[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 83 (Wednesday, April 30, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 23482]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-11117]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks; Notice of Intent to 
Prepare Environmental Impact Statement for a Wilderness Management Plan

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SUMMARY: In accordance with Sec. 102(2)(C) of the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (PL91-190), Sequoia and Kings Canyon 
National Parks (Parks) are initiating an environmental impact analysis 
process to identify and assess potential impacts of alternative 
strategies for future management of the Sequoia-Kings Canyon Wilderness 
within these parks. Through this process the Parks will identify and 
analyze a range of alternatives in order to evaluate options for 
achieving wilderness stewardship objectives while accommodating 
visitors and authorized users, protecting cultural and natural 
resources, and providing for legally mandated management requirements.

Background

    The Parks desire to revise and consolidate current wilderness-
related plans such as the 1986 Backcountry Management Plan and the 1986 
Stock Use and Meadow Management Plan, incorporating management 
direction provided in the California Wilderness Act of 1984 which 
designated 736,980 acres as the Sequoia-Kings Canyon Wilderness. Toward 
that end, seven public scoping sessions have been held prior to 
publication of this Notice. These sessions were held in California, 
during 1996 on May 28 (Visalia), June 13 (Clovis), June 18 (Three 
Rivers), July 9 (San Francisco), July 16 (Los Angeles), July 25 
(Bishop), and October 5 (Sacramento). All suggestions and comments 
received during these sessions (and written information received by 
mail during this time) have aided the Parks in preliminary 
identification of issues and concerns to be addressed in preparing a 
draft environmental impact statement and wilderness management plan 
(DEIS/WMP). These comments will be retained in the administrative 
record throughout this planning process.

Comments

    Notice is hereby given that the National Park Service will prepare 
a DEIS/WMP document. At this time, all interested individuals, 
organizations, and agencies wishing to provide additional comments or 
suggestions should address them to the Superintendent, Sequoia and 
Kings Canyon National Parks, Three Rivers, CA 93271. All such new 
information should be postmarked no later than sixty (60) days from the 
date of publication of this Notice. All respondents will be included in 
timely project updates.

Decision Process

    The subsequent availability of the DEIS/WMP will be announced by 
formal Notice and via local and regional news media. The DEIS/WMP is 
anticipated to be completed and available for public review during 
fall, 1998. In addition, it is anticipated that several public hearings 
will be held; details will be included in the Notice of Availability 
and also will be publicized via local and regional news media. The 
final environmental impact statement and wilderness management plan 
document (FEIS/WMP) is anticipated to be completed approximately one 
year later. Notice of the Record of Decision will be published in the 
Federal Register not sooner than thirty (30) days after distribution of 
the FEIS/WMP documents. The responsible official is the Regional 
Director, Pacific West Region, National Park Service.

FURTHER INFORMATION: Questions or new requests to be placed on the 
DEIS/WMP mailing list compiled for distributing timely project updates 
may be directed to the attention of the Sequoia-Kings Canyon Wilderness 
Coordinator at the above address or via telephone at (209) 565-3137.

    Dated: April 15, 1997.
Patricia L. Neubacher,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific West Region,
National Park Service.
[FR Doc. 97-11117 Filed 4-29-97; 8:45 am]
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