1

A Reach of the Sacramento River With Riparian Forest USFWS 

Planning Update

Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge

Planning Update #2

“You can not step twice into the same 

river.....”

 Heraclitus, 6th Century B.C.

Greetings from the Sacramento River

National Wildlife Refuge:

This is the second Planning Update from the U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) to keep you

informed and involved in the comprehensive

conservation planning efforts for the Sacramento

River National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge). 

These Updates will be sent out periodically to local

landowners, government agencies, private

organizations, and others who have requested to be

placed on the Refuge’s mailing list. 

Please refer to map inserts for overviews of the

Refuge and the Sacramento NWR Complex..

 

Refuge News

Refuge Manager Moves On!

Ramon Vega has moved on after serving 11 years as

the assistant manager in charge of the Sacramento

River NWR. Ramon accepted the position of

"Southwest Strategy Coordinator" in the Regional

Office in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Best Wishes

Ramon!

The Assistant Refuge Manager position is being

advertised and we anticipate having the new

manager "on-board" by November.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service August 2001
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Bank and Cliff Swallow Colony along River USFWS

Refuge Biology

Over 30 research projects have been proposed and

are under way at Sacramento River National

Wildlife Refuge (NWR). Researchers come from

universities such as California State University,

Chico, the University of California (UC) Berkeley,

UC Davis, UC Santa Cruz and the University of

Denver. Private non-profit conservation

organizations such as The Nature Conservancy,

Point Reyes Bird Observatory and Sacramento

River Partners are providing important management

oriented research that guides riparian habitat

restoration. 

Federal and State agencies such as the U.S.

Geological Survey, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,

California Department of Water Resources, and

California Department of Fish and Game also

conduct research along the river and at the refuge.

Researchers investigate a wide range of biological

and physical phenomenon. These include local

breeding migratory songbirds, status of the Bank

Swallow and Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo, small

mammals, the Western Pond Turtle, fishes of the

tributaries, chinook salmon habitat, status of the

Giant Garter Snake, beetles and spiders, avian

(bird) predators and prey, tree, shrub and grass

growth and survival, vegetation succession, Valley

Oak ecology, Black Walnut hybridization, water

quality, soil nitrogen mineralization, oxbow lake

development, and river channel and floodplain

dynamics. 

Sacramento River NWR is often a component of

much larger projects that may include the entire

Sacramento River landscape or the known range of a

species. Knowledge gained through research is an

essential element in riparian habitat restoration and

refuge management– with it we can manage our

natural resources for the benefit of wild things and

the people who enjoy them.

Refuge Recreation Opportunities:

There are a variety of ways to visit the Sacramento

River National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) to enjoy

fishing, bird watching and many other activities. 

Packer Lake, which is two-miles north of Princeton

on Hwy 45, is open to fishing year-round. Anglers

can seek the elusive blue-gill and largemouth bass. 

The primitive boat launch area provides access via a

boat that is easily carried and there is limited bank

fishing. No facilities are available. 

The Llano Seco Unit is just 10 miles southwest of

Chico, on Seven Mile Lane. The two elevated

viewing platforms and two-thirds of a mile walking

trail provide great opportunities for bird watching,

photography, and hiking. This 700-acre wetland

area provides food for wintering waterfowl and is

one of the few places in the Sacramento Valley to

easily see sandhill cranes in the early fall. Restrooms

and parking are available.

Refuge Finalizes Memorandum of

Understanding

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Sacramento

River National Wildlife Refuge), California

Department of Parks and Recreation (Northern

Buttes District), and the California Department of
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Public Scoping Meeting Discussions USFWS

Fish and Game (Sacramento River Wildlife Area)

recently finalized a Memorandum of Understanding

(MOU) for land management purposes along the 

Sacramento River between Red Bluff and Colusa.

The MOU is a formal document that allows 

the local agency staff to share equipment and

expertise. The purpose is to mutually manage,

monitor, restore, and enhance lands for fish,

wildlife, plants, and wildlife-dependent recreation

along the Sacramento River. 

Comprehensive Conservation Plan:

Public Scoping

Public Scoping Meetings

As one of the first planning steps in the 

Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) process,

public scoping meetings were held in Willows,

Chico, Red Bluff and Colusa in May and June 2001. 

These meetings were focused on introducing people

to the Refuge, introducing the CCP process, and

obtaining comments from people concerning their

ideas and issues about the Sacramento River

Refuge. 

Public Scoping Comment Period Extended

The public scoping comment period deadline which

previously closed July 11, 2001 is being extended. 

The public scoping comment period will be extended

until October 19, 2001. We encourage early

submittal of your comments so that we may fully

include them in the planning process. All comments

will be recorded and evaluated for use in the CCP.

Public Scoping Meetings Overview

We would like to thank everyone who took the time

and effort to come out to the public scoping meetings

to listen, be listened to, and provide comments

directly or through the mail. Over 170 people

attended the four public scoping sessions and

provided over 250 comments as of July 2001 (see

Table 1).

Table 1: Public Scoping Meetings 2001

Date Location Attendance

30 May Willows, CA 23

04 June Chico, CA 55

05 June Red Bluff, CA 13

06 June Colusa, CA 8 

All comments and issues received have been

reviewed and compiled for use in determining and 

clarifying issues that will guide the Service in 

creating and refining the Refuge’s CCP goals,

objectives, and strategies. These comments were

categorized into five main areas: public use, public

access, management / outreach, flood control /

erosion control, and opinions / questions (see Table

2). 

Table 2: Public Scoping Comments and Issues

Categories

Category # of

Comments*

Public Use Issues 58

Public Access Issues 64

Management / Outreach Issues 85

Flood Control / Erosion Issues 11

Opinion / Questions 37

* Received as of July 2001
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 Permanent River Wetland USFWS

Sample Public Scoping Comments Received:

The following is a sampler of comments received

from the public scoping meetings, email, and

regular mail:

“Ideally think the Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge

should attempt to meet the multiple use recreational needs of

all visitors. It is a public treasure and with you as its stewards

it should flourish.”

‘We enjoy hunting, and fishing on, and along the Sacramento

River, its not just recreation, but a way of life.”

“The public has the privilege to utilize lands that are owned by

the people of the United States of America. I am a hunter, a

wildlife photographer, and a backpacker. I can see no reason

why any of these activities should not be allowed on a limited

basis on this NWR......”

“Unrestricted rights to hunt, fish & camp 24 hours a day, 365

days a year below the high water line along the Sacramento

River. Road access with perhaps a daily or annual permit. 

Nominal fee for such permit & access.”

“Allow camping on the gravel bars-enforce no littering laws.”

“Protecting endangered species should not prohibit public

use.”

 “Comprehensive inventory of refuge resources i.e. Fish and

Wildlife habitat, existing & potential recreation areas, etc.”

“Our organizations oppose the commercial and recreational

killing....of wildlife on our NWR system.”

“Request that you keep fishing and other public recreation in

mind throughout your decision making process.”

“More public access to the river”

“I would like to see the Sacramento River National Wildlife

Refuge allow public access, including disabled access, to

expand the recreational desires of birders, hunters, fishermen,

photographers, picnickers, campers, and day hikers.”

“The need to maintain public access to the river, and its banks

in our area. Many people cannot afford to buy, operate, and

maintain a boat, and can only fish from the banks.”

“The use of public tax dollars should allow for public access.”

“Public access during CCP process”

“No public access to refuge lands.”

“Increase enforcement personnel to allow access to more

areas.”

“Public lands should be open to the PUBLIC.”

“Public access is the single biggest issue of public interest”

“Information / Brochures about the River (Water-Ways Maps).”

“River Ecology vs. River Management”

“All areas above high water should be managed similar to DFG. 

Class B or C refuges via road access w/either daily or annual

permits”

 “One thing that might be in the U.S.F.W. benefit is to include

on all the maps to show people all of the public land offered to

them so it may take pressure off of you guys”

“Do not impose a speed limit on the Sacramento River

alongside the refuges”

“Need to have more education programs-no charge and

coordinated with local schools-will show a direct benefit to

local schools-fund substitute teachers”

“What happens to the NWR land when it erodes? Does it

become “public again”?”

 “To what extent will levees, diversions, canals, and other man

made facilities need to be removed or modified?”
SacramentoRiver

I-5

I-5

99W

SACRAMENTO

NWR

Dairyville

Gerber

Los Molinos

Corning

Orland

Hamilton City

Artois

Bayliss

 Ord

Bend

Dayton

Willows Glenn

Butte

City

Afton

Princeton

Glenn Colusa Canal

Red Bluff

SACRAMENTO RIVER

 NATIONAL

 WILDLIFE REFUGE

CALIFORNIA

Area

Enlarged

45

32

99

162

162

99W

Gyle Rd.

Tyler Rd.

Holmes Rd.

Hoag Rd.

Loleta Ave. South Ave.

Wyo Ave.

Rd. 24

Sacramento Ave. River Rd.

Chico River Rd.

Ord Ferry Rd.

Seven Mile Ln.

Road Z

Road Y

River Rd.

Road 60

Road 61

Road 68

Km

0 5 10

Westover

Campo Flores Ave.

Proberta

Tehama

Chard

Tehama Ave.

Sa

B

n

enito

South Ave.

Rd. 23

Capay Ave.

Canal Rd.

Rd. 29

Rd. 34

Rd. 39

Rd. V

Afton Blvd.

Colusa County

Glenn County

Butte County

Glenn County

Glenn County

Tehama County

Butte County

Tehama County

SacramentoRiver

HARTLEY ISLAND

SUL NORTE

CODORA

PACKER

DRUMHELLER SLOUGH

LLANO SECO

ORD BEND

SOUTH ORD

McINTOSH LANDING NORTH

McINTOSH LANDING 

 SOUTH

PINE CREEK

PHELAN ISLAND

NORTH ORD JACINTO

DEAD MAN’S 

 REACH

CAPAY

LA BARRANCA

MOONY

OHM

FLYNN

NAKAZATO

RIVER VISTA

Sacramento River NWR Map (May 2001)

Refuge

Unit N
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex

 N
5

Review and 

Revise the 

Plan

Public Scoping 

& Identify Issues

Prepare 

Draft Plan

Final Plan

Implement 

Plan & 

Monitor

Vision Statement, 

and Goals

Develop 

Goals & 

Alternatives

Initiate Study

Pre-Planning

Steps in the 

CCP Planning

Process

Public

Input

Public

Input

Public

Input

Public

Input

Comprehensive Conservation Planning Process Cycle

 “Fish, fowl, & water”...when water becomes more scarce,

there’s concern that the refuge will take water away from

agriculture.”

“Request that the FWS implement a rigorous biological

inventory and analysis of the refuge’s fish and wildlife

populations as required by law.”

“To what extent should the river be permitted to meander free

of man-made restraints?”

“Will the narrow width of the Refuge allow for adequate

riparian vegetation to meet the goals....?”

An Update on the Refuge’s Comprehensive

Conservation Plan Process

Where are we now in the CCP process after the

public scoping meetings? The CCP team is

reviewing issues and comments received, gathering

information, updating data and maps, and

coordinating efforts with other partners and

agencies. 

The next major step is in refining the Refuge vision

and goals to generate objectives and strategies

which will provide the foundation for the

development of the alternative management plans.

CCP Refuge Information

From discussions and comments during the public

scoping meetings, we are providing additional

information and re-stating important material

presented at the meetings: 

Refuge and Complex Maps (See Insert)

U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Refuge System

Mission Statement:

“The mission of the National Wildlife Refuge

System is to administer a national network of lands

and waters for conservation, management, and where

appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife, and

plant resources and their habitats within the United

States for the benefit of present and future

generations of Americans.”

Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge Purpose

(as stated in Federal legislation) is:

“... to conserve (A) fish or wildlife which are listed

as endangered species... or (B) plants ...” 16 U.S.C. 

1534 (Endangered Species Act of 1973)

“... for the development, advancement,

management, conservation, and protection of fish

and wildlife resources ...” 16 U.S.C. 742f (a) (4)

“... for the benefit of the United States Fish and

Wildlife Service, in performing its activities and

services. Such acceptance may be subject to the

terms of any restrictive or affirmative covenant, or

conditions of servitude ...” 16 U.S.C. 742f (b) (1)

(Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956)

Draft Vision and Goals

As part of the pre-planning stage, draft statements

and goals were developed. These will be used as the

basis for finalizing the Refuge vision statement and

goals, and during the creation of the Refuge

objectives, strategies, and subsequent alternatives:

Draft Refuge Vision Statement:
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River Meander Complexity USFWS

“Working with partners and local communities to

conserve, protect, and enhance a healthy

Sacramento River system for wildlife, habitat, and

the American people.”

Draft Refuge Goals:

- Provide natural habitats and management to

restore and perpetuate endangered, threatened, or

species of special concern.

- Preserve a natural diversity and abundance of flora

and fauna.

- Provide opportunities for the understanding and

appreciation of wildlife ecology and the human role

in the environment; and provide high-quality

wildlife dependent recreation, education, and

research.

- Provide a diversity of wetland habitats for an

abundance of migratory birds, particularly

waterfowl and other water birds.

Other Refuge Information:

Update on the “Environmental Assessment and

Proposed Finding of No Significant Impact for

Proposed Restoration Activities on the

Sacramento River NWR Report”

The comment period on the draft "Environmental

Assessment and Proposed Finding of No Significant

Impact for Proposed Restoration Activities on the

Sacramento River NWR (May 2001)" closed on

July 6, 2001. 

The document evaluated the effects of restoring or

enhancing natural vegetation on 2,372 acres within

the refuge (Ryan, Ohm, Haleakala, Pine Creek*,

Kaiser, Phelan Island, Koehnen, Hartley Island, and

Stone Units). The northern portion of the Pine

Creek Unit is not within the existing refuge but was

included at the request of the current private

landowner who is attempting to sell the property to

the refuge. Refuge staff will evaluate the comments

and propose a final action this fall.

For More Information:

We are available to provide additional information

regarding the Refuge and the planning process. 

Also, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff can

attend a meeting of your organization to discuss the

development of the Sacramento River Refuge CCP. 

Please notify us at least three weeks in advance to

avoid scheduling conflicts. 

If you have questions, comments, concerns, or would

like information about the Refuge, please feel free to

call, e-mail, or write us:

Mr. Kevin Foerster, Project Leader

Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex

U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service

752 County Road 99 W

Willows, CA 95988

(530) 934-2801

kevin_foerster@r1.fws.gov

Mr. Miki Fujitsubo, Refuge Planner

U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service

CA/NV Refuge Planning Office

2800 Cottage Way, W-1916
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Riparian Forest Bank With Structural Complexity USFWS

Sacramento, CA 95825

(916) 414-6507

miki_fujitsubo@r1.

For More Information

Or check out the following sites on the Web for

more Refuge information and copies of past

Planning Updates:

http://pacific.fws.gov/sacnwrc/

http://pacific.fws.gov/planning/

Please pass this planning update along to anyone

you think might be interested in the planning

process. Thank you!

Call, write, or email us to be placed on our mailing

list to report a change in your mailing address, or if

you want to be removed from the mailing list.
Illustration by Jennifer Isola copyrighted

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

California / Nevada Refuge Planning Office

2800 Cottage Way, W-1916

Sacramento, CA 95825

Attn: Mr. Miki Fujitsubo