Sears Point Wetland and Watershed Restoration Project, 3993-3994 [E8-1069]

Download as PDF ebenthall on PROD1PC69 with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 15 / Wednesday, January 23, 2008 / Notices Office, 70 Commercial St., Suite 300, Concord, NH 03301, Attention: Susi von Oettingen. Direct inquiries to Ms. von Oettingen at 603–223–2541, extension 22, susi_vonoettingen@fws.gov. James spinymussel: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Virginia Field Office, 6669 Short Lane, Gloucester, VA 23061, Attention: Cindy Kane. Direct inquiries to Ms. Kane at 804–693–6694, extension 113, cindy_kane@fws.gov. Sandplain gerardia: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Long Island Field Office, 3 Old Barto Road, Brookhaven, NY 11719, Attention: Steve Sinkevich. Direct inquiries to Mr. Sinkevich at 631–776–1401, steve_sinkevich@fws.gov. Harperella: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, West Virginia Field Office, 694 Beverly Pike, Elkins, WV 26241, Attention: Laura Hill. Direct inquiries to Ms. Hill at 304–636–6586, extension 18, laura_hill@fws.gov. Shenandoah salamander: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Northeast Region, 300 Westgate Center Drive, Hadley, MA 01035, Attention: Mary Parkin. Direct inquiries to Ms. Parkin at 413–253– 8617, or 617–876–6173, mary_parkin@fws.gov. American chaffseed: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, New Jersey Field Office, 927 N. Main Street, Bldg D, Pleasantville, NJ 08232, Attention: Annette Scherer. Direct inquiries to Ms. Scherer at 609–383–3938, extension 34, annette_scherer@fws.gov. Rough rabbitsfoot: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Southwest Virginia Field Office, 330 Cummings Street, Abingdon, VA 24210, Attention: Shane Hanlon. Direct inquiries to Mr. Hanlon at 276–623–1233, extension 25, shane_hanlon@fws.gov. Northeastern beach tiger beetle: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Virginia Field Office, 6669 Short Lane, Gloucester, VA 23061, Attention: Mike Drummond. Direct inquiries to Mr. Drummond at 804–693–6694, extension 114, mike_drummond@fws.gov. Virginia spiraea: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Virginia Field Office, 6669 Short Lane, Gloucester, VA 23061, Attention: William Hester. Direct inquiries to Mr. Hester at 804–693– 6694, extension 134, william_hester@fws.gov. All electronic information must be submitted in text format or rich text format. Include the following identifier in the subject line of the electronic mail: Information on 5-year review for [name of species], and include your name and return address in the body of your message. VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:17 Jan 22, 2008 Jkt 214001 How Are These Species Currently Listed? Table 1 provides current listing information. Also, the List, which covers all listed species, is also available on our Internet site at https:// endangered.fws.gov/ wildlife.html#Species. 3993 Dated: December 28, 2007. Wendi Weber, Acting Regional Director, Northeast Region. [FR Doc. E8–1108 Filed 1–22–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Definitions Related to this Notice? Fish and Wildlife Service To help you submit information about the species we are reviewing, we provide the following definitions: Species includes any species or subspecies of fish, wildlife, or plant, and any distinct population segment of any species of vertebrate, which interbreeds when mature; Endangered species means any species that is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range; and Threatened species means any species that is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range. Sears Point Wetland and Watershed Restoration Project How Do We Determine Whether a Species Is Endangered or Threatened? Section 4(a)(1) of the Act establishes that we determine whether a species is endangered or threatened based on one or more of the five following factors: (A) The present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of its habitat or range; (B) Overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or educational purposes; (C) Disease or predation; (D) The inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms; or (E) Other natural or manmade factors affecting its continued existence. Section 4(a)(1) of the Act requires that our determination be made on the basis of the best scientific and commercial data available. What Could Happen as a Result of Our Review? For each species under review, if we find new information that indicates a change in classification may be warranted, we may propose a new rule that could do one of the following: (a) Reclassify the species from threatened to endangered (uplist); (b) reclassify the species from endangered to threatened (downlist); or (c) remove the species from the List (delist). If we determine that a change in classification is not warranted, then the species will remain on the List under its current status. Authority: This document is published under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). PO 00000 Frm 00073 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement. AGENCY: SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), in coordination with the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG), are preparing a joint environmental impact report/environmental impact statement (EIR/EIS) for the Sears Point Wetland and Watershed Restoration Project (Project), located in Sonoma County, California. At this early stage in the planning process, the purpose of the Project is to restore natural estuarine ecosystems on diked baylands, while providing public access and recreational and educational opportunities compatible with ecological and cultural resources protection. This scoping notice advises the public that we intend to gather information necessary to prepare an EIS pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). We encourage the public and other agencies to participate in the NEPA scoping process by sending written suggestions and information on the issues and concerns that should be addressed in the draft EIR/EIS, including the range of suitable alternatives, appropriate mitigation measures, and the nature and extent of potential environmental impacts. Throughout the EIR/EIS process, we will announce additional opportunities for public input. DATES: To ensure that we have adequate time to evaluate and incorporate suggestions and other input, we must receive comments on or before February 28, 2008. ADDRESSES: Send written comments or requests to be added to our mailing list to the following address: Christy Smith, Refuge Manager, San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 7715 Lakeville Highway, Petaluma, CA 94954. Alternatively, you may fax written comments to 707–769– 8106, or send them by electronic mail to christy_smith@fws.gov. Please include the heading ‘‘Sears Point NEPA Scoping Comments’’ in your response. E:\FR\FM\23JAN1.SGM 23JAN1 3994 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 15 / Wednesday, January 23, 2008 / Notices FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: ebenthall on PROD1PC69 with NOTICES Christy Smith, Refuge Manager, San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge, at (707) 769–4200, or John Brosnan, Baylands Program Manager, at (707) 526–6930 x 109. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background At this early stage of the planning process, project goals are to restore the maximum feasible extent of tidal marsh and channel habitats. Where full tidal extent cannot be restored, we would seek to maximize diked wetland functions through management, enhancement, and restoration actions while maintaining viable agricultural uses to the extent compatible. In addition, we would provide public access and recreational and educational opportunities that are compatible with ecological and cultural resources protection. The project site is located at Sears Point near the intersection of LakevilleReclamation Road and State Route 37 (SR 37) in southern Sonoma County, California. The site is also traversed from east to west by an inactive rail line owned by the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) District. The project site is a total of 2,327 acres (ac) owned by the Sonoma Land Trust and is comprised of two large properties, the North Point Joint Venture (NPJV) parcel and the Dickson Ranch parcel, which are situated on the edge of San Pablo Bay between the mouth of the Petaluma River and Tolay Creek. The 1,679-ac NPJV parcel extends both north and south of SR 37. It is bounded on the north by the Infineon Raceway property, on the east by Cougar Mountain (north of SR 37) and Paradise Vineyards (south of SR 37), on the south by the SMART rail line, and on the west by LakevilleReclamation Road. The 648-ac Dickson Ranch parcel is located entirely south of Highway 37, and is bounded on the north by the SMART rail line, on the west by Tolay Creek, on the south by San Pablo Bay, and on the west by the outboard levee as it veers bayward from the SMART rail line. The entire Dickson Ranch parcel and 858 acres of the North Point Joint Venture parcel are located within the approved acquisition boundary of the San Pablo Bay NWR. Site topography ranges from below mean sea level (msl) in portions of the subsided diked baylands along the southern project boundary to approximately 400 feet above msl in the rolling uplands north of SR 37. With the exception of a small number of barns, houses, and outbuildings scattered throughout the project site, the area is VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:17 Jan 22, 2008 Jkt 214001 predominantly undeveloped, comprising a mixture of tidal, seasonal, and riparian wetlands, streams, and upland habitats. The project site contains existing or potential suitable habitat for a number of special status species, including the federally listed endangered salt marsh harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys raviventris), California clapper rail (Rallus longirostris obsoletus), and the federally listed threatened California red-legged frog (Rana aurora draytonii). Two federally listed threatened fish species—the Central Valley and Central California Coast steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris)—may also benefit from the project goals. Other species may be addressed as necessary in the EIR/EIS based on further analysis, new information, agency consultation, and public comment. NEPA Compliance Information gathered through this scoping process will assist us in preparing a reasonable range of alternatives to address the restoration of the project site at Sears Point. These alternatives are likely to include some activity within the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge. We will use the EIR/EIS to determine whether to authorize activities within the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge in order to accomplish project goals. A detailed description of the proposed action and alternatives will be included in the EIR/ EIS. The EIR/EIS will identify the direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts of the alternatives on biological resources, cultural resources, land use, air quality, water quality, water resources, and other environmental resources. It will also identify appropriate mitigation measures for adverse environmental effects. We will conduct environmental review of the EIR/EIS in accordance with the requirements of NEPA, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), its implementing regulations (40 CFR parts 1500–1508), other applicable regulations, and our procedures for compliance with those regulations. The environmental document will be prepared to meet both the requirements of NEPA and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The California Department of Fish and Game is the CEQA lead agency. We anticipate that the draft EIR/EIS will be available for public review in Spring 2008. We are furnishing this notice in accordance with section 1501.7 of the NEPA implementing regulations to obtain suggestions and information from PO 00000 Frm 00074 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 other agencies and the public on the scope of issues to be addressed in the EIR/EIS. We invite written comments from interested parties to ensure identification of the full range of issues. Before including your address, phone number, e-mail 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 cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Dated: January 16, 2008. Ken McDemond, Acting Regional Director, California Nevada Region. [FR Doc. E8–1069 Filed 1–22–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [CA–169–1220–PG] Notice of Public Meeting, Carrizo Plain National Monument Advisory Committee SUMMARY: In accordance with Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (FACA), the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), and the Code of Federal Regulations (40 CFR 1501.7, 43 CFR 1610.2), the United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Carrizo Plain National Monument Advisory Committee will meet as indicated below: DATES: The meeting will be held on Saturday, February 23, 2008, at the Carrizo Plain Elementary School, located approximately 2 miles northwest of Soda Lake Road on Highway 58. The meeting will begin at 10 a.m. and finish at 5 p.m. The meeting will focus on a preliminary preferred alternative for the Resource Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement being developed for the Carrizo Plain National Monument. There will be a public comment period from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Lunch will be available for $8. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The ninemember Carrizo Plain National Monument Advisory Committee advises the Secretary of the Interior, through the Bureau of Land Management, on a variety of public land issues associated E:\FR\FM\23JAN1.SGM 23JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 15 (Wednesday, January 23, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3993-3994]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-1069]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Sears Point Wetland and Watershed Restoration Project

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.

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

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), in 
coordination with the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG), 
are preparing a joint environmental impact report/environmental impact 
statement (EIR/EIS) for the Sears Point Wetland and Watershed 
Restoration Project (Project), located in Sonoma County, California. At 
this early stage in the planning process, the purpose of the Project is 
to restore natural estuarine ecosystems on diked baylands, while 
providing public access and recreational and educational opportunities 
compatible with ecological and cultural resources protection. This 
scoping notice advises the public that we intend to gather information 
necessary to prepare an EIS pursuant to the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA). We encourage the public and other agencies to 
participate in the NEPA scoping process by sending written suggestions 
and information on the issues and concerns that should be addressed in 
the draft EIR/EIS, including the range of suitable alternatives, 
appropriate mitigation measures, and the nature and extent of potential 
environmental impacts. Throughout the EIR/EIS process, we will announce 
additional opportunities for public input.

DATES: To ensure that we have adequate time to evaluate and incorporate 
suggestions and other input, we must receive comments on or before 
February 28, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments or requests to be added to our mailing 
list to the following address: Christy Smith, Refuge Manager, San Pablo 
Bay National Wildlife Refuge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 7715 
Lakeville Highway, Petaluma, CA 94954. Alternatively, you may fax 
written comments to 707-769-8106, or send them by electronic mail to 
christy_smith@fws.gov. Please include the heading ``Sears Point NEPA 
Scoping Comments'' in your response.

[[Page 3994]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christy Smith, Refuge Manager, San 
Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge, at (707) 769-4200, or John Brosnan, 
Baylands Program Manager, at (707) 526-6930 x 109.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    At this early stage of the planning process, project goals are to 
restore the maximum feasible extent of tidal marsh and channel 
habitats. Where full tidal extent cannot be restored, we would seek to 
maximize diked wetland functions through management, enhancement, and 
restoration actions while maintaining viable agricultural uses to the 
extent compatible. In addition, we would provide public access and 
recreational and educational opportunities that are compatible with 
ecological and cultural resources protection.
    The project site is located at Sears Point near the intersection of 
Lakeville-Reclamation Road and State Route 37 (SR 37) in southern 
Sonoma County, California. The site is also traversed from east to west 
by an inactive rail line owned by the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit 
(SMART) District.
    The project site is a total of 2,327 acres (ac) owned by the Sonoma 
Land Trust and is comprised of two large properties, the North Point 
Joint Venture (NPJV) parcel and the Dickson Ranch parcel, which are 
situated on the edge of San Pablo Bay between the mouth of the Petaluma 
River and Tolay Creek. The 1,679-ac NPJV parcel extends both north and 
south of SR 37. It is bounded on the north by the Infineon Raceway 
property, on the east by Cougar Mountain (north of SR 37) and Paradise 
Vineyards (south of SR 37), on the south by the SMART rail line, and on 
the west by Lakeville-Reclamation Road. The 648-ac Dickson Ranch parcel 
is located entirely south of Highway 37, and is bounded on the north by 
the SMART rail line, on the west by Tolay Creek, on the south by San 
Pablo Bay, and on the west by the outboard levee as it veers bayward 
from the SMART rail line. The entire Dickson Ranch parcel and 858 acres 
of the North Point Joint Venture parcel are located within the approved 
acquisition boundary of the San Pablo Bay NWR.
    Site topography ranges from below mean sea level (msl) in portions 
of the subsided diked baylands along the southern project boundary to 
approximately 400 feet above msl in the rolling uplands north of SR 37. 
With the exception of a small number of barns, houses, and outbuildings 
scattered throughout the project site, the area is predominantly 
undeveloped, comprising a mixture of tidal, seasonal, and riparian 
wetlands, streams, and upland habitats.
    The project site contains existing or potential suitable habitat 
for a number of special status species, including the federally listed 
endangered salt marsh harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys raviventris), 
California clapper rail (Rallus longirostris obsoletus), and the 
federally listed threatened California red-legged frog (Rana aurora 
draytonii). Two federally listed threatened fish species--the Central 
Valley and Central California Coast steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and 
green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris)--may also benefit from the 
project goals. Other species may be addressed as necessary in the EIR/
EIS based on further analysis, new information, agency consultation, 
and public comment.

NEPA Compliance

    Information gathered through this scoping process will assist us in 
preparing a reasonable range of alternatives to address the restoration 
of the project site at Sears Point. These alternatives are likely to 
include some activity within the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife 
Refuge. We will use the EIR/EIS to determine whether to authorize 
activities within the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge in order 
to accomplish project goals. A detailed description of the proposed 
action and alternatives will be included in the EIR/EIS.
    The EIR/EIS will identify the direct, indirect, and cumulative 
impacts of the alternatives on biological resources, cultural 
resources, land use, air quality, water quality, water resources, and 
other environmental resources. It will also identify appropriate 
mitigation measures for adverse environmental effects.
    We will conduct environmental review of the EIR/EIS in accordance 
with the requirements of NEPA, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), its 
implementing regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), other applicable 
regulations, and our procedures for compliance with those regulations. 
The environmental document will be prepared to meet both the 
requirements of NEPA and the California Environmental Quality Act 
(CEQA). The California Department of Fish and Game is the CEQA lead 
agency. We anticipate that the draft EIR/EIS will be available for 
public review in Spring 2008.
    We are furnishing this notice in accordance with section 1501.7 of 
the NEPA implementing regulations to obtain suggestions and information 
from other agencies and the public on the scope of issues to be 
addressed in the EIR/EIS. We invite written comments from interested 
parties to ensure identification of the full range of issues.
    Before including your address, phone number, e-mail 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 cannot guarantee that we will be 
able to do so.

    Dated: January 16, 2008.
Ken McDemond,
Acting Regional Director, California Nevada Region.
[FR Doc. E8-1069 Filed 1-22-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P

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