[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 36 (Wednesday, February 24, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 9168]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-4484]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Scoping for Fire Management Plan Sequoia and Kings
Canyon National Parks Tulare & Fresno Counties, California
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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given, in accordance with the provisions of
the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et. seq.) that
public scoping has been initiated for a conservation planning and
impact analysis process for updating the fire management plan for
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. The purpose of the scoping
process is to elicit early public comment regarding issues and
concerns, a suitable range of alternatives and appropriate mitigating
measures, and the nature and extent of potential environmental impacts
which should be addressed.
Background
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, units of the National Park
System, are managed as one administrative unit. Extensive research has
shown that fire is a significant natural process across a large portion
of the 864,000 acres of the parks. An extensive fire management program
was begun in 1968 and has continued to the present time. All forms of
fire management, from aggressive suppression to managing natural
(lightning) ignitions, have been used to achieve natural and cultural
resource management and hazard fuel reduction goals. The parks fire
management program also has a significant fire prevention and
suppression function.
The last revision of the fire management plan culminated in a
Finding Of No Significant Impact, dated November 1, 1989. Since that
time, a range of new issues, improved information, and unforeseeable
constraints have emerged which have the potential to affect the future
direction of the fire management program within the parks. Some of
these issues include but are not limited to: a continued decline in
ecosystem health due to fire suppression, increased hazards and costs
associated with fire suppression, and more stringent air quality
regulations.
Comment and Approval
As noted, the National Park Service will undertake an environmental
analysis effort to address issues and alternatives for fire management
in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. At this time, it has not
been determined whether an Environmental Assessment or Environmental
Impact Statement will be prepared, however, this scoping process will
aid in the preparation of either document.
As the first step in this undertaking, a series of five public
scoping meetings will be conducted during March, 1999. California
cities where scoping meetings will be held are:
Wednesday March 3, 7:00 pm at Fort Miller Middle School
Cafeteria, 1302 E. Dakota, Fresno;
Wednesday March 10, 7:00 pm at the Tulare County Education
Center (Education Building Corner of Burrel Ave. near the County Civic
Center), Visalia;
Monday March 15, 7:00 pm at the Visitor Center Auditorium
at Griffith Park, Los Angeles;
Monday March 22, 7:00 pm at the Presidio Visitor Center,
1st floor conference room, Building 102 on Montgomery St., San
Francisco (adjacent parking available on parade grounds);
Tuesday March 23, 7:30 pm at Three Rivers Union School
gym.
For those unable to attend meetings, a scoping document will be
available through the park. The main topics addressed in the scoping
document and meetings are: background information on the fire
management program; a review of relevant policy and law affecting the
fire management program; an assessment of current fire management
needs; and the identification of issues and alternatives related to the
fire management in the parks.
Interested individuals, organizations, and agencies are invited to
provide comments or suggestions. Written comments regarding the fire
management program must be postmarked no later than June 7, 1999. For
additional information on the scoping meetings, or to request a copy of
the scoping background material and provide comments, please contact:
Superintendent, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks; Attn: Fire
Management Plan; Three Rivers, California 93271 (telephone (559) 565-
3164 or email seki__fire@nps.gov.).
The official responsible for approval is the Regional Director,
Pacific West Region, National Park Service. The official responsible
for implementation is Michael J. Tollefson, Superintendent, Sequoia and
Kings Canyon National Parks. The draft fire management plan and
environmental document are expected to be available for public review
in January, 2000. At this time it is anticipated that the final plan
and environmental document are to be completed in June, 2000.
Dated: February 16, 1999.
John J. Reynolds,
Regional Director, Pacific West.
[FR Doc. 99-4484 Filed 2-23-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P
