Chapters 1 - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Management Alternatives
Volunteers and Partners
Support for the Friends of Seal Beach NWR would continue as described in Alternative A and
coordination with the Refuge’s other partners, including NWSSB, would continue to be an
important Refuge strategy.
3.4.4 Alternatives Considered but Eliminated from the Detailed Analysis
The alternatives development process is designed to allow consideration of the widest possible
range of issues and potential management approaches. During this process, various objectives and
strategies for achieving Refuge goals were considered but not selected for detailed study. Those
alternatives that were eliminated from detailed study are presented below.
Expand the Number of California Least Tern Nesting Sites within the Refuge
The potential for providing additional locations on the Refuge to support nesting least terns
was given considerable thought by the planning team, and was discussed with other interested
parties during our Habitat and Wildlife Management Review. The general consensus was that
the existing least tern site on the Refuge has adequate capacity to support additional pairs of
terns and there is currently no need for an additional site on the Refuge. Adding another site
would require splitting time spent by predator management and monitoring personnel
between the existing site and the new site, which could result in reduced protection for nesting
birds at both locations. Based on these factors, identifying additional least tern nesting sites
on the Refuge was eliminated from detailed study.
Expand the Refuge Boundary to Include the Los Cerritos Wetlands
During the public comment period, the suggestion was made that the Los Cerritos Wetlands,
located approximately one mile to the northwest of the Refuge, be incorporated into the
boundaries of the Seal Beach NWR. These wetlands are currently overseen by the Los
Cerritos Wetlands Authority, a joint powers authority of the City of Long Beach, City of Seal
Beach, State Coastal Conservancy, and the Rivers and Mountains Conservancy. The purpose
of the Authority is to provide for a comprehensive program of acquisition, protection,
conservation, restoration, maintenance and operation and environmental enhancement of the
Los Cerritos Wetlands area consistent with the goals of flood protection, habitat protection
and restoration, and improved water supply, water quality, groundwater recharge and water
conservation. The Authority has the ability to acquire and own real property and to conduct
and implement restoration planning.
Including the Los Cerritos Wetlands within the management responsibilities of the Seal Beach
NWR was determined to be outside the scope of the purposes for which the Seal Beach NWR
was established. Additionally, these wetlands, which are not contiguous with Anaheim Bay, are
currently being managed by a Joint Powers Authority (JPA), consisting of local, state, and a
nongovernmental agency. This JPA has been established for the specific purpose of
overseeing the comprehensive conservation of these wetlands.
Include Oil Island into the Refuge Following Termination of Oil Production Activities
Several proposals were initially considered for the reuse of Oil Island once oil production
ceases at this site. However, after further review, the reuse of Oil Island is not currently a
viable option based on the operator’s current agreement with the Navy. This agreement
requires that Oil Island be removed and salt marsh habitat to be restored when oil production
ceases at this location. Any proposal to do something other than restore salt marsh habitat at
this site would require a full evaluation of alternatives, appropriate NEPA documentation, and
potential permits from various state and/or federal agencies.
Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan/Environmental Assessment 3-39