[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 209 (Monday, October 31, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-26827]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: October 31, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
 

Willow Beach Development Concept Plan Amendment; Lake Mead 
National Recreation Area, Arizona and Nevada; Notice of Actions 
Proposed to be Located in or Impact a Floodplain and Notice of 
Availability of Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement

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 has prepared a supplemental environmental impact statement 
(SEIS), to the General Management Plan/Final Environmental Impact 
Statement (GMP/FEIS) for the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, in 
conjunction with an amended Development Concept Plan (DCP) for Willow 
Beach on the Arizona side of Lake Mohave. Pursuant to Executive Order 
11988, Floodplain Management, the National Park Service has prepared a 
Statement of Findings for the proposed plan.
    The DCP Amendment/SEIS describes and analyzes four alternative 
development concept plans for Willow Beach. The final proposal, 
Alternative C in the SEIS, differs in some minor respects from the 
draft proposal because of revisions in response to public comment. The 
proposal focuses on enhancement of visitor experience along the 
riverfront at Willow Beach with the addition of picnic areas, fishing 
piers, walkways, small docks, and additional parking. Parking spaces 
would be increased to 510 spaces from the existing 330. The existing 
trailer village, motel, a dry boat storage and restaurant/store, 
currently located within high hazard floodplain areas, would be 
eliminated. A new building consolidating retail, restaurant, visitor 
contact, restrooms, and fuel service functions would be constructed on 
the northern side of Willow Beach Wash, which would allow the launch 
ramp to be shifted to the north, moving these facilities farther from 
the main flood flows along the south side of the drainage. A 125-slip 
marina would be retained and consolidated in one area on the north end 
of Willow Beach Wash. A new campground would be constructed above 
Willow Beach Wash approximately one-half mile from the riverfront. Park 
and concession support facilities would be relocated. Flood mitigation 
would consist of a combination of flood warning system and evacuation 
plan, structural protection, and relocation or elimination of some 
existing facilities. All overnight facilities would be located outside 
of the main flood flows and structurally protected to the probable 
maximum flood level. Day use facilities would be located outside of the 
floodplains or structurally protected to the 100-year flood level. 
Alternative A, the no action alternative, would continue present 
conditions and uses within the floodplain, and flood protection would 
consist of non-structural measures limited to an early warning system 
and evacuation plan. Alternative B would retain existing uses in the 
floodplain but would add structural flood protection and relocate some 
facilities. Parking would be reduced to 224 spaces. Alternative D would 
allow for continued provision of a variety of visitor services at 
Willow Beach except that the motel and trailer village would be 
eliminated. A campground would be added, as in the proposal, and flood 
protection measures would be similar to the proposal and Alternative B. 
The proposal and alternatives were analyzed for impacts on public 
safety and property in floodplains, desert plant communities, water and 
air quality, species of special concern, visitor experience, trailer 
village occupants, concession operations, and cultural resources.
    The Statement of Findings addresses floodplain aspects of the 
proposed plan, including mitigation and measures to minimize exposure 
of life and property.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The no-action period on the development 
concept plan will extend for 30 days after the notice of its 
availability is published by EPA in the Federal Register. Inquiries on 
the document should be addressed to: Superintendent, Lake Mead National 
Recreation Area, 601 Nevada Highway, Boulder City, NV 89005, or by 
calling the Park at (702) 293-8986.
    Review of the Statement of Findings will also conclude 30 days 
after the Notice is published by the EPA. Comments on this document 
should be sent to the Superintendent at the above address.
    For copies of the DCP Amendment/SEIS or the Statement of Findings, 
or further information on the documents, please contact: 
Superintendent, Lake Mead National Recreation Area at the above address 
or telephone number. Copies of the documents are available at park 
headquarters, libraries in the area and at the Western Regional Office, 
National Park Service, Division of Planning, Grants and Environmental 
Quality, 600 Harrison Street, Suite 600, San Francisco, CA.

    Dated: October 5, 1994.
Stanley T. Albright,
Regional Director, Western Region.
[FR Doc. 94-26827 Filed 10-28-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P