[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 23 (Thursday, February 3, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5366-5367]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-2300]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Scoping for Fire Management Plan, Point Reyes National 
Seashore, Marin County, CA

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 Point 
Reyes National Seashore, including Golden Gate National Recreation Area 
lands administered by Point Reyes National Seashore. 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

    Point Reyes National Seashore is a unit of the National Park 
System. Research has shown that fire is a significant natural process 
across a large portion of the 85,000 acres administered by the park. A 
fire management program was begun in 1976 and has continued to the 
present time. Three forms of wildland fire management--aggressive 
suppression of unwanted wildfires, prescribed burning, and mechanical 
fuel reduction--have been used to achieve natural and cultural resource 
management, hazard fuel reduction, and fire prevention goals.
    The last revision of the fire management plan culminated in a 
Finding Of No Significant Impact, dated August 2, 1993. 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.

Comments

    As noted, the National Park Service will undertake an environmental 
analysis effort to address issues and alternatives for fire management 
on lands administered by Point Reyes National Seashore. 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 variety of public scoping and information 
activities will be conducted. An initial public meeting will be held 
under the auspices of the Point Reyes Citizen Advisory Commission, 
January 29, 2000, 10 a.m., at the Dance Palace in Point Reyes Station. 
A second public meeting will be held at park headquarters on March 9, 
2000, 7 p.m.
    For those unable to attend meetings, a scoping document will be 
available through the park. Main topics addressed in the scoping 
document and meetings are: Background information on the fire 
management program; review of relevant policy and law affecting fire 
management programs; assessment of current fire management needs; and 
identification of issues and options for fire management in the parks.
    Interested individuals, organizations, and agencies are encouraged 
to provide comments or suggestions. Written comments regarding the fire 
management program must be

[[Page 5367]]

postmarked (or transmitted) no later than March 28, 2000. For the most 
up-to-date information on the scoping meetings, or to request a copy of 
the scoping background material and provide comments, please contact: 
Superintendent, Point Reyes National Seashore; Attn: Fire Management 
Plan; Point Reyes Station, California 94965; telephone (415) 663-8522 
ext. 265 (or email [email protected].).
    If individuals submitting comments request that their name or/and 
address be withheld from public disclosure, it will be honored to the 
extent allowable by law. Such requests must be stated prominently in 
the beginning of the comments. There also may be circumstances wherein 
the NPS will withhold a respondents identity as allowable by law. As 
always: NPS will make available to public inspection all submissions 
from organizations or businesses and from persons identifying 
themselves as representatives or officials of organizations and 
businesses; and, anonymous comments may not be considered.

Decision

    The official responsible for approval is the Regional Director, 
Pacific West Region, National Park Service; the official responsible 
for implementation will be the Superintendent, Point Reyes National 
Seashore. The draft fire management plan and environmental document are 
expected to be available for public review in the summer of 2000. At 
this time it is anticipated that the final plan and environmental 
document are to be completed in Fall/Winter 2000/2001.

    Dated: January 21, 2000.
John J. Reynolds,
Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 00-2300 Filed 2-2-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P