Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Humboldt and Del Norte Counties, CA, 68861-68862 [E9-30563]

Download as PDF pwalker on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 248 / Tuesday, December 29, 2009 / Notices amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) California Desert District (CDD), Moreno Valley, California, together with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), San Diego County (County), the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), and the California State Lands Commission (CSLC), intend to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)/ Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the proposed Tule Wind Project and the proposed East County Substation Project (ECO) and by this notice are announcing the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues. The BLM will be the lead agency for NEPA compliance and the CPUC will be the lead agency for CEQA compliance. DATES: This notice initiates the public scoping process for the EIS/EIR. Comments on issues may be submitted in writing until January 28, 2010. The dates and locations of any scoping meetings will be announced at least 15 days before the meeting through local media, newspapers, and the BLM Web site at: https://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/ cdd.html. In order to be considered in the Draft EIS/EIR, all comments must be received prior to the close of the scoping period or 15 days after the last public meeting, whichever is later. We will provide additional opportunities for public participation upon publication of the Draft EIS/EIR. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on issues and alternatives related to the Tule Wind Project and East County Transmission Line Project by any of the following methods: • Web site: https://www.blm.gov/ca/st/ en/fo/cdd.html. • E-mail: catulewind@blm.gov. • Fax: (951) 697–5299. • Mail or other delivery service: Attn: Greg Thomsen, BLM California Desert District Office, 22835 Calle San Juan de Los Lagos, Moreno Valley, California 92553–9046. Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the CDD Office at the address above or the BLM’s California State Office, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, California 95825. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information or to have your name added to our mailing list, contact Greg Thomsen, telephone (951) 697– 5237; BLM California Desert District Office, 22835 Calle San Juan de Los Lagos, Moreno Valley, California 92553– 9046; e-mail catulewind@blm.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pacific Wind Development has submitted an application to construct, operate, and maintain an energy generation facility VerDate Nov<24>2008 19:02 Dec 28, 2009 Jkt 220001 that would generate 200 megawatts of renewable power. The project, known as the Tule Wind Project, would include the construction of new roads, turbines, a transmission line, and other facilities. The proposed project would be constructed on approximately 15,500 acres, comprised of lands administered by the BLM and the CSLC, lands of the Ewiiaapaayp Indian Reservation, and privately-owned property under the jurisdiction of San Diego County. The BLM lands comprise 12,124.9 acres. The proposed project is located in unincorporated San Diego County, approximately 60 miles east of San Diego, California. The San Diego Gas and Electric Company (SDG&E) has filed an application with the CPUC for the proposed ECO project. The ECO project will include the following: Construction of a new 500/230/138 kilovolt (kV) substation (ECO Substation); a loop-in of the existing 500 kV Southwest Powerlink transmission line; construction of an approximately 13.3mile-long, 138 kV transmission line from the ECO Substation to the Boulevard Substation; upgrading of the existing Boulevard Substation; dismantling and removal of the existing 69/12 kV substation; and upgrading of the existing SDG&E communication facility at White Star. As part of the ECO Project, SDG&E has filed an application with the BLM for a right-of-way grant for an approximately 1.5-mile long, 100-foot wide area to construct a 138 kV transmission line within a designated utility corridor. The purpose of the public scoping process is to determine relevant issues that may influence the scope of the environmental analysis, including alternatives, and guide the process for developing the EIS/EIR. At present, the BLM and the CPUC have identified the following preliminary issues: Special status species, cultural resources, visual resources, and areas of high potential for renewable energy development. The BLM will use and coordinate the NEPA commenting process to satisfy the public involvement process for Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470f) as provided in 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3). Native American Tribal consultations will be conducted and tribal concerns will be given due consideration, including impacts on Indian trust assets. Federal, State, and local agencies, along with Tribes and other stakeholders that may be interested or affected by the BLM’s, the CPUC’s, the CSLC’s, the BIA’s, or the County’s decision on this project are invited to participate in the scoping process and may request or be requested PO 00000 Frm 00086 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 68861 to participate as a cooperating agency. 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. Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 43 CFR 1610.2 Thomas Pogacnik, Deputy State Director, California. [FR Doc. E9–30779 Filed 12–23–09; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 4310–40–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R8–R–2009–N160; 80230–1265–0000– S3] Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Humboldt and Del Norte Counties, CA AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability; final comprehensive conservation plan/final environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact. SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of the final Comprehensive Conservation Plan/Final Environmental Assessment (CCP/EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex is composed of Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) and Castle Rock NWR. The CCP, prepared under the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, and in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, describes how the Service will manage the Refuges for the next 15 years. DATES: The CCP/EA and FONSI are available now. The FONSI was signed on September 24, 2009. Implementation of the CCP may begin immediately. ADDRESSES: You may view or obtain copies of the final CCP and FONSI/EA by any of the following methods. You may request a hard copy or CD–ROM. Agency Web Site: Download a copy of the document(s) at https://www.fws.gov/ humboldtbay/ccp.html. E:\FR\FM\29DEN1.SGM 29DEN1 68862 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 248 / Tuesday, December 29, 2009 / Notices E-mail: fw8plancomments@fws.gov. Include ‘‘Humboldt Bay CCP’’ in the subject line. Mail: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Attn: Sandy Osborn, Refuge Planner, 2800 Cottage Way, W–1832, Sacramento, CA 95825–1846. In-Person Viewing or Pickup: Call 707–733–5406 to make an appointment during regular business hours at Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 1020 Ranch Road, Loleta, CA 95551–9633. Local Library or Libraries: The document(s) are also available for review at the libraries listed under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric T. Nelson, Project Leader, Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex, P.O. Box 576, Loleta, CA 95551–9633, phone (707) 733–5406 or Sandy Osborn, Refuge Planner, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2800 Cottage Way, W–1832, Sacramento, CA, 95825, phone (916) 414–6503. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Humboldt Bay NWR is located on Humboldt Bay on California’s north coast near Eureka and Arcata. In 1971, the Humboldt Bay NWR was established to conserve coastal habitats for a great diversity of animals and plants, especially migratory birds. The Refuge Complex also includes Castle Rock NWR, a 14-acre island located in Del Norte County, less than a mile offshore, northwest of Crescent City. This refuge hosts one of the largest and most diverse colonies of breeding seabirds on the Pacific coast and provides a roost for approximately 20,000 Aleutian cackling geese during their migration. The Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment (CCP/EA) were available for a 45-day public review and comment period, which was announced via several methods including news releases; updates to constituents; and in the Federal Register (74 FR 6301 February 6, 2009). The Draft CCP/EA identified and evaluated three alternatives for managing Humboldt Bay and Castle Rock Refuges for the next 15 years. The Service received 35 comment letters on the Draft CCP/EA during the review period. The comments received were incorporated into the CCP, when possible, and responses are included in an appendix to the CCP. In the FONSI, Alternative C for both Humboldt Bay and Castle Rock NWRs was selected for implementation and is the basis for the CCP. The FONSI documents the Library 500 7th Street, Arcata, CA 95521 7351 Tompkins Hill Road, Arcata, CA 95501 190 Price Mall, Crescent City, CA 95331 753 14th Street, Fortuna, CA 95540 1313 3rd Street, Eureka, CA 95501 1 Harpst Street, Arcata, CA 95521 USFWS–NCTC, 698 Conservation Way, Shepherdstown, WV 25443 Dated: December 16, 2009. Ren Lohoefener, Regional Director, Pacific Southwest Region, Sacramento, California. [FR Doc. E9–30563 Filed 12–28–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLWO240LL11100000] pwalker on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with NOTICES Public Availability of Documents In addition to the methods in you can view or obtain documents at the following locations: • Our Web site: https://www.fws.gov/ humboldtbay/ccp.html. • Public Libraries: during regular library hours, at the following libraries: ADDRESSES, Address Arcata Library ..................................................... College of the Redwoods Library ....................... Del Norte County Public Library ......................... Fortuna Library ................................................... Humboldt County Library .................................... Humboldt State University Library ...................... Conservation Library .......................................... decision of the Service based on the information and analysis contained in the EA. Under the selected alternative, the Refuges would achieve an optimal balance of biological resource objectives and visitor services opportunities. Habitat management and associated biological resources monitoring would be improved. For Humboldt Bay NWR, environmental education, interpretation, wildlife observation, photography, and hunting programs would be improved or expanded. For Castle Rock NWR, a recommendation for wilderness designation, if approved by the Service’s Director, would afford additional protections. The selected alternative best meets the Refuges’ purposes, vision and goals; contributes to the Refuge System mission; addresses the significant issues and relevant mandates; and is consistent with principles of sound fish and wildlife management. Notice of Intent To Revise the 1997 Programmatic Agreement With the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. VerDate Nov<24>2008 19:02 Dec 28, 2009 Jkt 220001 ACTION: Phone number Notice of intent. SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces its intent to revise the 1997 National Programmatic Agreement (PA) with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) and the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers (NCSHPO) regarding the manner in which the BLM meets its responsibilities under the National Historic Preservation Act. DATES: You may submit written comments to help inform the PA revision process by January 28, 2010. ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: Robin Burgess, BLM Preservation Officer, U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, 1849 C Street, NW., Mail Stop 204–LS, Washington, DC 20240 or PO 00000 Frm 00087 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 707–822–5954 707–476–426 707–464–9793 707 725–3460 707–269–1900 707–826–3441 304–876–7304 robin_burgess@blm.gov. Copies of the existing PA, the addendum to the PA, and draft revision strategy are available upon request from this address and are also available at https://www.blm.gov/ wo/st/en/prog/more/CRM/ historic_preservationx.html. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robin Burgess, BLM Preservation Officer, U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, 1849 C Street NW., Mail Stop 204–LS, Washington, DC 20240, telephone: (202) 912–7241, or e-mail: robin_burgess@blm.gov. The BLM 1997 National PA authorizes the BLM to follow an alternative to the process in the ACHP’s regulations, 36 CFR part 800, for meeting its responsibilities under Section 106 of the National SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\29DEN1.SGM 29DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 248 (Tuesday, December 29, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68861-68862]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-30563]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R8-R-2009-N160; 80230-1265-0000-S3]


Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Humboldt and Del 
Norte Counties, CA

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability; final comprehensive conservation plan/
final environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact.

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

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the 
availability of the final Comprehensive Conservation Plan/Final 
Environmental Assessment (CCP/EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact 
(FONSI) for Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The Humboldt 
Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex is composed of Humboldt Bay 
National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) and Castle Rock NWR. The CCP, prepared 
under the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, and 
in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 
describes how the Service will manage the Refuges for the next 15 
years.

DATES: The CCP/EA and FONSI are available now. The FONSI was signed on 
September 24, 2009. Implementation of the CCP may begin immediately.

ADDRESSES: You may view or obtain copies of the final CCP and FONSI/EA 
by any of the following methods. You may request a hard copy or CD-ROM.
    Agency Web Site: Download a copy of the document(s) at https://www.fws.gov/humboldtbay/ccp.html.

[[Page 68862]]

    E-mail: fw8plancomments@fws.gov. Include ``Humboldt Bay CCP'' in 
the subject line.
    Mail: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Attn: Sandy Osborn, Refuge 
Planner, 2800 Cottage Way, W-1832, Sacramento, CA 95825-1846.
    In-Person Viewing or Pickup: Call 707-733-5406 to make an 
appointment during regular business hours at Humboldt Bay National 
Wildlife Refuge Complex, 1020 Ranch Road, Loleta, CA 95551-9633.
    Local Library or Libraries: The document(s) are also available for 
review at the libraries listed under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric T. Nelson, Project Leader, 
Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex, P.O. Box 576, Loleta, CA 
95551-9633, phone (707) 733-5406 or Sandy Osborn, Refuge Planner, U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service, 2800 Cottage Way, W-1832, Sacramento, CA, 
95825, phone (916) 414-6503.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Humboldt Bay NWR is located on Humboldt Bay on California's north 
coast near Eureka and Arcata. In 1971, the Humboldt Bay NWR was 
established to conserve coastal habitats for a great diversity of 
animals and plants, especially migratory birds. The Refuge Complex also 
includes Castle Rock NWR, a 14-acre island located in Del Norte County, 
less than a mile offshore, northwest of Crescent City. This refuge 
hosts one of the largest and most diverse colonies of breeding seabirds 
on the Pacific coast and provides a roost for approximately 20,000 
Aleutian cackling geese during their migration.
    The Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental 
Assessment (CCP/EA) were available for a 45-day public review and 
comment period, which was announced via several methods including news 
releases; updates to constituents; and in the Federal Register (74 FR 
6301 February 6, 2009). The Draft CCP/EA identified and evaluated three 
alternatives for managing Humboldt Bay and Castle Rock Refuges for the 
next 15 years.
    The Service received 35 comment letters on the Draft CCP/EA during 
the review period. The comments received were incorporated into the 
CCP, when possible, and responses are included in an appendix to the 
CCP. In the FONSI, Alternative C for both Humboldt Bay and Castle Rock 
NWRs was selected for implementation and is the basis for the CCP. The 
FONSI documents the decision of the Service based on the information 
and analysis contained in the EA.
    Under the selected alternative, the Refuges would achieve an 
optimal balance of biological resource objectives and visitor services 
opportunities. Habitat management and associated biological resources 
monitoring would be improved. For Humboldt Bay NWR, environmental 
education, interpretation, wildlife observation, photography, and 
hunting programs would be improved or expanded. For Castle Rock NWR, a 
recommendation for wilderness designation, if approved by the Service's 
Director, would afford additional protections. The selected alternative 
best meets the Refuges' purposes, vision and goals; contributes to the 
Refuge System mission; addresses the significant issues and relevant 
mandates; and is consistent with principles of sound fish and wildlife 
management.

Public Availability of Documents

    In addition to the methods in ADDRESSES, you can view or obtain 
documents at the following locations:
     Our Web site: https://www.fws.gov/humboldtbay/ccp.html.
     Public Libraries: during regular library hours, at the 
following libraries:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Library                               Address                              Phone number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arcata Library...................  500 7th Street, Arcata, CA 95521        707-822-5954
College of the Redwoods Library..  7351 Tompkins Hill Road, Arcata, CA     707-476-426
                                    95501
Del Norte County Public Library..  190 Price Mall, Crescent City, CA       707-464-9793
                                    95331
Fortuna Library..................  753 14th Street, Fortuna, CA 95540      707 725-3460
Humboldt County Library..........  1313 3rd Street, Eureka, CA 95501       707-269-1900
Humboldt State University Library  1 Harpst Street, Arcata, CA 95521       707-826-3441
Conservation Library.............  USFWS-NCTC, 698 Conservation Way,       304-876-7304
                                    Shepherdstown, WV 25443
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Dated: December 16, 2009.
Ren Lohoefener,
Regional Director, Pacific Southwest Region, Sacramento, California.
[FR Doc. E9-30563 Filed 12-28-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
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