Modoc National Wildlife Refuge, Modoc County, CA, 28271-28273 [E9-13303]
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 113 / Monday, June 15, 2009 / Notices
Steller sea lions, and 100 northern
elephant seals.
The Three Arch Rocks Refuge is
located a half-mile west of the town of
Oceanside in Tillamook County,
Oregon. The Refuge is comprised of 9
rocks and islands with a total land area
of 15 acres, and supports one of the
largest seabird breeding colonies—
mainly tufted puffins and common
murre—in Oregon. It is also the only
breeding site for the threatened Steller
sea lion on the north coast of Oregon.
The Refuge is a designated wilderness
area known as Three Arch Rocks
Wilderness.
Draft Alternatives We Are Considering
We identified and evaluated two
alternatives for managing the Refuges
for the next 15 years. Alternative 1 is the
No Action Alternative, and Alternative
2 is the Preferred Alternative, which is
a collaborative approach to protection
and management of refuge lands. Draft
compatibility determinations for public
uses are available for review with the
Draft CCP/WSP/EA. Brief descriptions
of the alternatives follow.
based inventory and monitoring
program for pinnipeds, seabirds and
other migratory birds, terrestrial
mammals, reptiles, amphibians,
invertebrates, and plant species, and
invasive species would be monitored
and aggressively treated.
Partners would be actively sought to
collaborate on research, design, and
implementation of studies that would
directly contribute toward maintaining
or restoring the biological integrity,
diversity, and environmental health of
the Refuges. We would establish formal
agreements with coastal resource
management agencies to cooperate on
strategies to protect wildlife.
New partnerships would also be
established with public and private
entities to develop interpretive panels
and new wildlife viewing opportunities.
The Refuges’ Volunteer Interpreter
Program would be expanded to include
priority sites with heavy visitation and
prime wildlife viewing opportunities.
We would also develop a quality
environmental education program
focusing on the Refuges’ wildlife.
pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES
Alternative 1
This alternative assumes no change
from current Refuge management
programs. We would continue to protect
and maintain habitat for priority
species, including seabirds and
pinnipeds. Efforts to prevent wildlife
disturbance on rocks, reefs, and islands
would continue, including prohibiting
public access, posting educational and
regulatory signs, and deploying buoys
annually, to delineate the seasonal 500foot watercraft exclusion buffer zone
around Three Arch Rocks Refuge.
Habitat management would consist
primarily of monitoring and treating
invasive plant infestations as funding
allows. We would continue to conduct
regularly scheduled aerial, boat, and
land surveys of nesting seabirds.
Existing public uses, including wildlife
observation and photography, would
continue at current levels. We would
continue to partner with Oregon Parks
and Recreation Department (OPRD) to
provide quality wildlife viewing
opportunities at Cape Meares Refuge
and other parks adjacent to rocks, reefs,
and islands within Oregon Islands and
Three Arch Rocks Refuges.
Public Availability of Documents
We encourage you to stay involved in
the CCP planning process by reviewing
and commenting on the proposals we
have developed in the Draft CCP/WSP/
EA.
Copies of the Draft CCP/WSP/EA on
compact disk are available upon request
from the Refuge Complex at phone
number (541) 867–4550. Copies may be
reviewed at the Oregon Coast National
Wildlife Refuge Complex, 2127 SE
Marine Science Drive, Newport, OR.
The Draft CCP/WSP/EA is also available
for viewing and downloading on the
Internet at https://www.fws.gov/
oregoncoast/. Printed copies will be
available for review at the following
libraries.
• Chetco Community Public Library,
405 Alder St., Brookings, OR 97415,
• Bandon Public Library, 1204 11th
St. SW., Bandon, OR 97411,
• Newport Public Library, 35 NW Nye
St., Newport, OR 97365,
• Driftwood Public Library, 801 SW
Hwy 101 #201, Lincoln City, OR 97367,
• Tillamook County Library, 1716 3rd
St., Tillamook, OR 97141, and
• Seaside Public Library, 1131
Broadway, Seaside, OR 97138.
Alternative 2
Under the Preferred Alternative, a
collaborative approach to protection and
management of the Refuges’ rock, reef,
island, and old-growth habitats would
be emphasized over the current staffdirected approach. We would develop a
Geographic Information System (GIS)
Public Comments
Public comments are requested,
considered, and incorporated
throughout the planning process.
Comments on the Draft CCP/WSP/EA
will be analyzed by the Service and
addressed in final planning documents.
All comments received from individuals
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28271
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 (5 U.S.C. 552), NEPA
regulations, and Service and
Department of the Interior policies and
procedures.
Dated: May 11, 2009.
David J. Wesley,
Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. E9–13564 Filed 6–12–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS–R8–R–2009–N0070; 80230–1265–
0000–53]
Modoc National Wildlife Refuge,
Modoc County, CA
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability: draft
comprehensive conservation plan and
environmental assessment; request for
comments.
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (Service), announce the
availability of a draft comprehensive
conservation plan (CCP) and
environmental assessment (EA) for
Modoc National Wildlife Refuge (NWR)
for public review and comment. In these
documents, we describe alternatives,
including our preferred alternative, to
manage this refuge for the 15 years
following approval of the final CCP.
Draft compatibility determinations for
several public uses are also available for
review and public comment in the Draft
CCP/EA.
DATES: To ensure consideration, we
must receive your written comments by
July 30, 2009. We will announce
upcoming public meeting in local news
media.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
or requests for copies or more
information by any of the following
methods. You may request hard copies
or a CD–ROM of the documents.
E-mail: Jackie_Ferrier@fws.gov.
Include ‘‘Modoc NWR Draft CCP and
EA’’ in the subject line of the message.
Fax: Attn: Jackie Ferrier, Refuge
Planner, (530) 934–7814.
U.S. Mail: Sacramento NWR Complex,
752 County Road 99W, Willows, CA
95988.
In-Person Drop-off, Viewing, or
Pickup: Call (530) 233–3572 to make an
appointment (necessary for view/pickup
only) during regular business hours at
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 113 / Monday, June 15, 2009 / Notices
the Modoc NWR, at 5364 County Road
115, Alturas, CA 96101 during business
hours. For more information on
locations for viewing or obtaining
documents, see ‘‘Public Availability of
Documents’’ under SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Steve Clay, Project Leader at Modoc
NWR, (530) 233–3572 (telephone) or
Jackie Ferrier, Refuge Planner at
Sacramento NWR Complex at (530)
934–2801 (telephone).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we continue the CCP
process for Modoc NWR. We started this
process through a notice in the Federal
Register (72 FR 44850; August 9, 2007).
The 7,021 acre Modoc National
Wildlife Refuge is located southeast of
Alturas, California. The Refuge was
established in 1960 pursuant to the
Migratory Bird Conservation Act (16
U.S.C. 715d) and the Refuge Recreation
Act (16 U.S.C. 460k–460 K.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, and for the
conservation of endangered species or
threatened species.
Located near the confluence of the
north and south forks of the Pit River,
the Refuge conserves, protects, and
manages a mosaic of freshwater lakes
and ponds, seasonal wetlands, irrigated
meadows, grasslands, and sagebrush/
juniper upland habitats. These habitats
provide important resting, feeding, and
nesting areas for ducks, geese, and other
migratory birds including the greater
sandhill crane.
pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES
Background
The CCP Process
The National Wildlife Refuge System
Improvement Act of 1997 (16 U.S.C.
668dd–668ee) (Improvement Act),
which amended the National Wildlife
Refuge System Administration Act of
1966, requires us to develop a CCP for
each national wildlife refuge. The
purpose for developing a CCP is to
provide refuge managers with a 15-year
plan 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 our policies. In
addition to outlining broad management
direction on conserving wildlife and
their habitats, CCPs identify wildlife-
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Jkt 217001
dependent recreational opportunities
available to the public, including
opportunities for hunting, fishing,
wildlife observation and photography,
and environmental education and
interpretation. We will review and
update the CCP at least every 15 years
in accordance with the Improvement
Act.
Public Outreach
We started the CCP for Modoc NWR
in August 2007. At that time and
throughout the process, public
comments were requested, considered,
and incorporated in numerous ways.
Public outreach has included a public
scoping meeting, planning updates, a
CCP Web page, and Federal Register
notices. Comments we received cover
topics such as wildlife, habitat, refuge
management, invasive species
management, partnerships, and visitor
services. We have considered and
evaluated all of these comments, with
many incorporated into the various
alternatives addressed in the draft CCP
and the EA.
CCP Alternatives We Are Considering
During the public scoping process
with which we started work on this
draft CCP, we, other governmental
partners, Tribes, and the public raised
several issues. Our draft CCP addresses
them. A full description of each
alternative is in the EA. To address
these issues, we developed and
evaluated the following alternatives,
summarized below.
The Draft EA/CCP presents an
evaluation of the environmental effects
of four alternatives for managing the
Modoc Refuge for the next 15 years. The
Service proposes to implement
Alternative C, as described in the EA.
Alternative C best achieves the Refuge’s
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 four alternatives. Features common
to all alternatives include invasive
species management, habitat
management and restoration,
implementation of a hunting and fishing
program, and providing wildlife
observation, photography,
environmental education, and
interpretation opportunities. There are
also many features of each alternative
that are distinct.
Alternative A, the no action
alternative, assumes no change from
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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 and
nesting migratory and resident birds
with an emphasis on migratory birds by
restoring and maintaining wetland,
riparian, and grassland habitats. The
Refuge would continue to offer wildlifedependent recreation including wildlife
observation, photography,
environmental education, interpretative
programs, fishing and hunting, with
emphasis on youth and disabled
hunters.
Under Alternative B, the Refuge
would emphasize management for
biological resources. Biological
opportunities would be maximized to
allow optimum wildlife and habitat
management throughout the majority of
the Refuge. The Refuges would continue
its current focus of providing migratory
and nesting habitat for migratory birds.
Habitat and invasive species
management programs would be
expanded. Environmental education,
interpretation, wildlife observation,
wildlife photography, fishing, and
hunting, programs would be reduced.
Under Alternative C, the Refuge
would achieve an optimal balance of
biological resource objectives and
visitor services opportunities. Habitat
management and associated biological
resource monitoring would be
improved. Visitor service opportunities
would focus on quality wildlifedependant recreation distributed
throughout the Refuge. In addition,
environmental education,
interpretation, wildlife observation,
photography, fishing, and hunting
programs would be expanded beyond
Alternative A.
Under Alternative D, the Refuge
would emphasize management for
visitor services. Wildlife-dependant
recreational opportunities would be
expanded on the Refuge. Opportunities
for the six priority public uses: hunting,
fishing, wildlife observation,
photography, environmental education,
and interpretation, would be expanded
beyond Alternatives A, B, and C.
Public Availability of Documents
In addition to any methods in
ADDRESSES, you can view or obtain
documents at the following locations:
• Our Web site: https://www.fws.gov/
modoc.
• Public Libraries: Modoc County
Library 212 West Third Street Alturas,
CA 96101, Cedarville Branch Library
460 Main Street, Cedarville, CA 96104,
Conservation Library, USFWS–NCTC,
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 113 / Monday, June 15, 2009 / Notices
698 Conservation Way, Shepherdstown,
WV 25443 during regular library hours.
Next Steps
After this comment period ends, we
will analyze the comments and address
them in the form of a final CCP.
Public Availability of Comments
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: June 2, 2009.
Margaret T. Kolar,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific Southwest
Region, Sacramento, California.
[FR Doc. E9–13303 Filed 6–12–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES
General Management Plan; Devils
Postpile National Monument; Mono
County, CA; Notice of Intent To
Prepare an Environmental Impact
Statement
SUMMARY: In accordance with 102(2)(C)
of the National Environmental Policy
Act of 1969, the National Park Service—
in cooperation with Inyo National
Forest—is undertaking a conservation
planning and environmental impact
analysis process for creating a new
General Management Plan (GMP) for
Devils Postpile National Monument
(monument), California. The GMP is
intended to set forth the basic
management philosophy for this unit of
the National Park System and provide
the strategies for addressing issues and
achieving identified management
objectives for that unit. The GMP will
serve as a ‘‘blueprint’’ to guide
management of natural and cultural
resources and visitor use during the
next 15–20 years.
In addition to identifying an
‘‘environmentally preferred’’ alternative,
one or more development concept
plans, which guide more detailed, sitespecific preservation and development,
may also be included with the GMP.
The GMP will also include an eligibility
assessment for wild and scenic river
designation for the upper Middle Fork
San Joaquin River, as required by NPS
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Management Policies 2006 for rivers
and river segments in the National Park
System.
The National Park Service (NPS) will
serve as lead agency and the U.S. Forest
Service shall assume the role of
cooperating agency in preparing the
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
Devils Postpile National Monument is
working in cooperation with the Inyo
National Forest on this GMP so as to
seamlessly address visitor opportunities
within the valley (such as facilities,
transit, and overall visitor experience)
and resource management issues in the
upper Middle Fork San Joaquin River
watershed (such as watershed
management, biodiversity, and response
to climate change). For any actions that
the Forest Service determines would be
necessary to be undertaken on Forest
Service lands, the Forest Service would
approve appropriate compliance
separately.
Background Information: Devils
Postpile National Monument was
established in 1911 by presidential
proclamation. The 798-acre monument
rests along the Middle Fork San Joaquin
River on the Sierra Nevada’s western
slope and was established to preserve
the columnar formation, Devils Postpile,
and 101-foot Rainbow Falls. The
formation Devils Postpile ranks as one
of the world’s finest examples of
columnar jointing. Its columns tower 60
feet high and display an unusual
symmetry. The monument also
preserves natural mountain scenery and
serves as a portal to the High Sierra
backcountry. Both the John Muir Trail
and Pacific Crest Trail pass through the
monument.
Originally administered by the U.S.
Forest Service, the monument was
transferred to the national park system
in 1934. After the transfer, the
monument was managed as a satellite
unit first by Yosemite and then by
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National
Parks before becoming an independent
unit of the national park system.
Congress also included 747 acres of the
monument in the Ansel Adams
Wilderness in 1984, consequently over
90% of the monument is designated as
Wilderness.
The National Park Service oversees
the 798-acre Devils Postpile National
Monument, while the U.S. Forest
Service manages the lands surrounding
the monument. These two Federal
agencies work as partners to manage
public lands in this area. Access to
Devils Postpile is primarily via a
mandatory bus system managed by the
Forest Service. Hiking trails wind
seamlessly in and out of the monument
and onto the adjacent national forest.
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28273
Both agencies are also responsible for
wilderness areas. The Devils Postpile
trailhead provides one of three main
access points to the Pacific Crest and
John Muir trails as well as portals to the
Ansel Adams and John Muir
Wildernesses. Wilderness permits for
the national forest may be obtained
through the monument.
Preliminary Issues: A comprehensive
management plan that provides a broad,
long-term vision for management of
Devils Postpile National Monument has
never been developed. Management
direction was previously provided
through Yosemite and Sequoia and
Kings Canyon National Parks.
Programmatic strategies to protect,
maintain or restore resources and
address visitor access, services, and
development specific to the monument
are needed.
Consistent with NPS Planning
Program Standards, this GMP will: (1)
Describe the monument’s purpose,
significance, and primary interpretive
themes; (2) identify the fundamental
resources and values of the monument,
its other important resources and
values, and describe the condition of
these resources; (3) describe desired
conditions for cultural and natural
resources and visitor experiences
throughout the monument; (4) develop
management zoning to support these
desired conditions; (5) develop
alternative applications of these
management zones to the monument’s
landscape (i.e. zoning alternatives); (6)
address user capacity; (7) analyze
potential boundary modifications; (8)
ensure that management
recommendations are developed in
consultation with interested
stakeholders and the public and
adopted by NPS leadership after an
adequate analysis of the benefits,
environmental impacts, and economic
costs of alternative courses of action; (9)
develop cost estimates for implementing
each of the alternatives; and (10)
identify and prioritize subsequent
detailed studies, plans and actions that
may be needed to implement the GMP,
including further wild and scenic river
planning or Wilderness management
planning that may be required.
Scoping Process: The purpose of this
scoping outreach effort is to elicit early
public feedback regarding potential
issues and concerns, the nature and
extent of potential environmental
impacts (and as appropriate, mitigation
measures), and alternative concepts
which should be addressed in
developing the monument’s first plan.
Through the outreach activities planned
in the scoping phase, the NPS welcomes
information and suggestions from the
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 113 (Monday, June 15, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28271-28273]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-13303]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R8-R-2009-N0070; 80230-1265-0000-53]
Modoc National Wildlife Refuge, Modoc County, CA
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability: draft comprehensive conservation plan
and environmental assessment; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the
availability of a draft comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and
environmental assessment (EA) for Modoc National Wildlife Refuge (NWR)
for public review and comment. In these documents, we describe
alternatives, including our preferred alternative, to manage this
refuge for the 15 years following approval of the final CCP. Draft
compatibility determinations for several public uses are also available
for review and public comment in the Draft CCP/EA.
DATES: To ensure consideration, we must receive your written comments
by July 30, 2009. We will announce upcoming public meeting in local
news media.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments or requests for copies or more
information by any of the following methods. You may request hard
copies or a CD-ROM of the documents.
E-mail: Jackie_Ferrier@fws.gov. Include ``Modoc NWR Draft CCP and
EA'' in the subject line of the message.
Fax: Attn: Jackie Ferrier, Refuge Planner, (530) 934-7814.
U.S. Mail: Sacramento NWR Complex, 752 County Road 99W, Willows, CA
95988.
In-Person Drop-off, Viewing, or Pickup: Call (530) 233-3572 to make
an appointment (necessary for view/pickup only) during regular business
hours at
[[Page 28272]]
the Modoc NWR, at 5364 County Road 115, Alturas, CA 96101 during
business hours. For more information on locations for viewing or
obtaining documents, see ``Public Availability of Documents'' under
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Clay, Project Leader at Modoc
NWR, (530) 233-3572 (telephone) or Jackie Ferrier, Refuge Planner at
Sacramento NWR Complex at (530) 934-2801 (telephone).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we continue the CCP process for Modoc NWR. We
started this process through a notice in the Federal Register (72 FR
44850; August 9, 2007).
The 7,021 acre Modoc National Wildlife Refuge is located southeast
of Alturas, California. The Refuge was established in 1960 pursuant to
the Migratory Bird Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 715d) and the Refuge
Recreation Act (16 U.S.C. 460k-460 K.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, and for the conservation of endangered species or threatened
species.
Located near the confluence of the north and south forks of the Pit
River, the Refuge conserves, protects, and manages a mosaic of
freshwater lakes and ponds, seasonal wetlands, irrigated meadows,
grasslands, and sagebrush/juniper upland habitats. These habitats
provide important resting, feeding, and nesting areas for ducks, geese,
and other migratory birds including the greater sandhill crane.
Background
The CCP Process
The National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (16
U.S.C. 668dd-668ee) (Improvement Act), which amended the National
Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, requires us to
develop a CCP for each national wildlife refuge. The purpose for
developing a CCP is to provide refuge managers with a 15-year plan 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 our
policies. In addition to outlining broad management direction on
conserving wildlife and their habitats, CCPs identify wildlife-
dependent recreational opportunities available to the public, including
opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and
photography, and environmental education and interpretation. We will
review and update the CCP at least every 15 years in accordance with
the Improvement Act.
Public Outreach
We started the CCP for Modoc NWR in August 2007. At that time and
throughout the process, public comments were requested, considered, and
incorporated in numerous ways. Public outreach has included a public
scoping meeting, planning updates, a CCP Web page, and Federal Register
notices. Comments we received cover topics such as wildlife, habitat,
refuge management, invasive species management, partnerships, and
visitor services. We have considered and evaluated all of these
comments, with many incorporated into the various alternatives
addressed in the draft CCP and the EA.
CCP Alternatives We Are Considering
During the public scoping process with which we started work on
this draft CCP, we, other governmental partners, Tribes, and the public
raised several issues. Our draft CCP addresses them. A full description
of each alternative is in the EA. To address these issues, we developed
and evaluated the following alternatives, summarized below.
The Draft EA/CCP presents an evaluation of the environmental
effects of four alternatives for managing the Modoc Refuge for the next
15 years. The Service proposes to implement Alternative C, as described
in the EA. Alternative C best achieves the Refuge's 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 four alternatives. Features common to all alternatives
include invasive species management, habitat management and
restoration, implementation of a hunting and fishing program, and
providing wildlife observation, photography, environmental education,
and interpretation opportunities. 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 and nesting migratory and resident birds with an emphasis on
migratory birds by restoring and maintaining wetland, riparian, and
grassland habitats. The Refuge would continue to offer wildlife-
dependent recreation including wildlife observation, photography,
environmental education, interpretative programs, fishing and hunting,
with emphasis on youth and disabled hunters.
Under Alternative B, the Refuge would emphasize management for
biological resources. Biological opportunities would be maximized to
allow optimum wildlife and habitat management throughout the majority
of the Refuge. The Refuges would continue its current focus of
providing migratory and nesting habitat for migratory birds. Habitat
and invasive species management programs would be expanded.
Environmental education, interpretation, wildlife observation, wildlife
photography, fishing, and hunting, programs would be reduced.
Under Alternative C, the Refuge would achieve an optimal balance of
biological resource objectives and visitor services opportunities.
Habitat management and associated biological resource monitoring would
be improved. Visitor service opportunities would focus on quality
wildlife-dependant recreation distributed throughout the Refuge. In
addition, environmental education, interpretation, wildlife
observation, photography, fishing, and hunting programs would be
expanded beyond Alternative A.
Under Alternative D, the Refuge would emphasize management for
visitor services. Wildlife-dependant recreational opportunities would
be expanded on the Refuge. Opportunities for the six priority public
uses: hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, photography,
environmental education, and interpretation, would be expanded beyond
Alternatives A, B, and C.
Public Availability of Documents
In addition to any methods in ADDRESSES, you can view or obtain
documents at the following locations:
Our Web site: https://www.fws.gov/modoc.
Public Libraries: Modoc County Library 212 West Third
Street Alturas, CA 96101, Cedarville Branch Library 460 Main Street,
Cedarville, CA 96104, Conservation Library, USFWS-NCTC,
[[Page 28273]]
698 Conservation Way, Shepherdstown, WV 25443 during regular library
hours.
Next Steps
After this comment period ends, we will analyze the comments and
address them in the form of a final CCP.
Public Availability of Comments
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: June 2, 2009.
Margaret T. Kolar,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific Southwest Region, Sacramento,
California.
[FR Doc. E9-13303 Filed 6-12-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
