[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 209 (Monday, October 31, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-26827]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: October 31, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Willow Beach Development Concept Plan Amendment; Lake Mead
National Recreation Area, Arizona and Nevada; Notice of Actions
Proposed to be Located in or Impact a Floodplain and Notice of
Availability of Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement
SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969 (Pub. L. 91-190 as amended), the National Park
Service has prepared a supplemental environmental impact statement
(SEIS), to the General Management Plan/Final Environmental Impact
Statement (GMP/FEIS) for the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, in
conjunction with an amended Development Concept Plan (DCP) for Willow
Beach on the Arizona side of Lake Mohave. Pursuant to Executive Order
11988, Floodplain Management, the National Park Service has prepared a
Statement of Findings for the proposed plan.
The DCP Amendment/SEIS describes and analyzes four alternative
development concept plans for Willow Beach. The final proposal,
Alternative C in the SEIS, differs in some minor respects from the
draft proposal because of revisions in response to public comment. The
proposal focuses on enhancement of visitor experience along the
riverfront at Willow Beach with the addition of picnic areas, fishing
piers, walkways, small docks, and additional parking. Parking spaces
would be increased to 510 spaces from the existing 330. The existing
trailer village, motel, a dry boat storage and restaurant/store,
currently located within high hazard floodplain areas, would be
eliminated. A new building consolidating retail, restaurant, visitor
contact, restrooms, and fuel service functions would be constructed on
the northern side of Willow Beach Wash, which would allow the launch
ramp to be shifted to the north, moving these facilities farther from
the main flood flows along the south side of the drainage. A 125-slip
marina would be retained and consolidated in one area on the north end
of Willow Beach Wash. A new campground would be constructed above
Willow Beach Wash approximately one-half mile from the riverfront. Park
and concession support facilities would be relocated. Flood mitigation
would consist of a combination of flood warning system and evacuation
plan, structural protection, and relocation or elimination of some
existing facilities. All overnight facilities would be located outside
of the main flood flows and structurally protected to the probable
maximum flood level. Day use facilities would be located outside of the
floodplains or structurally protected to the 100-year flood level.
Alternative A, the no action alternative, would continue present
conditions and uses within the floodplain, and flood protection would
consist of non-structural measures limited to an early warning system
and evacuation plan. Alternative B would retain existing uses in the
floodplain but would add structural flood protection and relocate some
facilities. Parking would be reduced to 224 spaces. Alternative D would
allow for continued provision of a variety of visitor services at
Willow Beach except that the motel and trailer village would be
eliminated. A campground would be added, as in the proposal, and flood
protection measures would be similar to the proposal and Alternative B.
The proposal and alternatives were analyzed for impacts on public
safety and property in floodplains, desert plant communities, water and
air quality, species of special concern, visitor experience, trailer
village occupants, concession operations, and cultural resources.
The Statement of Findings addresses floodplain aspects of the
proposed plan, including mitigation and measures to minimize exposure
of life and property.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The no-action period on the development
concept plan will extend for 30 days after the notice of its
availability is published by EPA in the Federal Register. Inquiries on
the document should be addressed to: Superintendent, Lake Mead National
Recreation Area, 601 Nevada Highway, Boulder City, NV 89005, or by
calling the Park at (702) 293-8986.
Review of the Statement of Findings will also conclude 30 days
after the Notice is published by the EPA. Comments on this document
should be sent to the Superintendent at the above address.
For copies of the DCP Amendment/SEIS or the Statement of Findings,
or further information on the documents, please contact:
Superintendent, Lake Mead National Recreation Area at the above address
or telephone number. Copies of the documents are available at park
headquarters, libraries in the area and at the Western Regional Office,
National Park Service, Division of Planning, Grants and Environmental
Quality, 600 Harrison Street, Suite 600, San Francisco, CA.
Dated: October 5, 1994.
Stanley T. Albright,
Regional Director, Western Region.
[FR Doc. 94-26827 Filed 10-28-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P
