[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 49 (Wednesday, March 14, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11901-11902]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-1181]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Assessment of Suitability and Non-Suitability for 
Further Study of Lands Within the Mineral King Addition, the Chimney 
Rock (AKA Jennie Lakes) Addition, and the Dillonwood Addition of 
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks for Consideration as Wilderness 
Areas

SUMMARY: Pursuant to the California Wilderness Act of 1984, and in 
accordance with National Park Service (NPS) Management Policies 2006 
section 6.2.1, the NPS has completed a Wilderness Suitability 
Assessment (assessment) to determine if the Mineral King, Chimney Rock 
(AKA Jennie Lakes), and Dillonwood additions to Sequoia and Kings 
Canyon National Parks meet criteria indicating suitability for 
preservation as wilderness. The assessment divided the Mineral King 
addition into two segments, the ``backcountry'' or undeveloped/unroaded 
segment, and the ``developed'' segment, which includes the Mineral King 
Road and its associated developments. Each of these two segments was 
separated evaluated for wilderness suitability.
    The assessment found that the ``backcountry'' segment of the 
Mineral King Addition, and the Chimney Rock Addition: (1) Are 
predominantly roadless and undeveloped; (2) are greater than 5000 acres 
in size or of sufficient size as to make practicable their preservation 
and use in an unimpaired condition; and (3) meet the five wilderness 
character criteria listed in the 2006 NPS Management Policies.
    The assessment also found that the ``developed'' segment of the 
Mineral King Addition, and the Dillonwood Addition: (1) Are not 
predominantly roadless and undeveloped; (2) are not greater than 5000 
acres in size or of sufficient size as to make practicable their 
preservation and use in an unimpaired condition; and (3) do not meet 
the five wilderness character criteria listed in the 2006 NPS 
Management Policies.
    Based on the findings of this Assessment, the NPS has concluded 
that the ``backcountry'' segment of the Mineral King Addition and the 
Chimney Rock Addition meet the criteria necessary for wilderness 
designation and therefore warrant further study for inclusion in 
wilderness.
    The NPS has also concluded that based on the findings of this 
Assessment, the ``developed'' segment of the Mineral King Addition and 
the Dillonwood Addition do not meet the criteria necessary for 
wilderness designation and therefore do not warrant further study for 
inclusion in wilderness. A transition zone between the Suitable (non-
developed) and Non-Suitable (developed) segments in the Mineral King 
Addition, to allow for existing non-wilderness uses, is appropriate to 
consider in boundary delineation during the wilderness study process.

ADDRESSES: A copy of the Wilderness Suitability Assessment can be 
obtained by writing to: Superintendent, Attention: Wilderness 
Suitability Assessment, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks 47050 
Generals Highway, Three Rivers, CA 93271.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for further information on 
the Wilderness Suitability Assessment should be directed to: Wilderness 
Coordinator, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, 47050 Generals 
Highway, Three Rivers, CA 93271.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: These actions are in accordance with long 
standing policy and law. The Wilderness Act of 1964 and NPS Management 
Policies (2006; Chapter 6, Wilderness Preservation) require that the 
National Park Service review roadless and undeveloped areas, including 
new areas or expanded boundaries within the National Park system to 
determine whether they are suitable or not suitable for preserving as 
wilderness.
    The assessment standards outlined in the 2006 NPS Management 
Policies to determine if a roadless, undeveloped area is suitable for 
preservation as wilderness are that it is over 5000 acres in size or of 
sufficient size to make practicable its preservation and use in an 
unimpaired condition, and meets five wilderness character criteria: (1) 
The earth and its community of life are untrammeled by humans, where 
humans are visitors and do not remain; (2) the area is undeveloped and 
retains its primeval character and influence, without permanent 
improvements or human habitation; (3) the area generally appears to 
have been affected primarily by the forces of nature, with the imprint 
of humans' work substantially unnoticeable; (4) the area is protected 
and managed so as to preserve its

[[Page 11902]]

natural condition; and (5) the area offers outstanding opportunities 
for solitude or a primitive and unconfined type of recreation.
    As part of the Wilderness Suitability Assessment, the parks 
solicited public input on the suitability of the subject area for 
designation as Wilderness: a press release was sent out on August 12, 
2002 informing the public of the process with a description of the 
parcels, the criteria that need to be meet to merit inclusion, and an 
intitial September 27, 2002 closing date; in concert with the 
distribution of the press release, some 3,200 copies of the release 
were mailed to interested individuals and groups on the park's General 
Management Plan mailing list. The public comment period was then 
extended to October 18, 2002.

    Dated: March 6, 2007.
Daniel N. Wenk,
Deputy Director.
[FR Doc. 07-1181 Filed 3-13-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-69-M