Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge Complex (Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge and Coachella Valley National Wildlife Refuge), Imperial and Riverside Counties, CA, 55600-55601 [2010-22731]
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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 176 / Monday, September 13, 2010 / Notices
invasive species, and change forest
productivity.
Human activities causing pollution
and water quantity and quality
degradation, along with habitat
fragmentation and loss, have caused
environmental changes in freshwater
systems. The Little River drains a
watershed of approximately 2,225
square miles and provides habitat for
the Federally listed Ouachita rock
pocketbook mussel (Arkanasii wheeleri),
Scaleshell mussel (Leptodea leptodon),
and Winged mapleleaf mussel
(Quadrula fragosa), along with a host of
other imperiled freshwater species.
Human-created stressors, along with
climate change stressors, can negatively
affect the biodiversity of freshwater
ecosystems. These impacts are expected
to alter the freshwater ecosystem
utilized by USFWS trust resources and
the human population.
Wildlife Issues—Feral hog
management and migratory birds.
The presence of feral hogs (Sus scrofa)
results in substantial damages to the
natural resources on the refuge. The
detrimental effects of free-ranging feral
hogs can be found throughout the entire
refuge, as population numbers have
increased without a control mechanism.
Feral hogs are highly adaptable, have
high reproductive capabilities, and can
be found in a wide range of habitat
types. Feral hogs cause widespread
impacts to the refuge habitat, compete
with native wildlife species for food
resources, and can transmit infectious
diseases to humans, domestic livestock,
and native wildlife species.
Trust migratory bird species that the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is
mandated to protect are under pressure
and at risk from a number of stressors
(e.g., habitat loss and degradation,
development, pollution, and invasive
species), in addition to climate change.
Evidence suggests that climate change is
affecting the distribution, abundance,
and population dynamics of a wide
range of migratory bird species (forest
dwelling and waterfowl) that rely on a
bottomland hardwood forest ecosystem
to provide essential habitat for survival.
Public Use Opportunities and
Access—Enhancing Wildlife Dependent
Recreation Opportunities.
The bottomland hardwood forest
protected by the Little River NWR
provides the public with quality
recreational opportunities to learn about
and enjoy the ecological diversity and
history of the refuge in a largely natural
setting. Improving opportunities for
wildlife-dependent recreational uses
(six priority public uses) that are
compatible with the purpose of the
refuge will promote broader community
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support and understanding of the value
and need for wildlife conservation and
protection.
Facilities—Public Contact Station.
The refuge receives over 10,000
visitors annually, and visitor use
continues to rise as the public becomes
more aware of the wide variety of
wildlife-dependent recreational
opportunities provided by the refuge. A
public contact station is needed to
provide facilities to enhance the
public’s experience of nature and the
great outdoors and to educate the public
about the mission of the National
Wildlife Refuge System and the role of
Little River NWR in achieving it.
Public Meetings
We will give the public an
opportunity to provide input at one or
more public meetings. You may obtain
the schedule from the planning team
leader or project leader (see ADDRESSES).
You may also send comments anytime
during the planning process by mail,
e-mail, or fax (see ADDRESSES). There
will be additional opportunities to
provide public input once we have
prepared a draft 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: August 11, 2010.
Joy E. Nicholopoulos,
Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife,
Region 2.
environmental assessment; request for
comments.
We, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (Service), intend to
prepare a Comprehensive Conservation
Plan (CCP) and Environmental
Assessment (EA) for the Sonny Bono
Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge
(NWR) Complex, which consists of the
Sonny Bono Salton Sea NWR located in
Imperial County, California, and the
Coachella Valley NWR located in
Riverside County, California. We
provide this notice in compliance with
our CCP policy to advise other Federal
and State agencies, Tribes, and the
public of our intentions, and to obtain
suggestions and information on the
scope of issues to consider in the
planning process.
SUMMARY:
To ensure consideration, we
must receive your written comments by
November 12, 2010.
DATES:
Send your comments or
requests for more information by any of
the following methods.
E-mail: Victoria_Touchstone@fws.gov.
Include ‘‘Sonny Bono Salton Sea CCP’’
in the subject line of the message.
Fax: Attn: Victoria Touchstone, (760)
930–0256.
U.S. Mail: Victoria Touchstone, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, San Diego
NWRC, 6010 Hidden Valley Road, Suite
101, Carlsbad, CA 92011.
In-Person Drop-off: You may drop off
comments at the Sonny Bono Salton Sea
NWR Office between 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.;
please call (760) 348–5278 for
directions.
ADDRESSES:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
[FR Doc. 2010–22732 Filed 9–10–10; 8:45 am]
Victoria Touchstone, Refuge Planner, at
760–431–9440, extension 349, or Chris
Schoneman, Project Leader, at 760–348–
5278. Further information may also be
found at https://www.fws.gov/saltonsea/.
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS–R8–R–2010–N169; 80230–1265–0000–
S3]
Sonny Bono Salton Sea National
Wildlife Refuge Complex (Sonny Bono
Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge
and Coachella Valley National Wildlife
Refuge), Imperial and Riverside
Counties, CA
Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a
comprehensive conservation plan and
AGENCY:
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With this notice, we initiate our
process for developing a CCP for the
Sonny Bono Salton Sea NWR Complex,
including the Sonny Bono Salton Sea
NWR in Imperial County, CA, and the
Coachella Valley NWR in Riverside
County, CA. This notice complies with
our CCP policy to (1) Advise other
Federal and State agencies, Tribes, and
the public of our intention to conduct
detailed planning on this refuge
complex, and (2) obtain suggestions and
information on the scope of issues to
consider in the environmental
document and during development of
the CCP.
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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 176 / Monday, September 13, 2010 / Notices
mstockstill on DSKB9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES
Background
The CCP Process
The National Wildlife Refuge System
Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C.
668dd–668ee) (Administration Act), as
amended by the National Wildlife
Refuge System Improvement Act of
1997, 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 wildlifedependent recreational opportunities
available to the public, including
opportunities for hunting, fishing,
wildlife observation and photography,
and environmental education and
interpretation. We intend to review and
update the CCP at least every 15 years
in accordance with the Administration
Act.
Each unit of the National Wildlife
Refuge System was established for
specific purposes. We use these
purposes as the foundation for
developing and prioritizing the
management goals and objectives for
each refuge within the National Wildlife
Refuge System mission, and to
determine how the public can use each
refuge. The planning process is a way
for us and the public to evaluate
management goals, objectives, and
strategies that will ensure the best
possible approach to wildlife, plant, and
habitat conservation, while providing
for wildlife-dependent recreation
opportunities that are compatible with
each refuge’s establishing purposes and
the mission of the National Wildlife
Refuge System.
Our CCP process provides
opportunities for participation by
Tribal, State, and local governments;
agencies; organizations; and the public.
We will be contacting identified
stakeholders and individuals at this
time for initial input. If you would like
to meet with planning staff or would
like to receive periodic updates, please
contact us (see ADDRESSES section). We
anticipate holding public meetings for
initial comments and when alternative
management scenarios have been
identified. At this time we encourage
comments in the form of issues,
concerns, ideas, and suggestions for the
future management of the Sonny Bono
Salton Sea NWR and the Coachella
Valley NWR.
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We will conduct the environmental
review of this project in accordance
with the requirements of the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as
amended (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et
seq.); NEPA regulations (40 CFR parts
1500–1508); other appropriate Federal
laws and regulations; and our policies
and procedures for compliance with
those laws and regulations.
Sonny Bono Salton Sea National
Wildlife Refuge Complex
The Sonny Bono Salton Sea NWR
Complex consists of the Sonny Bono
Salton Sea NWR and the Coachella
Valley NWR. The Sonny Bono Salton
Sea NWR was established as a 32,766acre sanctuary and breeding ground for
birds and other wildlife in 1930
(Executive Order 5498). Additional
leased lands have been added to the
Refuge under the authorities of the
Migratory Bird Conservation Act (16
U.S.C. 715d), ‘‘for use as an inviolate
sanctuary, or for any other management
propose, for migratory birds’’ and the
Lea Act (16 U.S.C. 695), ‘‘for the
management and control of migratory
waterfowl, and other wildlife.’’ Today,
with the original Refuge lands covered
by the waters of the Salton Sea,
management activities are focused on
about 2,000 acres of primarily leased
land. Approximately 920 acres consist
of managed wetlands that support
resident and migratory birds, and
another 940 acres are farmed to provide
forage for wintering geese and other
migratory birds. Existing public uses
include wildlife observation,
photography, interpretation,
environmental education, waterfowl
hunting, and scientific research.
The Coachella Valley NWR was
established in 1985 under the
authorities of the Endangered Species
Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1534), ‘‘to
conserve (A) fish or wildlife which are
listed as endangered species or
threatened species or (B) plants.’’ The
3,709-acre Refuge, which is part of the
larger Coachella Valley Preserve,
protects the federally listed endangered
Coachella Valley milk-vetch (Astragalus
lentiginosus var. coachellae) and
threatened Coachella Valley fringe-toed
lizard (Uma inornata), as well as other
desert-dwelling species adapted to
living in the sand dune habitat of the
Coachella Valley. Access onto the
Refuge is limited to a designated
corridor for hiking and equestrian use.
CCP. Additional issues, concerns, and
opportunities may be identified as a
result of public scoping. For the Sonny
Bono Salton Sea NWR, preliminary
issues include: Increasing the
productivity of existing managed
wetlands to support migratory
waterfowl; adapting to changing
conditions associated with a shrinking
Salton Sea (e.g., conversion of habitat
types, dust management, degraded
water quality); predation in seabird
nesting areas; availability of adequate
nesting habitat for seabirds, particularly
gull-billed terns (Gelochelidon nilotica
vanrossemi); and the effects of climate
change on Refuge resources.
For the Coachella Valley NWR, these
issues include: Habitat and species
management; control of invasive weedy
species; effects of windblown sand on
adjacent properties; public use; and
impacts to Refuge resources as a result
of illegal motorized vehicle activity.
Public Meetings
We will give the public an
opportunity to provide input at a public
meeting (or meetings) to be held in
September 2010. You can obtain the
schedule from the Refuge Planner or
Project Leader (see FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT). You may also
submit comments or request a meeting
during the planning process by mail,
e-mail, or fax (see ADDRESSES). There
will be additional opportunities to
provide public input once we have
prepared a draft 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: August 19, 2010.
Tom McCabe,
Regional Director, Pacific Southwest Region,
Sacramento, California.
[FR Doc. 2010–22731 Filed 9–10–10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
Scoping: Preliminary Issues, Concerns,
and Opportunities
We have identified preliminary
issues, concerns, and opportunities for
each Refuge that we may address in the
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 176 (Monday, September 13, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55600-55601]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-22731]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R8-R-2010-N169; 80230-1265-0000-S3]
Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge Complex (Sonny
Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge and Coachella Valley National
Wildlife Refuge), Imperial and Riverside Counties, CA
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a comprehensive conservation plan
and environmental assessment; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to
prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Environmental
Assessment (EA) for the Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge
(NWR) Complex, which consists of the Sonny Bono Salton Sea NWR located
in Imperial County, California, and the Coachella Valley NWR located in
Riverside County, California. We provide this notice in compliance with
our CCP policy to advise other Federal and State agencies, Tribes, and
the public of our intentions, and to obtain suggestions and information
on the scope of issues to consider in the planning process.
DATES: To ensure consideration, we must receive your written comments
by November 12, 2010.
ADDRESSES: Send your comments or requests for more information by any
of the following methods.
E-mail: Victoria_Touchstone@fws.gov. Include ``Sonny Bono Salton
Sea CCP'' in the subject line of the message.
Fax: Attn: Victoria Touchstone, (760) 930-0256.
U.S. Mail: Victoria Touchstone, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, San
Diego NWRC, 6010 Hidden Valley Road, Suite 101, Carlsbad, CA 92011.
In-Person Drop-off: You may drop off comments at the Sonny Bono
Salton Sea NWR Office between 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; please call (760) 348-
5278 for directions.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Victoria Touchstone, Refuge Planner,
at 760-431-9440, extension 349, or Chris Schoneman, Project Leader, at
760-348-5278. Further information may also be found at https://www.fws.gov/saltonsea/.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
With this notice, we initiate our process for developing a CCP for
the Sonny Bono Salton Sea NWR Complex, including the Sonny Bono Salton
Sea NWR in Imperial County, CA, and the Coachella Valley NWR in
Riverside County, CA. This notice complies with our CCP policy to (1)
Advise other Federal and State agencies, Tribes, and the public of our
intention to conduct detailed planning on this refuge complex, and (2)
obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to consider
in the environmental document and during development of the CCP.
[[Page 55601]]
Background
The CCP Process
The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16
U.S.C. 668dd-668ee) (Administration Act), as amended by the National
Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, 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 intend to review and
update the CCP at least every 15 years in accordance with the
Administration Act.
Each unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System was established
for specific purposes. We use these purposes as the foundation for
developing and prioritizing the management goals and objectives for
each refuge within the National Wildlife Refuge System mission, and to
determine how the public can use each refuge. The planning process is a
way for us and the public to evaluate management goals, objectives, and
strategies that will ensure the best possible approach to wildlife,
plant, and habitat conservation, while providing for wildlife-dependent
recreation opportunities that are compatible with each refuge's
establishing purposes and the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge
System.
Our CCP process provides opportunities for participation by Tribal,
State, and local governments; agencies; organizations; and the public.
We will be contacting identified stakeholders and individuals at this
time for initial input. If you would like to meet with planning staff
or would like to receive periodic updates, please contact us (see
ADDRESSES section). We anticipate holding public meetings for initial
comments and when alternative management scenarios have been
identified. At this time we encourage comments in the form of issues,
concerns, ideas, and suggestions for the future management of the Sonny
Bono Salton Sea NWR and the Coachella Valley NWR.
We will conduct the environmental review of this project in
accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy
Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); NEPA
regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508); other appropriate Federal laws
and regulations; and our policies and procedures for compliance with
those laws and regulations.
Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge Complex
The Sonny Bono Salton Sea NWR Complex consists of the Sonny Bono
Salton Sea NWR and the Coachella Valley NWR. The Sonny Bono Salton Sea
NWR was established as a 32,766-acre sanctuary and breeding ground for
birds and other wildlife in 1930 (Executive Order 5498). Additional
leased lands have been added to the Refuge under the authorities of the
Migratory Bird Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 715d), ``for use as an
inviolate sanctuary, or for any other management propose, for migratory
birds'' and the Lea Act (16 U.S.C. 695), ``for the management and
control of migratory waterfowl, and other wildlife.'' Today, with the
original Refuge lands covered by the waters of the Salton Sea,
management activities are focused on about 2,000 acres of primarily
leased land. Approximately 920 acres consist of managed wetlands that
support resident and migratory birds, and another 940 acres are farmed
to provide forage for wintering geese and other migratory birds.
Existing public uses include wildlife observation, photography,
interpretation, environmental education, waterfowl hunting, and
scientific research.
The Coachella Valley NWR was established in 1985 under the
authorities of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1534),
``to conserve (A) fish or wildlife which are listed as endangered
species or threatened species or (B) plants.'' The 3,709-acre Refuge,
which is part of the larger Coachella Valley Preserve, protects the
federally listed endangered Coachella Valley milk-vetch (Astragalus
lentiginosus var. coachellae) and threatened Coachella Valley fringe-
toed lizard (Uma inornata), as well as other desert-dwelling species
adapted to living in the sand dune habitat of the Coachella Valley.
Access onto the Refuge is limited to a designated corridor for hiking
and equestrian use.
Scoping: Preliminary Issues, Concerns, and Opportunities
We have identified preliminary issues, concerns, and opportunities
for each Refuge that we may address in the CCP. Additional issues,
concerns, and opportunities may be identified as a result of public
scoping. For the Sonny Bono Salton Sea NWR, preliminary issues include:
Increasing the productivity of existing managed wetlands to support
migratory waterfowl; adapting to changing conditions associated with a
shrinking Salton Sea (e.g., conversion of habitat types, dust
management, degraded water quality); predation in seabird nesting
areas; availability of adequate nesting habitat for seabirds,
particularly gull-billed terns (Gelochelidon nilotica vanrossemi); and
the effects of climate change on Refuge resources.
For the Coachella Valley NWR, these issues include: Habitat and
species management; control of invasive weedy species; effects of
windblown sand on adjacent properties; public use; and impacts to
Refuge resources as a result of illegal motorized vehicle activity.
Public Meetings
We will give the public an opportunity to provide input at a public
meeting (or meetings) to be held in September 2010. You can obtain the
schedule from the Refuge Planner or Project Leader (see FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT). You may also submit comments or request a meeting
during the planning process by mail, e-mail, or fax (see ADDRESSES).
There will be additional opportunities to provide public input once we
have prepared a draft 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: August 19, 2010.
Tom McCabe,
Regional Director, Pacific Southwest Region, Sacramento, California.
[FR Doc. 2010-22731 Filed 9-10-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
