[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 228 (Monday, November 29, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66642-66643]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-30856]
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DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR
National Park Service
Anacapa Island Restoration Project, Channel Islands National
Park,Ventura County, California; Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement
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SUMMARY: Pursuant to Sec. 102 (2)(C) of the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969 (Public Law 91-190) and Council on Environmental
Quality regulations (40 CFR 1508.22), the National Park Service intends
to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement that addresses eradicating
the non-native Black Rat (Rattus rattus) from Anacapa Island. In
addition, park managers desire to implement preventative actions to
keep rats and other non-native rodents from establishing on other
islands in the park. These proposed activities would take place within
Channel Islands National Park, Ventura County, California.
Background: Anacapa Island, located 17 miles southwest of the
Ventura Coast, is comprised of three islets totaling about 700 acres.
Known for both its beauty and its biological diversity, Anacapa Island
serves as both a destination for visitors as well as habitat for marine
and terrestrial species. Anacapa Island as a whole is the largest
California Brown Pelican colony in the Southern California Bight. To
protect the California Brown Pelican (listed as Endangered under the
Endangered Species Act) and its habitat, the west islet has been set
aside as a Research Natural Area. The non-native Black Rat impacts the
seabird population through predation, and threatens the ecological
integrity of intertidal and terrestrial ecosystems. The Black Rat also
damages park infrastructure, threatens health and safety, and decreases
visitor enjoyment. After careful examination of known impacts of rats
on islands generally (and known and potential effects on Anacapa Island
in particular), park resource managers and other resource experts
conclude that island-wide Black Rat eradication is a prudent management
action. This proposed action is consistent with exotic species
management direction provided in the Channel Islands National Park
General Management Plan (1985) and subsequent Resource Management Plan
(1994). Additionally, no other islands in the park are known to have
rats. There is a threat of introduction of rats, or other non-native
rodents, from shipwrecks or transport of people and materials. Park
managers need to have the capability to respond rapidly to eradicate
new introductions of non-native rodents.
Scoping: The NPS is requesting comments regarding this proposed
initiative from interested individuals, organizations, and agencies.
Respondents should address potential environmental issues, applicable
research or mitigations, and reasonable alternatives which they feel
should be considered in the EIS. Written comments must be postmarked by
January 1, 2000, and should be sent to the Superintendent, Channel
Islands National Park, 1901 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura, CA 93001. A public
scoping meeting is scheduled to be held in Ventura at 7:00pm, December
8, 1999. Additional information, including specific times and locations
for public meetings, will be given via local and regional press
releases, public notices, the park's website, and direct mailings.
Supplementary Information: Updated information regarding the
conservation planning and environmental impact analysis process for
this initiative and proposed actions identified to date will be
distributed and periodically updated via direct mailings, regional and
local news media, and the park's website (http://www.nps.gov/chis/
naturalresources/airp.html). To request being added to the mailing
list, interested parties may contact Steve Ortega, Restoration
Biologist, at (805) 658-5784 (or HYPERLINK
mailto:CHIS__AnacapaRats@nps.gov chis__restoration@nps.gov).
Review and Decision Process
The Draft EIS is expected to be available for public review and
comment during winter-spring, 1999-2000. Availability of the Draft EIS
for review and written comment will be formally announced by Notice in
the Federal Register, through local and regional news media, the
internet, and direct mailing. At this time it is anticipated that the
Final EIS will be completed by July, 2000. Subsequently, notification
of an approved Record of Decision would be published in the Federal
Register not sooner than thirty (30) days after the Final EIS is
distributed. This is expected to occur by September, 2000. The official
responsible for the decision is the Regional Director, Pacific West
Region, National Park Service; the official responsible for
implementation is the Superintendent, Channel Islands National Park.
[[Page 66643]]
Dated: November 17, 1999.
James R. Shevock,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 99-30856 Filed 11-26-99; 8:45 am]
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