[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 31 (Tuesday, February 17, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7826-7827]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-3800]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Draft Supplement to the Final Environmental Impact Statement/
Resources Management Plan for Improvement of Water Quality and 
Conservation of Rare Species and Their Habitats on Santa Rosa Island, 
Channel Islands National Park

Notice of Availability

SUMMARY: Pursuant to Sec. 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 (P.L. 91-190, as amended), the National Park 
Service, Department of the Interior, has prepared a Draft Supplement to 
the Final Environmental Impact Statement/Resources Management Plan for 
improving water quality and conserving rare species and their habitats 
on Santa Rosa Island. Upon completion of the current conservation 
planning and impact analysis process, a new Record of Decision will be 
prepared which will supercede the previous decision concerning this 
stewardship initiative.

Background

    In August, 1995, the National Park Service (NPS) began developing a 
resources management plan for Santa Rosa Island, in order to address 
impacts from ongoing commercial ranching and hunt operations on water 
quality, riparian values, and rare plant species and their habitats 
(``rare'' species includes those formally listed as threatened or 
endangered per the Endangered Species Act and those identified by NPS 
as species of concern). In May, 1996 the NPS completed and distributed 
for public review a draft environmental impact statement for this 
resources management plan (DEIS/RMP). During a 125-day public review 
period, the NPS received over 240 comments. The DEIS/RMP was 
subsequently revised to address all substantive comments, and a Final 
EIS/RMP (FEIS/RMP) was released in April, 1997. In a Record of Decision 
(ROD) signed June 9, 1997, the NPS stated that it would implement 
actions identified in the FEIS/RMP as the Proposed Action, Alternative 
D, Revised Conservation Strategy.
    This Draft Supplement to the FEIS/RMP introduces a new alternative 
now being evaluated by the NPS for guiding future stewardship 
activities on Santa Rosa Island. This new alternative, Alternative F, 
Negotiated Settlement, is briefly described below and results from 
recent negotiations among Vail & Vickers, the National Parks and 
Conservation Association, and the NPS. These negotiations were convened 
to resolve two lawsuits which were filed against the NPS during the 
previous conservation planning and impact analysis process.
    Although many elements of the negotiated Alternative F are similar 
to the previously selected Alternative D, there are some differences. 
This new alternative specifies actions to: (1) improve water quality in 
surface streams and protect riparian habitat areas, and (2) promote 
conservation and recovery of rare species of plants and animals, as 
well as habitats upon which they depend. The NPS encourages public 
review of Alternative F, and desires comment on any of the 
alternatives. Accordingly, NPS is distributing this Draft Supplement 
for consideration by all interested public agencies, organizations and 
groups, businesses, and individuals for a 60-day public comment period. 
After assessing all comments which may be received, the NPS will 
prepare and distribute a Final Supplement to the FEIS/RMP and 
subsequently prepare a new ROD.

New Proposed Action

    Under Alternative F, Negotiated Settlement (the new proposed 
action), water quality and riparian values would be improved and rare 
plants and their habitats would be conserved by rapid removal of cattle 
and phased removal of deer and elk from Santa Rosa Island. With the 
exception of 12 head in Lobo Pasture, all cattle would be removed from 
the island by the end of 1998. Deer and elk would be removed by the end 
of 2011, although they could be removed earlier if necessary to achieve 
recovery goals for selected listed species and their habitats. After an 
initial reduction in deer and elk, an adaptive management program for 
deer and elk would be implemented. Under adaptive

[[Page 7827]]

management, deer and elk would be managed at levels allowing rare 
species and their habitats to recover. Provided recovery goals are met, 
Vail & Vickers would be permitted to conduct commercial hunting of deer 
and elk. After the adaptive management period, deer and elk populations 
would be eliminated during a final phaseout period. If for some reason 
an acceptable adaptive management program cannot be developed, deer and 
elk populations will be reduced at a pre-determined rate. As under 
Alternative D, the NPS would implement road management actions to 
reduce impacts to island streams, and would develop a comprehensive 
alien plant management plan to address problems caused by alien 
species. The NPS would develop monitoring programs for rare species, 
water quality, and riparian recovery. Visitor access to Santa Rosa 
Island would be increased beyond current levels.

Other Alternatives

    Other alternatives subject to the current conservation planning and 
impact analysis process are the same as identified and described in the 
FEIS/RMP. In addition to the above, these include: Alternative A, No 
Action; Alternative B, Minimal Action; Alternative C, Targeted 
Management Action; and Alternative E, Immediate Removal of Ungulates.

Comments

    Written comments on the Draft Supplement must be postmarked not 
later than 60-days after the Environmental Protection Agency's 
announcement in the Federal Register regarding the filing of this 
document. Comments, inquiries, and requests for copies should be 
directed to the Superintendent, Channel Islands National Park, 1901 
Spinnaker Drive, Ventura, CA 93001, or by telephone at (805) 658-5776. 
Copies will also be available at area libraries.

    Dated: February 3, 1998.
John J. Reynolds,
Regional Director, Pacific West.
[FR Doc. 98-3800 Filed 2-13-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P