[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 117 (Monday, June 20, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-14906]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: June 20, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
 

Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement on the Draft 
Pacific Coastal Barriers Study

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the Fish and Wildlife 
Service (FWS) intends to gather information necessary for the 
preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Pacific 
Coastal Barriers Study and accompanying maps (Study) that have been 
mandated by the Coastal Barriers Improvement Act of 1990. This notice 
is being furnished as required by the National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA) Regulations (40 CFR 1501.7) to inform other agencies and the 
public on the scope of issues to be addressed in the EIS. Comments and 
participation in this scoping process were solicited by the FWS from 
other agencies and the public during the preparation of the Draft 
Study. All previous public comments received by the FWS during the 
review of the Draft Study are being reviewed and will be considered 
part of the scoping process for the preparation of this EIS.

DATES: Written comments should be received by July 20, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to: Regional Director, U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service, 911 N.E. 11th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 
97232-4181.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paula Levin, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, 911 N.E. 11th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97232-4181, (503) 231-
2068.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Ronald Singer is the primary author of this 
document.
    Coastal barriers are unique landforms which provide protection for 
diverse aquatic habitats and serve as the mainland's first line of 
defense against the impacts of coastal storms and erosion.
    Congress recognized the vulnerability of coastal barriers to 
development by passing the Coastal Barriers Resource Act in 1982 
(CBRA). CBRA (Public Law 97-348) established the Coastal Barriers 
Resources System (System) that prohibits all new Federal expenditures 
and financial assistance within the units of that system unless 
specifically excepted by the CBRA. This action was taken because 
Federal expenditures and financial assistance have the effect of 
encouraging development of coastal barriers. By restricting these 
Federal expenditures, Congress intended to minimize the loss of human 
life, wasteful expenditure of Federal revenues, and damage to fish, 
wildlife, and other natural resources associated with coastal barriers 
along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts.
    In 1990, Congress passed the Coastal Barrier Improvement Act 
(CBIA). The CBIA (Public Law 101-591) tripled the size of the system by 
adding coastal barriers of the Great Lakes as well as additional areas 
along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts. The coastal barrier 
system currently includes 560 units, comprising almost 1.3 million 
acres and about 1,200 shoreline miles. The CBIA also directed the 
Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) to prepare a study which examines 
the need for protecting undeveloped coastal barriers along the Pacific 
coast of the United States south of 49 degrees north latitude through 
inclusion in the system. This area includes the States of California, 
Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington; American Samoa; Guam; the Northern 
Marianas; and all other Pacific Ocean territories and possessions of 
the United States. In addition, the Secretary was directed to prepare 
maps identifying the boundaries of undeveloped coastal barriers within 
this area. The Secretary delegated the authority to develop the Study 
and accompanying maps of undeveloped coastal barriers of the Pacific 
Coast to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).
    Notices of availability of FWS-developed Draft Coastal Barrier Maps 
were published in the Federal Register on April 23, 1992 (57 FR 14846) 
for Oregon; May 29, 1992 (57 FR 22821) for Washington; July 7, 1992 (57 
FR 29883) for California; and August 14, 1992 (57 FR 36668) for Hawaii. 
Following the 90 day public comment period, the draft maps were revised 
to address any technical errors noted during the comment period. The 
revised draft maps, and all comments received, were forwarded to 
appropriate State Governors for their review and use in formulation of 
recommendations as to which State areas should be included in the 
System.
    The FWS developed the required Draft Study and revised draft maps 
of areas under consideration for inclusion in the Coastal Barrier 
Resources System in 1993. The FWS made the Draft Study and maps 
available for a 60 day public review and comment period on December 17, 
1993 (58 F.R. 66016). Appropriate State Governors were afforded an 
additional 30 days for review and comment. On February 23, 1994, the 
FWS extended the public comment period until March 25, 1994, and for 
appropriate State Governors until April 25, 1994. Between January 5, 
1994, and January 18, 1994, a total of 15 public meetings were held in 
Oregon, Washington, California, and Hawaii regarding the draft study 
and accompanying maps. Press releases were issued in all affected 
areas. Mailings of the draft maps and Study were provided to 
individuals and central locations on FWS mailing lists, supplemented by 
mailing lists provided by State Coastal Zone Management program 
managers. Announcements of availability of the maps and Study were also 
widely disseminated.
    Coastal barrier units which occur on Tribal lands were included on 
the 1991 draft maps but deleted from the 1993 study maps at the request 
of the Tribal sovereign nations. Neither the CBRA nor the CBIA provide 
guidance regarding the inclusion of Tribal lands in the System. 
However, inclusion of coastal barrier units which occur on Tribal lands 
in the System would meet the purposes of the Act, particularly given 
the sensitive living resources associated with these areas. Recognizing 
the sovereignty of the Native American nations, the Department of the 
Interior (Department) solicited the input and recommendations from each 
affected Tribe during the formulation of the Draft Study. These Tribal 
recommendations will be submitted to Congress with the Department's 
final Study recommendations or at a later date following appropriate 
coordination.
    The environmental review of the Draft Pacific Coastal Barriers 
Study and accompanying maps will be conducted by the FWS in accordance 
with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 
as amended (42 U.S.C. 4371 et seq), other appropriate Federal 
regulations, and FWS procedures for compliance with those regulations. 
The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) will be made available 
to the public for review and comment by Spring, 1995.

    Dated: June 14, 1994.
Thomas Dwyer,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 94-14906 Filed 6-17-94; 8:45 am]
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