[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 159 (Tuesday, August 18, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 44273]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-22123]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Approval of Record of Decision Final Environmental
Impact Statement for the Santa Rosa Island Resources Management Plan
for Improving Water Quality and Conserving Rare Species and Their
Habitats, Channel Islands National Park, Santa Barbara County,
California
Introduction: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of
1969, Public Law 91-190, and the regulations promulgated by the Council
of Environmental Quality at 40 CFR Part 1500, the Department of
Interior, National Park Service (NPS) has prepared and approved a
Record of Decision (Decision) on the abbreviated Final Environmental
Impact Statement for the Resources Management Plan for Improvement of
Water Quality and Conservation of Rare Species and Their Habitats on
Santa Rosa Island (Final EIS/RMP). This Notice of the Decision is a
summary statement of the nature of public comment during the ``no-
action'' period, what alternatives were considered, and what
alternative was selected. The complete Decision may be obtained from
the Superintendent, Channel Islands National Park, 1901 Spinnaker
Drive, Ventura, CA 93001.
Decision: The NPS will implement the actions described as the
Proposed Action, Alternative F, in the Final EIS/RMP issued in May,
1998. The Draft EIS/RMP was issued in February, 1998. The actions
selected to be implemented are summarized as follows.
Selected Action: Alternative F, Negotiated Settlement, was selected
to improve water quality and riparian habitat, and to conserve rare
plants and their habitats. There will be rapid removal of cattle by the
end of 1998 (except for 12 head in Lobo Pasture). There will be phased
removal of elk and deer by the end of 2011 (although removal may be
earlier if necessary to achieve selected recovery goals; and after
initial reductions an adaptive management program may be implemented).
Other actions to be implemented include road management to reduce
impacts to streams, and development of a comprehensive alien plant
management plan to reduce impacts on native plants. Monitoring programs
for rare species, water quality, and riparian recovery will be
developed by the park. Visitor access to Santa Rosa Island will be
increased beyond current levels.
Alternatives Considered: Five alternatives to the selected action
were considered and evaluated in the Draft and Final EIS/RMP. These
were: Alternative A (No Action), Alternative B (Minimal Action),
Alternative C (Targeted Action), Alternative D (Revised Conservation
Strategy), and Alternative E (Immediate Removal of Ungulates). These
are summarized in the Decision and analyzed in detail in the Final EIS/
RMP.
Basis for Decision and Finding: In choosing an action from those
identified and analyzed in the Final EIS/RMP, the NPS sought to select
an alternative that would: meet the goals and objectives of the plan;
comply with applicable laws, regulations and policies regarding
management of grazing, water quality and rare species; and minimally
impinge upon park operations necessary to fulfill stewardship
obligations while protecting core interests of the negotiating parties.
The detailed rationale for selecting Alternative F is set forth in the
Decision.
Public Comments: During the public comment period for the Draft
EIS/RMP, the park received 9 comments. The substantive responses
focused on: (1) adequacy of adaptive management for protecting and
restoring plants and habitat; (2) management use of fire; (3) conflicts
between deer and elk management activities and visitor use; and (4)
entry by visitors into buildings and areas traditionally used by Vail
and Vickers. All comments were carefully considered and aided in
preparation of the Final EIS/RMP.
In contrast, no comments were received during the 30-day ``no
action'' period for the Final EIS/RMP.
Conclusion: The above briefly summarizes factors considered in
selecting Alternative F, Negotiated Settlement, for implementation. The
actions contained in this alternative will be incorporated into a new
Special Use Permit for the hunting operation. This new permit will
become effective, and actions encompassed under Alternative F will be
implemented, as soon as possible. As noted above, copies of the
approved Decision may be obtained from the Superintendent, Channel
Islands National Park, address as noted above or via telephone at (805)
658-5776.
Dated: August 3, 1998.
John J. Reynolds,
Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 98-22123 Filed 8-17-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P
