[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 11 (Thursday, January 16, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2355-2356]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-1002]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Mountain Lake Fisheries Management Plan North Cascades National 
Park Service Complex Whatcom, Skagit and Chelan Counties, WA; Notice of 
Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement

SUMMARY: In accord with Sec.  102(copyright) of the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C.4321, et seq.), the National 
Park Service is undertaking a conservation planning and environmental 
impact analysis process for mountain lake fisheries management in North 
Cascades National Park Service Complex, Washington. An Environmental 
Impact Statement will be prepared to provide a framework for a 
comprehensive Mountain Lake Fisheries Management Plan (MLFMP). The 
MLFMP will govern all future fisheries management actions, including 
stocking, for all natural lakes in North Cascades National Park, Lake 
Chelan National Recreation Area, and Ross Lake National Recreation 
Area.
    Background: The National Park Service (NPS) manages North Cascades 
National Park, Lake Chelan National Recreation Area, and Ross Lake 
National Recreation Area collectively as the North Cascades National 
Park Service Complex (North Cascades). The rugged North Cascades 
landscape contains 240 natural mountain lakes, most of which were 
naturally fishless due to impassable topographic barriers. Far from 
barren, these lakes contained a rich array of native aquatic life 
including plankton, aquatic insects, frogs and salamanders.
    Settlers began stocking Cascade lakes in the late 1800's with 
various species of exotic trout. By the 20th century, stocking was a 
routine management practice for the U.S. Forest Service and various 
counties. Upon its inception in 1933, the Washington Department of Game 
(WDG; now ``WDFW'') assumed responsibility for stocking mountain lakes 
throughout the state to create and maintain a recreational fishery. The 
State=s involvement grew largely out of the need to prevent haphazard 
stocking by individuals without biological expertise. With particular 
emphasis on systematic assessment of fish species and stocking rates, 
the WDG conducted the first high lakes fisheries research and developed 
many principles central to fisheries management today.
    After North Cascades was established in 1968, a conflict over fish 
stocking gradually emerged between the NPS and WDFW. The conflict was 
driven by fundamental policy differences: NPS policies prohibited 
stocking to protect native ecosystems; WDFW policies encouraged 
stocking to enhance recreation. To reconcile the conflict and foster 
cooperative management, the NPS and WDFW entered into a Fisheries 
Management Agreement in 1988 with the purpose of Aestablishing a 
mutually agreed to list of lakes within the boundaries of North 
Cascades National Park which the department [would] stock with fish as 
part of its fish management program.'' The agreement defined 40 
specific lakes for stocking and specified that Aresearch results 
[would] be considered in future decisions'.
    Shortly thereafter, the NPS initiated a long-term research effort 
through Oregon State University to evaluate the effects of fish 
stocking on native biota in mountain lakes. An independent peer review 
panel of subject matter experts was established to evaluate research 
results and to ensure objectivity and scientific merit. The final phase 
of this research effort was completed in July, 2002. With respect to 
the subject proposal, key conclusions include: (1) Lakes with 
reproducing trout populations had significantly fewer salamanders and 
zooplankton than fishless lakes; (2) There was no significant 
difference in salamander or zooplankton abundance between fishless 
lakes and lakes with non reproducing (i.e. stocked) fish; (3) Native 
biota (e.g. salamanders, zooplankton) appeared to be at greatest risk 
in lakes with (a) relatively high nitrogen concentrations, (b) 
relatively warm water and 8 reproducing trout populations (indicative 
of relatively high fish densities). These criteria were found in six of 
the 83 lakes studied. A complete account of the research and results 
can be viewed on the EIS Web site www.nps.gov/noca/highlakes.htm.
    Preliminary Information: As noted, the purpose of the EIS effort is 
to develop a new management plan for natural mountain lakes that 
conserves native biological integrity and provides a spectrum of 
recreational opportunities and visitor experiences, including sport

[[Page 2356]]

fishing. The EIS[bs]MLFMP is needed because current 
management strategies and biological conditions are inconsistent with 
NPS policies. The EIS[bs]MLFMP will also fulfill the 
adaptive management intent of the 1988 Fisheries Management Agreement, 
which committed that results of ecological research would be used to 
guide future management decisions.
    Issues identified to date, which should be addressed, in preparing 
the EIS[bs]MLFMP include:
    Predation. Exotic trout have measurably changed the composition and 
abundance of native aquatic organisms through predation in some lakes.
    Low quality-fishing experience. Lakes with reproducing populations 
are often overpopulated with small fish.
    Hybridization. In certain lakes exotic trout are escaping 
downstream and interbreeding with native trout. This could potentially 
harm bull trout (federally threatened).
    Trampling. Shorelines around lakes are sensitive to trampling, and 
anglers have been documented to cause up to three times more impacts to 
vegetation.
    Restoration effects. Removing introduced fish using nets, 
chemicals, or predator controls could impact the environment and the 
visitor experience.
    Impacts to Users. A major reduction in fish stocking could have a 
negative effect on many anglers; many wilderness advocates strongly 
oppose stocking in wilderness areas.
    Unsanctioned Stocking. In the absence of biologically based 
stocking, unsanctioned stocking could again become a problem.
    The preliminary options identified, so far, which should be 
considered in developing a reasonable range of alternatives to be 
addressed in the EIS[bs]MLFMP include:
    [sbull] No Action (continue existing management);
    [sbull] Modify stocking cycles by applying the latest research 
results;
    [sbull] Restore lakes using physical or chemical methods to 
eliminate fish;
    [sbull] Regulate stocking methods (e.g. volunteer stocking, aerial 
stocking, stock sterile fish);
    [sbull] Establish certain lakes where recreational fishing would be 
promoted over other uses;
    [sbull] Allow lakes to become fishless on a cyclical basis to 
recover native biota.
    Scoping and Comment Process: As a key step in this conservation 
planning and environmental impact analysis process, the NPS is seeking 
public comments and information to guide the initial preparation of the 
EIS[bs]MLFMP. The objectives of this effort include: 
participation from individuals, federal, tribal, state, and local 
governments, and other interested groups or organizations; develop a 
reasonable range of management alternatives; identify environmental and 
socioeconomic issues which warrant detailed environmental impact 
analysis; and eliminate any issues or topics that do not require 
detailed analysis. All written comments must be postmarked or 
transmitted no later than March 1, 2003. Responses should be submitted 
to North Cascades National Park Service Complex, ATTN: Mountain Lake 
EIS, 810 State Route 20, Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284 (and copies may also 
be sent via e-mail to [email protected]; please include 
``Fisheries EIS'' in the subject header). Current information will be 
maintained on the park's EIS Web site: http://www.nps.gov/noca/highlakes.htm. In addition, several public scoping meetings are 
anticipated to be held early in 2003. These meetings will be announced 
widely in local and regional news media, via direct park mailings, and 
posted on the park's website.
    All interested parties are encouraged to submit written comments, 
all of which will become part of the public record. If respondents 
request that their name and/or address be withheld from public 
disclosure, the request 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: the 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 draft EIS is expected to be available for public 
review in summer 2003; the final EIS is anticipated to be issued in 
winter 2004. Formal announcements of availability will be published in 
the Federal Register, along via local and regional news media. The 
responsibility for approving the EIS has been delegated to the National 
Park Service, and the official responsible for the final decision is 
the Regional Director, Pacific West Region. Subsequently, the official 
responsible for implementing the MLFMP is the Superintendent, North 
Cascades National Park Service Complex.

    Dated: November 1, 2002.
James R. Shevock,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 03-1002 Filed 1-15-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P