[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 98 (Friday, May 21, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27802-27803]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-12838]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Notice of Availability of the Comprehensive Management Plan for
the Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge and Associated
Environmental Assessment and Comprehensive Management Plan for the
Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
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SUMMARY: This notice advises agencies and the public that the
Comprehensive Management Plan for the Tijuana Slough National Wildlife
Refuge (Refuge) and associated Environmental Assessment are available
from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for public review and comment.
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;
resource 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 for the Tijuana Slough Refuge.
The Environmental Assessment evaluates the alternatives and
analyzes the environmental effects of implementing the Comprehensive
Management Plan. The two alternatives evaluated in the Environmental
[[Page 27803]]
Assessment provide different levels of wildlife management and visitor
services opportunities. The Environmental Assessment will be used to
determine whether the implementation of the selected alternative would
have a significant impact upon the quality of the human environment.
The Comprehensive Management Plan for the Tijuana Slough National
Wildlife Refuge was integrated into and coordinated with the update of
the 1986 Management Plan for the Tijuana River National Estuarine
Research Reserve (NERR). The National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) administers the National Estuarine Research
Reserve System. NOAA requires that each NERR have an approved written
management plan that is periodically updated. The Comprehensive
Management Plan is the first update of the 1986 Tijuana River NERR
Management Plan.
DATES: Written comments should be postmarked or electronically-mailed
no later than June 21, 1999.
ADDRESSES: There are three options for submitting comments on the
Tijuana Slough EA and CMP, mail, fax, or electronic mail. Mail or fax
your comments to Dean Rundle, Manager, San Diego Bay National Wildlife
Refuge Complex, 2736 Loker Avenue West, Suite A, Carlsbad, CA 92008,
phone (760) 930-0168, facsimile (760) 930-0256. You may submit comments
by electronic mail (e-mail) to: r1planning_guest@fws.gov. Submit
comments as an ASCII file avoiding the use of special characters and
any form of encryption, and enter ``Tijuana Slough NWR CMP/EA'' in the
subject line.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Availability of Documents
Individuals who want copies of the Comprehensive Management Plan
for the Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge and Associated
Environmental Assessment, should immediately contact Charles Houghten,
Acting Chief, Division of Refuge Planning, 911 NE 11th Avenue,
Portland, Oregon 97232, telephone (503) 231-2231, facsimile (503) 231-
6161. These documents will also be available for viewing on the
following Fish and Wildlife Service webpage www.r1.fws.gov/
plnhome.html.
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 (preferred 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 for the recovery of endangered and threatened
species, (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 will be conducted in
accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as
amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), NEPA regulations (40 CFR 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: May 17, 1999.
Elizabeth H. Stevens,
Acting Manager, California/Nevada Operations Office, Sacramento,
California.
[FR Doc. 99-12838 Filed 5-20-99; 8:45 am]
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