[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 65 (Thursday, April 4, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16115-16116]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-8126]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Adoption and Notice of Availability of a Final Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) on the Anacapa Island Restoration Project

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service is adopting the National Park Service (NPS) Final Environmental 
Impact Statement (FEIS) on the Anacapa Island Restoration Project in 
support of a special purpose migratory bird permit application 
submitted by NPS. Copies of the adopted FEIS are available from the 
National Park Service (http://www.nps.gov/chris/naturalresources/AIRP.html) or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (address below). 
Preparation of the Record of Decision will begin no sooner than 30 days 
from this notice.

ADDRESSES: Questions should be addressed to Brad Bortner, Chief, 
Division of Migratory Birds and Habitat Programs, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, 911 NE 11th Avenue, Portland, OR 97232-4181 (503-231-
6164).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Document Availability

    Copies of the final Environmental Impact Statement are available at 
the following government offices and library:
    The FEIS is available at Park Headquarters, Superintendent, Channel 
Islands National Park, 1901 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura, California 93001 
(or via telephone at (805) 658-5700); on the Park's Web site 
(http:www.nps.gov/chris/naturalresources/AIRP.html); and at Fosters 
Library, Ventura, California.

A. Background

    Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the 
National Park Service prepared a Final Environmental Impact Statement 
(FEIS) assessing the benefits to migratory birds and other natural 
resource values and the potential impacts of eradicating the Black rat 
on Anacapa Island. This notice of availability of the FEIS was 
originally published in a Federal Register Notice dated October 12, 
2000. Subsequently, the National Park Service applied for a special 
purpose migratory bird permit (50 CFR 21.27) to take birds during 
eradication of the rats.
    The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) in accordance with 40 
CFR 1506.3 and the Amended Memorandum Opinion (The Fund for Animals v. 
Fran Mainella, USDCDC, Civil Action No. 01-2288 [ESH], dated November 
29, 2001) is adopting and recirculating the FEIS.
    The FEIS presents alternatives and analyzes the anticipated effects 
of implementing proposed actions to 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

[[Page 16116]]

these islands of Channel Islands National Park. The proposed action was 
developed in concert with the Island Conservation and Ecology Group and 
is based on worldwide evaluation of other island rat eradication 
projects. Actions to eradicate existing and prevent potential Black rat 
infestations are necessary because of the ecological damage occurring 
on Anacapa Island, the benefit this action would have for migratory 
birds, and the potential negative impact they would have if introduced 
to other islands in Channel Islands National Park.

    Dated: March 7, 2002.
Rowan W. Gould,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 02-8126 Filed 4-3-02; 8:45 am]
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