[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] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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