[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 176 (Monday, September 13, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49501-49502]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-23763]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Final Environmental Impact Statement for General Management Plan; 
Whiskeytown Unit, Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area; 
Notice of Availability

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 final 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.

PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES: The final General Management Plan and 
Environmental Impact Statement presents a proposal and three 
alternatives for the management, use, and development of Whiskeytown 
Unit. The proposed general management plan includes provisions for 
preserving significant natural and cultural resources and for restoring 
the backcountry to more natural conditions through watershed 
restoration activities. The 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 and enforcement of existing noise standards is increased.
    Alternative A: No Action, would continue the current situation at 
Whiskeytown. Management focus would remain on the lake and natural

[[Page 49502]]

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.

Background

    The Draft EIS/GMP was released for a 75-day public review ending 
November 30, 1998. Altogether nine public meetings were held in local 
communities. Both the Draft and Final documents evaluate the same 
Proposed Action and Alternatives. The environmental consequences of the 
alternatives are fully documented in the Final EIS. No significant 
adverse impacts are foreseen from the three Action Alternatives, 
because the plans include provisions to avoid or mitigate potentially 
significant impacts. However, the No-Action Alternative would result in 
significant long-term impacts to natural and cultural resources due to 
insufficient management and protection.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Written comments or questions regarding the 
final general management plan and environmental impact statement should 
be directed to the Superintendent, Whiskeytown NRA, PO Box 188, 
Whiskeytown, California 96095. Copies may be requested by contacting 
the Superintendent at (530) 241-6584. The no-action period for the 
FEIS/GMP will extend for thirty days after the Environmental Protection 
Agency's notification of the filing of the document is published in the 
Federal Register. Subsequently, the National Park Service will publish 
a notice of the Record of Decision in the Federal Register. The 
official responsible for the decision is the Regional Director, Pacific 
West Region; the official responsible for implementation is the 
Superintendent, Whiskeytown Unit.

    Dated: September 1, 1999.
John J. Reynolds,
Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 99-23763 Filed 9-10-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P