[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 136 (Friday, July 14, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 43782]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-17429]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Anacapa Island 
Restoration Plan Channel Islands National Park, Ventura County, 
California; Notice of Availability

SUMMARY: Pursuant to Sec. 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 draft environmental 
impact statement (DEIS) assessing the potential impacts of eradicating 
the Black rat on Anacapa Island. This DEIS identifies and analyzes the 
effects of a proposed action and five alternatives for accomplishing 
the following objectives: (1) Eradication of the introduced Black rat 
on Anacapa Island; (2) emergency response for accidental introductions 
of rodents on Anacapa, Santa Barbara, Prince, and Sutil Islands; and 
(3) prevention strategies to reduce the potential for rodents to be 
accidentally introduced to Park islands. The proposed action was 
developed in concert with the Island Conservation and Ecology Group and 
is based on other successful island rat eradication efforts worldwide. 
Actions to manage existing and potential Black rat infestations is 
necessary because of the ecological impacts that it is having on 
Anacapa Island, and the potential negative impact they would have if 
introduced to other Park islands.
    Proposal: The actions proposed for eradicating rats on Anacapa 
Island-identified in the DEIS as Alternative Two-are modeled after 
other island rate eradication projects that have successfully been 
completed worldwide. Due to the steep cliffs of the island, an aerial 
broadcast is necessary to deliver rodenticide to every rat's territory, 
a condition that has to be met to accomplish eradication. This 
broadcast effort would use a rodent bait containing brodifacoum. The 
proposed target date is the late fall period; which is the optimum 
period to apply the bait for three reasons: (1) the Endangered brown 
pelicans are not breeding on the island; (2) rats are in decline due to 
lack of available food sources, which would cause them to eat the bait 
more readily; and (3) onset of the rainy season would expedite the 
degradation of any residual bait not consumed by the target species. 
East islet would be treated in November/December of Year 1, and Middle 
islet would be treated in November/December in Year 2. Approximately 
20ha of Middle Island would be treated in Year 1 and may be treated 
intermittently throughout Year 2 to prevent rats from re-invading East 
Island from Middle Island. The population size of the rats on Anacapa 
fluctuates between about 750-2000 total, depending on local conditions.
    Alternatives: After identifying the significant environmental 
issues associated with the proposed action, the Park began developing 
alternatives to the proposed action. Modifying the eradication 
strategies to address the environmental issue concerns was the basis 
the Park used to develop five alternatives, as follows: Alternative One 
(no-action) would maintain existing management. Alternative Three would 
utilize bait stations for the top of islands and aerial broadcast the 
cliffsides and use the rodent bait containing brodifacoum. Alternative 
Four would use an aerial broadcast of a rodent bait containing 
bromadiolone. Alternative Five would use bait stations for the top of 
islands and aerial broadcast the cliffsides with the rodent bait 
bromadiolone. Alternative Six would aerial broadcast a rodent bait 
containing diphacinone followed by a rodent bait containing 
brodifacoum. Mitigation measures for implementing each alternative are 
identified, and elements common to all action alternatives include: (1) 
Implementation of a Non-native Rodent Introduction Prevention Plan; (2) 
Protection of Native Anacapa Deer Mouse Population; and (3) 
Implementation of the Rate Detection Response Plan.
    Comments and Supplementary Information: The DEIS is now available 
for public review. Interested persons and organizations wishing to 
express any concerns or provide relevant information are encouraged to 
contact the Superintendent, Channel Islands National Park, 1901 
Spinnaker Dr. Ventura, California, 93001, or via telephone at (805) 
658-5700. The document may be obtained from the park, and is also 
available at the Ventura local library and on the Park's website 
(http:www.nps.gov/chis/naturalresources/AIRP.html).
    All written comments must be postmarked not later than 60 days from 
the date of the Environmental Protection Agency's notice of DEIS filing 
in the Federal Register (anticipated to be approximately September 12, 
2000). 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 respondent's 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: After the formal DEIS review period has concluded, all 
comments and suggestions received will be considered in preparing a 
final EIS. Currently the final EIS is anticipated to be completed 
during fall, 2000; its availability will be similarly announced in the 
Federal Register. Subsequently a Record of Decision would be executed 
no sooner than 30 (thirty) days after release of the final EIS. The 
official responsible for the final decision is the Regional Director, 
Pacific West Region; the official responsible for implementation is the 
Superintendent; Channel Islands National Park.

    Dated: June 29, 2000.
Patricia L. Neubacher,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 00-17429 Filed 7-13-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-M