[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 139 (Thursday, July 20, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37471-37472]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-17892]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Availability of the Final General Management Plan/Implementation
Plan Alternatives/Environmental Impact Statement for Lake Chelan
National Recreation Area, Washington
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, Department of the Interior, has prepared a Final General
Management Plan/Implementation Plan Alternatives/Environmental Impact
Statement (GMP/Plans/FEIS) that describes and analyzes a proposal and
four alternatives that meet immediate and long-term needs at Lake
Chelan National Recreation Area for future management and use of Lake
Chelan National Recreation Area, as required by the consent decree that
was approved and entered on April 22, 1991, in the United States
District Court for the Western District of Washington (Civil Case No.
C-89-1342D).
The Draft General Management Plan/Implementation Plan
Alternatives/Environmental Impact Statement (GMP/Plans/DEIS) was
released for public review on August 26, 1994 (59 FR 165), and the
public comment period closed November 1, 1994. During this comment
period, three public hearings were held and written comments were also
received. The GMP/Plans/FEIS contains responses to the comments
received and modifications to the document as needed in response to the
comments.
Under the proposed action, which was developed in response to
public and agency comments on the GMP/Plans/DEIS, the National Park
Service would not manipulate the Stehekin River nor remove or
manipulate woody debris except to protect public roads and bridges. The
active sand, rock, and gravel borrow pit would be maintained at less
than or equal to its current size. Fire suppression, prescribed natural
fire, management-ignited prescribed fire, and selective manual fuel
reductions would provide more effective fire protection. Firewood would
be provided at fair market value, and there would be no guaranteed
cordage per year. The airstrip would remain open. Land protection would
emphasize high flood influence areas, wetlands, riparian areas, and
high visual sensitivity areas. Under the no-action/minimum requirements
alternative, river erosion and flooding would be controlled only to
protect life, health, public roads, and bridges. Where feasible,
federal lands would be treated with prescribed fire to reduce fuels.
Firewood would be obtained from harvesting 1-acre woodlots. The
airstrip would remain open. Land protection would emphasize wetlands,
shoreline characteristics, high scenic quality, water quality, visitor
access, restriction of unsightly development, and development on areas
with gradients greater than 20%. Under alternative A, new river
shoreline or bank protection structures would be prohibited. The mining
of sand, rock, and gravel would be prohibited within the valley.
Natural ignitions would be suppressed on the valley floor for the
protection of human life and property. Woodlot cutting of firewood
would stop immediately. The airstrip would be closed and restored to
natural conditions. The Stehekin Valley road between the Landing and
Cottonwood Camp would be converted to a trail. All NPS and concession
housing and maintenance facilities would be substantially reduced and
located at the Landing. Land protection would involve acquisition, on a
willing seller/willing buyer basis, or by eminent domain authority, of
all private lands within the recreation area. Under alternative B,
riverbank protection structures would be allowed if no adverse
environmental impacts would result. Mining of sand, rock, and gravel in
the valley would be prohibited. Fire and forest fuels would be managed
to restore or replicate the natural role of fire. Firewood would be
provided at fair market value instead of a set permit fee. There would
be no guarantee of firewood cordage per year. The airstrip
[[Page 37472]]
would be closed. Land protection would emphasize high flood influence
areas, wetland, riparian areas, and high visual sensitivity areas.
Under alternative C, protection of public or private improvements
threatened by river erosion and flooding would be allowed. The size of
the borrow pit would remain constant. Selective manual forest fuel
reduction techniques would be used to reduce hazard forest fuel
loadings. Firewood would be supplied from administrative wood and
natural selection ecoforestry selective cutting from a designated area.
The airstrip would be managed by the National Park Service for
emergency use only. Land protection would emphasize high flood
influence areas, wetlands, and high visual sensitivity areas.
Major impact topics assessed for the proposed action and
alternatives include natural and cultural resources and the
socioeconomic environment, including the local and regional economy.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The no-action period on this final plan and
environmental impact statement will end 30 days after the Environmental
Protection Agency has published a notice of availability of the GMP/
Plans/FEIS in the Federal Register. For further information, contact:
Superintendent, North Cascades National Park Service Complex, 2105
State Route 20, Sedro Woolley, WA 98284-1799; telephone (360) 856-5700.
Copies of the GMP/Plans/FEIS will be available at North Cascades
National Park Service Complex Headquarters, as well as the following
locations: Office of Public Affairs, National Park Service, Department
of the Interior, 1849 C Street NW., Washington, DC; National Park
Service, Seattle System Support Office, 909 First Ave., Seattle, WA;
Stehekin Ranger Station, Lake Chelan National Recreation Area, National
Park Service, Stehekin, WA; Chelan Public Library, Chelan, WA;
Government Publications, Suzzallo Library, University of Washington,
Seattle, WA; and Government Documents, Main Public Library, 100--4th
Ave., Seattle, WA.
Dated: July 10, 1995.
Rory D. Westberg,
Superintendent, Columbia Cascades System Support Office, National Park
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-17892 Filed 7-19-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-M
