Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge Complex; Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Finding of No Significant Impact, 56088-56090 [2014-22272]
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 181 / Thursday, September 18, 2014 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND
URBAN DEVELOPMENT
[Docket No. FR–5760–N–01]
60-Day Notice of Proposed Information
Collection: Regional Analysis of
Impediments Guidance for Sustainable
Communities Grantees
Office of the Economic
Resilience, HUD.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
HUD is seeking approval from
the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) for the information collection
described below. In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act, HUD is
requesting comment from all interested
parties on the proposed collection of
information. The purpose of this notice
is to allow for 60 days of public
comment.
SUMMARY:
Comments Due Date: November
17, 2014.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are
invited to submit comments regarding
this proposal. Comments should refer to
the proposal by name and/or OMB
Control Number and should be sent to:
Colette Pollard, Reports Management
Officer, QDAM, Department of Housing
and Urban Development, 451 7th Street
SW., Washington, DC 20410–5000;
DATES:
telephone 202–402–3400 (this is not a
toll-free number) or email at
Colette.Pollard@hud.gov for a copy of
the proposed forms or other available
information. Persons with hearing or
speech impairments may access this
number through TTY by calling the tollfree Federal Relay Service at (800) 877–
8339.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kathryn Dykgraaf, Program Analyst,
Department of Housing and Urban
Development, 451 7th Street SW., Room
10180, Washington, DC 20410; email at
Kathryn.C.Dykgraaf@hud.gov or
telephone 202–402–6731. Persons with
hearing or speech impairments may
access this number through TTY by
calling the toll-free Federal Relay
Service at (800) 877–8339. This is not a
toll-free number. Copies of available
documents submitted to OMB may be
obtained from Ms. Dykgraaf.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This
notice informs the public that HUD is
seeking approval from OMB for the
information collection described in
Section A.
A. Overview of Information Collection
Title of Information Collection:
Regional Analysis of Impediments
Guidance for Sustainable Communities
Grantees.
OMB Approval Number: 2501–0031.
Type of Request: Extension of
currently approved collection.
Form Number: N/A.
Description of the need for the
information and proposed use: HUD’s
Office of Sustainable Housing and
Communities presently requires all
Sustainable Communities Initiative
(SCI) Regional Planning grantees to
complete a Fair Housing Equity
Assessment. The grantees each have the
option of choosing to develop a
Regional Analysis of Impediments (AI)
in lieu of the FHEA, which (if prepared
in accordance with the standards set
forth below and in the Fair Housing
Planning Guide) would fulfill the FHEA
requirement as well as the HUD AFFH
regulatory requirement for any
participating jurisdiction or state that
signed on. The option to prepare a
regional AI also offers SCI grantees an
opportunity to develop more
meaningful deliverables while
conserving resources and reducing
duplication. This guidance, a written
product reflecting the information
shared in the 2012 online webinars, will
assist grantees in structuring their fair
housing analyses.
Respondents: Sustainable
Communities Regional Planning
Grantees.
Number of
respondents
Frequency of
response
Responses
per annum
Burden hour
per response
Annual
burden hours
Hourly cost
per response
Annual
cost
Total .............................
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Information collection
40
Every 5 years
8
200
1600
$40
$64,000
B. Solicitation of Public Comment
This notice is soliciting comments
from members of the public and affected
parties concerning the collection of
information described in Section A on
the following:
(1) Whether the proposed collection
of information is necessary for the
proper performance of the functions of
the agency, including whether the
information will have practical utility;
(2) The accuracy of the agency’s
estimate of the burden of the proposed
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 those
who are to respond; including through
the use of appropriate automated
collection techniques or other forms of
information technology, e.g., permitting
electronic submission of responses.
HUD encourages interested parties to
submit comment in response to these
questions.
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17:27 Sep 17, 2014
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Authority: Section 3507 of the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35.
Dated: September 12, 2014.
Harriet Tregoning,
Director, Office of Economic Resilience.
[FR Doc. 2014–22325 Filed 9–17–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4210–67–P
Conservation Plan (CCP) and finding of
no significant impact (FONSI) for the
Sonny Bono Salton Sea National
Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Complex, which
includes the Sonny Bono Salton Sea
NWR and Coachella Valley NWR. In the
CCP, we describe how we will manage
these Refuges for the next 15 years.
The CCP and FONSI are
available now. The FONSI was signed
on March 6, 2014. Implementation of
the CCP will begin immediately.
DATES:
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS–R8–R–2014–N062;
FXRS12610800000–145–FF08R00000]
Sonny Bono Salton Sea National
Wildlife Refuge Complex; Final
Comprehensive Conservation Plan and
Finding of No Significant Impact
Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
AGENCY:
We, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (Service), announce the
availability of our final Comprehensive
SUMMARY:
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
You may view or obtain
copies of the final CCP and FONSI by
any of the following methods. You may
request a CD–ROM. A limited number of
paper copies are available.
Agency Web site: Download a copy of
the document(s) at https://www.fws.gov/
refuge/Sonny_Bono_Salton_Sea/what_
we_do/planning.html.
Email: Victoria_Touchstone@fws.gov.
Include ‘‘Sonny Bono Salton Sea CCP’’
in the subject line of the message.
Fax: Attn: Victoria Touchstone, 619–
476–9149.
ADDRESSES:
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 181 / Thursday, September 18, 2014 / Notices
U.S. Mail: Victoria Touchstone, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, P.O. Box
2358, Chula Vista, CA 91912.
In-Person Viewing or Pickup: Copies
of the final CCP and FONSI may also be
viewed at the Sonny Bono Salton Sea
NWR Office between 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.;
call 760–348–5278 for directions.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Victoria Touchstone, Refuge Planner, at
619–476–9150, extension 103 (by
telephone; you may also use one of the
methods under ADDRESSES), or Chris
Schoneman, Project Leader, at 760–348–
5278, extension 227.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service),
announce the availability of our final
Comprehensive Conservation Plan
(CCP) and finding of no significant
impact (FONSI) for the Sonny Bono
Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge
(NWR) Complex, which includes the
Sonny Bono Salton Sea NWR and
Coachella Valley NWR. The Refuge
Complex is located in parts of Imperial
and Riverside Counties, California. In
the CCP, we describe how we will
manage these Refuges for the next 15
years.
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Background
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 purpose, 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
900 acres consist of managed wetlands
that support resident and migratory
birds, and another 850 acres are farmed
to provide forage for wintering geese
and other migratory birds. Existing
public uses include waterfowl hunting,
fishing, wildlife observation,
photography, environmental education,
interpretation, 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
3,577-acre Refuge, which is part of the
larger Coachella Valley Preserve,
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17:27 Sep 17, 2014
Jkt 232001
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 equestrian and hiking use.
We announce our decision and the
availability of the FONSI for the final
CCP for the Sonny Bono Salton Sea
NWR Complex in accordance with
National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) (40 CFR 1506.6(b))
requirements. We completed a thorough
analysis of impacts on the human
environment, which we included in the
environmental assessment (EA) that
accompanied the draft CCP.
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,
environmental education and
interpretation. We intend to review and
update the CCP at least every 15 years
in accordance with the Administration
Act.
Our draft CCP and EA were available
for a 30-day public review and comment
period, which we announced via several
methods, including press releases,
updates to constituents, and a Federal
Register notice (78 FR 44144; July 23,
2013). The draft CCP/EA identified and
evaluated three alternatives for
managing the Sonny Bono Salton Sea
NWR and three alternatives for
managing the Coachella Valley NWR for
the next 15 years.
Alternatives Considered
Sonny Bono Salton Sea NWR
Under Alternative A (no action),
management would continue
unchanged. Under Alternative B
(preferred alternative), the Service
would expand current habitat
PO 00000
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56089
management activities to enhance
habitat quality, particularly in managed
wetlands and agricultural fields; initiate
the phased restoration of shallow saline
water habitat at Red Hill Bay, an area of
the Salton Sea that has recently receded;
implement predator management to
protect nesting western gull-billed terns
(Gelochelidon nilotica vanrossemi) and
black skimmers (Rynchops niger); and
implement an integrated pest
management (IPM) plan to control
invasive plants. Various actions were
also proposed to improve existing
public use facilities and provide
additional opportunities for wildlife
observation and photography.
Under Alternative C, the Service
would implement wildlife and habitat
management actions, including predator
management and an IPM plan, similar to
those proposed in Alternative B. The
proposals for public use in Alternative
C would focus on enhancing existing
facilities in Units 1 and 2, rather than
providing additional public use
facilities.
Coachella Valley NWR
Under Alternative A (no action),
management would continue
unchanged. Under Alternative B
(preferred alternative), the Service
would increase listed and sensitive
species management; implement an IPM
plan to control invasive plants; enhance
the habitat quality of an old agricultural
site by reintroducing appropriate native
plant species; and, in partnership with
others, develop and implement a longterm sand transport monitoring plan.
Also proposed is an expanded public
outreach program. Occasional guided
tours of the Refuge would continue at
current levels, and the only public
access onto the Refuge would occur on
a designated trail corridor that extends
along portions of the Refuge’s western
and northern boundary. The remainder
of the Refuge would continue to be
closed to the public.
Under Alternative C, the Service
would expand current management to
protect listed and sensitive species;
implement an IPM Plan to control
invasive plants; and initiate a
comprehensive restoration plan for an
old agricultural site on the Refuge to
restore creosote bush scrub habitat. In
addition, the existing public outreach
program would be expanded and
interpretive signs would be installed
along the existing trail corridor.
Occasional guided tours of the Refuge
would continue at current levels, and
public access would continue to be
limited to the existing public trail
corridor. All other areas within the
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56090
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 181 / Thursday, September 18, 2014 / Notices
Refuge would remain closed to the
public.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Selected Alternative for Each Refuge
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
During the review period for the draft
CCP and EA, we received 13 letters
containing over 85 comments.
Comments focused on land tenure,
Colorado River water history, water
rights, water levels in the Salton Sea,
groundwater availability in the
Coachella Valley, cultural resource
protection, water quality, geothermal
development, restoration of Red Hill
Bay, protection of nesting western gullbilled terns, and restoration and
management of the Salton Sea. We
incorporated comments we received
into the CCP when appropriate, and we
responded to the comments in an
appendix to the CCP. In the FONSI, we
selected Alternative B (restore and
enhance habitat quality; expand
opportunities for wildlife observation,
environmental education, and
interpretation) for implementation on
the Sonny Bono Salton Sea NWR and
Alternative B (expand management
actions to support listed and sensitive
species; expand public outreach) for
implementation on the Coachella Valley
NWR. The FONSI documents our
decision and is based on information
and analysis contained in the EA.
The alternative we selected for each of
the Refuges within the Sonny Bono
Salton Sea NWR Complex was
determined to be the alternative that
would most effectively achieve Refuge
purposes, goals, and objectives;
contribute to the National Wildlife
Refuge System mission; and be
consistent with principles of sound fish
and wildlife management.
Implementation of the selected
alternative will be subject to the
availability of funding and other
resources, and may occur incrementally
over the life of the 15-year plan. Based
on the associated EA, the selected
alternatives are not expected to result in
significant environmental impacts and
therefore do not require the preparation
of an environmental impact statement.
Alexandra Pitts,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific Southwest
Region, Sacramento, California.
[FR Doc. 2014–22272 Filed 9–17–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
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Jkt 232001
[FWS–R1–R–2013–N221; 12560–0000–10137
S3]
Rose Atoll National Wildlife Refuge,
American Samoa; Comprehensive
Conservation Plan and Finding of No
Significant Impact for Environmental
Assessment
Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
AGENCY:
We, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (Service), announce the
availability of our comprehensive
conservation plan (CCP) and finding of
no significant impact (FONSI) for the
environmental assessment (EA) for the
Rose Atoll National Wildlife Refuge
(NWR or Refuge). In this CCP, we
describe how we will manage the
Refuge for the next 15 years.
ADDRESSES: You may view or obtain
copies of the CCP and FONSI by any of
the following methods. You may request
a hard copy or a CD of the document.
Agency Web Site: Download the CCP
and FONSI at www.fws.gov/pacific/
planning or www.fws.gov/refuge/Rose_
Atoll/what_we_do/planning.html.
Email: FW1PlanningComments@
fws.gov. Include ‘‘Rose Atoll NWR CCP’’
in the subject line of the message.
Fax: Attn: Project Leader, (808) 792–
9586.
Mail: Pacific Reefs National Wildlife
Refuge Complex, 300 Ala Moana
Boulevard, Room 5–231, Box 50167,
Honolulu, HI 96813.
In-Person Viewing or Pickup: Rose
Atoll National Wildlife Refuge/Marine
National Monument, c/o National Park
Service, Pago Pago, AS 96799.
For more information on locations for
viewing or obtaining documents, see
‘‘Public Availability of Documents’’
under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Susan White, Project Leader, phone
(808) 792–9481.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
SUMMARY:
Introduction
With this notice, we finalize the CCP
process for the Refuge. We started this
process with a notice of intent
published in the Federal Register (74
FR 57701; November 9, 2009). We
released the Draft CCP/EA to the public
in a notice of availability requesting
comments published in the Federal
Register (77 FR 61426; October 9, 2012).
We announce the availability of the
FONSI for the CCP/EA in accordance
PO 00000
Frm 00042
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
with National Environmental Policy Act
(40 CFR 1506.6(b)) requirements. We
completed a thorough analysis of
impacts on the human environment in
the Draft CCP/EA.
Rose Atoll NWR, located in American
Samoa, was established in 1973 to
conserve and protect fish and wildlife
resources. The CCP will guide us in
managing and administering the Refuge
for the next 15 years. Alternative B in
the Draft CCP/EA was selected for
implementation. To address public
comments received on the Draft CCP/
EA, changes and clarifications were
made to the Final CCP where
appropriate. A summary of the public
comments we received is included in
the Final CCP with our responses.
Background
The National Wildlife Refuge System
Administration Act of 1966, as amended
by the National Wildlife Refuge System
Improvement Act of 1997 (together
referred to as the Refuge Administration
Act) and other acts, 16 U.S.C. 668dd–
668ee, requires us to develop a CCP for
each national wildlife refuge. We
develop a CCP to provide refuge
managers with a 15-year plan for
achieving refuge purposes and
contributing toward the National
Wildlife Refuge System’s mission,
consistent with sound principles of fish
and wildlife management, conservation,
legal mandates, and our policies. We
will review and update the CCP at least
every 15 years in accordance with the
Refuge Administration Act.
Selected Alternative
Under the selected alternative, refuge
management will emphasize protecting,
restoring and maintaining habitats
including the lagoon, perimeter crustose
coralline algal reef, ava (channel), beach
strand, and littoral forest, as well as
species that rely on these habitats (e.g.,
corals, fish, seabirds, shorebirds, sea
turtles, native plants, giant clams, and
other invertebrates). Strategies for
accomplishing the above include
developing monitoring protocols,
installing a remote camera system,
increasing surveys, implementing a
rapid response program to control
existing and prevent new nonnative
species, restoring native plants, and
increasing applied research.
Increasing the frequency of
management trips to the Refuge and
strengthening partnerships with the
American Samoa Government, National
Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, National Park Service,
U.S. Geological Survey, and other
partners are key components of our
management direction. More frequent
E:\FR\FM\18SEN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 181 (Thursday, September 18, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56088-56090]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-22272]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R8-R-2014-N062; FXRS12610800000-145-FF08R00000]
Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge Complex; Final
Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Finding of No Significant Impact
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the
availability of our final Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and
finding of no significant impact (FONSI) for the Sonny Bono Salton Sea
National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Complex, which includes the Sonny Bono
Salton Sea NWR and Coachella Valley NWR. In the CCP, we describe how we
will manage these Refuges for the next 15 years.
DATES: The CCP and FONSI are available now. The FONSI was signed on
March 6, 2014. Implementation of the CCP will begin immediately.
ADDRESSES: You may view or obtain copies of the final CCP and FONSI by
any of the following methods. You may request a CD-ROM. A limited
number of paper copies are available.
Agency Web site: Download a copy of the document(s) at https://
www.fws.gov/refuge/SonnyBonoSaltonSea/
whatwedo/planning.html.
Email: VictoriaTouchstone@fws.gov. Include ``Sonny Bono
Salton Sea CCP'' in the subject line of the message.
Fax: Attn: Victoria Touchstone, 619-476-9149.
[[Page 56089]]
U.S. Mail: Victoria Touchstone, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
P.O. Box 2358, Chula Vista, CA 91912.
In-Person Viewing or Pickup: Copies of the final CCP and FONSI may
also be viewed at the Sonny Bono Salton Sea NWR Office between 8 a.m.
to 3 p.m.; call 760-348-5278 for directions.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Victoria Touchstone, Refuge Planner,
at 619-476-9150, extension 103 (by telephone; you may also use one of
the methods under ADDRESSES), or Chris Schoneman, Project Leader, at
760-348-5278, extension 227.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(Service), announce the availability of our final Comprehensive
Conservation Plan (CCP) and finding of no significant impact (FONSI)
for the Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Complex,
which includes the Sonny Bono Salton Sea NWR and Coachella Valley NWR.
The Refuge Complex is located in parts of Imperial and Riverside
Counties, California. In the CCP, we describe how we will manage these
Refuges for the next 15 years.
Background
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 purpose, 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 900 acres consist
of managed wetlands that support resident and migratory birds, and
another 850 acres are farmed to provide forage for wintering geese and
other migratory birds. Existing public uses include waterfowl hunting,
fishing, wildlife observation, photography, environmental education,
interpretation, 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 3,577-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
equestrian and hiking use.
We announce our decision and the availability of the FONSI for the
final CCP for the Sonny Bono Salton Sea NWR Complex in accordance with
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (40 CFR 1506.6(b))
requirements. We completed a thorough analysis of impacts on the human
environment, which we included in the environmental assessment (EA)
that accompanied the draft CCP.
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, environmental
education and interpretation. We intend to review and update the CCP at
least every 15 years in accordance with the Administration Act.
Our draft CCP and EA were available for a 30-day public review and
comment period, which we announced via several methods, including press
releases, updates to constituents, and a Federal Register notice (78 FR
44144; July 23, 2013). The draft CCP/EA identified and evaluated three
alternatives for managing the Sonny Bono Salton Sea NWR and three
alternatives for managing the Coachella Valley NWR for the next 15
years.
Alternatives Considered
Sonny Bono Salton Sea NWR
Under Alternative A (no action), management would continue
unchanged. Under Alternative B (preferred alternative), the Service
would expand current habitat management activities to enhance habitat
quality, particularly in managed wetlands and agricultural fields;
initiate the phased restoration of shallow saline water habitat at Red
Hill Bay, an area of the Salton Sea that has recently receded;
implement predator management to protect nesting western gull-billed
terns (Gelochelidon nilotica vanrossemi) and black skimmers (Rynchops
niger); and implement an integrated pest management (IPM) plan to
control invasive plants. Various actions were also proposed to improve
existing public use facilities and provide additional opportunities for
wildlife observation and photography.
Under Alternative C, the Service would implement wildlife and
habitat management actions, including predator management and an IPM
plan, similar to those proposed in Alternative B. The proposals for
public use in Alternative C would focus on enhancing existing
facilities in Units 1 and 2, rather than providing additional public
use facilities.
Coachella Valley NWR
Under Alternative A (no action), management would continue
unchanged. Under Alternative B (preferred alternative), the Service
would increase listed and sensitive species management; implement an
IPM plan to control invasive plants; enhance the habitat quality of an
old agricultural site by reintroducing appropriate native plant
species; and, in partnership with others, develop and implement a long-
term sand transport monitoring plan. Also proposed is an expanded
public outreach program. Occasional guided tours of the Refuge would
continue at current levels, and the only public access onto the Refuge
would occur on a designated trail corridor that extends along portions
of the Refuge's western and northern boundary. The remainder of the
Refuge would continue to be closed to the public.
Under Alternative C, the Service would expand current management to
protect listed and sensitive species; implement an IPM Plan to control
invasive plants; and initiate a comprehensive restoration plan for an
old agricultural site on the Refuge to restore creosote bush scrub
habitat. In addition, the existing public outreach program would be
expanded and interpretive signs would be installed along the existing
trail corridor. Occasional guided tours of the Refuge would continue at
current levels, and public access would continue to be limited to the
existing public trail corridor. All other areas within the
[[Page 56090]]
Refuge would remain closed to the public.
Selected Alternative for Each Refuge
During the review period for the draft CCP and EA, we received 13
letters containing over 85 comments. Comments focused on land tenure,
Colorado River water history, water rights, water levels in the Salton
Sea, groundwater availability in the Coachella Valley, cultural
resource protection, water quality, geothermal development, restoration
of Red Hill Bay, protection of nesting western gull-billed terns, and
restoration and management of the Salton Sea. We incorporated comments
we received into the CCP when appropriate, and we responded to the
comments in an appendix to the CCP. In the FONSI, we selected
Alternative B (restore and enhance habitat quality; expand
opportunities for wildlife observation, environmental education, and
interpretation) for implementation on the Sonny Bono Salton Sea NWR and
Alternative B (expand management actions to support listed and
sensitive species; expand public outreach) for implementation on the
Coachella Valley NWR. The FONSI documents our decision and is based on
information and analysis contained in the EA.
The alternative we selected for each of the Refuges within the
Sonny Bono Salton Sea NWR Complex was determined to be the alternative
that would most effectively achieve Refuge purposes, goals, and
objectives; contribute to the National Wildlife Refuge System mission;
and be consistent with principles of sound fish and wildlife
management. Implementation of the selected alternative will be subject
to the availability of funding and other resources, and may occur
incrementally over the life of the 15-year plan. Based on the
associated EA, the selected alternatives are not expected to result in
significant environmental impacts and therefore do not require the
preparation of an environmental impact statement.
Alexandra Pitts,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific Southwest Region, Sacramento,
California.
[FR Doc. 2014-22272 Filed 9-17-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
