[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 222 (Thursday, November 18, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63056-63057]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-30112]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Final Environmental Impact Statement for General Management Plan,
Redwood National and State Parks, Humboldt and Del Norte Counties,
California; Notice of Availability
Summary: Pursuant to section 102(2)(c) of the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Pub. L. 81-190 as amended), the
National Park Service, Department of the Interior, has prepared a final
Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) assessing the potential impacts
of adopting a General Management Plan (GMP) for Redwood National and
State Parks. These parks comprise a 105,516-acre cooperative federal-
state parklands area that preserves some of the last remaining stands
of the world's tallest trees along 35 miles of scenic northwestern
California coastline. The document identifies and evaluates the
potential environmental consequences of a Proposed Action and three
Alternatives; appropriate mitigation measures are also identified and
evaluated. Once approved, the GMP will guide resource management and
preservation, watershed protection, restoration, and other stewardship
activities (as well interpretation, site planning and other operations)
for the next 10-15 years.
This FEIS/GMP document also incorporates all the elements of an
Environmental Impact Report/General Plan, which were prepared
concurrently by the State of California's Department of Parks and
Recreation. Although this comprehensive document results and benefits
from a cooperative effort, each agency has slightly different
requirements for completing the conservation planning and environmental
impact analysis process.
Proposal and Alternatives
This document presents and analyzes four alternatives for joint
management of the commingled Redwood National and State Parks. The
concept under Alternative 1 (the proposed action) would be to emphasize
the protection of the parks' resources and values (including proactive
restoration where sensitive resources are at risk). A variety of
opportunities for visitors to be inspired by cultural and natural
values would be ensured. Under Alternative 2 (no action), existing
management policies and resources protection, preservation, and
restoration programs would be continued; some trail development and new
campgrounds as described in previously approved plans for the area
would also occur. Under Alternative 3 the agencies would emphasize
resource restoration, protection, and preservation; the opportunities
for public use and enjoyment of parklands would be limited to
experiences consistent with a high degree of resource stewardship.
Under Alternative 4 priority would be placed on providing a wide
spectrum of appropriate visitor experiences, consistent with
overarching stewardship obligations to protect parklands resources and
values.
The degree of foreseeable impact varies according to each
Alternative, and includes: major beneficial effects from watershed and
estuary restoration; some short-term adverse effects from proposed
facility development and visitor use activities; and substantial
economic benefits from park visitation, operations, and construction in
the Humboldt-Del Norte area. Both the Draft and Final documents
evaluate the same Proposed Action and Alternatives. The environmental
consequences of the Alternatives are fully documented in the FEIS. No
significant adverse impacts are foreseen from the three action
Alternatives, because each includes provisions to avoid or mitigate
potentially significant impacts. However, the No-Action Alternative
could result in significant long-term impacts to natural and cultural
resources due to management and protection activities insufficient to
keep pace with conditions and trends foreseen. Estimated costs to
implement the Alternatives are presented and compared in the
appendices.
Public Review
Public collaboration with various local and regional organizations
and individuals was formally initiated with a Notice of intent
published in the Federal Register on May 24, 1996. Public scoping
meetings were held in Brookings, Oregon and Eureka, Orick, Klamath, and
Crescent City, California during June, 1996. During this period a
number of focus group meetings and workshops were held. Consultations
were undertaken with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National
Marine Fisheries Service, and the California State Historic
Preservation Office. The Yurok Tribal Heritage Preservation Officer
participated as an active consultant in the overall conservation
planning and environmental analysis process (following a one-day
scoping workshop undertaken with eight American Indian Tribes,
Rancherias, and Nations). The Draft EIS/GMP was formally released July
9, 1998 for a 60 day public review (which was extended for 30 days
through November 8, 1998). During the draft review period, four public
meetings and numerous workshops and informal meetings were conducted in
local communities. Approximately 600 written comments and preprinted
signed forms were received.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: For more information or to obtain a copy of
the document, contact the Superintendents, Redwood National and State
Parks, 1111 Second Street, Crescent City, CA 95531; or telephone 1-800-
423-6101 or voice/TDD 707-464-6101; or via e-mail at
redw__superintendent@nps.gov. The document will also be available at
area libraries. the no-action period for the FEIS/GMP will extend for
thirty (30) days after the Environmental Protection Agency's
notification of the filing of the document is published in the Federal
Register. Subsequently, the National Park Service will prepare a Record
of Decision, which will also be duly noticed in the Federal Register.
The official responsible for the NPS decision is the Regional Director,
Pacific West Region; the responsibility for the State decision is
vested with the California State Park and Recreation Commission in
concert with the Depart of Parks and Recreation. The officials
responsible for implementation are the Superintendents, Redwood
National and State Parks.
[[Page 63057]]
Dated: November 9, 1999.
John J. Reynolds,
Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 99-30112 Filed 11-17-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-M
