Farallon National Wildlife Refuge, San Francisco County, CA, 78386-78387 [E8-30308]

Download as PDF 78386 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 246 / Monday, December 22, 2008 / Notices We again invite comments concerning this information collection on: (1) Whether or not the collection of information is necessary, including whether or not the information will have practical utility; (2) The accuracy of our estimate of the burden for this collection of information; (3) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents. Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of public record. 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 OMB in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that it will be done. Dated: November 28, 2008 Hope Grey, Information Collection Clearance Officer, Fish and Wildlife Service. FR Doc. E8–30432 Filed 12–19–08; 8:45 am BILLING CODE 4310–55–S U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R8–R–2008–N0282; 81640–1265– 0000–S3] Farallon National Wildlife Refuge, San Francisco County, CA mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments: draft comprehensive conservation plan and environmental assessment. SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce that the Farallon National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment (draft CCP/EA) is available for review and comment. Also available for review are the draft compatibility determinations for research and monitoring, media access, and environmental education and monitoring through a remote camera system. DATES: To ensure that we have adequate time to evaluate and incorporate VerDate Aug<31>2005 19:07 Dec 19, 2008 Jkt 217001 suggestions and other input into the planning process, we must receive comments on or before February 20, 2009. For information on obtaining documents and submitting comments, see ‘‘Public Review and Comment’’ under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Winnie Chan, Refuge Planner, (510) 792–0222. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as amended by the Improvement Act, requires us 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 and their habitats, the CCP identifies wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities available to the public, which can include opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and environmental education and interpretation. Background The Refuge is located off the coast of San Francisco and is within San Francisco County. The 211-acre Refuge consists of four island groupings that were first designated as a Refuge in 1909 ‘‘as a preserve and breeding ground for native birds’’ (Executive Order 1043, Feb. 27, 1909). The Refuge supports the largest seabird breeding colony in the contiguous United States and provides wintering and nesting habitat for migratory seabirds and pinnipeds. In 1974, Congress enacted Pub. L. 93–550, which designated all the islands except for Southeast Island as the Farallon Wilderness, totaling 141 acres. Alternatives The draft CCP/EA identifies and evaluates four alternatives for managing Farallon National Wildlife Refuge for the next 15 years. Each alternative describes a combination of wildlife, habitat, and public use management prescriptions designed to achieve Refuge purposes. Of the alternatives described below, we believe Alternative C would best achieve the purposes of the Refuge, and therefore we have identified C as the Preferred Alternative. PO 00000 Frm 00103 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Alternative A, the no-action alternative, assumes no change from current management programs and is considered the baseline with which to compare other alternatives. Under this alternative, the focus of the Refuge would be to continue to protect and maintain habitats for nesting seabirds including restoration of native vegetation. Wildlife research and monitoring would continue. The Refuge would remain closed to the public, with the exception of requested media visits that are closely supervised by Refuge staff. Alternative B calls for the development of a vegetation management and monitoring plan to accelerate weed removal and restoration of native vegetation. Non-native house mice would be eradicated to reduce predation of seabirds and a tiered National Environmental Policy Act planning document would be prepared to evaluate the eradication methods and protocols. Public involvement opportunities for this tiered plan would be provided. New research and monitoring methods would be implemented to improve wildlife management. In addition, new or expanded research studies will also be implemented to study other wildlife on the Refuge (e.g., arboreal salamanders, hoary bats, and insects). Law enforcement to reduce wildlife disturbance would be increased through coordination with other agencies and outreach to boaters and pilots. The Refuge would remain closed to public access under this alternative, but limited supervised access for media personnel in order to further public education and provide outreach opportunities for the public would be allowed. While land-based wildlife observation would not be allowed, Refuge staff will coordinate with charter boat operators to enhance their wildlife tours in waters surrounding the Refuge. This alternative also includes outreach and environmental education objectives, including coordination with other outreach organizations in the San Francisco area, the development of environmental education programs and materials for outreach events, a remote camera system, and expanding the existing Farallon program in elementary schools. Alternative C, the preferred alternative, would include the same components as Alternative B. In addition, a visitor service plan would be developed to consider on-site visitor opportunities such as tours and volunteer activities. Additional areas on Southeast Island would also be considered for seasonal closure to E:\FR\FM\22DEN1.SGM 22DEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 246 / Monday, December 22, 2008 / Notices human access (for management purposes) to provide additional nesting habitat and reduce spread of non-native vegetation. Alternative D would include the same components as Alternative B, but would be more restrictive in terms of access. Human access (for management purposes) would be prohibited at North Landing, portions of Lighthouse Hill, and additional areas during the seabird nesting season to reduce disturbance, encourage expansion of nesting habitat, and prevent the spread of invasive plants. Wildlife monitoring would be reduced as a result of the closures. The Refuge would remain closed to public access. This alternative would also include use of a remote camera system to provide remote monitoring and wildlife observation opportunities. mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES Public Review and Comment To obtain a copy of the draft CCP/EA, write to Winnie Chan, Refuge Planner, Farallon NWR CCP, San Francisco Bay NWR Complex, 9500 Thornton Avenue, Newark, CA 94560. You may view a copy of the draft CCP/EA at this address, or you may view it or download it online at: https:// www.fws.gov/cno/refuges/farallon/. Hard copies of the draft CCP/EA are also available at the following locations: • San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 1 Marshlands Road, Fremont, CA 94536. • San Francisco Public Library, Federal Documents, 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco, CA 94102. • CA/NV Refuge Planning Office, 2800 Cottage Way, W–1832, Sacramento, CA 95825. Address any comments on the draft CCP/EA to: Winnie Chan, Refuge Planner, Farallon NWR CCP, San Francisco Bay NWR Complex, 9500 Thornton Avenue, Newark, CA 94560. You may also e-mail comments to sfbaynwrc@fws.gov or fax them to (510) 792–5828. If submitting by fax or e-mail, please type ‘‘FNWR CCP’’ in the subject line. Public Comments After the review and comment period ends for this Draft CCP/EA, we will analyze comments and address them in our final CCP/EA. 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 VerDate Aug<31>2005 19:07 Dec 19, 2008 Jkt 217001 cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Richard E. Sayers, Jr., Acting Regional Director, California and Nevada Region, Sacramento, California. [FR Doc. E8–30308 Filed 12–19–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [F–14866–A, F–14866–A2; AK–965–1410– KC–P] Alaska Native Claims Selection AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of decision approving lands for conveyance. SUMMARY: As required by 43 CFR 2650.7(d), notice is hereby given that an appealable decision approving lands for conveyance pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act will be issued to Sea Lion Corporation. The lands are in the vicinity of Hooper Bay, Alaska, and are located in: Seward Meridian, Alaska T. 21 N., R. 83 W., Sec. 3; Secs. 6 to 10, inclusive; Secs. 15 to 18, inclusive. Containing approximately 4,775 acres. T. 22 N., R. 83 W., Secs. 6 and 7; Secs. 11 to 14, inclusive; Secs. 23, 24, and 26; Secs. 27 and 34. Containing approximately 6,393 acres. T. 21 N., R. 84 W., Secs. 1 to 5, inclusive; Secs. 7 to 15, inclusive; Sec. 24. Containing approximately 7,960 acres. T. 22 N., R. 84 W., Secs. 1 and 2; Secs. 11 and 12; Secs. 14, 18, 19, and 23; Secs. 26 to 30, inclusive; Secs. 32 to 36, inclusive. Containing approximately 9,520 acres. T. 20 N., R. 85 W., Secs. 5 to 9, inclusive; Secs. 16 and 17; Secs. 20 and 21. Containing approximately 4,866 acres. T. 21 N., R. 85 W., Sec. 1; Secs. 8 to 12, inclusive; Secs. 16 and 17; Secs. 20 and 21; Secs. 27, 28, and 29; Secs. 33, 34, and 35. Containing approximately 8,452 acres. T. 22 N., R. 85 W., Secs. 11, 13, and 14; PO 00000 Frm 00104 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 78387 Secs. 23 to 26, inclusive. Containing approximately 3,732 acres. T. 20 N., R. 86 W., Secs. 1, 2, and 12. Containing approximately 1,699 acres. T. 21 N., R. 86 W., Secs. 1, 2, and 3; Secs. 7 to 12, inclusive; Secs. 15 to 23, inclusive; Secs. 26 to 35, inclusive. Containing approximately 13,703 acres. T. 18 N., R. 91 W., Secs. 13 to 16, inclusive; Secs. 22 to 27, inclusive; Secs. 34, 35, and 36. Containing approximately 7,012 acres. T. 15 N., R. 92 W., Secs. 4 to 7, inclusive. Containing approximately 2,469 acres. T. 16 N., R. 92 W., Secs. 3, 4, and 10; Secs. 15, 21, 22, and 27; Secs. 28 to 34, inclusive. Containing approximately 4,185 acres. T. 15 N., R. 93 W., Secs. 1 and 12. Containing approximately 849 acres. T. 16 N., R. 93 W., Sec. 36. Containing approximately 52 acres. Total aggregate of approximately 75,667 acres. A portion of the subsurface estate in these lands will be conveyed to Calista Corporation when the surface estate is conveyed to Sea Lion Corporation. The remaining lands lie within Clarence Rhode National Wildlife Range, established January 20, 1969. The subsurface estate in the refuge lands will be reserved to the United States at the time of conveyance. Notice of the decision will also be published four times in the Tundra Drums. DATES: The time limits for filing an appeal are: 1. Any party claiming a property interest which is adversely affected by the decision shall have until January 21, 2009 to file an appeal. 2. Parties receiving service of the decision by certified mail shall have 30 days from the date of receipt to file an appeal. Parties who do not file an appeal in accordance with the requirements of 43 CFR Part 4, Subpart E, shall be deemed to have waived their rights. ADDRESSES: A copy of the decision may be obtained from: Bureau of Land Management, Alaska State Office, 222 West Seventh Avenue, #13, Anchorage, Alaska 99513–7504. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Bureau of Land Management by phone at 907–271–5960, or by e-mail at ak.blm.conveyance@ak.blm.gov. Persons who use a telecommunication device E:\FR\FM\22DEN1.SGM 22DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 246 (Monday, December 22, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78386-78387]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-30308]


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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R8-R-2008-N0282; 81640-1265-0000-S3]


Farallon National Wildlife Refuge, San Francisco County, CA

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments: draft 
comprehensive conservation plan and environmental assessment.

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

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce 
that the Farallon National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) Draft Comprehensive 
Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment (draft CCP/EA) is 
available for review and comment. Also available for review are the 
draft compatibility determinations for research and monitoring, media 
access, and environmental education and monitoring through a remote 
camera system.

DATES: To ensure that we have adequate time to evaluate and incorporate 
suggestions and other input into the planning process, we must receive 
comments on or before February 20, 2009.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Winnie Chan, Refuge Planner, (510) 
792-0222.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, as 
amended by the Improvement Act, requires us 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 
and their habitats, the CCP identifies wildlife-dependent recreational 
opportunities available to the public, which can include opportunities 
for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, and 
environmental education and interpretation.

Background

    The Refuge is located off the coast of San Francisco and is within 
San Francisco County. The 211-acre Refuge consists of four island 
groupings that were first designated as a Refuge in 1909 ``as a 
preserve and breeding ground for native birds'' (Executive Order 1043, 
Feb. 27, 1909). The Refuge supports the largest seabird breeding colony 
in the contiguous United States and provides wintering and nesting 
habitat for migratory seabirds and pinnipeds. In 1974, Congress enacted 
Pub. L. 93-550, which designated all the islands except for Southeast 
Island as the Farallon Wilderness, totaling 141 acres.

Alternatives

    The draft CCP/EA identifies and evaluates four alternatives for 
managing Farallon National Wildlife Refuge for the next 15 years. Each 
alternative describes a combination of wildlife, habitat, and public 
use management prescriptions designed to achieve Refuge purposes. Of 
the alternatives described below, we believe Alternative C would best 
achieve the purposes of the Refuge, and therefore we have identified C 
as the Preferred Alternative.
    Alternative A, the no-action alternative, assumes no change from 
current management programs and is considered the baseline with which 
to compare other alternatives. Under this alternative, the focus of the 
Refuge would be to continue to protect and maintain habitats for 
nesting seabirds including restoration of native vegetation. Wildlife 
research and monitoring would continue. The Refuge would remain closed 
to the public, with the exception of requested media visits that are 
closely supervised by Refuge staff.
    Alternative B calls for the development of a vegetation management 
and monitoring plan to accelerate weed removal and restoration of 
native vegetation. Non-native house mice would be eradicated to reduce 
predation of seabirds and a tiered National Environmental Policy Act 
planning document would be prepared to evaluate the eradication methods 
and protocols. Public involvement opportunities for this tiered plan 
would be provided. New research and monitoring methods would be 
implemented to improve wildlife management. In addition, new or 
expanded research studies will also be implemented to study other 
wildlife on the Refuge (e.g., arboreal salamanders, hoary bats, and 
insects). Law enforcement to reduce wildlife disturbance would be 
increased through coordination with other agencies and outreach to 
boaters and pilots. The Refuge would remain closed to public access 
under this alternative, but limited supervised access for media 
personnel in order to further public education and provide outreach 
opportunities for the public would be allowed. While land-based 
wildlife observation would not be allowed, Refuge staff will coordinate 
with charter boat operators to enhance their wildlife tours in waters 
surrounding the Refuge. This alternative also includes outreach and 
environmental education objectives, including coordination with other 
outreach organizations in the San Francisco area, the development of 
environmental education programs and materials for outreach events, a 
remote camera system, and expanding the existing Farallon program in 
elementary schools.
    Alternative C, the preferred alternative, would include the same 
components as Alternative B. In addition, a visitor service plan would 
be developed to consider on-site visitor opportunities such as tours 
and volunteer activities. Additional areas on Southeast Island would 
also be considered for seasonal closure to

[[Page 78387]]

human access (for management purposes) to provide additional nesting 
habitat and reduce spread of non-native vegetation.
    Alternative D would include the same components as Alternative B, 
but would be more restrictive in terms of access. Human access (for 
management purposes) would be prohibited at North Landing, portions of 
Lighthouse Hill, and additional areas during the seabird nesting season 
to reduce disturbance, encourage expansion of nesting habitat, and 
prevent the spread of invasive plants. Wildlife monitoring would be 
reduced as a result of the closures. The Refuge would remain closed to 
public access. This alternative would also include use of a remote 
camera system to provide remote monitoring and wildlife observation 
opportunities.

Public Review and Comment

    To obtain a copy of the draft CCP/EA, write to Winnie Chan, Refuge 
Planner, Farallon NWR CCP, San Francisco Bay NWR Complex, 9500 Thornton 
Avenue, Newark, CA 94560. You may view a copy of the draft CCP/EA at 
this address, or you may view it or download it online at: https://
www.fws.gov/cno/refuges/farallon/.
    Hard copies of the draft CCP/EA are also available at the following 
locations:
     San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 1 
Marshlands Road, Fremont, CA 94536.
     San Francisco Public Library, Federal Documents, 100 
Larkin Street, San Francisco, CA 94102.
     CA/NV Refuge Planning Office, 2800 Cottage Way, W-1832, 
Sacramento, CA 95825.
    Address any comments on the draft CCP/EA to: Winnie Chan, Refuge 
Planner, Farallon NWR CCP, San Francisco Bay NWR Complex, 9500 Thornton 
Avenue, Newark, CA 94560. You may also e-mail comments to 
sfbaynwrc@fws.gov or fax them to (510) 792-5828. If submitting by fax 
or e-mail, please type ``FNWR CCP'' in the subject line.

Public Comments

    After the review and comment period ends for this Draft CCP/EA, we 
will analyze comments and address them in our final CCP/EA. 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.

Richard E. Sayers, Jr.,
Acting Regional Director, California and Nevada Region, Sacramento, 
California.
[FR Doc. E8-30308 Filed 12-19-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
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