Department of the Interior June 20, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces that the Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment (CCP/EA) for the Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) is available for public review and comment. This Draft CCP/EA was prepared pursuant to the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act, as amended, and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The Draft CCP/EA describes the Service's proposal for management of the Refuge for 15 years.

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) proposes to participate and serve as the lead agency under NEPA in the preparation of a joint EIS/EIR on the Lower Yuba River Accord (Yuba Accord). The Yuba County Water Agency (YCWA), a local public water agency, is proposing the project and will serve as the lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The purpose of the Yuba Accord is to resolve instream flow issues associated with operation of the Yuba River Development Project (Yuba Project) in a way that protects and enhances lower Yuba River fisheries and local water-supply reliability, while providing revenues for local flood-control and water-supply projects, water for the CALFED Program to use for protection and restoration of Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Delta) fisheries, and improvements in state-wide water supply management, including supplemental water for the Central Valley Project (CVP) and the State Water Project (SWP). This notice is published in accordance with NEPA regulations found in 40 CFR 1501.7. The purpose of this notice is to obtain suggestions and information from other agencies and the public on the scope of issues to be addressed in the EIS/EIR. A similar notice is being published by YCWA in accordance with CEQA. Comments and participation in the scoping process are encouraged.