[Federal Register: October 13, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 197)]
[Notices]
[Page 55485]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13oc99-72]
[[Page 55485]]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Notice of Availability of the Final Comprehensive Management Plan
and Environmental Assessment for the Tijuana Slough National Wildlife
Refuge
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is proposing to
implement the Comprehensive Management Plan for the Tijuana Slough
National Wildlife Refuge. Based on an evaluation of an Environmental
Assessment, it was determined that the implementation of the
Comprehensive Management Plan is not a major Federal action which would
significantly affect the quality of the human environment within the
meaning of section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act
of 1969. Accordingly, preparation of an environmental impact statement
on the proposed action is not required.
The purpose of the Comprehensive Management Plan is to guide Refuge
management decisions and to identify strategies to meet the goals and
objectives of the Tijuana Slough Refuge and National Wildlife Refuge
System. The Comprehensive Management Plan addresses the following
management issues, functions, and programs: administrative framework;
resources protection, management, and restoration; research and
monitoring; education and interpretation; public involvement, use, and
access; facilities development; appropriate and compatible Refuge uses
determination; and watershed coordination between the United States and
Mexico.
The Environmental Assessment evaluates the alternatives and
analyzes the environmental effects of implementing the Comprehensive
Management Plan. The two alternatives evaluated in the Environmental
Assessment provide different levels of wildlife management and visitor
services opportunities. The Service selected Alternative A which would
implement the Comprehensive Management Plan to provide increased levels
of wildlife management and visitor services and determined that
implementation of this alternative would not have a significant impact
upon the quality of the human environment.
ADDRESSES: Documents are available for public inspection at the San
Diego National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 2736 Loker Avenue West, Suite
A, Carlsbad, CA 92008, phone (760) 930-0168, Tijuana Slough National
Wildlife Refuge, 301 Caspian Way, Imperial Beach, CA 91932, phone (619)
575-2704, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Refuges and Wildlife,
Division of Refuge Planning, 911 NE 11th Avenue, Portland, OR 97232,
phone (503) 231-2231. These documents are also available at
www.r1.fws.gov/planning/plnhome.html/.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background Information
The Tijuana Slough Refuge provides habitat for several endangered,
threatened, and migratory species. The salt marsh, tidal channels,
mudflats, sand beaches, and dunes provide habitat for the endangered
light-footed clapper rail, endangered California least tern, endangered
brown pelican, endangered salt marsh bird's beak, threatened western
snowy plover, State-endangered Belding's savannah sparrow, and many
species of migratory shorebirds and waterfowl. The riparian woodlands
provide habitat for the endangered least Bell's vireo, endangered
southwestern willow flycatcher, and many species of migratory birds.
Two alternatives are analyzed in the Environmental Assessment.
Alternative A (selected alternative) would implement increased levels
of both wildlife management and visitor services at the Tijuana Slough
Refuge. Alternative B (no action) would implement existing levels of
wildlife management and visitor services at the Tijuana Slough Refuge.
The Environmental Assessment also analyzes the environmental effects of
(1) predator management, (2) construction of new office and classroom
space, (3) acquisition of additional lands along Sea Coast Drive, (4)
annual sand dune maintenance, (5) relocation of damaged trails in the
Tijuana River Floodplain, and (6) emergency dredging of the mouths of
Oneonta Slough and Tijuana River.
The environmental review of the Refuge Comprehensive Management
Plan and associated Environmental Assessment was conducted in
accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as
amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), NEPA regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-
1508), National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 as
amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997
(16 U.S.C. 668dd et seq.), other appropriate Federal laws and
regulations, and Service policies and procedures for compliance with
those regulations.
Dated: October 5, 1999.
Elizabeth H. Stevens,
Acting Manager, California/Nevada Operations.
[FR Doc. 99-26630 Filed 10-12-99; 8:45 am]
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