[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