Notice of Intent To Prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment for the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 4020-4021 [E7-1327]

Download as PDF 4020 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 18 / Monday, January 29, 2007 / Notices jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, photography, interpretation, and environmental education maintained or improved from present conditions. A State pheasant augmentation/release program would be discontinued and camping at Madame Dorion Park would be discontinued. Disturbance to island resources would be reduced through implementation of a no-wake zone within 100 feet of Refuge islands. Alternative 2 is the Service’s preferred alternative because it best achieves the purpose and need for the CCP while maintaining balance among the varied management needs and programs. Alternative 2 addresses issues and relevant mandates, and is consistent with principles of sound fish and wildlife management. Alternative 3: Emphasize Native Species Diversity and Nonconsumptive Public Uses. Under Alternative 3, the Refuges’ management focus would be on mimicking natural processes, to maintain, enhance, and, where possible, increase native fish, wildlife, and plant diversity representative of historical conditions in the Lower Columbia River Basin. Emphasis would be placed on improving existing island, riverine, and shrub-steppe habitats and restoring modified and/or degraded habitats to a more native condition. Fewer acres would be managed in croplands. Habitat management would contribute to the recovery of threatened, endangered, or rare species such as salmon, steelhead, and long-billed curlews. Hunting and fishing opportunities would be available at most current sites except pheasant and fish stocking would be eliminated, and fewer acres would be managed to provide waterfowl food. Opportunities for wildlife-dependent nonconsumptive uses would be improved and expanded. Camping would be discontinued at Madame Dorion Park. All island areas would be closed to public access during summer. Alternative 4: No Action Alternative. Alternative 4 is the no action alternative as required under NEPA. It provides a baseline from which to compare Alternatives 1, 2, and 3. Under Alternative 4, the Refuges would continue to maintain, and, where feasible, restore habitat for waterfowl, migratory birds, and State and Federally-listed species. Existing public uses would continue. Public Comments Public comments are requested, considered, and incorporated throughout the planning process. Comments on the Draft CCP/EA would be appreciated by February 23, 2007. A previous notice concerning VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:04 Jan 26, 2007 Jkt 211001 development of this CCP/EA was published in the Federal Register on May 24, 2004. Comments on the Draft CCP/EA will be analyzed by the Service and addressed in final planning documents. All comments received from individuals 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, NEPA regulations, and Service and Department of the Interior policies and procedures. Public Open House Meetings Three Public Open House Meetings will be held to provide people an opportunity to learn more about the alternatives analyzed in the Draft CCP/ EA. Public comments will be collected and recorded at the meetings. Meeting dates, times, and locations follow. 1. February 1, 2007, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Riverfront Center, 2 Marine Drive, Boardman, Oregon. 2. February 6, 2007, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., McNary Environmental Education Center, 311 Lake Road, Burbank, Washington. 3. February 8, 2007, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Red Lion Hotel, 2525 North 20th Ave., Pasco, Washington. Dated: January 24, 2007. David J. Wesley, Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon. [FR Doc. E7–1395 Filed 1–26–07; 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 Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex 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 Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex (Complex) located in Humboldt and Del Norte Counties of California. The Complex is comprised of Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge and Castle Rock National Wildlife Refuge. This notice advises the public that the Service intends to gather information necessary to prepare a CCP and EA pursuant to the PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as amended, and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The public and other agencies are 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. 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 March 15, 2007. ADDRESSES: Send written comments or requests to be added to the mailing list to the following address: David Bergendorf, Refuge Planner, CA/NV Refuge Planning Office, 2800 Cottage Way, W–1832, Sacramento, California 95825–1846. Written comments may also be faxed to (916) 414–6497, or sent by electronic mail to david_bergendorf@fws.gov. DATES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Bergendorf, Refuge Planner, at (916) 414–6503 or Eric Nelson, Refuge Manager, at (707) 733–5406. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, requires the Service to develop a CCP for each National Wildlife Refuge. The purpose in developing a CCP is to provide refuge managers with a 15-year strategy 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 Service policies. In addition to outlining broad management direction on conserving wildlife, plants and their habitats, the CCP will identify compatible wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities available to the public. The recreational opportunities that will receive priority consideration are hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and environmental education and interpretation. The planning process will consider many other elements, including cultural resource protection, environmental effects, and administrative resources. Public input E:\FR\FM\29JAN1.SGM 29JAN1 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 18 / Monday, January 29, 2007 / Notices jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES 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 Complex and how the Service will implement management strategies. Comments received will be used to help develop goals and objectives, as well as identify key issues evaluated in the NEPA document. 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. 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 2008. Background The nearly 4,000 acre Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge, located in Humboldt County, consists of several different units within and adjacent to Humboldt Bay and associated watersheds. Castle Rock National Wildlife Refuge is an island of nearly 14 acres in size located approximately eighty miles north of Humboldt Bay and approximately one half mile offshore from Crescent City, California. Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1971 pursuant to the Migratory Bird Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 715d), the Refuge Recreation Act (16 U.S.C. 460k– 460 K.4) and the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (16 U.S.C. 742f [a][4]). Lands within the Refuge have been set aside for use as an inviolate sanctuary, and other management purposes, for migratory birds, for incidental fish and wildlife-oriented recreational development, for the protection of natural resources, for the conservation of endangered species or threatened species and for the development, advancement, management, conservation, and protection of fish and wildlife resources. The Lanphere Dunes unit of Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge was added to the Refuge Boundary in 1997 for the purpose of conserving fish or wildlife which are listed as endangered species or threatened species, and plants 16 U.S.C. 1534 (Endangered Species Act of 1973). Castle Rock National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1981 for the purpose of conserving fish or wildlife which are listed as endangered species or VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:04 Jan 26, 2007 Jkt 211001 threatened species, and plants 16 U.S.C. 1534 (Endangered Species Act of 1973). The Service anticipates a draft CCP and EA to be available for public review and comment in 2007. Dated: January 23, 2007. Ken McDermond, Acting Manager, CA/NV Operations, Sacramento, California. [FR Doc. E7–1327 Filed 1–26–07; 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 Klamath Marsh National Wildlife Refuge Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of intent. AGENCY: SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) intends to gather information necessary to prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and an associated environmental assessment for the Klamath Marsh National Wildlife Refuge pursuant to the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as amended, and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended. The Service is providing this notice to advise other agencies, Tribal Governments, and the public of our intentions, and to obtain suggestions and information on the scope of the issues and alternatives to include in the CCP and environmental assessment. DATES: We must receive comments on or before March 15, 2007. Public scoping meetings will be held as follows: (1) Tuesday, February 6, 2007—6 to 8:30 p.m., Shilo Inn Suites Hotel, 2500 Almond Street, Klamath Falls, Oregon 97601. (2) Wednesday, February 7, 2007—6 to 8:30 p.m., Chiloquin Community Center, 140 1st Ave, Chiloquin, Oregon 97624. ADDRESSES: Send written comments or requests to be added to the mailing list to the following address: Mark Pelz, Refuge Planner, CA/NV Refuge Planning Office, 2800 Cottage Way, W–1832, Sacramento, CA 95825–1846. Written comments may also be faxed to (916) 414–6497, or sent by electronic mail to fw8plancomments@fws.gov. Additional information is also available at https:// www.fws.gov/cno/refuges/ planning.html. PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 4021 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Pelz, Refuge Planner, at (916) 414– 6504 or Carol Damberg, Refuge Manager, at (541) 783–3380. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (16 U.S.C. 668dd–668ee et seq.), requires the Service to develop a CCP for each National Wildlife Refuge. The purpose for developing a CCP is to provide refuge managers with a 15-year strategy 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 Service policies. In addition to outlining broad management direction on conserving wildlife, plants and their habitats, the CCP will identify compatible wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities available to the public. The recreational opportunities that will receive priority consideration are hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and environmental education and interpretation. Klamath Marsh Refuge was established in 1958 under the authority of the Migratory Bird Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 715d). The acquisition boundary approved by the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission included 24,418 acres. Between 1958 and 1980, the Service acquired 16,932 acres. In 1988, the Service expanded the acquisition boundary by 28,584 under the authority of the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (16 U.S.C. 742f(b)(1)) and the Emergency Wetland Resources Act of 1986 (16 U.S.C. 3901(b)). Since this expansion, the Service has acquired 24,508 additional acres. Klamath Marsh Refuge protects a large natural marsh which provides important nesting, feeding, and resting habitat for waterfowl. The surrounding meadowlands are attractive nesting and feeding areas for sandhill crane, yellow rail, and various shorebirds and raptors. The adjacent pine forests also support diverse wildlife including great gray owl and Rocky Mountain elk. Currently, visitor services are limited to wildlife observation and interpretation along established roads, canoeing during the summer in Wocus Bay, and waterfowl hunting in the southern half of the Refuge during the fall. Comments and concerns received during this scoping process will be used to help identify key issues, develop goals, establish habitat management and public use strategies, and draft E:\FR\FM\29JAN1.SGM 29JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 18 (Monday, January 29, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4020-4021]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-1327]


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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 Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge 
Complex

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 Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex (Complex) located 
in Humboldt and Del Norte Counties of California. The Complex is 
comprised of Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge and Castle Rock 
National Wildlife Refuge. 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 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 March 15, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments or requests to be added to the mailing 
list to the following address: David Bergendorf, Refuge Planner, CA/NV 
Refuge Planning Office, 2800 Cottage Way, W-1832, Sacramento, 
California 95825-1846. Written comments may also be faxed to (916) 414-
6497, or sent by electronic mail to david_bergendorf@fws.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Bergendorf, Refuge Planner, at 
(916) 414-6503 or Eric Nelson, Refuge Manager, at (707) 733-5406.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Wildlife Refuge System 
Administration Act of 1966, as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge 
System Improvement Act of 1997, requires the Service to develop a CCP 
for each National Wildlife Refuge. The purpose in developing a CCP is 
to provide refuge managers with a 15-year strategy 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 Service policies. In 
addition to outlining broad management direction on conserving 
wildlife, plants and their habitats, the CCP will identify compatible 
wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities available to the public. 
The recreational opportunities that will receive priority consideration 
are hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and 
environmental education and interpretation. The planning process will 
consider many other elements, including cultural resource protection, 
environmental effects, and administrative resources. Public input

[[Page 4021]]

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 Complex and how the Service will implement 
management strategies.
    Comments received will be used to help develop goals and 
objectives, as well as identify key issues evaluated in the NEPA 
document. 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. 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 2008.

Background

    The nearly 4,000 acre Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge, 
located in Humboldt County, consists of several different units within 
and adjacent to Humboldt Bay and associated watersheds. Castle Rock 
National Wildlife Refuge is an island of nearly 14 acres in size 
located approximately eighty miles north of Humboldt Bay and 
approximately one half mile offshore from Crescent City, California.
    Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1971 
pursuant to the Migratory Bird Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 715d), the 
Refuge Recreation Act (16 U.S.C. 460k-460 K.4) and the Fish and 
Wildlife Act of 1956 (16 U.S.C. 742f [a][4]). Lands within the Refuge 
have been set aside for use as an inviolate sanctuary, and other 
management purposes, for migratory birds, for incidental fish and 
wildlife-oriented recreational development, for the protection of 
natural resources, for the conservation of endangered species or 
threatened species and for the development, advancement, management, 
conservation, and protection of fish and wildlife resources. The 
Lanphere Dunes unit of Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge was added 
to the Refuge Boundary in 1997 for the purpose of conserving fish or 
wildlife which are listed as endangered species or threatened species, 
and plants 16 U.S.C. 1534 (Endangered Species Act of 1973).
    Castle Rock National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1981 for 
the purpose of conserving fish or wildlife which are listed as 
endangered species or threatened species, and plants 16 U.S.C. 1534 
(Endangered Species Act of 1973).
    The Service anticipates a draft CCP and EA to be available for 
public review and comment in 2007.

    Dated: January 23, 2007.
Ken McDermond,
Acting Manager, CA/NV Operations, Sacramento, California.
[FR Doc. E7-1327 Filed 1-26-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P

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