[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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