[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 229 (Wednesday, November 29, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69141-69142]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-20239]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Final Environmental Impact Statement; Non-Native Deer 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 (P.L.91-190, as amended) and the implementing 
regulations promulgated by the Council on Environmental Quality (40 CFR 
Part 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 Non-Native Deer Management Plan for Pt. 
Reyes National Seashore. The formal no-action period was officially 
initiated August 18, 2006, with the U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency's Federal Register notification of the filing of the Final 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

[[Page 69142]]

    Decision: As soon as practicable the Seashore will begin to 
implement as its new Non-Native Deer Management Plan the Preferred 
Alternative (Alternative E) contained in the Draft and Final EIS. The 
selected plan features a deliberate, long-term strategy targeting 
eradication of all fallow and axis deer from the Seashore by 2021. A 
combined program of fertility control (using long-lasting 
contraceptives) and lethal removal will be instituted, as well as an 
intensive monitoring program extending for at least 15 years.
    As documented in the Final EIS, this course of action was deemed to 
be ``environmentally preferred''. The preferred plan and four 
alternatives were identified and analyzed in the Final EIS, and 
previously in the Draft EIS (the latter was distributed in February, 
2005). 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, numerous public meetings were hosted. 
Approximately 2000 oral and written comments were received during the 
scoping phase or in response to the Draft EIS. Key consultations or 
other contacts which aided in preparing the Draft and Final EIS 
involved (but were not limited to) the California Department of Fish 
and Game, California State Parks, Marin County Parks and Open Space, 
Marin Municipal Water District, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Animal Plant 
Health Inspection Service, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 
Local communities, county and city officials, and interested 
organizations were contacted extensively during initial scoping and 
throughout the conservation planning and environmental impact analysis 
process.
    Copies: Interested parties desiring to review the Record of 
Decision may obtain a complete copy by contacting the Superintendent, 
Pt. Reyes National Seashore, Point Reyes, CA 94956; or via telephone 
request at (415) 464-5100.

    Dated: October 17, 2006.
Jonathan B. Jarvis,
Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. E6-20239 Filed 11-28-06; 8:45 am]
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