80_FR_43596 80 FR 43456 - South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project, Phase 2; Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge; Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report

80 FR 43456 - South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project, Phase 2; Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge; Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 140 (July 22, 2015)

Page Range43456-43459
FR Document2015-17991

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), in coordination with the California State Coastal Conservancy, announce the availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement/ Environmental Impact Report (DEIS/EIR) for Phase 2 of the South Bay Salt Pond (SBSP) Restoration Project at the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) in Alameda, Santa Clara, and San Mateo Counties, California. The DEIS/EIR, which we prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), describes and analyzes the alternatives identified for Phase 2 of the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 140 (Wednesday, July 22, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 140 (Wednesday, July 22, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43456-43459]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-17991]


=======================================================================
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R8-R-2015-N087; FXRS282108E8PD0-156-F2013227943]


South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project, Phase 2; Don Edwards San 
Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge; Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement/Environmental Impact Report

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for public comments; 
announcement of meeting.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 43457]]

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), in 
coordination with the California State Coastal Conservancy, announce 
the availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement/
Environmental Impact Report (DEIS/EIR) for Phase 2 of the South Bay 
Salt Pond (SBSP) Restoration Project at the Don Edwards San Francisco 
Bay National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) in Alameda, Santa Clara, and San 
Mateo Counties, California. The DEIS/EIR, which we prepared in 
accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), 
describes and analyzes the alternatives identified for Phase 2 of the 
South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project.

DATES: We will accept comments received or postmarked on or before 
September 22, 2015. A public meeting will be held on August 4, 2015 
between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. (see ADDRESSES).
    Persons needing reasonable accommodations in order to attend and 
participate in the public meeting should contact Ariel Ambruster, by 
email at aambrust@ccp.csus.edu or by phone at 510-528-5006, at least 1 
week in advance of the meeting to allow time to process the request.

ADDRESSES: Document Availability: You may obtain copies of the document 
in the following places:
     Internet: http://www.southbayrestoration.org/planning/phase2/.
     In-Person:
    [cir] San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex 
Headquarters, 1 Marshlands Road, Fremont, CA 94555.
    [cir] The following libraries:
    [ssquf] Alviso Branch Library, 5050 N. First St., San Jose, CA 
95002.
    [ssquf] Biblioteca Latino America, 921 South First St., San Jose, 
CA 95110.
    [ssquf] California State University Library, 25800 Carlos Bee 
Blvd., Hayward, CA 94542.
    [ssquf] Fremont Main Library, 2400 Stevenson Blvd., Fremont, CA 
94538.
    [ssquf] Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St., Menlo Park, CA 94025.
    [ssquf] Mountain View Library, 585 Franklin St., Mountain View, CA 
94041.
    [ssquf] Rinconada Library, 1213 Newell Rd., Palo Alto, CA 94303.
    [ssquf] King Library, 150 E San Fernando St., San Jose, CA 95112.
    [ssquf] Redwood City Main Library, 1044 Middlefield Road, Redwood 
City, CA 94063.
    [ssquf] San Mateo County East Palo Alto Library, 2415 University 
Ave., East Palo Alto, CA 94303.
    [ssquf] Santa Clara County Milpitas Library, 160 N Main St., 
Milpitas, CA 95035.
    [ssquf] Santa Clara Public Library, 2635 Homestead Rd., Santa 
Clara, CA 95051.
    [ssquf] Sunnyvale Public Library, 665 W Olive Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 
94086.
    [ssquf] Natural Resources Library, U.S. Department of the Interior, 
1849 C Street NW., Washington, DC 20240-0001.
    For how to view comments on the draft EIS from the Environmental 
Protection Agency (EPA), or for information on EPA's role in the EIS 
process, see EPA's Role in the EIS Process under SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION.
    Submitting Comments: You may submit written comments by one of the 
following methods:
     Electronically: Send comments via email to 
phase2comments@southbayrestoration.org. Your correspondence should 
indicate which pond complex, alternative, or issue your comments 
pertain to.
     By Hard Copy: Send written comments to Anne Morkill, 
Project Leader, Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, 
1 Marshlands Road, Fremont, CA 94555, or to Brenda Buxton, Project 
Manager, State Coastal Conservancy, 1330 Broadway, 13th Floor, Oakland, 
CA 94612.
     By Fax: You may also send comments by facsimile to 510-
792-5828.
    To have your name added to our mailing list, contact Ariel 
Ambruster (see DATES).
    Public Meeting: A public meeting will be held on August 4, 2015, 
from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Mountain View Community Center, located 
at 201 S. Rengstorff Avenue, Mountain View, California 94040-1706. 
Staff will be available to take comments and answer questions during 
this time. The details of the public meeting will be posted on the SBSP 
Restoration Project's Web site at http://www.southbayrestoration.org/events/. Meeting details will also be emailed to the Project's 
Stakeholder Forum and to those interested parties who request to be 
notified. Notification requests can be made by contacting the SBSP 
Restoration Project's public outreach coordinator Ariel Ambruster (see 
DATES).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anne Morkill, Project Leader, USFWS, 
510-792-0222.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In coordination with the California State 
Coastal Conservancy, we publish this notice to announce the 
availability of a DEIS/EIR for Phase 2 of the SBSP Restoration Project 
at the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay Refuge in Alameda, Santa Clara, 
and San Mateo Counties, California. Phase 2 involves Ponds R3, R4, R5, 
S5, A1, A2W, A8, A8S, A19, A20, and A21. The DEIS/EIR, which we 
prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969 (NEPA), describes and analyzes the alternatives identified for 
Phase 2 of the SBSP Restoration Project. In addition to our publication 
of this notice, EPA is publishing a notice announcing the draft CCP and 
EIS, as required under section 309 of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 
et seq.) The publication date of EPA's notice of availability is the 
start of the public comment period for the draft EIS. Under the CAA, 
EPA also must subsequently announce the final EIS via the Federal 
Register.

EPA's Role in the EIS Process

    The EPA is charged under section 309 of the CAA (42 U.S.C. 7401 et 
seq.) to review all Federal agencies' environmental impact statements 
(EISs) and to comment on the adequacy and the acceptability of the 
environmental impacts of proposed actions in the EISs.
    EPA also serves as the repository (EIS database) for EISs prepared 
by Federal agencies and provides notice of their availability in the 
Federal Register. The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Database 
provides information about EISs prepared by Federal agencies, as well 
as EPA's comments concerning the EISs. All EISs are filed with EPA, 
which publishes a notice of availability on Fridays in the Federal 
Register.
    The notice of availability is the start of the public comment 
period for draft EISs, and the start of the 30-day ``wait period'' for 
final EISs, during which agencies are generally required to wait 30 
days before making a decision on a proposed action. For more 
information, see http://www.epa.gov/compliance/nepa/eisdata.html. You 
may search for EPA comments on EISs, along with EISs themselves, at 
https://cdxnodengn.epa.gov/cdx-enepa-public/action/eis/search.

Background

    In December 2007, the USFWS and the California Department of Fish 
and Wildlife (CDFW) published a Final EIS/EIR for the SBSP Restoration 
Project at the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay Refuge and the CDFW Eden 
Landing Ecological Reserve (December 28, 2007; 72 FR 73799). The 
overall south bay salt pond restoration area includes 15,100 acres that 
the USFWS and the CDFW acquired from Cargill, Inc. in 2003. The lands 
acquired from Cargill are divided into three pond complexes: The 
Ravenswood Pond Complex, in San Mateo County, managed by the USFWS; the 
Alviso Pond complex, also managed

[[Page 43458]]

by the USFWS, which is mostly in Santa Clara County, with five ponds in 
Alameda County; and the Eden Landing Pond Complex, in Alameda County, 
which is owned and managed by the CDFW. The SBSP Restoration Project 
presented in the Final EIS/EIR was both programmatic, covering a 50-
year period, and project-level, addressing the specific components and 
implementation of Phase 1.
    In January 2008, we signed a Record of Decision selecting the Tidal 
Emphasis Alternative (Alternative C) for implementation. This 
alternative will result in 90 percent of the USFWS's ponds on the 
Refuge being restored to tidal wetlands and 10 percent converted to 
managed ponds. Under Phase 1 of Alternative C, we restored ponds E8A, 
E8X, E9, E12, and E13 at the Eden Landing complex; A6, A8, A16, and A17 
at the Alviso complex; and SF2 at the Ravenswood complex. We also added 
several trails, interpretive features, and other recreational access 
points. Construction was completed on the USFWS ponds in 2013.
    We now propose restoration or enhancement of over 2,000 acres of 
former salt ponds in the second phase of the SBSP Restoration Project. 
In Phase 2 DEIS/EIR, we provide project-level analysis of proposed 
restoration or enhancement of portions of the following three 
geographically separate pond clusters: The Ravenswood Pond Complex (R3, 
R4, R5, and S5), the Alviso Pond Complex-Mountain View Ponds (A1 and 
A2W), the Alviso Pond Complex-A8 Ponds (A8 and A8S), and the Alviso 
Pond Complex-Island Ponds (A19, A20, and A21). Some Phase 2 
alternatives also include collaborative restoration and flood 
management activities with non-USFWS landowners of adjacent lands and 
managers of public infrastructures. Other Phase 2 alternatives do not 
include these components. These pond clusters are illustrated in 
Figures 1-5 on the SBSP Restoration Project Web site at http://www.southbayrestoration.org/planning/phase2/.
    Phase 2 of the SBSP Restoration Project is intended to restore and 
enhance tidal wetlands and managed pond habitats in South San Francisco 
Bay while providing for flood management and wildlife-oriented public 
access and recreation. In this Phase 2 document, we would continue 
habitat restoration activities in both USFWS pond complexes, while also 
providing recreation and public access opportunities and maintaining or 
improving current levels of flood protection in the surrounding 
communities. Phase 2 actions are also being planned for implementation 
at the Eden Landing Pond Complex, which is owned and managed by the 
CDFW as part of the Eden Landing Wildlife Sanctuary, but these actions 
will be addressed under a separate process under the NEPA and 
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). We will address activities 
at other ponds in subsequent phases.

Alternatives

    We consider a range of alternatives and their impacts in the DEIS/
EIR, including No Action Alternatives for each group of ponds. The 
range of alternatives includes varying approaches to restoring tidal 
marshes (including number and location of breaches and other levee 
modifications), habitat enhancements (islands, transition zones, and 
channels), modifications to existing levees and berms to maintain or 
improve flood protection, and recreation and public access components 
(including trails, boardwalks, and viewing platforms) which correspond 
to the project objectives.
    The alternatives for each group of ponds (``pond cluster'') are 
described below. The No Action Alternatives are described together, 
followed by the Action Alternatives that are under consideration for 
each pond cluster. In each group of ponds, each subsequently lettered 
alternative usually has successively more components and greater 
amounts of construction. Thus, at a given pond cluster, Alternative C 
would involve more components that Alternative B, which has more than 
Alternative A (No Action). One exception to this arrangement is at 
Ravenswood, where there are three Action Alternatives and where the 
defining feature of each alternative is not ``more components versus 
fewer components'' but rather a different restoration goal for some of 
the small ponds there.

Alviso-Island Ponds, Alviso-Mountain View Ponds, Alviso-A8 Ponds, and 
Ravenswood Ponds--Alternatives A (No Action)

    Under Alternatives Island A, Mountain View A, A8 A, and Ravenswood 
A (the No Action Alternative at each of these pond clusters), no new 
activities would be implemented as part of Phase 2. The pond clusters 
would continue to be monitored and managed through the activities 
described in the Adaptive Management Plan (AMP) and in accordance with 
current USFWS practices.

Alviso Island Ponds

Alternative Island B

    Alternative Island B would breach Pond A19's northern levee and 
remove or lower levees between Ponds A19 and A20 to increase 
connectivity and improve the ecological function of both ponds.

Alternative Island C

    Alternative Island C would include the components of Alternative 
Island B with the addition of levee breaches on the north sides of 
Ponds A20 and A21, lowering of portions of levees around Pond A20, 
pilot channels in Pond A19, and widening the existing breaches on the 
southern levee of Pond A19.

Alviso-Mountain View Ponds

Alternative Mountain View B

    Under Alternative Mountain View B, Ponds A1 and A2W levees would be 
breached at several points to introduce tidal flow in the ponds. 
Portions of Pond A1's western levee would be built up to maintain 
current levels of flood protection provided by the pond itself. Habitat 
transition zones and habitat islands would be constructed in the ponds 
to increase habitat complexity and quality for special-status species. 
A new trail and viewing platform would be installed to improve 
recreation and public access at these ponds.

Alternative Mountain View C

    Under Alternative Mountain View C, levees would be breached and 
lowered to increase tidal flows in Pond A1, Pond A2W, and Charleston 
Slough. The inclusion of Charleston Slough (by breaching and lowering 
much of Pond A1's western levee) is the primary distinguishing feature 
between Alternative Mountain View B and Alternative Mountain View C. 
Several additional new trails and viewing platforms would be installed 
or replaced to improve recreation and public access at the pond 
cluster. To continue providing water to the City of Mountain View's 
Shoreline Park sailing lake, a new water intake would be constructed at 
the proposed breach between Pond A1 and Charleston Slough.

Alviso--A8 Ponds

Alternative A8 B

    Alternative A8 B proposes the construction of habitat transition 
zones in Pond A8S's southwest corner, southeast corner, or both, 
depending on the amount of material available.

[[Page 43459]]

Ravenswood Ponds

Alternative Ravenswood B

    Alternative Ravenswood B would open Pond R4 to tidal flows, improve 
levees to provide additional flood protection, create habitat 
transition zone along the western edge of Pond R4, establish managed 
ponds to improve habitat for diving and dabbling birds, increase pond 
connectivity, and add a viewing platform to improve recreation and 
public access.

Alternative Ravenswood C

    Alternative Ravenswood C would be similar to Alternative Ravenswood 
B, with the following exceptions: Ponds R5 and S5 would be converted to 
a particular type of managed pond that is operated to maintain 
intertidal mudflat elevation; water control structures would be 
installed on Pond R3 to allow for improvement to the habitat for 
western snowy plover; an additional habitat transition zone would be 
constructed; and two public access and recreational trails and 
additional viewing platforms would be constructed.

Alternative Ravenswood D

    Alternative Ravenswood D would open Pond R4 to tidal flows, improve 
levees to provide additional flood protection, create two habitat 
transition zones in Pond R4, establish enhanced managed ponds in Ponds 
R5 and S5, increase pond connectivity, enhance Pond R3 for western 
snowy plover habitat, remove the levees within and between Ponds R5 and 
S5, and improve recreation and public access. Alternative Ravenswood D 
would also allow temporary stormwater detention into Ponds R5 and S5 
via connections with the City of Redwood City's Bayfront Canal and 
Atherton Channel Project. This would treat a residual salinity problem 
in Ponds R5 and S5.

NEPA Compliance

    We are conducting environmental review in accordance with the 
requirements of NEPA, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), its 
implementing regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), other applicable 
regulations, and our procedures for compliance with those regulations. 
The DEIS/EIR discusses the direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts of 
the alternatives on biological resources, cultural resources, water 
quality, and other environmental resources. Measures to minimize 
adverse environmental effects are identified and discussed in the DEIS/
EIR.

Public Comments

    We request that you send comments only by one of the methods 
described in ADDRESSES. If you submit a comment that includes personal 
identifying information, you may request at the top of your document 
that we withhold this information from public review. However, we 
cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
    In addition to providing written comments, the public is encouraged 
to attend a public meeting on August 4, 2015, to solicit comments on 
the DEIS/EIR. The location of the public meeting is provided in the 
ADDRESSES section. We will accept both oral and written comments at the 
public meeting.

Ren Lohoefener,
Regional Director, Pacific Southwest Region.
[FR Doc. 2015-17991 Filed 7-21-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P



                                              43456                        Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 140 / Wednesday, July 22, 2015 / Notices

                                              components and one foreign-origin                        (OMB) control number 1652–0005,                       collection techniques or other forms of
                                              software component, occurs entirely in                   abstracted below to OMB for review and                information technology.
                                              Virginia, United States in a period of up                approval of an extension of the
                                                                                                                                                             Information Collection Requirement
                                              to 16 days. As a result of the processing                currently approved collection under the
                                              in the United States, based on the                       Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). The                       Title: Security Programs for Foreign
                                              totality of the circumstances and                        ICR describes the nature of the                       Air Carriers.
                                              assuming that four of the components                     information collection and its expected                  Type of Request: Extension of a
                                              actually originate in the United States as               burden. TSA published a Federal                       currently approved collection.
                                              claimed, we find that the imported                       Register notice, with a 60-day comment                   OMB Control Number: 1652–0005.
                                              hardware and software components will                    period soliciting comments, of the                       Forms(s): N/A.
                                              be substantially transformed. Therefore,                 following collection of information on                   Affected Public: Foreign air carriers.
                                              the country of origin of the VistA                       April 14, 2015, (80 FR 20003). This                      Abstract: TSA uses the information
                                              Storage Solution will be the United                      information collection is mandatory for               collected to determine compliance with
                                              States for purposes of U.S. Government                   foreign air carriers and must be                      49 CFR part 1546 and to ensure
                                              procurement.                                             submitted prior to entry into the United              passenger safety by monitoring foreign
                                                                                                       States.                                               air carrier security procedures. Foreign
                                              HOLDING:                                                                                                       air carriers must carry out security
                                                                                                       DATES: Send your comments by August
                                                 Based on the facts provided, the                      21, 2015. A comment to OMB is most                    measures to provide for the safety of
                                              hardware and software components will                    effective if OMB receives it within 30                persons and property traveling on
                                              be substantially transformed through an                  days of publication.                                  flights provided by the foreign air
                                              assembly process that occurs entirely in                                                                       carrier against acts of criminal violence
                                                                                                       ADDRESSES: Interested persons are
                                              the United States. As such, the VistA                                                                          and air piracy, and the introduction of
                                              Storage Solution will be considered a                    invited to submit written comments on                 explosives, incendiaries, or weapons
                                              product of the United States for                         the proposed information collection to                aboard an aircraft. This information
                                              purposes of U.S. Government                              the Office of Information and Regulatory              collection is mandatory for foreign air
                                              procurement.                                             Affairs, OMB. Comments should be                      carriers and must be submitted prior to
                                                 Notice of this final determination will               addressed to Desk Officer, Department                 entry into the United States. The TSA
                                              be given in the Federal Register, as                     of Homeland Security/TSA, and sent via                information collection includes
                                              required by 19 CFR 177.29. Any party-                    electronic mail to oira_submission@                   providing information to TSA as
                                              at-interest other than the party which                   omb.eop.gov or faxed to (202) 395–6974.               outlined in the carrier’s security
                                              requested this final determination may                   FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                      program, maintaining records of
                                              request, pursuant to 19 CFR 177.31, that                 Christina A. Walsh, TSA PRA Officer,                  compliance with 49 CFR part 1546 and
                                              CBP reexamine the matter anew and                        Office of Information Technology (OIT),               the foreign air carrier’s security
                                              issue a new final determination.                         TSA–11, Transportation Security                       program, and security training;
                                              Pursuant to 19 CFR 177.30, any party-                    Administration, 601 South 12th Street,                suspicious incident reporting, and
                                              at-interest may, within 30 days of                       Arlington, VA 20598–6011; telephone                   submitting identifying information on
                                              publication of the Federal Register                      (571) 227–2062; email TSAPRA@                         foreign air carriers’ flight crews and
                                              Notice referenced above, seek judicial                   dhs.gov.                                              passengers.
                                              review of this final determination before                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                               Number of Respondents: 170.
                                              the Court of International Trade.                                                                                 Estimated Annual Burden Hours: An
                                              Sincerely,                                               Comments Invited                                      estimated 1,029,010 hours annually.
                                              Harold Singer, Acting Executive                             In accordance with the Paperwork                     Dated: July 16, 2015.
                                              Director                                                 Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501                 Joanna Johnson,
                                              Regulations and Rulings                                  et seq.), an agency may not conduct or                Acting TSA Paperwork Reduction Act Officer,
                                              Office of International Trade                            sponsor, and a person is not required to              Office of Information Technology.
                                              [FR Doc. 2015–17963 Filed 7–21–15; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                       respond to, a collection of information               [FR Doc. 2015–17986 Filed 7–21–15; 8:45 am]
                                              BILLING CODE P                                           unless it displays a valid OMB control                BILLING CODE 9110–05–P
                                                                                                       number. The ICR documentation is
                                                                                                       available at http://www.reginfo.gov.
                                              DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND                                   Therefore, in preparation for OMB
                                              SECURITY                                                 review and approval of the following                  DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
                                              Transportation Security Administration                   information collection, TSA is soliciting
                                                                                                                                                             Fish and Wildlife Service
                                                                                                       comments to—
                                              [Docket No. TSA–2002–11602]                                 (1) Evaluate whether the proposed                  [FWS–R8–R–2015–N087;
                                                                                                       information requirement is necessary for              FXRS282108E8PD0–156–F2013227943]
                                              Extension of Agency Information                          the proper performance of the functions
                                              Collection Activity Under OMB Review:                    of the agency, including whether the                  South Bay Salt Pond Restoration
                                              Security Programs for Foreign Air                        information will have practical utility;              Project, Phase 2; Don Edwards San
                                              Carriers                                                    (2) Evaluate the accuracy of the                   Francisco Bay National Wildlife
                                              AGENCY:  Transportation Security                         agency’s estimate of the burden;                      Refuge; Draft Environmental Impact
                                              Administration, DHS.                                        (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and              Statement/Environmental Impact
                                                                                                                                                             Report
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                              ACTION: 30-day notice.                                   clarity of the information to be
                                                                                                       collected; and                                        AGENCY:   Fish and Wildlife Service,
                                              SUMMARY:   This notice announces that                       (4) Minimize the burden of the                     Interior.
                                              the Transportation Security                              collection of information on those who
                                                                                                                                                             ACTION: Notice of availability; request
                                              Administration (TSA) has forwarded the                   are to respond, including using
                                                                                                                                                             for public comments; announcement of
                                              Information Collection Request (ICR),                    appropriate automated, electronic,
                                                                                                                                                             meeting.
                                              Office of Management and Budget                          mechanical, or other technological


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                                                                           Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 140 / Wednesday, July 22, 2015 / Notices                                            43457

                                              SUMMARY:   We, the U.S. Fish and                            D Santa Clara Public Library, 2635                 R4, R5, S5, A1, A2W, A8, A8S, A19,
                                              Wildlife Service (USFWS), in                             Homestead Rd., Santa Clara, CA 95051.                 A20, and A21. The DEIS/EIR, which we
                                              coordination with the California State                      D Sunnyvale Public Library, 665 W                  prepared in accordance with the
                                              Coastal Conservancy, announce the                        Olive Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94086.                      National Environmental Policy Act of
                                              availability of a Draft Environmental                       D Natural Resources Library, U.S.                  1969 (NEPA), describes and analyzes
                                              Impact Statement/Environmental                           Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street             the alternatives identified for Phase 2 of
                                              Impact Report (DEIS/EIR) for Phase 2 of                  NW., Washington, DC 20240–0001.                       the SBSP Restoration Project. In
                                              the South Bay Salt Pond (SBSP)                              For how to view comments on the                    addition to our publication of this
                                              Restoration Project at the Don Edwards                   draft EIS from the Environmental                      notice, EPA is publishing a notice
                                              San Francisco Bay National Wildlife                      Protection Agency (EPA), or for                       announcing the draft CCP and EIS, as
                                              Refuge (Refuge) in Alameda, Santa                        information on EPA’s role in the EIS                  required under section 309 of the Clean
                                              Clara, and San Mateo Counties,                           process, see EPA’s Role in the EIS                    Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.) The
                                              California. The DEIS/EIR, which we                       Process under SUPPLEMENTARY                           publication date of EPA’s notice of
                                              prepared in accordance with the                          INFORMATION.                                          availability is the start of the public
                                              National Environmental Policy Act of                        Submitting Comments: You may                       comment period for the draft EIS. Under
                                              1969 (NEPA), describes and analyzes                      submit written comments by one of the                 the CAA, EPA also must subsequently
                                              the alternatives identified for Phase 2 of               following methods:                                    announce the final EIS via the Federal
                                              the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration                         • Electronically: Send comments via                Register.
                                              Project.                                                 email to phase2comments@                              EPA’s Role in the EIS Process
                                              DATES: We will accept comments
                                                                                                       southbayrestoration.org. Your
                                                                                                       correspondence should indicate which                    The EPA is charged under section 309
                                              received or postmarked on or before                                                                            of the CAA (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.) to
                                              September 22, 2015. A public meeting                     pond complex, alternative, or issue your
                                                                                                       comments pertain to.                                  review all Federal agencies’
                                              will be held on August 4, 2015 between                                                                         environmental impact statements (EISs)
                                              6 p.m. and 8 p.m. (see ADDRESSES).                          • By Hard Copy: Send written
                                                                                                       comments to Anne Morkill, Project                     and to comment on the adequacy and
                                                Persons needing reasonable                                                                                   the acceptability of the environmental
                                              accommodations in order to attend and                    Leader, Don Edwards San Francisco Bay
                                                                                                       National Wildlife Refuge, 1 Marshlands                impacts of proposed actions in the EISs.
                                              participate in the public meeting should                                                                         EPA also serves as the repository (EIS
                                              contact Ariel Ambruster, by email at                     Road, Fremont, CA 94555, or to Brenda
                                                                                                       Buxton, Project Manager, State Coastal                database) for EISs prepared by Federal
                                              aambrust@ccp.csus.edu or by phone at                                                                           agencies and provides notice of their
                                              510–528–5006, at least 1 week in                         Conservancy, 1330 Broadway, 13th
                                                                                                       Floor, Oakland, CA 94612.                             availability in the Federal Register. The
                                              advance of the meeting to allow time to                                                                        Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
                                              process the request.                                        • By Fax: You may also send
                                                                                                       comments by facsimile to 510–792–                     Database provides information about
                                              ADDRESSES: Document Availability: You                                                                          EISs prepared by Federal agencies, as
                                                                                                       5828.
                                              may obtain copies of the document in                                                                           well as EPA’s comments concerning the
                                                                                                          To have your name added to our
                                              the following places:                                                                                          EISs. All EISs are filed with EPA, which
                                                • Internet: http://                                    mailing list, contact Ariel Ambruster
                                                                                                       (see DATES).                                          publishes a notice of availability on
                                              www.southbayrestoration.org/planning/                                                                          Fridays in the Federal Register.
                                                                                                          Public Meeting: A public meeting will
                                              phase2/.                                                                                                         The notice of availability is the start
                                                • In-Person:                                           be held on August 4, 2015, from 6 p.m.
                                                                                                       to 8 p.m., at the Mountain View                       of the public comment period for draft
                                                Æ San Francisco Bay National                                                                                 EISs, and the start of the 30-day ‘‘wait
                                              Wildlife Refuge Complex Headquarters,                    Community Center, located at 201 S.
                                                                                                       Rengstorff Avenue, Mountain View,                     period’’ for final EISs, during which
                                              1 Marshlands Road, Fremont, CA 94555.                                                                          agencies are generally required to wait
                                                Æ The following libraries:                             California 94040–1706. Staff will be
                                                                                                                                                             30 days before making a decision on a
                                                D Alviso Branch Library, 5050 N. First                 available to take comments and answer
                                                                                                                                                             proposed action. For more information,
                                              St., San Jose, CA 95002.                                 questions during this time. The details
                                                                                                                                                             see http://www.epa.gov/compliance/
                                                D Biblioteca Latino America, 921                       of the public meeting will be posted on
                                                                                                       the SBSP Restoration Project’s Web site               nepa/eisdata.html. You may search for
                                              South First St., San Jose, CA 95110.
                                                D California State University Library,                 at http://www.southbayrestoration.org/                EPA comments on EISs, along with EISs
                                              25800 Carlos Bee Blvd., Hayward, CA                      events/. Meeting details will also be                 themselves, at https://
                                              94542.                                                   emailed to the Project’s Stakeholder                  cdxnodengn.epa.gov/cdx-enepa-public/
                                                D Fremont Main Library, 2400                           Forum and to those interested parties                 action/eis/search.
                                              Stevenson Blvd., Fremont, CA 94538.                      who request to be notified. Notification              Background
                                                D Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St.,                    requests can be made by contacting the
                                              Menlo Park, CA 94025.                                                                                            In December 2007, the USFWS and
                                                                                                       SBSP Restoration Project’s public                     the California Department of Fish and
                                                D Mountain View Library, 585                           outreach coordinator Ariel Ambruster
                                              Franklin St., Mountain View, CA 94041.                                                                         Wildlife (CDFW) published a Final EIS/
                                                                                                       (see DATES).                                          EIR for the SBSP Restoration Project at
                                                D Rinconada Library, 1213 Newell
                                                                                                       FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                      the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay
                                              Rd., Palo Alto, CA 94303.
                                                D King Library, 150 E San Fernando                     Anne Morkill, Project Leader, USFWS,                  Refuge and the CDFW Eden Landing
                                              St., San Jose, CA 95112.                                 510–792–0222.                                         Ecological Reserve (December 28, 2007;
                                                D Redwood City Main Library, 1044                      SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In                         72 FR 73799). The overall south bay salt
                                              Middlefield Road, Redwood City, CA                       coordination with the California State                pond restoration area includes 15,100
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                                              94063.                                                   Coastal Conservancy, we publish this                  acres that the USFWS and the CDFW
                                                D San Mateo County East Palo Alto                      notice to announce the availability of a              acquired from Cargill, Inc. in 2003. The
                                              Library, 2415 University Ave., East Palo                 DEIS/EIR for Phase 2 of the SBSP                      lands acquired from Cargill are divided
                                              Alto, CA 94303.                                          Restoration Project at the Don Edwards                into three pond complexes: The
                                                D Santa Clara County Milpitas                          San Francisco Bay Refuge in Alameda,                  Ravenswood Pond Complex, in San
                                              Library, 160 N Main St., Milpitas, CA                    Santa Clara, and San Mateo Counties,                  Mateo County, managed by the USFWS;
                                              95035.                                                   California. Phase 2 involves Ponds R3,                the Alviso Pond complex, also managed


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                                              43458                        Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 140 / Wednesday, July 22, 2015 / Notices

                                              by the USFWS, which is mostly in Santa                   being planned for implementation at the               Alviso Island Ponds
                                              Clara County, with five ponds in                         Eden Landing Pond Complex, which is
                                                                                                                                                             Alternative Island B
                                              Alameda County; and the Eden Landing                     owned and managed by the CDFW as
                                              Pond Complex, in Alameda County,                         part of the Eden Landing Wildlife                       Alternative Island B would breach
                                              which is owned and managed by the                        Sanctuary, but these actions will be                  Pond A19’s northern levee and remove
                                              CDFW. The SBSP Restoration Project                       addressed under a separate process                    or lower levees between Ponds A19 and
                                              presented in the Final EIS/EIR was both                  under the NEPA and California                         A20 to increase connectivity and
                                              programmatic, covering a 50-year                         Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). We                  improve the ecological function of both
                                              period, and project-level, addressing the                will address activities at other ponds in             ponds.
                                              specific components and                                  subsequent phases.
                                              implementation of Phase 1.                                                                                     Alternative Island C
                                                 In January 2008, we signed a Record                   Alternatives
                                              of Decision selecting the Tidal Emphasis                    We consider a range of alternatives                  Alternative Island C would include
                                              Alternative (Alternative C) for                          and their impacts in the DEIS/EIR,                    the components of Alternative Island B
                                              implementation. This alternative will                    including No Action Alternatives for                  with the addition of levee breaches on
                                              result in 90 percent of the USFWS’s                      each group of ponds. The range of                     the north sides of Ponds A20 and A21,
                                              ponds on the Refuge being restored to                    alternatives includes varying                         lowering of portions of levees around
                                              tidal wetlands and 10 percent converted                  approaches to restoring tidal marshes                 Pond A20, pilot channels in Pond A19,
                                              to managed ponds. Under Phase 1 of                       (including number and location of                     and widening the existing breaches on
                                              Alternative C, we restored ponds E8A,                    breaches and other levee modifications),              the southern levee of Pond A19.
                                              E8X, E9, E12, and E13 at the Eden                        habitat enhancements (islands,
                                              Landing complex; A6, A8, A16, and A17                                                                          Alviso-Mountain View Ponds
                                                                                                       transition zones, and channels),
                                              at the Alviso complex; and SF2 at the                    modifications to existing levees and                  Alternative Mountain View B
                                              Ravenswood complex. We also added                        berms to maintain or improve flood
                                              several trails, interpretive features, and                                                                        Under Alternative Mountain View B,
                                                                                                       protection, and recreation and public
                                              other recreational access points.                                                                              Ponds A1 and A2W levees would be
                                                                                                       access components (including trails,
                                              Construction was completed on the                                                                              breached at several points to introduce
                                                                                                       boardwalks, and viewing platforms)
                                              USFWS ponds in 2013.                                                                                           tidal flow in the ponds. Portions of
                                                                                                       which correspond to the project
                                                 We now propose restoration or                                                                               Pond A1’s western levee would be built
                                                                                                       objectives.
                                              enhancement of over 2,000 acres of                                                                             up to maintain current levels of flood
                                              former salt ponds in the second phase                       The alternatives for each group of
                                                                                                                                                             protection provided by the pond itself.
                                              of the SBSP Restoration Project. In                      ponds (‘‘pond cluster’’) are described
                                                                                                                                                             Habitat transition zones and habitat
                                              Phase 2 DEIS/EIR, we provide project-                    below. The No Action Alternatives are
                                                                                                                                                             islands would be constructed in the
                                              level analysis of proposed restoration or                described together, followed by the
                                                                                                                                                             ponds to increase habitat complexity
                                              enhancement of portions of the                           Action Alternatives that are under
                                                                                                                                                             and quality for special-status species. A
                                              following three geographically separate                  consideration for each pond cluster. In
                                                                                                       each group of ponds, each subsequently                new trail and viewing platform would
                                              pond clusters: The Ravenswood Pond                                                                             be installed to improve recreation and
                                              Complex (R3, R4, R5, and S5), the                        lettered alternative usually has
                                                                                                       successively more components and                      public access at these ponds.
                                              Alviso Pond Complex–Mountain View
                                              Ponds (A1 and A2W), the Alviso Pond                      greater amounts of construction. Thus,                Alternative Mountain View C
                                              Complex–A8 Ponds (A8 and A8S), and                       at a given pond cluster, Alternative C
                                              the Alviso Pond Complex–Island Ponds                     would involve more components that                       Under Alternative Mountain View C,
                                              (A19, A20, and A21). Some Phase 2                        Alternative B, which has more than                    levees would be breached and lowered
                                              alternatives also include collaborative                  Alternative A (No Action). One                        to increase tidal flows in Pond A1, Pond
                                              restoration and flood management                         exception to this arrangement is at                   A2W, and Charleston Slough. The
                                              activities with non-USFWS landowners                     Ravenswood, where there are three                     inclusion of Charleston Slough (by
                                              of adjacent lands and managers of                        Action Alternatives and where the                     breaching and lowering much of Pond
                                              public infrastructures. Other Phase 2                    defining feature of each alternative is               A1’s western levee) is the primary
                                              alternatives do not include these                        not ‘‘more components versus fewer                    distinguishing feature between
                                              components. These pond clusters are                      components’’ but rather a different                   Alternative Mountain View B and
                                              illustrated in Figures 1–5 on the SBSP                   restoration goal for some of the small                Alternative Mountain View C. Several
                                              Restoration Project Web site at http://                  ponds there.                                          additional new trails and viewing
                                              www.southbayrestoration.org/planning/                    Alviso–Island Ponds, Alviso–Mountain                  platforms would be installed or replaced
                                              phase2/.                                                 View Ponds, Alviso–A8 Ponds, and                      to improve recreation and public access
                                                 Phase 2 of the SBSP Restoration                       Ravenswood Ponds—Alternatives A (No                   at the pond cluster. To continue
                                              Project is intended to restore and                       Action)                                               providing water to the City of Mountain
                                              enhance tidal wetlands and managed                                                                             View’s Shoreline Park sailing lake, a
                                              pond habitats in South San Francisco                       Under Alternatives Island A,                        new water intake would be constructed
                                              Bay while providing for flood                            Mountain View A, A8 A, and                            at the proposed breach between Pond
                                              management and wildlife-oriented                         Ravenswood A (the No Action                           A1 and Charleston Slough.
                                              public access and recreation. In this                    Alternative at each of these pond
                                              Phase 2 document, we would continue                      clusters), no new activities would be                 Alviso—A8 Ponds
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                                              habitat restoration activities in both                   implemented as part of Phase 2. The                   Alternative A8 B
                                              USFWS pond complexes, while also                         pond clusters would continue to be
                                              providing recreation and public access                   monitored and managed through the                       Alternative A8 B proposes the
                                              opportunities and maintaining or                         activities described in the Adaptive                  construction of habitat transition zones
                                              improving current levels of flood                        Management Plan (AMP) and in                          in Pond A8S’s southwest corner,
                                              protection in the surrounding                            accordance with current USFWS                         southeast corner, or both, depending on
                                              communities. Phase 2 actions are also                    practices.                                            the amount of material available.


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                                                                           Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 140 / Wednesday, July 22, 2015 / Notices                                              43459

                                              Ravenswood Ponds                                         Public Comments                                       DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
                                              Alternative Ravenswood B                                    We request that you send comments                  National Park Service
                                                Alternative Ravenswood B would                         only by one of the methods described in
                                                                                                                                                             [NPS–NERO–STSP–18379; PPNESTSP00
                                              open Pond R4 to tidal flows, improve                     ADDRESSES. If you submit a comment
                                                                                                                                                             PPMPSPD1Z.YM0000]
                                              levees to provide additional flood                       that includes personal identifying
                                              protection, create habitat transition zone               information, you may request at the top               Request for Nominations for the Star-
                                              along the western edge of Pond R4,                       of your document that we withhold this                Spangled Banner National Historic
                                              establish managed ponds to improve                       information from public review.                       Trail Advisory Council
                                              habitat for diving and dabbling birds,                   However, we cannot guarantee that we
                                              increase pond connectivity, and add a                    will be able to do so.                                AGENCY:    National Park Service, Interior.
                                              viewing platform to improve recreation                                                                         ACTION:   Request for nominations.
                                                                                                          In addition to providing written
                                              and public access.                                       comments, the public is encouraged to                 SUMMARY:    The National Park Service,
                                              Alternative Ravenswood C                                 attend a public meeting on August 4,                  U.S. Department of the Interior, is
                                                                                                       2015, to solicit comments on the DEIS/                seeking nominations for individuals to
                                                Alternative Ravenswood C would be                                                                            be considered for appointment to the
                                                                                                       EIR. The location of the public meeting
                                              similar to Alternative Ravenswood B,                                                                           Star-Spangled Banner National Historic
                                                                                                       is provided in the ADDRESSES section.
                                              with the following exceptions: Ponds R5                                                                        Trail Advisory Council.
                                                                                                       We will accept both oral and written
                                              and S5 would be converted to a
                                              particular type of managed pond that is                  comments at the public meeting.                       DATES: Written nominations must be
                                              operated to maintain intertidal mudflat                                                                        received by August 21, 2015.
                                                                                                       Ren Lohoefener,
                                              elevation; water control structures                                                                            ADDRESSES: Send nominations to: Chuck
                                                                                                       Regional Director, Pacific Southwest Region.
                                              would be installed on Pond R3 to allow                                                                         Grady, Chief of Administration, Fort
                                                                                                       [FR Doc. 2015–17991 Filed 7–21–15; 8:45 am]
                                              for improvement to the habitat for                                                                             McHenry National Monument &
                                              western snowy plover; an additional                      BILLING CODE 4310–55–P                                Historic Shrine, Hampton National
                                              habitat transition zone would be                                                                               Historic Site, Star-Spangled Banner
                                              constructed; and two public access and                                                                         National Historic Trail, 2400 East Fort
                                                                                                       DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR                            Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21230,
                                              recreational trails and additional
                                              viewing platforms would be                                                                                     telephone (410) 962–4290, ext. 110, or
                                                                                                       Bureau of Land Management                             via email at charles_grady@nps.gov.
                                              constructed.
                                                                                                                                                             FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                              Alternative Ravenswood D                                 [LLAZP02000.L54100000.FR0000.LVCLA1                   Chuck Grady, Chief of Administration,
                                                                                                       2A5210.241A; AZA–35780]                               Fort McHenry National Monument &
                                                 Alternative Ravenswood D would
                                              open Pond R4 to tidal flows, improve                                                                           Historic Shrine, Hampton National
                                                                                                       Notice of Realty Action: Application for
                                              levees to provide additional flood                                                                             Historic Site, Star-Spangled Banner
                                                                                                       Conveyance of Federally Owned                         National Historic Trail, 2400 East Fort
                                              protection, create two habitat transition
                                                                                                       Mineral Interests in Pima County,                     Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21230,
                                              zones in Pond R4, establish enhanced
                                              managed ponds in Ponds R5 and S5,                        Arizona; Correction                                   telephone (410) 962–4290, ext. 110 or
                                              increase pond connectivity, enhance                                                                            via email at charles_grady@nps.gov.
                                                                                                       AGENCY:     Bureau of Land Management,
                                              Pond R3 for western snowy plover                                                                               SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
                                                                                                       Interior.
                                              habitat, remove the levees within and                                                                          Council was established under the
                                              between Ponds R5 and S5, and improve                     ACTION:   Correction.                                 National Trails System Act (16 U.S.C.
                                              recreation and public access.                                                                                  1241 to 1251, as amended). The purpose
                                              Alternative Ravenswood D would also                      SUMMARY:   This action corrects the land              of the Council is to consult with the
                                              allow temporary stormwater detention                     description referenced in the                         Secretary of the Interior on matters
                                              into Ponds R5 and S5 via connections                     SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of a                relating to the Star-Spangled Banner
                                              with the City of Redwood City’s                          notice published in the Federal Register              NHT, including but not limited to, the
                                              Bayfront Canal and Atherton Channel                      on Thursday, February 12, 2015 (80 FR                 selection of rights-of-way, standards for
                                              Project. This would treat a residual                     7877).                                                the erection and maintenance of
                                              salinity problem in Ponds R5 and S5.                                                                           markers along the Trail, and
                                                                                                         On page 7877, column 3, line 67 of                  interpretation and administration of the
                                              NEPA Compliance                                          the notice, which reads, ‘‘THENCE,                    Trail.
                                                We are conducting environmental                        North 89 degrees 25 minutes 53 seconds                   The Council shall not exceed 35
                                              review in accordance with the                            West, 3297.38 feet to a point on the                  members and will be appointed by the
                                              requirements of NEPA, as amended (42                     North line of Section 21,’’ is hereby                 Secretary as follows:
                                              U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), its implementing                   corrected to read, ‘‘THENCE, North 1                     a. The head of each Federal
                                              regulations (40 CFR parts 1500–1508),                    degree 20 minutes 28 seconds West,                    department or independent agency
                                              other applicable regulations, and our                    3297.38 feet to a point on the North line             administering lands through which the
                                              procedures for compliance with those                     of Section 21.’’                                      trail route passes, or a designee;
                                              regulations. The DEIS/EIR discusses the                                                                           b. A member to represent each State
                                                                                                       Rem Hawes,
                                              direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts                                                                       through which the trail passes, and such
                                                                                                       Acting District Manager.
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                                              of the alternatives on biological                                                                              appointments will be made from
                                              resources, cultural resources, water                     [FR Doc. 2015–17961 Filed 7–21–15; 8:45 am]           recommendations of the Governors of
                                              quality, and other environmental                         BILLING CODE 4310–32–P                                such States; and
                                              resources. Measures to minimize                                                                                   c. One or more members to represent
                                              adverse environmental effects are                                                                              private organizations, including
                                              identified and discussed in the DEIS/                                                                          corporate and individual landowners
                                              EIR.                                                                                                           and land users, which, in the opinion of


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Document Created: 2015-12-15 12:54:43
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 12:54:43
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice of availability; request for public comments; announcement of meeting.
DatesWe will accept comments received or postmarked on or before September 22, 2015. A public meeting will be held on August 4, 2015
ContactAnne Morkill, Project Leader, USFWS, 510-792-0222.
FR Citation80 FR 43456 

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