[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 95 (Tuesday, May 17, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28453-28454]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-11978]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-PWR-PWRO-0412-7147; 9082-CECH-420]


Cesar Chavez Special Resource Study--Alameda, Fresno, Imperial, 
Kern, Los Angeles, Monterey, Riverside, San Benito, San Diego, San 
Francisco, San Joaquin, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Stanislaus, Tulare 
and Ventura Counties, CA, and Maricopa and Yuma Counties, AZ

AGENCY: National Park Service.

ACTION: Notice of Scoping for Cesar Chavez Special Resource Study.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with provisions of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 (Pub L. 91-190) and Council on Environmental 
Quality's implementing regulations (40 CFR 1502.9(c)), the National 
Park Service (NPS) has initiated the public scoping phase for a 
conservation planning and environmental impact analysis process needed 
to identify and assess potential impacts of alternatives for resource 
protection and other considerations concerning sites associated with 
Cesar Chavez and the farm labor movement throughout California and 
Arizona, including but not necessarily limited to Alameda, Fresno, 
Imperial, Kern, Los Angeles, Monterey, Riverside, San Benito, San 
Diego, San Francisco, San Joaquin, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, 
Stanislaus, Tulare and Ventura Counties of California, and Yuma and 
Maricopa Counties of Arizona. The purpose of the scoping phase is to 
elicit early public comment regarding issues and concerns, preliminary 
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 NPS is conducting a special 
resource study of the sites in the State of Arizona, the State of 
California, and other states that are significant to the life of Cesar 
Chavez and the farm labor movement in the western United States. The 
authorizing statute directs the NPS to consult with the Cesar Chavez 
Foundation, the United Farm Workers Union, state and local historical 
associations and societies, and state historic preservation offices.
    In conducting the Cesar Chavez Special Resource Study, the NPS will 
evaluate the significance of the sites' resources and assess the sites' 
suitability and feasibility to be a unit of the national park system. 
Factors which the NPS will evaluate include: Whether the sites posses 
nationally significant cultural resources; whether the sites include 
types or quality of resources not already adequately represented in the 
National Park System; whether long-term protection and public use of 
sites are feasible; and whether sites can be adequately protected and 
administered at a reasonable cost. Recommendations may vary for 
different sites.
    The NPS will also consider: alternative strategies for the 
management, protection and use of significant resources, 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 to a national 
park unit; and cooperative management by NPS and other entities.
    Public Involvement: The NPS will develop a range of management 
alternatives, and conduct an environmental review of the alternatives 
and their potential impacts as part of the Cesar Chavez 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

[[Page 28454]]

effort will aid in the preparation of either document. In addition to 
this opportunity to comment and participate from the beginning of the 
study process, the public will be afforded the opportunity to review 
the environmental document and submit additional comments. 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 Scoping 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 Cesar Chavez Special Resource 
Study will conclude June 16, 2011. Scoping meetings (public workshops) 
will be held in the vicinity of key sites, likely in or near San Jose, 
the Salinas Valley, Delano, Los Angeles, Oxnard, Yuma and Phoenix in 
April and May of 2010. A news release will be distributed announcing 
the public meetings. The dates, times and locations of the meetings 
will be posted on both the project Web site (address below) and the Web 
site for NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment, and will be 
advertised in a newsletter which will be distributed to stakeholders 
and interested parties. Interested individuals, organizations, and 
agencies wishing to provide written comments on issues or concerns 
should respond to: National Park Service, Cesar Chavez Special Resource 
Study, Park Planning and Environmental Compliance, 1111 Jackson Street, 
Suite 700, Oakland, CA 94607. Comments may also be submitted 
electronically by e-mail (address below) or through the NPS Planning, 
Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) Web site. This site can be 
accessed 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Information updates about the study 
process and opportunities for the public to participate will be 
periodically distributed via direct mailings, regional and local news 
media and the Cesar Chavez Special Resource Study Web site (http://www.nps.gov/pwro/chavez). The study team may be contacted via e-mail at 
[email protected].
    Decision Process: 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 environmental document is anticipated to be 
available for public review and comment in Fall 2011. 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 late 2011.

    Dated: April 6, 2011.
Patricia L. Neubacher,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 2011-11978 Filed 5-16-11; 8:45 am]
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