[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 208 (Tuesday, October 28, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55827-55828]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-28498]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Environmental Impact Statement/General Management Plan; Sequoia & 
Kings Canyon National Parks, California; Notice of Intent

Summary

    Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Public 
Law 91-190, as amended), and in accordance with the President's Council 
of Enviromental Quality regulations promulgated at 40 CFR 1501.7 and 
1508.22, the National Park will prepare an Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) for a General Management Plan (GMP) intended to guide 
management activities for Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks 
during the next 10-15 years.

Background

    The purpose of the GMP is to set forth the basic management 
philosophy for the parks and provide strategies for addressing issues 
and achieving identified management objectives. The EIS will identify 
and evaluate forseeable environmental impacts (and associated 
mitigation measures) of a range of alternatives formulated to address 
distinct management issues for the parks and strategies identified for 
resource protection, visitor uses, facility development, and adjacent 
federal, state, and lands. As a conceptual

[[Page 55828]]

framework for formulating these alternatives, the park's purposes and 
significance will first be identified. Based upon purpose, 
significance, and strategies identified, the GMP will identify and 
analyze programs, actions, and support facilities needed for 
implementation.

Public Information

    Earlier in the scoping process a series of public forums was 
announced and conducted. Additional public open house/workshops are 
scheduled for fall 1997, which will be publicized through mailings, 
press releases, park information media, and public notices (details 
will be available upon request via the contact listed below). A record 
of all information obtained through these sessions will be maintained 
during the entire EIS process. Also, a series of newsletters will be 
distributed throughout.

Comments

    All interested individuals, organizations, agencies, or entities 
that may be affected by the proposed plan are encouraged to share 
comments about issues or concerns which should be addressed during the 
EIS process. Written comments concerning the GMP/EIS should be 
postmarked no later than sixty (60) days from the publication date of 
this notice. All comments, or inquiries regarding public forums, should 
be addressed to: Planning Team Captain, National Park Service, Denver 
Service Center, 12795 West Alameda Parkway, Denver, Colorado 80225-0287 
or via telephone at (303) 969-2280.

Decision

    The draft EIS and plan are anticipated to be available for public 
review during summer, 1998. The final EIS and plan are expected to be 
completed one year later. A complete Record of Decision is to be 
executed no sooner than thirty days after the release of the final EIS. 
The responsible officials are John Reynolds, Regional Director, Pacific 
West Regional Office, National Park Service; Michael Tollefson, 
Superintendent, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

    Dated: October 8, 1997.
Patricia L. Neubacher,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 97-28498 Filed 10-27-97; 8:45 am]
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