[Federal Register: February 17, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 32)]
[Notices]
[Page 8108-8109]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17fe05-49]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Availability of the Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and
Summary for Kern and Pixley National Wildlife Refuges, Kern and Tulare
Counties, CA
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announces that the Kern and
Pixley Refuges' Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) and Summary
are available for distribution. The CCP, prepared pursuant to the
National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act as amended, and in
accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969,
describes how the Service will manage the two Refuges for the next 15
years. The compatibility determinations for waterfowl hunting, wildlife
observation and photography, environmental education and
interpretation, research, grazing and mosquito control are also
available with the CCP.
DATES: The Final CCP and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) are
available now. The FONSI was signed on September 30, 2004.
Implementation of the CCP may begin immediately.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the Final CCP, FONSI, or Summary may be obtained
by writing to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Attn: Mark Pelz,
California/Nevada Refuge Planning Office, Room W-1916, 2800 Cottage
Way, Sacramento, California, 95825. Copies of the CCP may be viewed at
this address or at the Kern National Wildlife Refuge Complex
Headquarters, 10811 Corcoran Road, Delano, California, 93216. The Final
CCP is also available online for viewing and downloading at http://pacific.fws.gov/planning
.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Pelz, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, California/Nevada Refuge Planning Office, Room W-1916, 2800
Cottage Way, Sacramento, California, 95825; telephone 916-414-6500; fax
916-414-6512.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Kern National Wildlife Refuge is located in the southern portion of
California's San Joaquin Valley, in Kern County. It was established in
1960, to provide wintering habitat for waterfowl and other migratory
birds in the southern San Joaquin Valley. Kern Refuge consists of a
11,249-acre unit, owned by the Service. Kern Refuge's seasonal wetlands
are an important wintering area for Pacific Flyway waterfowl and a
popular destination for southern California hunters. The Refuge's
grassland, alkali scrub, and riparian communities support four
endangered species and several other special status species.
Pixley National Wildlife Refuge is located northeast of Kern Refuge
in Tulare County. Pixley Refuge was set aside in 1959, to provide
wintering habitat for migratory birds. Later, it was expanded to
protect habitat for the endangered blunt-nosed leopard lizard and
Tipton kangaroo rat. The Pixley Refuge acquisition boundary contains
about 10,300 acres, of which, about 62 percent is owned by the Federal
government. Pixley Refuge protects mostly grassland and smaller amounts
of alkali playa, saltbush scrub, vernal pools, and riparian habitats.
Pixley Refuge also has 756 acres of moist soil wetlands that are
managed for wintering waterfowl, sandhill cranes, and other migratory
birds.
The availability of the Draft CCP and Environmental Assessment (EA)
for a 30-day public review and comment period was published in the
Federal Register on Friday, June 25, 2004 in Volume 69, Number 122. The
Draft CCP/EA identified and evaluated four alternatives for managing
the Refuges for the next 15 years. Alternative A was the no-action
alternative which described current Refuge management activities. Under
Alternative B, improvements at Kern Refuge would have focused on
improving habitat for migratory waterfowl and increasing waterfowl
hunting opportunities. Changes at Pixley Refuge under Alternative B
would have focused on improving and expanding the Refuge's existing
threatened and endangered species management and environmental
education and interpretation programs. Under Alternative C (the
selected plan), Kern Refuge's focus will continue to emphasize
providing wintering habitat for waterfowl and other migratory birds,
and also contributing to the recovery of targeted special status
species. Management programs for all wildlife-dependant public uses
will improve and expand. Changes at Pixley Refuge under Alternative C
will be similar to those under Alternative B with additional
improvements in sandhill crane management. Under Alternative D,
management of both Kern and Pixley Refuges would have changed to
maximize native biodiversity. The Service would have substantially
modified management of moist soil units at both Refuges to encourage
native waterfowl food plants and improve habitat for shorebirds.
The Service received thirteen comment letters on the Draft CCP and
EA. The comments received were incorporated into the CCP, when
appropriate, and are responded to in an appendix to the CCP.
Alternative C was selected for implementation and is the basis for the
Final CCP.
With the management program described in the Final CCP, the Service
will continue existing management of moist soil units at Kern and
Pixley Refuges and seasonal marsh units at Kern Refuge. In addition,
the Service will rehabilitate 1,330 acres of seasonal marsh units at
Kern Refuge to improve habitat conditions and water management
efficiency. One of the objectives of the CCP is eradicating 90 percent
of the salt cedar on Kern Refuge within five years, using flooding and
mechanical removal. To provide sanctuary for wintering birds and other
wildlife, the existing flexible closed zone will be maintained. Pixley
Refuge will remain closed to hunting. The Service will continue to
maintain water through most of the summer in the eastern portion of
unit 1 to provide nesting habitat for tricolor blackbirds, white-faced
ibis, and other colonial nesting birds. In addition, a 272-acre grain
unit will be developed on Pixley Refuge to provide forging habitat for
sandhill cranes and geese.
Under the selected plan, the Service will continue to use cattle
grazing on Kern and Pixley Refuge's upland habitats as a vegetation
management tool to improve conditions for the endangered blunt-nosed
leopard lizard and Tipton kangaroo rat. In addition, a grassland
management plan will be developed that will explore various options for
managing plant cover and improving habitat conditions for these two
species. The Service will also pursue acquisition of the remaining
natural lands within Pixley Refuge's approved boundary from willing
sellers.
The Service will continue to maintain 215 acres of existing
riparian habitat at Kern Refuge by periodically flooding it.
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In addition, the Service will plant and maintain 15 acres of new
riparian habitat at Kern Refuge and 10 acres at Pixley Refuge.
Herbicides will be used to treat salt cedar on Kern Refuge through
foliar spray or cut stump application with a goal of removing 90
percent within 10 years. In addition, the Service will restore 400
acres of valley sink scrub on Kern Refuge.
Under the selected plan, hunting opportunities at Kern Refuge will
be increased by opening an additional 540 acres to hunting, and
constructing nine new hunting blinds. Other new visitor services
projects at Kern Refuge include: developing new interpretive signs and
displays, and a new refuge brochure; enhancing the pond at the refuge
entrance and constructing a new kiosk and boardwalk; constructing a new
4.3-mile tour route (open every day); and constructing two new photo
blinds. In addition, the environmental education program will be
expanded and a visitor services plan will be developed. At Pixley
Refuge, a new wildlife viewing area and interpretive displays will be
constructed on the Turkey Tract adjacent to State Highway 43. Full
implementation of the selected plan will be subject to available
funding and staffing.
Dated: February 11, 2005.
Steve Thompson,
Manager, California/Nevada Operations Office, Fish and Wildlife
Service, Sacramento, California.
[FR Doc. 05-3073 Filed 2-16-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P