[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 198 (Thursday, October 12, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60677-60678]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-26143]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Anacapa Island Restoration Plan, Final Environmental Impact 
Statement, Channel Islands National Park, Ventura County, CA; 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 eradicating 
the Black rat on Anacapa Island. This FEIS analyzes the effects of 
implementing proposed actions that accomplish the following objectives: 
(1) Eradicating introduced Black rats on Anacapa Island; (2) adopting 
an emergency response plan for accidental introductions of rodents on 
Anacapa, Santa Barbara, Prince, and Sutil Islands; and (3) 
incorporating a prevention strategy to reduce the potential for rodents 
to be accidentally introduced to Park islands. The proposed action was

[[Page 60678]]

developed in concert with the Island Conservation and Ecology Group and 
is based on worldwide evaluation of other island rat eradication 
projects. Actions to manage existing and potential Black rat 
infestations are necessary because of the ecological damage occurring 
on Anacapa Island, and the potential negative impact they would have if 
introduced to other Park islands.

Proposal

    The technique proposed for eradicating rats on Anacapa Island is 
modeled after other island rat 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. The proposed target date for the application is fall-
winter 2000-2001. This period offers the optimum time to apply the bait 
for three reasons: the Endangered brown pelicans are not breeding on 
the island; rats are in decline due to lack of available food sources, 
which prompts them to eat bait more readily; and the onset of the rainy 
season would expedite the degradation of any residual bait not consumed 
by the target species. The chronology of eradication would begin with 
baiting in representative habitat within the project area during the 
2000 treatment window. Representative habitat may include all of East 
Islet or smaller area on Middle Islet that allows for easy and 
unobtrusive access. The objective of the initial eradication treatment 
is to conduct both effectiveness and validation monitoring of the 
project's objective and the alternative's proposed activities including 
mandated mitigation. This effort would be followed up with the 
completion of the island-wide eradication activities starting with East 
Islet. East Islet baiting would occur during the 2000 treatment window 
and would be treated along with approximately 20 ha of Middle Islet to 
lower the probability of invasion by rats from Middle Islet to East 
Islet. The 20 ha section of Middle Islet may be treated intermittently 
to prevent re-invasion of East Islet. Middle Islet (including the 
section treated with East Islet) and West Islet would be treated during 
the 2001 application window following East Islet application.

Alternatives

    In addition to the six alternatives analyzed in detail in the FEIS, 
many other alternatives were considered, but were eliminated from 
further study because they could not meet the objective of total 
eradication.
    The alternatives considered in the FEIS are as follows: Alternative 
One (No Action) would continue with limited control of rats around 
buildings and structures; Alternative Two (proposal) would use an 
aerial broadcast technique and use a rodent bait containing 
brodifacoum; 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; and Alternative Six would 
aerial broadcast a rodent bait containing diphacinone followed by a 
rodent bait containing brodifacoum.
    Mitigation measures specific to implementing each alternative were 
identified. In addition, each alternative addresses the need to: (1) 
Conduct effectiveness and validation monitoring; (2) implement a non-
native rodent introduction and prevention plan; (3) protect the native 
deer mouse population; (4) implement the rat detection response plan; 
(5) require visitor use restrictions for a short period during and 
after bait application; (6) restrict baiting to specified treatment 
windows; (7) obtain Federal EPA approval for use of rodenticide bait 
(and otherwise comply with NPS integrated pest management policies); 
and (8) conduct public awareness program on the impacts of introduced 
species.

Public Involvement

    Since 1996 conservation biologists, educators, agency officials, 
and interested individuals and organizations have deliberated on the 
Anacapa Island rat infestation. The Park formally initiated scoping 
activities in November, 1999, including public meeting held December 8, 
1999. Through the scoping and public involvement process the following 
significant environmental issues were identified: (1) Target species 
efficacy; (2) Non-target species impacts; and (3) Visitation and 
visitor use. Development of alternatives was strongly influenced by 
these environmental issues. In developing a complete range of 
alternatives, the Park consulted many experts in the field of 
vertebrate biology, toxicology, and avian biology. The DEIS was 
distributed during June, 2000. The formal comment period ended 
September 5, 2000; nine written responses were received.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FEIS is available at Park headquarters, 
on the Park's website (http:www.nps.gov/chis/naturalresources/AIRP.html), and at Fosters Library, Ventura, California. Copies of the 
FEIS may also be obtained by contacting the Superintendent, Channel 
Islands National Park, 1901 Spinnaker Dr, Ventura, California 93001 (or 
via telephone at (805) 658-5700).
    If individuals submitting comments at this time 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

    No sooner than 30 (thirty) days after release of this FEIS a Record 
of Decision (ROD) will be executed. Notice of approval will be given 
via local and regional media, and will be duly noted in the Federal 
Register (actions to implement any elements of this plan may not occur 
until after the latter Notice). The official responsible for approval 
is the Regional Director, Pacific West Region; the official responsible 
for implementation is the Superintendent, Channel Islands National 
Park.

    Dated: October 4, 2000.
Patricia L. Neubacher,
Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 00-26143 Filed 10-11-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P