99-27555. Notice of availability of the final wild and scenic river study and legislative environmental impact statement for the Lower Sheenjek River in Alaska

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 203 (Thursday, October 21, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56804-56805]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-27555]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of availability of the final wild and scenic river study 
and legislative environmental impact statement for the Lower Sheenjek 
River in Alaska

AGENCIES: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability of the final Wild and Scenic River Study 
and Legislative Environmental Impact Statement for the Lower Sheenjek 
River in Alaska.

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SUMMARY: The National Park Service announces the availability of the 
final Wild and Scenic River Study and Legislative Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Lower Sheenjek River in Alaska. The document 
describes and analyzes the environmental impacts of a proposed action 
and a no-action alternative. The proposed action recommends 
congressional designation of the 99-mile segment of the Lower Sheenjek 
River within Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge as a National Wild 
River. Designation would ensure long-term protection of the river's 
outstanding values through a cooperative river management plan for the 
lower river. Under the no-action alternative, the lower Sheenjek River 
would not be recommended for designation. The no-action alternative 
would continue existing management conditions on the river.

DATES: A Record of Decision will be made no sooner than 30 days after 
the date of this notice.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the study/LEIS are available on request from 
Sheenjek River Study, National Park Service, 2525 Gambell Street, 
Anchorage, Alaska 99503-2892; by FAX at [phone]; or by 
electronic mail to: [e-mail]. Copies of the final Study/FEIS 
are also available for public inspection at the following locations:
     Yukon Flats Refuge office in Fairbanks, AK (101 12th Ave., 
Room 264),
     Noel Wien Public Library in Fairbanks, AK (1215 Cowles 
Street),
     Fort Yukon Village Office and Public Library, Fort Yukon, 
AK,
     National Park Service, Alaska Regional Office (Anchorage, 
AK, 2525 Gambell Street, Room 405),
     U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Alaska Regional Office (Anchorage, 
AK, 1011 East Tudor Road, External Affairs Office, 1st Floor),
     Alaska Resources Library and Information Services (3150 C 
Street, Suite 100), and
     Anchorage Loussac Public Library (3600 Denali Street).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jack Mosby, Program Manager--Rivers, 
Trails, and Conservation Assistance, National Park Service, 2525 
Gambell Street, Anchorage, AK 99503-2892. Telephone [phone] or 
email: [e-mail]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (P.L. 91-190, as amended), 
the National Park Service, in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, has prepared a final Wild and Scenic River Study and 
Legislative Environmental Impact Statement for the Lower Sheenjek River 
in Alaska.
    The Lower Sheenjek River study corridor (two miles on either side 
of the river) was evaluated and found to meet the eligibility criteria 
as it is ``free flowing'' and contains one or more ``outstandingly 
remarkable values'' (cultural (subsistence), wildlife, scenic, and 
recreation). It was recommended as a ``wild river'' due to the lack of 
development along the river corridor. Alternatives presented in the 
FEIS explore the impacts of the designation versus non-designation. 
Alternative A (the proposed action) recommends the Lower Sheenjek River 
within the Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge be recommended for 
Congressional action for addition to the National Wild and Scenic 
Rivers System for its outstandingly remarkable cultural (subsistence), 
wildlife, scenic, and recreational values. The segment would be 
classified as wild, and management of the federal lands would remain 
with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Management objectives would 
focus on keeping the river free of water resource development, major 
extractive resource development, monitoring the impact of human use on 
the rivers' outstandingly remarkable values, and generally maintaining 
the undeveloped character of the river corridor. No expenditures for 
administrative or public use facilities would be required under this 
alternative, although some funds would be spent on corridor 
administration (estimated at less than $5,000 per year and a onetime 
allocation of $40,000 to develop a cooperative river management plan). 
No land acquisition is needed. Alternative B (no action) would continue 
existing conditions on the refuge. The river's resource values would 
not receive any additional statutory protection or management attention 
relative to other rivers or resources in the Yukon Flats National 
Wildlife Refuge.

[[Page 56805]]

    The majority of comments provided during the review of the 1998 
Draft Study/Legislative Environmental Impact Statement supported 
designation of the Lower Sheenjek River (50 of 51 individuals, and 10 
of 15 organizations with two organizations only providing comments 
without any recommendation).
    The responsible officials for a Record of Decision on the proposed 
action are the National Park Service and Fish and Wildlife Service 
regional directors in Alaska.

    Dated: October 8, 1999.
Robert D. Barbee,
Regional Director, Alaska Region.
[FR Doc. 99-27555 Filed 10-20-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P