[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 223 (Tuesday, November 19, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 69760]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-29341]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Final Environmental Impact Statement[bs]General 
Management Plan Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Los 
Angeles and Ventura Counties, CA; Notice of Availability

SUMMARY: Pursuant to Sec.  102(2)(c) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 (Pub. L. 91-190, as amended), the National Park 
Service, Department of the Interior, has prepared a final environmental 
impact statement assessing the potential impacts of the proposed 
General Management Plan (GMP) for Santa Monica Mountains National 
Recreation Area. This conservation planning and environmental impact 
analysis effort to date has identified and analyzed five alternatives 
(and appropriate mitigation strategies) for the management and use of 
the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area over the next 15 to 
20 years.
    Proposal and Alternatives: The final environmental impact statement 
(FEIS) includes five alternatives, including the ``no action'' 
(existing conditions) alternative. The No Action Alternative assumes 
that physical facilities would remain largely unchanged and staffing 
and operational funding would remain relatively constant over the next 
15 to 20 years. The Preferred Alternative incorporates the exceptional 
elements of all of the alternatives to provide protection of 
significant natural and cultural resources while promoting compatible 
recreation and educational opportunities. The Preservation Alternative 
emphasizes the preservation of all-natural and cultural systems and 
removing some park-related development. Virtual media and exhibits 
would provide visitors with alternative experiences and information. 
Visitor disturbance would be reduced while visitor appreciation for the 
resource would increase. The Education Alternative would promote strong 
environmental and cultural education programs that reach the public and 
especially the school systems. The Recreation Alternative maximizes 
recreation with any new park development in non-sensitive areas.
    Background: A notice of intent to prepare an EIS was published by 
the National Park Service (NPS) in the Federal Register on August 19, 
1997. During the subsequent scoping phase leading to the development of 
the Draft EIS, Newsletter One was sent out in September 1997 (and 
included a comment form). This newsletter, available in English and 
Spanish, was direct mailed as well as posted on the internet. The NPS, 
California State Parks and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy then 
jointly conducted seven public meetings in Los Angeles and Ventura 
Counties, and one meeting with representatives from at least 60 public 
and municipal entities and the tribes. In December 1997, Newsletter Two 
summarizing those comments was distributed (again with a comment form). 
Newsletter Three was distributed in June 1998, presenting the 
alternatives. Nine public meetings were held to solicit comments, and 
200 comments were received. A notice of availability of the Draft 
EIS[bs]GMP was published in the Federal Register on 
December 14, 2000. The document was available for public review for an 
extended comment period through May 31, 2001. The NPS received 
approximately 600 written responses and many oral comments from the 
five additional public meetings conducted in February 2001 in Los 
Angeles and Ventura County. All of these comments were duly considered 
in preparing the Final EIS[bs]GMP. All comments 
obtained are preserved in the administrative record.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Final EIS[bs]GMP are 
available from the Superintendent, Santa Monica Mountains National 
Recreation Area, 401 West Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks, California 
91360 (telephone is (805) 370-2300). In addition the document is posted 
on the internet at www.nps.gov/samo. Public reading copies will also be 
available at public libraries in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, and 
at the NPS Office of Public Affairs, Department of the Interior, 18th 
and C Streets, NW., Washington, DC 20240; Telephone: (202) 208-6843.
    If individuals responding to this notice request that their name 
and/or 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 such responses. There may also 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 business; and, anonymous comments may not be 
considered.
    Decision: A Record of Decision may be approved by the Regional 
Director, Pacific West Region, no sooner than 30 days after the 
publication by the Environmental Protection Agency of the notice of 
filing of this Final EIS[bs]GMP in the Federal 
Register. As a delegated EIS, the official responsible for the final 
decision is the Regional Director, Pacific West Region; subsequently 
the official responsible for implementation of the GMP is the 
Superintendent, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.

    Dated: October 3, 2002.
Jonathan B. Jarvis,
Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 02-29341 Filed 11-18-02; 8:45 am]
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