99-26630. Notice of Availability of the Final Comprehensive Management Plan and Environmental Assessment for the Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 197 (Wednesday, October 13, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 55485]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-26630]



[[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 [phone], 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 [phone]. 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]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P