[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 56 (Thursday, March 23, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14717-14718]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-2761]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Colorado River Management Plan, Final Environmental Impact 
Statement, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ

AGENCY: National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability of a Record of Decision on the Final 
Environmental Impact Statement for the Colorado River Management Plan, 
Grand Canyon National Park.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to subsection 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969, codified as amended

[[Page 14718]]

at 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Service (NPS) announces the 
availability of the Record of Decision for the Colorado River 
Management Plan, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. On February 17, 
2006, the Director, Intermountain Region approved the Record of 
Decision for the project. As soon as practicable, the NPS will begin to 
implement the two Preferred Alternatives contained in the Final 
Environmental Impact Statement issued on November 10, 2005. For the 
Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek section of the Colorado River, the NPS has 
selected the preferred alternative, modified Alternative H, which will 
allow 5.5 months mixed motor/nonmotor use and 6.5 months nonmotorized 
use; reduce the maximum group size for commercial groups; establish use 
patterns based on daily, weekly and seasonal launch limits; and 
increase noncommercial use primarily in the shoulder and winter months. 
This alternative will allow for a moderate increase in estimated yearly 
passenger totals and allow passenger exchanges at Whitmore to 
accommodate commercial trips launching during the mixed-use seasons. 
Noncommercial permits will be awarded through a ``hybrid'' weighted 
lottery system for applicants applying for Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek 
river trips after boaters transition from the waitlist. This course of 
action and 7 other alternatives were analyzed in the Draft and Final 
Environmental Impact Statements for the Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek 
section of the Colorado River. The full range of foreseeable 
environmental consequences was assessed, and appropriate mitigating 
measures were identified.
    For the Lower Gorge of the Colorado River, the NPS has selected 
modified Alternative 4, which reflects an agreement reached between 
Grand Canyon National Park and the Hualapai Tribe, achieved through 
extensive consultation, on most issues relating to the elements of use, 
specifically for trips launching at or continuing past Diamond Creek. 
This alternative will allow overall HRR operations to increase, while 
reducing group size, limiting day trips in the non-peak season, and 
limiting overnight trips throughout the year. However, agreement could 
not be reached after extensive consultation and incorporation of 
Hualapai tribal concerns, on the level of pontoon boat operations and 
upstream travel from Lake Mead. This selected modified Alternative 4, 
incorporates the NPS's preference for lower levels of pontoon boat use 
in the Quartermaster area compared to levels proposed by the Hualapai 
Tribe. Pontoon operations, under this alternative, will continue to be 
allowed, with five boats operating at one time in the Quartermaster 
area and with a maximum daily capacity of 480 passengers, which could 
increase to 600 passengers per day based on favorable performance 
reviews of concession operations and resource monitoring data. Upriver, 
motorized trip takeouts will be allowed with a maximum of four trips 
per day during the peak season and one per day during the non-peak 
season; however, no jetboat tours will be allowed to operate. This 
course of action and 4 other alternatives were analyzed in the Draft 
and Final Environmental Impact Statements for the Lower Gorge of the 
Colorado River. The full range of foreseeable environmental 
consequences was assessed, and appropriate mitigating measures were 
identified.
    The Record of Decision includes a statement of the decision made, 
synopses of other alternatives considered, the basis for the decision, 
a description of the environmentally preferable alternatives, a finding 
on impairment of park resources and values, a listing of measures to 
minimize environmental harm, an overview of public involvement in the 
decision-making process, and a Statement of Findings.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Killeen, Chief of Planning and 
Compliance Office, Grand Canyon National Park, 928-638-7885.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Copies of the Record of Decision may be 
obtained from the contact listed above or online at http://www.nps.gov/grca/crmp.

    Dated: February 17, 2006.
Steve Martin,
Deputy Director, National Park Service.
[FR Doc. 06-2761 Filed 3-22-06; 8:45 am]
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