[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] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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] BILLING CODE 4310-70-P