[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 36 (Wednesday, February 24, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 9168]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-4484]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Scoping for Fire Management Plan Sequoia and Kings 
Canyon National Parks Tulare & Fresno Counties, California

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given, in accordance with the provisions of 
the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et. seq.) that 
public scoping has been initiated for a conservation planning and 
impact analysis process for updating the fire management plan for 
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. The purpose of the scoping 
process is to elicit early public comment regarding issues and 
concerns, a suitable range of alternatives and appropriate mitigating 
measures, and the nature and extent of potential environmental impacts 
which should be addressed.

Background

    Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, units of the National Park 
System, are managed as one administrative unit. Extensive research has 
shown that fire is a significant natural process across a large portion 
of the 864,000 acres of the parks. An extensive fire management program 
was begun in 1968 and has continued to the present time. All forms of 
fire management, from aggressive suppression to managing natural 
(lightning) ignitions, have been used to achieve natural and cultural 
resource management and hazard fuel reduction goals. The parks fire 
management program also has a significant fire prevention and 
suppression function.
    The last revision of the fire management plan culminated in a 
Finding Of No Significant Impact, dated November 1, 1989. Since that 
time, a range of new issues, improved information, and unforeseeable 
constraints have emerged which have the potential to affect the future 
direction of the fire management program within the parks. Some of 
these issues include but are not limited to: a continued decline in 
ecosystem health due to fire suppression, increased hazards and costs 
associated with fire suppression, and more stringent air quality 
regulations.

Comment and Approval

    As noted, the National Park Service will undertake an environmental 
analysis effort to address issues and alternatives for fire management 
in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. At this time, it has not 
been determined whether an Environmental Assessment or Environmental 
Impact Statement will be prepared, however, this scoping process will 
aid in the preparation of either document.
    As the first step in this undertaking, a series of five public 
scoping meetings will be conducted during March, 1999. California 
cities where scoping meetings will be held are:
     Wednesday March 3, 7:00 pm at Fort Miller Middle School 
Cafeteria, 1302 E. Dakota, Fresno;
     Wednesday March 10, 7:00 pm at the Tulare County Education 
Center (Education Building Corner of Burrel Ave. near the County Civic 
Center), Visalia;
     Monday March 15, 7:00 pm at the Visitor Center Auditorium 
at Griffith Park, Los Angeles;
     Monday March 22, 7:00 pm at the Presidio Visitor Center, 
1st floor conference room, Building 102 on Montgomery St., San 
Francisco (adjacent parking available on parade grounds);
     Tuesday March 23, 7:30 pm at Three Rivers Union School 
gym.
    For those unable to attend meetings, a scoping document will be 
available through the park. The main topics addressed in the scoping 
document and meetings are: background information on the fire 
management program; a review of relevant policy and law affecting the 
fire management program; an assessment of current fire management 
needs; and the identification of issues and alternatives related to the 
fire management in the parks.
    Interested individuals, organizations, and agencies are invited to 
provide comments or suggestions. Written comments regarding the fire 
management program must be postmarked no later than June 7, 1999. For 
additional information on the scoping meetings, or to request a copy of 
the scoping background material and provide comments, please contact: 
Superintendent, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks; Attn: Fire 
Management Plan; Three Rivers, California 93271 (telephone (559) 565-
3164 or email [email protected].).
    The official responsible for approval is the Regional Director, 
Pacific West Region, National Park Service. The official responsible 
for implementation is Michael J. Tollefson, Superintendent, Sequoia and 
Kings Canyon National Parks. The draft fire management plan and 
environmental document are expected to be available for public review 
in January, 2000. At this time it is anticipated that the final plan 
and environmental document are to be completed in June, 2000.

    Dated: February 16, 1999.
John J. Reynolds,
Regional Director, Pacific West.
[FR Doc. 99-4484 Filed 2-23-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P