[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 159 (Tuesday, August 18, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 44273]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-22123]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Approval of Record of Decision Final Environmental 
Impact Statement for the Santa Rosa Island Resources Management Plan 
for Improving Water Quality and Conserving Rare Species and Their 
Habitats, Channel Islands National Park, Santa Barbara County, 
California

    Introduction: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969, Public Law 91-190, and the regulations promulgated by the Council 
of Environmental Quality at 40 CFR Part 1500, the Department of 
Interior, National Park Service (NPS) has prepared and approved a 
Record of Decision (Decision) on the abbreviated Final Environmental 
Impact Statement for the Resources Management Plan for Improvement of 
Water Quality and Conservation of Rare Species and Their Habitats on 
Santa Rosa Island (Final EIS/RMP). This Notice of the Decision is a 
summary statement of the nature of public comment during the ``no-
action'' period, what alternatives were considered, and what 
alternative was selected. The complete Decision may be obtained from 
the Superintendent, Channel Islands National Park, 1901 Spinnaker 
Drive, Ventura, CA 93001.
    Decision: The NPS will implement the actions described as the 
Proposed Action, Alternative F, in the Final EIS/RMP issued in May, 
1998. The Draft EIS/RMP was issued in February, 1998. The actions 
selected to be implemented are summarized as follows.
    Selected Action: Alternative F, Negotiated Settlement, was selected 
to improve water quality and riparian habitat, and to conserve rare 
plants and their habitats. There will be rapid removal of cattle by the 
end of 1998 (except for 12 head in Lobo Pasture). There will be phased 
removal of elk and deer by the end of 2011 (although removal may be 
earlier if necessary to achieve selected recovery goals; and after 
initial reductions an adaptive management program may be implemented). 
Other actions to be implemented include road management to reduce 
impacts to streams, and development of a comprehensive alien plant 
management plan to reduce impacts on native plants. Monitoring programs 
for rare species, water quality, and riparian recovery will be 
developed by the park. Visitor access to Santa Rosa Island will be 
increased beyond current levels.
    Alternatives Considered: Five alternatives to the selected action 
were considered and evaluated in the Draft and Final EIS/RMP. These 
were: Alternative A (No Action), Alternative B (Minimal Action), 
Alternative C (Targeted Action), Alternative D (Revised Conservation 
Strategy), and Alternative E (Immediate Removal of Ungulates). These 
are summarized in the Decision and analyzed in detail in the Final EIS/
RMP.
    Basis for Decision and Finding: In choosing an action from those 
identified and analyzed in the Final EIS/RMP, the NPS sought to select 
an alternative that would: meet the goals and objectives of the plan; 
comply with applicable laws, regulations and policies regarding 
management of grazing, water quality and rare species; and minimally 
impinge upon park operations necessary to fulfill stewardship 
obligations while protecting core interests of the negotiating parties. 
The detailed rationale for selecting Alternative F is set forth in the 
Decision.
    Public Comments: During the public comment period for the Draft 
EIS/RMP, the park received 9 comments. The substantive responses 
focused on: (1) adequacy of adaptive management for protecting and 
restoring plants and habitat; (2) management use of fire; (3) conflicts 
between deer and elk management activities and visitor use; and (4) 
entry by visitors into buildings and areas traditionally used by Vail 
and Vickers. All comments were carefully considered and aided in 
preparation of the Final EIS/RMP.
    In contrast, no comments were received during the 30-day ``no 
action'' period for the Final EIS/RMP.
    Conclusion: The above briefly summarizes factors considered in 
selecting Alternative F, Negotiated Settlement, for implementation. The 
actions contained in this alternative will be incorporated into a new 
Special Use Permit for the hunting operation. This new permit will 
become effective, and actions encompassed under Alternative F will be 
implemented, as soon as possible. As noted above, copies of the 
approved Decision may be obtained from the Superintendent, Channel 
Islands National Park, address as noted above or via telephone at (805) 
658-5776.

    Dated: August 3, 1998.
John J. Reynolds,
Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 98-22123 Filed 8-17-98; 8:45 am]
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