[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 248 (Tuesday, December 28, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 77773]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-28293]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Final Environmental Impact Statement/Fire Management Plan Point 
Reyes National Seashore Marin County, CA; Notice of Approval of Record 
of Decision

SUMMARY: Pursuant to Sec.  102(2)(C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 (Public Law 91-190, as amended) and the implementing 
regulations promulgated by the Council on Environmental Quality (40 CFR 
1505.2), the Department of the Interior, National Park Service has 
prepared, and the Regional Director, Pacific West Region has approved, 
the Record of Decision for the updated Fire Management Plan for Point 
Reyes National Seashore. The formal no-action period was officially 
initiated September 10, 2004, with the U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency's Federal Register notification of the filing of the Final 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
    Decision: As soon as practicable the park will begin to implement 
as its updated Fire Management Plan the ``Increase Natural Resource 
Enhancement and Expand Hazardous Fuel Reduction'' alternative contained 
in the Draft and Final EIS (also described and analyzed as the 
Alternative C). The selected plan features a long-term, coordinated 
strategy to restore native plant cover, reduce infestations of invasive 
non-native plants, increase abundance of federally listed species, and 
protect or enhance cultural resources and historic scenes. Use of 
prescribed fire or mechanical treatments on up to 3,500 acres could be 
undertaken, so as to protect high priority areas having hazardous fuels 
(any actions deemed essential to occur within Wilderness would be 
executed only after first determining the ``minimum tool'' appropriate 
to accomplish the necessary work). As documented through the EIS 
process, this plan was also deemed to be the ``environmentally 
preferred'' alternative.
    This course of action and two alternatives were identified and 
analyzed in the Final EIS, and previously in the Draft EIS (the latter 
was distributed in spring, 2004). The full spectrum of foreseeable 
environmental consequences was assessed, and appropriate mitigation 
measures identified, for each alternative. Beginning with early 
scoping, through the preparation of the Draft and Final EIS, several 
public meetings and numerous interagency reviews were conducted, and 
newsletter updates were regularly provided (only seven written comments 
responding to the Draft EIS were received, with minor points raised). 
Key consultations which aided in preparing the Draft and Final EIS 
involved (but were not limited to) the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
National Marine Fisheries Service, California Department of Fish and 
Game, State Historic Preservation Office, native American Tribes, 
regional air quality management districts, and adjoining land managing 
agencies. Local communities, county and city officials, and interested 
organizations were contacted extensively during initial scoping and 
throughout the fire planning process.
    Copies: Interested parties desiring to review the Record of 
Decision may obtain a complete copy by contacting the Superintendent, 
Point Reyes National Seashore, Point Reyes, CA 94956; or via telephone 
request at (415) 464-5100.

    Dated: October 29, 2004.
Jonathan B. Jarvis,
Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 04-28293 Filed 12-27-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-FW-P