San Diego National Wildlife Refuge, CA; Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan/Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact, 43672-43673 [2021-16524]

Agencies

• Fish and Wildlife Service
• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 151 (Tuesday, August 10, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43672-43673]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-16524]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R8-NWRS-2021-N015; FXRS12610800000-212-FF08R04000]


San Diego National Wildlife Refuge, CA; Final Comprehensive 
Conservation Plan/Environmental Assessment and Finding of No 
Significant Impact

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the 
availability of a final Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP), 
environmental assessment (EA), and finding of no significant impact 
(FONSI) for the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) in 
California. The CCP/EA/FONSI, prepared in accordance with the National 
Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, and in accordance with 
the National Environmental Policy Act, describes how the Service will 
manage the Refuge for the next 15 years. Compatibility determinations 
for five public uses are also included in the final CCP.

ADDRESSES: Document Availability: You may view or download copies of 
the final CCP and the EA/FONSI on the Refuge's website at https://ecos.fws.gov/ServCat/Reference/Profile/133810.

[[Page 43673]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Victoria Touchstone, Refuge Planner, 
at [email protected], or by phone at (619) 476-9150 ex 101; 
Dwane Binns, Refuge Manager, at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We announce the availability of a final 
comprehensive conservation plan, environmental assessment, and finding 
of no significant impact (CCP/EA/FONSI) for San Diego National Wildlife 
Refuge (Refuge, or NWR), which is located in San Diego County, 
California. The CCP/EA/FONSI, 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 Refuge for the next 15 years. Compatibility 
determinations for public uses are also included in the final CCP.

Introduction

    With this notice, we complete the CCP process for San Diego 
National Wildlife Refuge, which we began by publishing a notice of 
intent in the Federal Register on May 24, 2006 (71 FR 29973). For more 
about the initial process and the history of the Refuge, see that 
notice. We released the draft CCP and EA to the public, announcing and 
requesting comments in a notice of availability on June 19, 2014 (79 FR 
35183). The 90-day comment period ended on September 17, 2014. A 
summary of public comments and our responses are included in the final 
CCP.

Background

    The National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (16 
U.S.C. 668dd-668ee), which amended the National Wildlife Refuge System 
Administration Act of 1966, requires the Service to develop a CCP for 
each National Wildlife Refuge. The purpose of 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 (NWRS), 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 will review and update the CCP at 
least every 15 years in accordance with the Improvement Act.
    Each unit of the NWRS 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 NWRS, and to 
determine how the public can use each refuge. The planning process is a 
way for us to evaluate management goals and objectives 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 NWRS.

Additional Information

    The final CCP can be found at https://ecos.fws.gov/ServCat/Reference/Profile/133810. The final CCP includes detailed information 
about the planning process, Refuge, issues, and management alternative 
selected. The website also includes an EA, prepared in accordance with 
the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (43 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). 
The EA includes discussion of five management alternatives. The 
Service's selected alternative is reflected in the final CCP, and also 
in the FONSI.
    A modified version of Alternative D was selected for 
implementation. Under the selected alternative, we will optimize 
species and habitat protection, with a focus on conserving listed and 
sensitive species and their habitats. Wildlife and habitat management 
activities will also include monitoring of listed and sensitive 
species, invasive species control, and habitat restoration. A step-down 
Feral Pig Monitoring and Eradication Plan and an Integrated Pest 
Management Plan, both provided for review and comment along with the 
draft CCP/EA, will also be implemented. Existing wildlife-dependent 
recreational uses will be expanded, per available funding and staffing. 
Following the completion of a hunt plan and processing of an opening 
package, hunting in accordance with California Department of Fish and 
Wildlife regulations for big game, resident small game, and resident 
and migratory upland game birds will be permitted on about 160 acres in 
the southeastern portion of Refuge. A designated multiple use trail 
system would be established, and leashed dogs will be permitted on 
multiple use trails.

National Environmental Policy Act Compliance

    We announce our decision and the availability of the FONSI for the 
Final CCP/EA for the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge, in accordance 
with the National Environmental Policy Act requirements (40 CFR 
1506.6(b)). We completed a thorough analysis of impacts on the human 
environment, which we included in the draft EA that accompanied the 
Draft CCP. This notice is in addition to our announcement of the 
completion of the CCP process on the Refuge website.
    The final EA discusses the direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts 
of the alternatives on biological resources, cultural resources, water 
quality, and other environmental resources. Measures to minimize 
adverse environmental effects are identified and discussed in the final 
CCP/EA.

Martha Maciel,
Acting Regional Director, Sacramento, California.
[FR Doc. 2021-16524 Filed 8-9-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P