties, as provided in 43 CFR 3472.1, are hereby invited to participate with Ark Land Company on a pro rata cost sharing basis in a program for the exploration of coal deposits owned by the United States of America in the following-described lands in Campbell County, Wyoming: T. 46 N., R. 70 W., 6th P.M., Wyoming, Sec. 18: Lots 7 through 10, 14 through 17; Sec. 19: Lots 7 through 10, 15 through 18; Sec. 30: Lots 5 through 20; Sec. 31: Lots 1, 5 through 19; Sec. 32: Lots 5 through 8, 11 through 14. Containing 2,274.14 acres, more or less. Any party electing to participate in this exploration program must send written notice to both the Bureau of Land Management and Ark Land Company, as provided in the ADDRESSES DATES: E:\FR\FM\25SEN1.SGM 25SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 185 (Monday, September 25, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55801-55802]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-8159]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental 
Assessment for Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge

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

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces that a 
Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment 
(Draft CCP/EA) for Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) is 
available for review and comment. Also available for review with the 
Draft CCP/EA are draft compatibility determinations for fishing; 
wildlife observation and photography; environmental education and 
interpretation; high-speed boating; recreational boating associated 
with hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography; research; 
plant gathering; and mosquito monitoring and control.

DATES: Written comments must be received at the address below by 
October 28, 2006. In addition, two public meetings will be held on 
October 4 and October 5, 2006 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in California.

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

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Harvey, Project Leader at the Stone 
Lakes NWR address under ``Review and Comment'' or David Bergendorf, 
Refuge Planner, at the CA/NV Refuge Planning Office address under 
``Review and Comment'' or at (916) 414-6503 (telephone).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This Draft CCP/EA, prepared pursuant to the 
National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as amended 
by the National Wildlife Refuge Improvement Act of 1997 (16 U.S.C 668dd 
et seq.) as amended and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4321-4347) as amended, describes the Service's proposal for 
managing the Refuge for the next 15 years.

Review and Comment

    Copies of the Draft CCP/EA may be obtained by writing to the U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service, Attn: David Bergendorf, CA/NV Refuge 
Planning Office, 2800 Cottage Way, W-1832, Sacramento, CA 95825-1846. 
Copies of the Draft CCP/EA may be viewed at this address or at Stone 
Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, 1624 Hood-Franklin Road, Elk Grove, CA 
95758. The Draft CCP/EA will also be available for viewing and 
downloading online at https://www.fws.gov/stonelakes/publicreview.htm. 
Printed documents will also be available for review at the following 
libraries: Sacramento Central Library, 828 I Street, Sacramento, CA 
95814; Arden-Dimick Library, 891 Watt Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95864; 
Belle Cooledge Library, 5600 South Land Park Drive, Sacramento, CA 
95822; Elk Grove Library, 8962 Elk Grove Blvd., Elk Grove, CA 95624; 
Clarksburg Yolo County Library, 52915 Netherlands Road, Clarksburg, CA 
95612; Colonial Heights Library, 4799 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento, CA 
95820; Courtland Library Neighborhood Library, 170 Primasing Avenue, 
Courtland, CA 95615; and the Galt Branch Library (Marian O. Lawrence 
Library), 1000 Caroline Avenue, Galt, CA 95632.
    Comments on the Draft CCP/EA should be addressed to: David

[[Page 55802]]

Bergendorf, Refuge Planner, 2800 Cottage Way, W-1832, Sacramento, CA 
95825-1846. Comments may also be faxed to (916) 414-6497 or submitted 
via electronic mail to david_bergendorf@fws.gov. If submitting 
comments by fax, please address to Attn: David Bergendorf, re: Stone 
Lakes NWR CCP. If submitting electronic mail, please type ``Stone Lakes 
NWR CCP'' in the subject line.

Public Meetings

    Our two public meetings will take place at the Elk Grove Community 
Services District, Administration Building, boardroom located at 8820 
Elk Grove Blvd., Elk Grove, CA 95624.

Background

    The Refuge was established in 1994 under the authority of the 
Emergency Wetlands Resources Act of 1986, the Fish and Wildlife Act of 
1956, the Migratory Bird Conservation Act and the Endangered Species 
Act of 1973. The Refuge boundary encompasses 17,600 acres; this 
includes a core Refuge area of about 9,000 acres and a 9,000-acre 
cooperative Wildlife Management Area that encompasses land managed by 
other agencies in concert with Refuge purposes. The Service actively 
manages about 6,000 acres. The Refuge is located in the Beach-Stone 
Lakes Basin within the Sacramento Valley in southwestern Sacramento 
County; it lies about 10 miles south of the city of Sacramento, 
straddling Interstate 5 from the town of Freeport south to Lost Slough.

Purpose and Need for Action

    The Service prepared the Stone Lakes NWR Draft CCP to guide 
management of wildlife, other natural resources, and public use on the 
Refuge for the next 15 years. The CCP is flexible; it will be revised 
periodically to ensure that its goals, objectives, implementation 
strategies and timetables remain valid and appropriate. Major revisions 
require and provide a process for public involvement and National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review, if needed.

Alternatives

    The draft EA/CCP presents an evaluation of the environmental 
effects of three alternatives for managing the Stone Lakes National 
Wildlife Refuge for the next 15 years. The Service proposes to 
implement Alternative B, as described in the EA. Alternative B best 
achieves 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. This alternative is described in more detail in the CCP.
    There are many features of proposed Refuge management that are 
common to all three alternatives. Features common to all alternatives 
include ongoing coordination with the Sacramento/Yolo Mosquito and 
Vector Control District on mosquito control, ongoing weed management 
including coordination with the Stone Lakes Water Hyacinth Control 
Group, implementation of a hunt program, vernal pool management, 
boating access with a no-wake zone on all Refuge waters, and riparian 
habitat maintenance and restoration. There are also many features of 
each alternative that are distinct.
    Alternative A, the no action alternative, assumes no change from 
current management programs and is considered the baseline to compare 
other alternatives against. Under Alternative A, the primary management 
focus of the Refuge would continue to be providing habitat for 
migrating, wintering and nesting migratory and resident birds with an 
emphasis on waterbirds and endangered species by restoring and 
maintaining wetland, riparian woodland and grassland habitats, and 
valuable agricultural lands. The Refuge would continue to offer limited 
wildlife-dependent recreation, including volunteer participation in 
restoration, limited wildlife observation and photography, limited 
environmental education and interpretative programs, and hunting, with 
emphasis on youth and disabled hunters.
    Under Alternative B, the Refuge would continue its current focus of 
providing wintering habitat for migratory birds and management to 
benefit endangered species. Management programs for migratory birds and 
other Central Valley wildlife would be expanded and improved and public 
use opportunities would also be expanded. The number of units open to 
the public would increase from one to five. In addition, environmental 
education, interpretation, wildlife observation, wildlife photography, 
hunting, and fishing programs would be expanded.
    Under Alternative C, the Refuge would continue to focus on 
providing wintering habitat for migratory birds and managing for 
endangered species while placing a greater emphasis on historic 
conditions in management and habitat restoration activities. 
Opportunities for the six priority public uses: Hunting, fishing, 
wildlife observation and photography, environmental education and 
interpretation, would be expanded beyond both Alternatives A and B.

Public Comments

    After the review and comment period ends for this Draft CCP/EA, 
comments will be analyzed by the Service and addressed in the Final 
CCP. 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, and other Service and Departmental policies and 
procedures.

    Dated: July 31, 2006.
Margaret T. Kolar,
Acting Manager, California/Nevada Operations, Sacramento, California.
[FR Doc. 06-8159 Filed 9-22-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
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