[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 176 (Monday, September 13, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49501-49502]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-23763]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Final Environmental Impact Statement for General Management Plan;
Whiskeytown Unit, Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area;
Notice of Availability
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 environmental
impact statement assessing the potential impacts of the proposed
General Management Plan for Whiskeytown Unit, Whiskeytown-Shasta-
Trinity National Recreation Area, Shasta County, California. Once
approved, the plan will guide the management of the unit over the next
15 years.
PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES: The final General Management Plan and
Environmental Impact Statement presents a proposal and three
alternatives for the management, use, and development of Whiskeytown
Unit. The proposed general management plan includes provisions for
preserving significant natural and cultural resources and for restoring
the backcountry to more natural conditions through watershed
restoration activities. The plan provides for increasing the range and
depth of interpretive services, expands opportunities for backcountry
use, and manages recreation at Whiskeytown Lake to provide
opportunities for tranquil recreation experiences. To facilitate more
tranquil experience, the use of personal watercraft at the reservoir is
discontinued and enforcement of existing noise standards is increased.
Alternative A: No Action, would continue the current situation at
Whiskeytown. Management focus would remain on the lake and natural
[[Page 49502]]
and cultural resource values would continue to decline because of the
lack of human and financial resources for their management and
protection.
Alternative B: Minimum Requirements, would be similar to
Alternative C in terms of provisions for resource management and
protection, but would provide fewer visitor services. The visitor
service emphasis would continue to be focused on the lake and on safety
and visitor protection, with only limited commitments to
interpretation. The existing range of recreation uses, including the
use of personal watercraft, would continue.
Alternative D: Expanded Recreation, retains the current management
focus on active water-based recreation, and increases the capacity of
the lake to accommodate use by adding a major new developed area near
the mouth of Boulder Creek. Major new utility infrastructure would be
required to support this development, and South Shore Drive would be
widened, realigned, and paved to provide access. The existing spectrum
of recreation uses on the lake, including use of personal watercraft,
would be retained. However, a zoning plan would separate the reservoir
into a low-speed zone, where personal watercraft use would be
discouraged, and an unrestricted zone where all types of activities
would be accommodated.
Background
The Draft EIS/GMP was released for a 75-day public review ending
November 30, 1998. Altogether nine public meetings were held in local
communities. Both the Draft and Final documents evaluate the same
Proposed Action and Alternatives. The environmental consequences of the
alternatives are fully documented in the Final EIS. No significant
adverse impacts are foreseen from the three Action Alternatives,
because the plans include provisions to avoid or mitigate potentially
significant impacts. However, the No-Action Alternative would result in
significant long-term impacts to natural and cultural resources due to
insufficient management and protection.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Written comments or questions regarding the
final general management plan and environmental impact statement should
be directed to the Superintendent, Whiskeytown NRA, PO Box 188,
Whiskeytown, California 96095. Copies may be requested by contacting
the Superintendent at (530) 241-6584. The no-action period for the
FEIS/GMP will extend for thirty 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 publish
a notice of the Record of Decision in the Federal Register. The
official responsible for the decision is the Regional Director, Pacific
West Region; the official responsible for implementation is the
Superintendent, Whiskeytown Unit.
Dated: September 1, 1999.
John J. Reynolds,
Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 99-23763 Filed 9-10-99; 8:45 am]
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