[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 222 (Thursday, November 18, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63056-63057]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-30112]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Final Environmental Impact Statement for General Management Plan, 
Redwood National and State Parks, Humboldt and Del Norte Counties, 
California; Notice of Availability

    Summary: Pursuant to section 102(2)(c) of the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Pub. L. 81-190 as amended), the 
National Park Service, Department of the Interior, has prepared a final 
Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) assessing the potential impacts 
of adopting a General Management Plan (GMP) for Redwood National and 
State Parks. These parks comprise a 105,516-acre cooperative federal-
state parklands area that preserves some of the last remaining stands 
of the world's tallest trees along 35 miles of scenic northwestern 
California coastline. The document identifies and evaluates the 
potential environmental consequences of a Proposed Action and three 
Alternatives; appropriate mitigation measures are also identified and 
evaluated. Once approved, the GMP will guide resource management and 
preservation, watershed protection, restoration, and other stewardship 
activities (as well interpretation, site planning and other operations) 
for the next 10-15 years.
    This FEIS/GMP document also incorporates all the elements of an 
Environmental Impact Report/General Plan, which were prepared 
concurrently by the State of California's Department of Parks and 
Recreation. Although this comprehensive document results and benefits 
from a cooperative effort, each agency has slightly different 
requirements for completing the conservation planning and environmental 
impact analysis process.

Proposal and Alternatives

    This document presents and analyzes four alternatives for joint 
management of the commingled Redwood National and State Parks. The 
concept under Alternative 1 (the proposed action) would be to emphasize 
the protection of the parks' resources and values (including proactive 
restoration where sensitive resources are at risk). A variety of 
opportunities for visitors to be inspired by cultural and natural 
values would be ensured. Under Alternative 2 (no action), existing 
management policies and resources protection, preservation, and 
restoration programs would be continued; some trail development and new 
campgrounds as described in previously approved plans for the area 
would also occur. Under Alternative 3 the agencies would emphasize 
resource restoration, protection, and preservation; the opportunities 
for public use and enjoyment of parklands would be limited to 
experiences consistent with a high degree of resource stewardship. 
Under Alternative 4 priority would be placed on providing a wide 
spectrum of appropriate visitor experiences, consistent with 
overarching stewardship obligations to protect parklands resources and 
values.
    The degree of foreseeable impact varies according to each 
Alternative, and includes: major beneficial effects from watershed and 
estuary restoration; some short-term adverse effects from proposed 
facility development and visitor use activities; and substantial 
economic benefits from park visitation, operations, and construction in 
the Humboldt-Del Norte area. Both the Draft and Final documents 
evaluate the same Proposed Action and Alternatives. The environmental 
consequences of the Alternatives are fully documented in the FEIS. No 
significant adverse impacts are foreseen from the three action 
Alternatives, because each includes provisions to avoid or mitigate 
potentially significant impacts. However, the No-Action Alternative 
could result in significant long-term impacts to natural and cultural 
resources due to management and protection activities insufficient to 
keep pace with conditions and trends foreseen. Estimated costs to 
implement the Alternatives are presented and compared in the 
appendices.

Public Review

    Public collaboration with various local and regional organizations 
and individuals was formally initiated with a Notice of intent 
published in the Federal Register on May 24, 1996. Public scoping 
meetings were held in Brookings, Oregon and Eureka, Orick, Klamath, and 
Crescent City, California during June, 1996. During this period a 
number of focus group meetings and workshops were held. Consultations 
were undertaken with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National 
Marine Fisheries Service, and the California State Historic 
Preservation Office. The Yurok Tribal Heritage Preservation Officer 
participated as an active consultant in the overall conservation 
planning and environmental analysis process (following a one-day 
scoping workshop undertaken with eight American Indian Tribes, 
Rancherias, and Nations). The Draft EIS/GMP was formally released July 
9, 1998 for a 60 day public review (which was extended for 30 days 
through November 8, 1998). During the draft review period, four public 
meetings and numerous workshops and informal meetings were conducted in 
local communities. Approximately 600 written comments and preprinted 
signed forms were received.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: For more information or to obtain a copy of 
the document, contact the Superintendents, Redwood National and State 
Parks, 1111 Second Street, Crescent City, CA 95531; or telephone 1-800-
423-6101 or voice/TDD 707-464-6101; or via e-mail at 
[email protected]. The document will also be available at 
area libraries. the no-action period for the FEIS/GMP will extend for 
thirty (30) 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 prepare a Record 
of Decision, which will also be duly noticed in the Federal Register. 
The official responsible for the NPS decision is the Regional Director, 
Pacific West Region; the responsibility for the State decision is 
vested with the California State Park and Recreation Commission in 
concert with the Depart of Parks and Recreation. The officials 
responsible for implementation are the Superintendents, Redwood 
National and State Parks.


[[Page 63057]]


    Dated: November 9, 1999.
John J. Reynolds,
Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 99-30112 Filed 11-17-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-M