[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 74 (Wednesday, April 16, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20710-20711]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-8116]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Elk and Vegetation Management Plan, Final Environmental Impact 
Statement, Rocky Mountain National Park, CO

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 Elk and Vegetation Management 
Plan, Rocky Mountain National Park

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 
U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Service announces the availability 
of the Record of Decision for the Elk and Vegetation Management Plan, 
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. On February 15, 2008, the 
Regional Director, Intermountain Region, approved the Record of 
Decision for the project. As soon as practicable, the National Park 
Service will begin to implement the Preferred Alternative contained in 
the FEIS issued on January 4, 2008. The Final Plan analyzed five 
alternatives, including a no action alternative (Alternative 1), to 
manage elk and vegetation within the Park. The four action alternatives 
each used different combinations of management tools to reduce the elk 
population size and densities, redistribute elk, restore natural 
migration, and restore vegetation. All action alternatives emphasized 
adaptive management. Alternative 2 used intensive lethal reduction 
(culling) of elk in the first four years of the plan to reach a 
population size on the low end of the natural range of variation, in 
combination with minimal fencing. Alternative 4 used a fertility 
control agent along with gradual lethal reduction (culling) of elk over 
the 20 year life of the plan to reach a population size on the high end 
of the natural range of variation, in combination with a moderate 
amount of fencing. Alternative 5 used introduction of a small number of 
intensively managed wolves, along with intensive lethal reduction 
(culling) of elk in the first four years of the plan to reach a 
population size that incorporated the full range of natural variation, 
in combination with minimal fencing.
    The selected action, Alternative 3, relies on a variety of 
conservation tools including fencing, redistribution, vegetation 
restoration and lethal reduction (culling). In future years, the park 
will, using adaptive management principles, reevaluate opportunities to 
use wolves or fertility control as additional tools. The selected 
alternative includes the gradual lethal reduction (culling) of elk by 
National Park Service staff and authorized agents of the National Park 
Service to achieve an elk population size at the high end of the 
natural range of variation of 1,600 to 2,100 elk (600 to 800 park 
subpopulation; 1,000 to 1,300 town subpopulation) by the end of the 
plan. Inside the park, up to 200 elk will be removed annually over 20 
years. To the extent possible, elk carcasses and/or meat resulting from 
these actions will be donated through an organized program to eligible 
recipients, including tribes, based on informed consent and pursuant to 
applicable public health guidelines. Aspen stands (up to 160 acres) on 
the elk range will be fenced to exclude elk herbivory. Because this 
alternative will result in a target population at the high end of the 
natural range, up to 440 acres of suitable willow habitat will be 
fenced in the high elk-use areas of the primary summer and winter 
ranges. These temporary fences will be installed adaptively, based on 
vegetation response to elk management actions as indicated through a 
monitoring program. To reduce elk densities on the elk range outside of 
fenced areas, redistribution of the population will occur using 
herding, aversive conditioning, and use of unsuppressed weapons for 
culling. The plan incorporates adaptive management and monitoring to 
determine the level and intensity of management actions needed, 
including elk population reductions, fencing, herding, and aversive 
conditioning. Population numbers will be estimated annually and the 
number of animals to be removed will be determined based on the most 
current population estimates. If the elk population is within the 
defined portion of the range of natural variation and vegetation 
management objectives are being met, no lethal reduction activities 
will take place. Culling will be administered by the National Park 
Service and carried out by National Park Service personnel and their 
authorized agents. For purposes of this plan, ``authorized agents'' can 
include: Professional staff from other federal, state, or local 
agencies or tribes; contractors; or qualified volunteers.
    For all alternatives 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

[[Page 20711]]

preferable alternative, a finding on impairment of park resources and 
values, a listing of measures to minimize environmental harm, and an 
overview of public involvement in the decision-making process.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Therese Johnson, 1000 Highway 36, 
Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, Colorado 80517, 303-772-5474, 
[email protected].

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

    Dated: April 3, 2008.
Michael D. Snyder,
Regional Director, Intermountain Region, National Park Service.
 [FR Doc. E8-8116 Filed 4-15-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-08-M