[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 167 (Monday, August 30, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52969-52971]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-21551]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Rim of the Valley Corridor Special Resource Study, Los Angeles 
and Ventura Counties, CA; Notice of Scoping

    Summary: Notice is hereby given in accordance with provisions of 
the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Pub. L. 91-190) and the 
Council on Environmental Quality's implementing regulations (40 CFR 
1502.9(c)) that public scoping has been initiated for a conservation 
planning and environmental impact analysis

[[Page 52970]]

process to identify and assess potential impacts of alternative 
resource protection and other considerations within the Rim of the 
Valley Corridor Special Resource Study area in Los Angeles and Ventura 
counties of California. The purpose of the scoping process is to elicit 
early public comment regarding issues and concerns, alternatives, and 
the nature and extent of potential environmental impacts (and as 
appropriate, mitigation measures) which should be addressed.
    Background: As authorized by the Consolidated Natural Resources Act 
of 2008 (Pub. L. 110-229-May 2008), the National Park Service (NPS) is 
conducting a special resource study of the area known as the Rim of the 
Valley Corridor, generally including the mountains encircling the San 
Fernando, La Crescenta, Santa Clarita, Simi, and Conejo Valleys in 
California. The study area also includes the majority of the existing 
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. The study will explore 
many issues including: Protection of wildlife habitat and linkages 
between open space areas; completion of the Rim of the Valley Trail 
system; preserving recreational opportunities and facilitating access 
to recreation for a variety of users; protection of rare, threatened or 
endangered species and rare or unusual plant communities and habitats; 
and identifying the needs of communities within and around the study 
area.
    In conducting the Rim of the Valley Corridor Special Resource 
Study, the NPS will evaluate the national significance of the area's 
natural and cultural resources. The NPS will also assess the area's 
suitability and feasibility to be a unit of the National Park System. 
Factors which the NPS study team will evaluate include: Whether the 
study area includes types or quality of resources not already 
adequately represented in the National Park System; whether long-term 
protection and public use of the area are feasible; and whether the 
area can be adequately protected and administered at a reasonable cost. 
The recommendations of the NPS may vary for different portions of the 
study area.
    The authorizing statute directs the NPS to determine the 
suitability and feasibility of designating all or a portion of the 
corridor as a unit of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation 
Area. It also directs the NPS to determine the methods and means for 
the protection and interpretation of this corridor by the NPS, other 
Federal, State, or local government entities or private or non-profit 
organizations.
    The NPS will also consider: Alternative strategies for management, 
protection and use of significant resources within the overall study 
area, including management by other public agencies or the private 
sector; technical or financial assistance available from established 
programs or special initiatives and partnerships; alternative 
designations other than a national park, or as an expansion unit of 
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area; and cooperative 
management by NPS and other entities.
    Public Engagement: During the study process, a range of 
alternatives will be developed in consultation with Federal, State and 
local governments and interested members of the public, groups, and 
organizations. The NPS will conduct an environmental review of the 
alternatives and potential consequences of resource protection 
considerations as part of the Rim of the Valley Corridor Special 
Resource Study. At this time, it has not been determined whether an 
Environmental Assessment or an Environmental Impact Statement will be 
prepared, however, this scoping process will aid in the preparation of 
either document. The public will have several opportunities to comment 
and participate throughout the study process. Additionally, the public 
will be afforded the opportunity to review and comment on the ensuing 
environmental document following its release. For initial scoping and 
alternatives development, the most useful comments are those that 
provide the NPS with assistance in identifying issues and concerns 
which should be addressed, or providing important information germane 
to this study. All responses to this Notice will also be used to 
establish a mailing list of interested persons, organizations, and 
agencies that desire to receive further information as the 
environmental document is developed.
    The public scoping period for the Rim of the Valley Corridor 
Special Resource Study will conclude--and all comments must be 
postmarked or transmitted no later than--October 29, 2010. Interested 
individuals, organizations, and agencies wishing to provide written 
comments on issues or concerns should respond to: National Park 
Service, Rim of the Valley Corridor Special Resource Study, 570 West 
Avenue 26, Suite 175, Los Angeles, CA 90065. Comments may also be 
transmitted through the study's Web site listed below.
    Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or 
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be 
aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying 
information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can 
ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying 
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be 
able to do so.
    At this time the following scoping meetings (public workshops) have 
been scheduled: September 14 in Chatsworth, September 15 in Los 
Angeles, September 21 in Santa Clarita, September 22 in Thousand Oaks, 
October 4 in Calabasas, October 5 in Tujunga, and October 6 in 
Altadena. Complete details of dates, times and locations of the 
meetings will be posted on the project Web site (noted below). Complete 
information will also be conveyed to local and regional press media, 
and will be advertised in a newsletter which will be distributed to 
stakeholders and interested parties.
    Information updates about the study process and opportunities for 
the public to participate will be distributed via direct mailings, 
regional and local news media and the Rim of the Valley Corridor 
Special Resource Study Web site (http://www.nps.gov/pwro/rimofthevalley). The study team may also be contacted via e-mail at 
[email protected].
    Further Information: Availability of the forthcoming draft 
environmental document for review and written comment will be announced 
by local and regional news media, the above listed Web site, and direct 
mailing. At this time the draft environmental review document is 
anticipated to be available for public review and comment in 2013 and 
the draft and final report to Congress available in 2014. Comments on 
the draft document will be fully considered and responded to as 
appropriate in the final document. The official responsible for the 
initial recommendation will be the Regional Director, Pacific West 
Region, National Park Service. The official responsible for amending or 
ratifying the recommendation and transmitting the final document to the 
Secretary of the Interior will be the Director of the National Park 
Service. The final document will identify the alternative that, in the 
professional judgment of the Director of the National Park Service, is 
the most effective and efficient method for protecting significant 
resources and providing for public enjoyment. The Secretary of the 
Interior subsequently will forward the completed study along with a 
recommendation regarding the Secretary's preferred management option 
for the area to Congress for their consideration. It is anticipated 
that the final study report will be available in 2014.


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    Dated: July 30, 2010.
George J. Turnbull,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 2010-21551 Filed 8-27-10; 8:45 am]
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