United States Department ofthe Interiorofthe San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge)....
20
United States Department of the Interior FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE Pacific Southwest Region In Response Reply To: 2800 Cottage Way, Room W-2606 FWSIR8INWRSIRPL Sacramento, California 95825-1846 U.s. FISH.., WILDLIFE SERVICE v I r: .. - ::a::: Dear Supervisor 0 'brien, 0, ....., V> C r; » - -;; (f) The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is initiating the planning process for the proposed California Foothills Legacy Area (CFLA). CFLA is a proposed new easement program to protect woHling CJl landscapes focused on rangelands surrounding California's Central Valley. This initiative was developed in cooperation with the California Rangeland Conservation Coalition (CRCC), a group of over 100 agricultural organizations, environmental interest groups, as well as state and federal agencies including California Cattlemen's Association, California Farm Bureau Federation, Defenders of Wildlife, The Nature Conservancy, California Department ofFish and Game, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Fish and Wildlife Service. The goal of the California Rangeland Conservation Coalition is to collaboratively work together to protect and enhance the rangeland landscape that encircles California's Central Valley. Supervisor William O'brien 1010 10th Street, Suite 6500 Modesto, CA 95354 California rangelands include a rich and varied landscape of grasslands, oak woodlands, vernal pools, riparian areas and wetlands, which support numerous imperiled species, many native plants once common in the Central Valley, and are home to the highest diversity and density of wintering raptors anywhere in North America. These rangelands, and the species that rely on these habitats, largely persist today due to the positive and experienced grazing and other land stewardship practices of the ranchers that have owned and managed these lands and are committed to a healthy future for their working landscapes. California rangelands are a critical foundation of the economic and social fabric of California's ranching industry and rural communities, and will only continue to provide this important working landscape for California's plants, fish and wildlife if private rangelands remain in ranching. However, many rangelands are located in California's fastest-growing counties and are at significant risk of conversion to development and other uses. Between 1984 and 2006, over 400,000 acres of rangeland in California were lost to development. Recent State cuts in Williamson Act subvention payments to counties also pose a serious threat to rangelands. The Service is just beginning the planning process for the proposed establishment of a new voluntary easement program. We have identified four preliminary focal areas and one or more CORRESPONDENCE NO. 1 Page 1 of 20
Transcript of United States Department ofthe Interiorofthe San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge)....
United States Department of the Interior
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICEPacific Southwest Region
In Response Reply To: 2800 Cottage Way, Room W-2606FWSIR8INWRSIRPL Sacramento, California 95825-1846
U.s.FISH..,WILDLIFE
SERVICE
~v
Ir:
..May~Oll~,- ~::a:::
~
Dear Supervisor 0 'brien,
0,.....,V>C.~
r;» ~--;; (f)
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is initiating the planning process for the proposed California~Foothills Legacy Area (CFLA). CFLA is a proposed new easement program to protect woHling CJl
landscapes focused on rangelands surrounding California's Central Valley. This initiative wasdeveloped in cooperation with the California Rangeland Conservation Coalition (CRCC), agroup of over 100 agricultural organizations, environmental interest groups, as well as state andfederal agencies including California Cattlemen's Association, California Farm BureauFederation, Defenders of Wildlife, The Nature Conservancy, California Department ofFish andGame, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Fish and Wildlife Service. The goal ofthe California Rangeland Conservation Coalition is to collaboratively work together to protectand enhance the rangeland landscape that encircles California's Central Valley.
Supervisor William O'brien1010 10th Street, Suite 6500Modesto, CA 95354
California rangelands include a rich and varied landscape of grasslands, oak woodlands, vernalpools, riparian areas and wetlands, which support numerous imperiled species, many nativeplants once common in the Central Valley, and are home to the highest diversity and density ofwintering raptors anywhere in North America.
These rangelands, and the species that rely on these habitats, largely persist today due to thepositive and experienced grazing and other land stewardship practices of the ranchers that haveowned and managed these lands and are committed to a healthy future for their workinglandscapes. California rangelands are a critical foundation of the economic and social fabric ofCalifornia's ranching industry and rural communities, and will only continue to provide thisimportant working landscape for California's plants, fish and wildlife if private rangelandsremain in ranching.
However, many rangelands are located in California's fastest-growing counties and are atsignificant risk of conversion to development and other uses. Between 1984 and 2006, over400,000 acres of rangeland in California were lost to development. Recent State cuts inWilliamson Act subvention payments to counties also pose a serious threat to rangelands.
The Service is just beginning the planning process for the proposed establishment of a newvoluntary easement program. We have identified four preliminary focal areas and one or more
CORRESPONDENCE NO. 1 Page 1 of 20
2
of these areas fall within or near your district. A map on the back of the enclosed fact sheetshows the location of the preliminary focal areas. The fact sheet and the enclosed Q&A providemore information on the proposed CFLA.
The planning process for the CFLA will include National Environmental Policy Act complianceand have a number of opportunities for public comment. Currently, we are seeking input fromthe public on the number, location, and size of the focal areas and the scope of issues to addressin the environmental assessment. We will hold a series of public meetings during late May/earlyJune to facilitate this input. Dates, times and locations of these meetings will be announced in anewsletter and press releases to be distributed during the next few weeks.
We will be contacting you shortly to provide additional details and answer any questions youmight have. In the meantime, if you have any questions, feel free to contact me at (916) 4146504.
Sincerely,
V(~Mark PelzChief, Refuge PlanningPacific Southwest Region
Enclosures
CORRESPONDENCE NO. 1 Page 2 of 20
u.s..'SH&WILnl... IJl'Il:
SERVlC1<
~....- ....._........---
NATIONALWILDUFEREFUGESYSTEM
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
California FoothillsLegacy AreaProtecting California's Rangelands
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service isinitiating the planning process for theproposed California Foothills LegacyArea (CFLA). CFLA is a proposed neweasement program to protect workinglandscapes developed in cooperation withthe California Rangeland ConservationCoalition and is focused on rangelandssurrounding California's Central Valley.The planning process will take approximately 18 months to complete.
Several organizations are acquiring easements within the California RangelandConservation Coalition boundary. Tocomplement these efforts, the FWS hasidentified four preliminary focal areas using landscape-level GIS modeling and isconsidering establishing a new easementprogram focused on these areas. Thefocal areas are predicted hotspots of richness and abundance for migratory birdsand threatened and endangered species.
Lands within the proposed CFLA arepredominantly private working range-
lands that include a rich and variedlandscape of grasslands, oak savannah,and oak woodlands. Other importanthabitats imbedded within this landscapeinclude vernal pools, riparian areas, andwetlands.
Together, these habitats support abreathtaking diversity of wildlife. California's rangeland habitats are some theleast protected in California yet theysupport an extraordinarily high number of imperiled species. A total of 197federally-listed threatened and endangered species have documented occurrences within California's grassland,oak savanna, and oak woodland habitatsyet they only account for 18 percent ofthe State's total land area. These threehabitats in California alone have morelisted species than any other state in theUS outside Hawaii.
California's rangelands are also criticallyimportant to migratory birds. Oak woodlands in the State may rank among the
top three habitat types in North Americafor bird richness and California's oaksavanna and grasslands support the highest diversity and density of winteringraptors anywhere in North America.
Rangelands represent one of the mostthreatened habitats throughout thewestern United States. Intact, privatelyowned rangelands face threats fromincreased low density, rural residentialhousing development in the foothills andconversion to other uses. Between 1984and 2006, over 400,000 acres of rangelandin California were lost to development.Within 50 years, it is estimated that ruralresidential development (densities>20 acres/unit) within the study area willincrease by nearly 1 million acres.
Establishing the CFLA, together withthe work of numerous partner agenciesand NGOs will make a significant contribution to conserving California's lastgreat landscape - private-owned rangelands.
©Tony R. Immoos 2008
CORRESPONDENCE NO. 1 Page 3 of 20
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Proposed California Foothills Legacy Area Preliminary Focal Areas
:I'// Preliminary Focal Areas
Area Enlarged
N
AL 10 20 30 40 Sfmiles___km
o 10 20 30 40 50
CORRESPONDENCE NO. 1 Page 4 of 20
U&nsttAWILDLIFB
8EIlVICIt
~....--..-...._.._-
NATIONALWILDUFEREFUGESYSTEM
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
California FoothillsLegacy AreaQuestions and Answers
What is the California Foothills LegacyArea?
The California Foothills Legacy Area(CFLA) is a proposed new easementprogram to protect working landscapesdistributed across four focal areas in thefoothills surrounding California's CentralValley. This initiative was developed incooperation with the California Rangeland Conservation Coalition (CRCC), agroup of over 100 agricultural organizations, environmental interest groups,as well as state and federal agenciesincluding California Cattlemen's Association, California Farm Bureau Federation, Defenders of Wildlife, The NatureConservancy, California Departmentof Fish and Game, Natural ResourcesConservation Service, and the Fish andWildlife Service.
The Service's Pacific Southwest Re-gion and other coalition members havepledged to work together in the CRCC topreserve and enhance California's rangeland for species of special concern, while
©Tony R. Immoos 2008
supporting the long-term viability of theranching industry.
The four focal areas are predictedhotspots of richness and abundance formigratory birds and threatened andendangered species in the Sierra Foothills, Sequoia Foothills, Tehama Foothillsand the San Benito Hills. Lands withinthe proposed CFLA are predominantlyprivate working rangelands that includea rich and varied landscape of grasslands,oak savannah, oak woodlands, vernalpools, riparian areas, and wetlands,which support a breathtaking diversity ofwildlife including many imperiled species.
Why Conserve California Rangelands?
California rangelands, including grassland, oak woodland, and oak savanna, arecritically important to migratory birdsand support numerous threatened andendangered species. Oak woodlandsin California rank among the top threehabitat types in North America for birdrichness and California's oak savannaand grasslands support the highest diversity and density of wintering raptorsanywhere in North America.
A total of 197 federally-listed threatenedand endangered species have documented occurrences within California'sgrassland, oak savanna, and oak woodland habitats yet they only account for18 percent ofthe State's total land area.These three habitats in California alonehave more listed species than any otherstate in the U.S. outside of Hawaii.
California rangelands are among theleast protected and most threatenedhabitats in the State. Intact, privatelyowned rangelands face threats fromincreased low density, rural residentialhousing development in the foothills andconversion to other uses. Between 1984and 2006, over 400,000 acres of rangelandin California were lost to development.
Within 50 years, it is estimated that ruralresidential development (densities>20 acres/unit) within the study area willincrease by nearly 1 million acres.
Loss of California's premier agriculturalland protection tool - the WilliamsonAct - would also threaten critical wildlifehabitat, a UC Davis survey of Californiacattle ranchers has shown. The samestudy found that 43 percent of the 10 million acres of "non-prime" land protectedin the Williamson Act program and usedprimarily for cattle grazing is also criticalfor statewide conservation goals. Loss ofWilliamson Act funding at the state levelwould put critical habitat at risk for development. Without the tax relief, 42 percent of the surveyed ranchers said theywould sell some or all of their rangeland.Fifty-six percent of the ranchers predicttheir sold land would be developed fornon-agricultural uses.
Why is the Proposed CFLA Limited toEasements?
California rangelands, and the numerous species that rely on these habitats,largely persist today due to the grazingand other land stewardship practicesof the ranchers that have owned andmanaged these lands and are committed to a healthy future for their workinglandscapes. California rangelands are acritical foundation of the economic andsocial fabric of California's ranchingindustry and rural communities, and willonly continue to provide this importantworking landscape for California's plants,fish and wildlife if private rangelandsremain in ranching.
Conservation easements are voluntary legal agreements between landowners andgovernment agencies or qualified conservation organizations. These easementslimit the type and amount of developmentthat may take place on a property in thefuture. Service easements are perpetual
CORRESPONDENCE NO. 1 Page 5 of 20
and typically prohibit subdivision andcommercial development activities butallow for continued agricultural usessuch as livestock grazing. Conservationeasements not only protect importantwildlife habitat but also help maintainthe working ranches and agriculturallifestyle of the area.
Under conservation easements, the landownership and property rights includingcontrol of public access would remainwith the participating landowner. In addition, participating properties remain onlocal tax rolls.
Given Current Budget Constraints, HowCan the Service Afford to Establish NewRefuges?
The planning process now underwaywill determine if new refuge acquisitionboundaries should be established. If arefuge is established, easements wouldbe acquired only from willing sellersand when funding becomes available.
We anticipate that funds for easementacquisition within the CFLA would comefrom the Land and Water ConservationFund (LWCF), which is appropriated byCongress.
Though LWCF funding for acquisitionvaries from year to year and may not beavailable at all during some years, it isimportant to view land acquisition as along term project. For many refuges, acquisition occurs over many years or evendecades. The Service's Pacific Southwest Region has also been successful atleveraging other sources of funding forland acquisition (state, NGOs, etc).
How Can the Public Get Involved in thePlanning Process?
The planning process for the CFLA willinclude National Environmental PolicyAct compliance and will have a numberof opportunities for public comment.Currently, we are seeking input fromthe public on the number, location, and
size of the focal areas and the scope ofissues to address in the environmentalassessment. We will hold a series ofpublic meetings during late May/earlyJune to facilitate this input. Dates, timesand locations of these meetings will beannounced in a newsletter and pressreleases to be distributed during the nextfew weeks.
April 2011
©Tony R. lmmoos 2009
CORRESPONDENCE NO. 1 Page 6 of 20
United States Department of the Interior
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICEPacific Southwest Region
In Response Reply To: 2800 Cottage Way, Room W-2606FWSIRSINWRSIRPL Sacramento, California 95825-1846
Supervisor Jim DeMartini1010 10th Street, Suite 6500Modesto, CA 95354
Dear Supervisor DeMartini,
u.s.FISH & WILDLIFE
SERVICE
~May 3,2011
The u.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is initiating the planning process for the proposed expansionof the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge). The proposed expansion presents aunique conservation opportunity to restore a major migratory corridor through the center ofCalifornia to benefit the birds of the Pacific Flyway and numerous other wildlife species. Theplanning process will take approximately 18 months to complete.
The Service is studying two segments along the San Joaquin River. The northern portion of thestudy area includes a reach of the San Joaquin River from the existing boundary of the SanJoaquin River Refuge north to a point west of Manteca, where the River divides into threesegments: Paradise Cut, Old River, and the San Joaquin River. The southern portion liesbetween the Refuge and the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge. Expanding the boundary wouldallow the Service to acquire lands and develop conservation agreements with willing landowners.
The proposed expansion would connect the Refuge with the Grasslands Ecological Area, a160,000-acre mosaic of Central Valley floor habitats located in the historic floodplain of the SanJoaquin River. Maintaining connectivity between the remaining natural areas and minimizingfurther fragmentation is crucial to the long term viability of California's natural heritage.
Although currently degraded, the San Joaquin River basin once supported a highly diverseecosystem. Historic impacts, such as gravel mining, construction of dams and diversions, andhabitat clearing, dewatered the river and destroyed the surrounding wetlands that used to span awide swath of the valley floor. Current threats, especially habitat destruction and insufficientwater supply, continue to degrade the river and can derail efforts to bring the river back to life.Today, the San Joaquin River is one of the most highly-altered systems in the state.
Through the proposed boundary expansion, the Service seeks to build on the success of its ~existing refuges and those of its many partners to conserve and restore fish, wildlife, and pl~resources and their habitats along San Joaquin River for the benefit of present and future ~
generations of Americans. IU'1
»TAKEPRIDEl8i1.!:::rJINAMERICA"~
CORRESPONDENCE NO. 1 Page 7 of 20
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The planning process for the Refuge will include National Environmental Policy Act complianceand have a number of opportunities for public comment. Currently, we are seeking input fromthe public on the scope of issues to address in the environmental assessment. We will hold aseries of public meetings during early June to facilitate this input. Dates, times and locations ofthese meetings will be announced in a newsletter and press releases to be distributed during thenext few weeks.
We will be contacting you shortly to provide additional details and answer any questions youmight have. If you have any immediate questions or concerns, please contact Richard Smith at(916) 414-6502, or [email protected].
Sincerely,
Mark PelzChief, Refuge PlanningPacific Southwest Region
Enclosures
CORRESPONDENCE NO. 1 Page 8 of 20
u.s.FISH & WILDLIFE
SERVICE
~....-.--....M _
NAnONALWILDUFEREFUGESYSTEM
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
San Joaquin RiverNational Wildlife RefugeProtecting and Restoring the SanJoaquin River Riparian Corridor
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service isinitiating the planning process for theproposed expansion of the San JoaquinRiver National Wildlife Refuge. Theproposed expansion presents a uniqueconservation opportunity to restore amajor migratory corridor through thecenter of California to benefit the birds ofthe Pacific Flyway and numerous otherwildlife. The planning process will takeapproximately 18 months to complete.
The Service is studying two segmentsalong the San Joaquin River. The northern portion of the study area includes areach of the San Joaquin River from theexisting boundary of the San JoaquinRiver Refuge north to a point west ofManteca, where the River divides intothree segments: Paradise Cut, Old River,and the San Joaquin River. The southern portion lies between the Refuge andthe San Luis National Wildlife Refuge.Expanding the boundary would allowthe Service to acquire lands and develop
conservation agreements with willinglandowners.
The proposed expansion would connectthe Refuge with the Grasslands Ecological Area, a 160,000-acre mosaic ofCentral Valley floor habitats located inthe historic floodplain of the San JoaquinRiver. This vast network of freshwatermarshes, alkali grassland and ripar-ian thickets is the result of decades ofcollaborative conservation involvingprivate duck clubs, CA State Parks, CADepartment of Fish and Game, NaturalResources Conservation Service, andthe Fish and Wildlife Service. Maintaining connectivity between the remainingnatural areas and minimizing furtherfragmentation is crucial to the long termviability of California's natural heritage.
Although currently degraded, the SanJoaquin River basin once supported ahighly diverse ecosystem. The valleyfloor was composed of a complex matrix
of channels, swales, ridges, flood basins,and sloughs that were periodically inundated and supported a great diversity ofpermanent and seasonal wetlands, riparian scrub and forest, and aquatic habitatteeming with fish and wildlife. These seasonal and permanent freshwater marshand wetlands were, and continue to be,important habitat for migratory birdsof the Pacific Flyway. Tens of millions ofmigratory waterfowl darkened the skieseach winter. Nearly 50,000 acres of riparian forest rich with neotropical migratorybirds and unique small mammal speciesflanked the streams and rivers in the basin. Historically, the San Joaquin River'sChinook salmon runs accounted for upto 40 percent (over 300,000) ofthe SanJoaquin Valley's total Chinook salmon.
Historic impacts, such as gravel mining,construction of dams and diversions, andhabitat clearing, dewatered the river anddestroyed the surrounding wetlands thatused to span a wide swath of the valleyfloor. Current threats, especially habitatdestruction and insufficient water supply,continue to degrade the river and canderail efforts to bring the river back tolife. Today, the San Joaquin River is oneof the most highly-altered systems in thestate. For decades, the diversion of waterfrom the San Joaquin has caused at least20 miles of the River to be dry for muchof the year and nearly all of the riparianvegetation has been cleared. Less than10 percent of historic riparian habitatexists and wetland habitats have shrunkto roughly five percent of their formerextent. This loss of habitat has had substantial effects on migratory and residentbird populations.
Through the proposed boundary expansion, the Service seeks to build on thesuccess of its existing refuges and thoseof its many partners to conserve andrestore fish, wildlife, and plant resourcesand their habitats along San JoaquinRiver for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.
CORRESPONDENCE NO. 1 Page 9 of 20
Proposed Expansion
" "I life Service
''-''..raJ,~ San Joaquin River National Wildlif~ RefugeSYIT.. San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced, Freso and Madera Counties, CA
T he proposed SanJoaquin Riverexpansion presents
a unique conservationopportunity to restore amajor migratory corridorthrough the center ofCalifornia to benefit thebirds ofthe Pacific Flywayand numerous otherwildlife.
N
AID
_ •• Approved refuge boundary
// Proposed expansion area
• FWS lands - fee
• FWS lands - easement
• Other conserved lands
JD---====-----..
FRES"\OCOl-ST'
II
III
S.\S JO.\Ql"l:";COL"' TY
CORRESPONDENCE NO. 1 Page 10 of 20
eOAf'{O OF StJ~ERV1St)RS
2011 MAY -S i A \0: 2b I
United States Department of the Interior
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICEPacific Southwest Region
In Response Reply To: 2800 Cottage Way, Room W-2606FWSIR8INWRSIRPL Sacramento, California 95825-1846
Supervisor Vito Chiesa May 3,20111010 10th Street, Suite 6500Modesto, CA 95354
Dear Supervisor Chiesa,
The U.S. Fish arid Wildlife Service is initiating the planning process for two proposed projectsdesigned to protect habitat for fish arid wildlife. The first, California Foothills Legacy Area(CFLA), is a proposed new easement program to protect working larIdscapes focused onrangelarIds surrounding California's Central Valley. The second is a proposed exparIsion of theSari Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge). Below is a summary of each proposal.
California Foothill Legacy AreaThe CFLA proposal was developed in cooperation with the California RangelarIdConservation Coalition (CRCC), a group of over 100 agricultural orgarIizations,environmental interest groups, as well as state arid federal agencies including CaliforniaCattlemen's Association, California Farm Bureau Federation, Defenders of Wildlife, TheNature ConservarIcy, California Department ofFish arid Game, Natural ResourcesConservation Service, arid the Fish arid Wildlife Service. The goal of the CaliforniaRangeland Conservation Coalition is to collaboratively work together to protect aridenharIce the rangelarId larIdscape that encircles California's Central Valley.
California rangelarIds include a rich arid varied larIdscape of grasslarIds, oak woodlands,vernal pools, ripariarI areas and wetlands, which support numerous imperiled species,marIY native plarIts once common in the Central Valley, arid are home to the highestdiversity arid density of wintering raptors anywhere in North America.
These rarIgelarIds, arid the species that rely on these habitats, largely persist today due tothe positive arid experienced grazing arid other larId stewardship practices of the rarIchersthat have owned arid marIaged these larIds arid are committed to a healthy future for theirworking landscapes. California rarIgelarIds are a critical foundation of the economic andsocial fabric of California's ranching industry and rural communities, arid will onlycontinue to provide this importarIt working landscape for California's plarIts, fish aridwildlife if private rarIgelands remain in ranching.
TAKE PRIDEI/l)I!::::.JINAMERICA~
CORRESPONDENCE NO. 1 Page 11 of 20
2
However, many rangelands are located in California's fastest-growing counties and are atsignificant risk of conversion to development and other uses. Between 1984 and 2006,over 400,000 acres of rangeland in California were lost to development. Recent Statecuts in Williamson Act subvention payments to counties also pose a serious threat torangelands.
We have identified four preliminary rangeland focal areas and one or more of these areasfall within or near your district. The proposed new voluntary easement program would befocused on these areas. A map on the back of the enclosed fact sheet shows the locationof the preliminary focal areas. The fact sheet and the enclosed Q&A provide moreinformation on the proposed CFLA.
San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge ExpansionThe proposed expansion presents a unique conservation opportunity to restore a majormigratory corridor through the center of California to benefit the birds of the PacificFlyway and numerous other wildlife species. The Service is studying two segments alongthe San Joaquin River. The northern portion of the study area includes a reach of the SanJoaquin River from the existing boundary of the San Joaquin River Refuge north to apoint west of Manteca, where the River divides into three segments: Paradise Cut, OldRiver, and the San Joaquin River. The southern portion lies between the Refuge and theSan Luis National Wildlife Refuge. Expanding the boundary would allow the Service toacquire lands and develop conservation agreements with willing landowners.
The proposed expansion would connect the Refuge with the Grasslands Ecological Area,a 160,000-acre mosaic of Central Valley floor habitats located in the historic floodplainof the San Joaquin River. Maintaining connectivity between the remaining natural areasand minimizing further fragmentation is crucial to the long term viability of California'snatural heritage.
Through the proposed boundary expansion, the Service seeks to build on the success ofits existing refuges and those of its many partners to conserve and restore fish, wildlife,and plant resources and their habitats along San Joaquin River for the benefit of presentand future generations of Americans. Enclosed is a fact sheet which provides moreinformation on the proposed expansion.
The Service is just beginning the planning process for these important projects. Both of theseprojects fall within or near your district. The planning process will include NationalEnvironmental Policy Act compliance and have a number of opportunities for public comment.Currently, we are seeking input from the public on the scope of issues to address in theenvironmental assessment. We will hold a series of public meetings during late May/early Juneto facilitate this input. Dates, times and locations of these meetings will be announced in anewsletter and press releases to be distributed during the next few weeks.
CORRESPONDENCE NO. 1 Page 12 of 20
3
We will be contacting you shortly to provide additional details and answer any questions youmight have. If you have any questions in the meantime, feel free to contact me at (916) 414-6500.
Sincerely,
Mark PelzChief, Refuge PlanningPacific Southwest Region
Enclosures
CORRESPONDENCE NO. 1 Page 13 of 20
CORRESPONDENCE NO. 1 Page 14 of 20
u.s.FISH & WILDLIFE
SERVICE
~....-._............_-
NATIONALW1LDUFEREFUGESYSTEM
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
California FoothillsLegacy AreaProtecting California's Rangelands
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service isinitiating the planning process for theproposed California Foothills LegacyArea (CFLA). CFLA is a proposed neweasement program to protect workinglandscapes developed in cooperation withthe California Rangeland ConservationCoalition and is focused on rangelandssurrounding California's Central Valley.The planning process will take approximately 18 months to complete.
Several organizations are acquiring easements within the California RangelandConservation Coalition boundary. Tocomplement these efforts, the FWS hasidentified four preliminary focal areas using landscape-level GIS modeling and isconsidering establishing a new easementprogram focused on these areas. Thefocal areas are predicted hotspots of richness and abundance for migratory birdsand threatened and endangered species.
Lands within the proposed CFLA arepredominantly private working range-
lands that include a rich and variedlandscape of grasslands, oak savannah,and oak woodlands. Other importanthabitats imbedded within this landscapeinclude vernal pools, riparian areas, andwetlands.
Together, these habitats support abreathtaking diversity of wildlife. California's rangeland habitats are some theleast protected in California yet theysupport an extraordinarily high number of imperiled species. A total of 197federally-listed threatened and endangered species have documented occurrences within California's grassland,oak savanna, and oak woodland habitatsyet they only account for 18 percent ofthe State's total land area. These threehabitats in California alone have morelisted species than any other state in theUS outside Hawaii.
California's rangelands are also criticallyimportant to migratory birds. Oak woodlands in the State may rank among the
top three habitat types in North Americafor bird richness and California's oaksavanna and grasslands support the highest diversity and density of winteringraptors anywhere in North America.
Rangelands represent one of the mostthreatened habitats throughout thewestern United States. Intact, privatelyowned rangelands face threats fromincreased low density, rural residentialhousing development in the foothills andconversion to other uses. Between 1984and 2006, over 400,000 acres of rangelandin California were lost to development.Within 50 years, it is estimated that ruralresidential development (densities>20 acres/unit) within the study area willincrease by nearly 1 million acres.
Establishing the CFLA, together withthe work of numerous partner agenciesand NGOs will make a significant contribution to conserving California's lastgreat landscape - private-owned rangelands.
CORRESPONDENCE NO. 1 Page 15 of 20
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Servicee;:i'wr¥.~:" Proposed California Foothills Legacy Area Preliminary Focal Areas
N
Ao 10 20 30 40 50miles
___km
01020304050
Area Enlarged
~./'l Preliminary Focal Areas
•.G(.IIifornia FoothillsIWJt'Wt,a landscape-level"!i~rlt·iative topreserve
,.",....i~~lA;.~~·nts. Tk8 U.S. Fish."VIOU, Mveloptrrg this initiative
i ~"~il16l~Bangelanda~n.j (iil.~; fJl~.lrl over 100 agricultural
"~".i!lfI".groups, as_.j_~.' ~Jlit.ion members'~"'_~~._••(J,nd enhance•.tiir"*'~~lt...·,l concern, while
PJJO.JI-~·~~ OffJuJ f'O/fl,Ching industry.
CORRESPONDENCE NO. 1 Page 16 of 20
...._.111_...._004__
NATIONALWILDUFEREFUGESYSTEM
u.s. Fish & Wildlife Service
California FoothillsLegacy AreaQuestions and Answers
What is the California Foothills LegacyArea?
The California Foothills Legacy Area(CFLA) is a proposed new easementprogram to protect working landscapesdistributed across four focal areas in thefoothills surrounding California's CentralValley. This initiative was developed incooperation with the California Rangeland Conservation Coalition (CRCC), agroup of over 100 agricultural organizations, environmental interest groups,as well as state and federal agenciesincluding California Cattlemen's Association, California Farm Bureau Federation, Defenders of Wildlife, The NatureConservancy, California Departmentof Fish and Game, Natural ResourcesConservation Service, and the Fish andWildlife Service.
The Service's Pacific Southwest Re-gion and other coalition members havepledged to work together in the CRCC topreserve and enhance California's rangeland for species of special concern, while
©Tony R. Imrrwos 2008
supporting the long-term viability of theranching industry.
The four focal areas are predictedhotspots of richness and abundance formigratory birds and threatened andendangered species in the Sierra Foothills, Sequoia Foothills, Tehama Foothillsand the San Benito Hills. Lands withinthe proposed CFLA are predominantlyprivate working rangelands that includea rich and varied landscape of grasslands,oak savannah, oak woodlands, vernalpools, riparian areas, and wetlands,which support a breathtaking diversity ofwildlife including many imperiled species.
Why Conserve California Rangelands?
California rangelands, including grassland, oak woodland, and oak savanna, arecritically important to migratory birdsand support numerous threatened andendangered species. Oak woodlandsin California rank among the top threehabitat types in North America for birdrichness and California's oak savannaand grasslands support the highest diversity and density of wintering raptorsanywhere in North America.
A total of 197 federally-listed threatenedand endangered species have documented occurrences within California'sgrassland, oak savanna, and oak woodland habitats yet they only account for18 percent of the State's total land area.These three habitats in California alonehave more listed species than any otherstate in the U.S. outside of Hawaii.
California rangelands are among theleast protected and most threatenedhabitats in the State. Intact, privatelyowned rangelands face threats fromincreased low density, rural residentialhousing development in the foothills andconversion to other uses. Between 1984and 2006, over 400,000 acres of rangelandin California were lost to development.
Within 50 years, it is estimated that ruralresidential development (densities>20 acres/unit) within the study area willincrease by nearly 1 million acres.
Loss of California's premier agriculturalland protection tool - the WilliamsonAct - would also threaten critical wildlifehabitat, a UC Davis survey of Californiacattle ranchers has shown. The samestudy found that 43 percent of the 10 million acres of "non-prime" land protectedin the Williamson Act program and usedprimarily for cattle grazing is also criticalfor statewide conservation goals. Loss ofWilliamson Act funding at the state levelwould put critical habitat at risk for development. Without the tax relief, 42 percent of the surveyed ranchers said theywould sell some or all of their rangeland.Fifty-six percent of the ranchers predicttheir sold land would be developed fornon-agricultural uses.
Why is the Proposed CFLA Limited toEasements?
California rangelands, and the numerous species that rely on these habitats,largely persist today due to the grazingand other land stewardship practicesof the ranchers that have owned andmanaged these lands and are committed to a healthy future for their workinglandscapes. California rangelands are acritical foundation of the economic andsocial fabric of California's ranchingindustry and rural communities, and willonly continue to provide this importantworking landscape for California's plants,fish and wildlife if private rangelandsremain in ranching.
Conservation easements are voluntary legal agreements between landowners andgovernment agencies or qualified conservation organizations. These easementslimit the type and amount of developmentthat may take place on a property in thefuture. Service easements are perpetual
CORRESPONDENCE NO. 1 Page 17 of 20
and typically prohibit subdivision andcommercial development activities butallow for continued agricultural usessuch as livestock grazing. Conservationeasements not only protect importantwildlife habitat but also help maintainthe working ranches and agriculturallifestyle of the area.
Under conservation easements, the landownership and property rights includingcontrol of public access would remainwith the participating landowner. In addition, participating properties remain onlocal tax rolls.
Given Current Budget Constraints, HowCan the Service Afford to Establish NewRefuges?
The planning process now underwaywill determine if new refuge acquisitionboundaries should be established. If arefuge is established, easements wouldbe acquired only from willing sellersand when funding becomes available.
We anticipate that funds for easementacquisition within the CFLA would comefrom the Land and Water ConservationFund (LWCF), which is appropriated byCongress.
Though LWCF funding for acquisitionvaries from year to year and may not beavailable at all during some years, it isimportant to view land acquisition as along term project. For many refuges, acquisition occurs over many years or evendecades. The Service's Pacific Southwest Region has also been successful atleveraging other sources of funding forland acquisition (state, NGOs, etc).
How Can the Public Get Involved in thePlanning Process?
The planning process for the CFLA willinclude National Environmental PolicyAct compliance and will have a numberof opportunities for public comment.Currently, we are seeking input fromthe public on the number, location, and
size of the focal areas and the scope ofissues to address in the environmentalassessment. We will hold a series ofpublic meetings during late May/earlyJune to facilitate this input. Dates, timesand locations of these meetings will beannounced in a newsletter and pressreleases to be distributed during the nextfew weeks.
April 2011
©Tany R. lmmoos 2009
CORRESPONDENCE NO. 1 Page 18 of 20
-,
U.s.FISH&WILDUFE
SERVICE
~~~0I''l"\"t,\'1J NATIONALWILDLIFEREFUGESYSTEM
u.s. Fish & Wildlife Service
San Joaquin RiverNational Wildlife RefugeProtecting and Restoring the SanJoaquin River Riparian Corridor
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service isinitiating the planning process for theproposed expansion of the San JoaquinRiver National Wildlife Refuge. Theproposed expansion presents a uniqueconservation opportunity to restore amajor migratory corridor through thecenter of California to benefit the birds ofthe Pacific Flyway and numerous otherwildlife. The planning process will takeapproximately 18 months to complete.
The Service is studying two segmentsalong the San Joaquin River. The northern portion of the study area includes areach of the San Joaquin River from theexisting boundary of the San JoaquinRiver Refuge north to a point west ofManteca, where the River divides intothree segments: Paradise Cut, Old River,and the San Joaquin River. The southern portion lies between the Refuge andthe San Luis National Wildlife Refuge.Expanding the boundary would allowthe Service to acquire lands and develop
conservation agreements with willinglandowners.
The proposed expansion would connectthe Refuge with the Grasslands Ecological Area, a 160,000-acre mosaic ofCentral Valley floor habitats located inthe historic floodplain of the San JoaquinRiver. This vast network of freshwatermarshes, alkali grassland and ripar-ian thickets is the result of decades ofcollaborative conservation involvingprivate duck clubs, CA State Parks, CADepartment of Fish and Game, NaturalResources Conservation Service, andthe Fish and Wildlife Service. Maintaining connectivity between the remainingnatural areas and minimizing furtherfragmentation is crucial to the long termviability of California's natural heritage.
Although currently degraded, the SanJoaquin River basin once supported ahighly diverse ecosystem. The valleyfloor was composed of a complex matrix
of channels, swales, ridges, flood basins,and sloughs that were periodically inundated and supported a great diversity ofpermanent and seasonal wetlands, riparian scrub and forest, and aquatic habitatteeming with fish and wildlife. These seasonal and permanent freshwater marshand wetlands were, and continue to be,important habitat for migratory birdsof the Pacific Flyway. Tens of millions ofmigratory waterfowl darkened the skieseach winter. Nearly 50,000 acres of riparian forest rich with neotropical migratorybirds and unique small mammal speciesflanked the streams and rivers in the basin. Historically, the San Joaquin River'sChinook salmon runs accounted for upto 40 percent (over 300,000) ofthe SanJoaquin Valley's total Chinook salmon.
Historic impacts, such as gravel mining,construction of dams and diversions, andhabitat clearing, dewatered the river anddestroyed the surrounding wetlands thatused to span a wide swath of the valleyfloor. Current threats, especially habitatdestruction and insufficient water supply,continue to degrade the river and canderail efforts to bring the river back tolife. Today, the San Joaquin River is oneof the most highly-altered systems in thestate. For decades, the diversion of waterfrom the San Joaquin has caused at least20 miles of the River to be dry for muchof the year and nearly all of the riparianvegetation has been cleared. Less than10 percent of historic riparian habitatexists and wetland habitats have shrunkto roughly five percent of their formerextent. This loss of habitat has had substantial effects on migratory and residentbird populations.
Through the proposed boundary expansion, the Service seeks to build on thesuccess of its existing refuges and thoseof its many partners to conserve andrestore fish, wildlife, and plant resourcesand their habitats along San JoaquinRiver for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.
CORRESPONDENCE NO. 1 Page 19 of 20
Proposed Expansion
. Wildlife Service
~:! San Joaquin River National Wildlife. Refuge:i: ftaP'UOE
. ...... San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced, Freso and Madera Counties, CA
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• FWS lands - fee
• FWS lands - easement
• Other conserved lands
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Project location
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The proposed SanJoaquin Riverexpansion presents
a unique conservationopportunity to restore amajor migratory corridorthrough the center ofCalifornia to benefit thebirds ofthe Pacific Flyway
\ and numerous otherwildlife.
CORRESPONDENCE NO. 1 Page 20 of 20
