[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