[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 141 (Wednesday, July 23, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 43544]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-18702]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Record of Decision on the Final Environmental Impact Statement, 
Personal Watercraft Rule-Making, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, 
Arizona and Utah

AGENCY: National Park Service (NPS), Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability of the Record of Decision on the Final 
Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), Personal Watercraft (PWC) Rule-
Making, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.

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SUMMARY: On June 27, 2003, the Director, Intermountain Region, National 
Park Service, approved the Record of Decision on the Final 
Environmental Impact Statement, Personal Watercraft Rule-making for 
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. As soon as practical the NPS will 
begin to implement the modified preferred alternative (Alternative B) 
contained in the FEIS issued May 23, 2003. Alternative B will allow PWC 
use in the recreation area under a special regulation with additional 
management restrictions. The following course of action will occur 
under the modified preferred alternative: PWC use will be prohibited in 
portions of the Colorado, Escalante, Dirty Devil, and San Juan Rivers 
to increase protection of environmental values and reduce visitor 
conflict; speed restrictions will be imposed on PWC on the Escalante 
River between Cow Canyon and the confluence of Coyote Creek to further 
reduce visitor conflict and improve visitor experience; after December 
31, 2012, no one may operate a personal watercraft that does not meet 
the 2006 emission standards set by the EPA for the manufacturing of 
gasoline marine engines; educational programs and materials will be 
enhanced to provide more information to visitors on personal watercraft 
use and safety as well as recreation area resources; development of a 
monitoring program to evaluate the effects of PWC use on recreation 
area resources; and a comprehensive lake management plan will be 
developed that will consider the management of all lake uses. This 
alternative was identified as the environmentally preferred alternative 
in the FEIS. It was also determined to best accomplish the statutory 
mission of the NPS to provide long-term protection to the NPS units' 
resource and significance, while allowing for a spectrum of 
recreational uses. It was determined that implementation of the 
modified preferred alternative will not constitute an impairment of 
park resources and values. This course of action and two other 
alternatives were analyzed in the Draft and Final Environmental Impact 
Statements. The full range of foreseeable environmental consequences 
was assessed, and appropriate mitigating measures identified.
    The full Record of Decision includes a statement of the decision 
made; synopsis of the alternatives considered, a description of the 
environmentally preferable alternative; the decision rationale used in 
selecting the alternative; a finding of no impairment of park resources 
and values; a description of mitigation measures and monitoring plans 
that will be implemented for the selected alternative; a statement that 
addresses how all practical means to avoid or minimize environmental 
harm from the selected alternative have been adopted; and a description 
of public involvement in the decision-making process.

Basis for the Decision

    In reaching its decision to select the modified preferred 
alternative, the NPS considered the purposes for which Glen Canyon 
National Recreation Area was established, and other laws and policies 
that apply to federal lands, including the Organic Act, National 
Environmental Policy Act, and the NPS Management Policies 2001. The NPS 
also carefully considered public and agency comments received during 
the planning process.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Wright, Glen Canyon National 
Recreation Area, (928) 608-6339.

    Dated: June 27, 2003.
Michael D. Snyder,
Deputy Director, Intermountain Region, National Park Service.
[FR Doc. 03-18702 Filed 7-22-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P