[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 186 (Friday, September 25, 1998)] [Notices] [Pages 51369-51370] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-25644] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service General Management Plan: Whiskeytown Unit; Whiskeytown-Shasta- Trinity National Recreation Area; Notice of Availability of Draft Environmental Impact Statement SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Pub. L. 91-190 as amended), the National Park Service, Department of the Interior, has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement assessing the potential impacts of the proposed General Management Plan for Whiskeytown Unit, Whiskeytown-Shasta- Trinity National Recreation Area, Shasta County, California. Once approved, the plan will guide the management of the unit over the next 15 years. The Draft General Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement presents a proposal and three alternatives for the management, use, and development of Whiskeytown Unit. The proposed plan, Alternative C: Diversified Recreation & Interpretation, includes provisions for preserving significant natural and cultural resources and for restoring the backcountry to more natural conditions through watershed restoration activities. The proposed plan provides for increasing the range and depth of interpretive services, expands opportunities for backcountry use, and manages recreation at Whiskeytown Lake to provide opportunities for tranquil recreation experiences. To facilitate more tranquil experience, the use of personal watercraft at the reservoir is discontinued. [[Page 51370]] Alternative A No Action, would continue the current situation at Whiskeytown. Management focus would remain on the lake and natural and cultural resource values would continue to decline because of the lack of human and financial resources for their management and protection. Alternative B Minimum Requirements, would be similar to Alternative C in terms of provisions for resource management and protection, but would provide fewer visitor services. The visitor service emphasis would continue to be focused on the lake and on safety and visitor protection, with only limited commitments to interpretation. The existing range of recreation uses, including the use of personal watercraft, would continue. Alternative D Expanded Recreation, retains the current management focus on active water-based recreation, and increases the capacity of the lake to accommodate use by adding a major new developed area near the mouth of Boulder Creek. Major new utility infrastructure would be required to support this development, and South Shore Drive would be widened, realigned, and paved to provide access. The existing spectrum of recreation uses on the lake, including use of personal watercraft, would be retained. However, a zoning plan would separate the reservoir into a low-speed zone, where personal watercraft use would be discouraged, and an unrestricted zone where all types of activities would be accommodated. The environmental consequences of the alternatives are fully documented. No significant adverse impacts are anticipated from the action alternatives, because the plans include provisions to avoid or mitigate potentially significant impacts. The No Action Plan, Alternative A, would result in significant long-term impacts to natural and cultural resources due to insufficient management and protection. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Written comments on the Draft General Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement should be directed to the Superintendent, Whiskeytown Unit, P.O. Box 188, Whiskeytown, California 96095. Comments on the draft plan must be received by November 30, 1998. Public meetings on the draft plan will be held in the vicinity of the park. Times and locations will be publicized in the local media. Inquiries on and requests for copies of the draft plan should be directed to Whiskeytown Unit, address as above, or by telephone at (530) 241-6584. Dated: September 1, 1998. Patricia L. Neubacher, Acting Regional Director, Pacific West Region. [FR Doc. 98-25644 Filed 9-24-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-70-P