[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 31 (Wednesday, February 15, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8895-8896]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-3037]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-PWR-PWRO-0926-8514; 8360-C19D-454]


Jimbilnan, Pinto Valley, Black Canyon, Eldorado, Ireteba Peaks, 
Nellis Wash, Spirit Mountain, and Bridge Canyon Wilderness Areas 
Wilderness Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement, Lake Mead 
National Recreation Area

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
for the Wilderness Management Plan for the Jimbilnan, Pinto Valley, 
Black Canyon, Eldorado, Ireteba Peaks, Nellis Wash, Spirit Mountain, 
and Bridge Canyon Wilderness Areas, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, 
Nevada.

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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 (NPS) is the lead agency 
for the preparation of an environmental impact statement (EIS) for a 
wilderness management plan for eight wilderness areas in Lake Mead 
National Recreation Area, three of which are partially located on 
adjacent Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands. The BLM will serve as a 
cooperating agency in the preparation of the EIS. The wilderness 
management plan (plan) will establish management goals for these 
wilderness areas, develop long term direction for monitoring and 
preserving wilderness character (i.e., natural, untrammeled, 
undeveloped, and outstanding opportunities for solitude or primitive 
and unconfined recreation) in the wilderness areas, while also 
providing for the use and enjoyment of the areas by current and future 
generations. Additionally, this plan will provide for accountability, 
interagency consistency, and continuity in the stewardship of these NPS 
and BLM wilderness areas.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A range of alternatives for stewardship of 
these eight wilderness areas, consistent with the requirements of the 
Wilderness Act of 1964, will be developed through this planning process 
and will include at least no-action and preferred alternatives. Issues 
the EIS/plan is expected to address will include identifying 
appropriate uses for these areas; providing for access within, and 
information about, the wilderness areas while protecting wilderness 
character; providing for reasonable use of Spirit Mountain and adjacent 
areas in a manner meeting tribal needs and concerns; restoring 
disturbed areas within the wilderness areas; and coordinating agency 
management efforts. The EIS will evaluate and compare the potential 
environmental consequences of all the alternatives, and appropriate 
mitigation strategies will be included. The ``environmentally 
preferred'' alternative will also be identified.
    In April, 2010 the NPS and BLM released an Environmental Assessment 
for the proposed plan. Issues and concerns emerged in regards to 
appropriateness of use of fixed anchors (e.g., bolting) in wilderness, 
and conflicts between recreational use and cultural resource protection 
and Tribal interests could not be resolved. As a

[[Page 8896]]

result, it was determined that an EIS would be prepared.
    All interested persons, organizations, and agencies are encouraged 
to submit comments and suggestions on issues and concerns that should 
be addressed in preparing the plan/EIS, and the range of appropriate 
alternatives that should be examined. All prior comments and 
information received in regards to the 2010 Environmental Assessment 
for the wilderness management plan will be carried forward and fully 
considered in developing the Draft EIS.

DATES: The NPS in cooperation with the BLM is beginning public scoping 
via a letter to state and federal agencies, American Indian tribes, 
local and regional governments, organizations and businesses, 
researchers and institutions; the congressional delegation; and other 
interested members of the public. Written comments concerning the scope 
of the plan/EIS and submittal of relevant environmental information 
must be postmarked or transmitted not later than March 16, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Interested individuals, organizations, and other entities 
wishing to provide input to this phase of developing the plan/EIS may 
mail or email comments to Lake Mead National Recreation Area Wilderness 
Management Plan, National Park Service, Denver Service Center--
Planning, P.O. Box 25287, Denver, CO 80225 (or via the Internet at 
http://parkplanning.nps.gov). Comments may also be mailed or hand-
delivered to Superintendent of Lake Mead National Recreation Area, 601 
Nevada Way, Boulder City, NV 89005.
    Before including your address, phone number, email 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: Jim Holland, NPS Park Planner, at the 
Lake Mead National Recreation Area address above. Telephone: (702) 293-
8986. Email: [email protected]; and Mark Tanaka-Sanders, Wilderness 
Planner, Bureau of Land Management, 4701 North Torrey Pines, Las Vegas, 
NV 89130. Telephone: (702) 515-5039. Email: [email protected]. You 
may also contact Greg Jarvis, Project Manager, Denver Service Center at 
the address above. Telephone: (303) 969-2263. General information about 
Lake Mead National Recreation Area is available at http://www.nps.gov/lame and general information about the BLM Southern Nevada District is 
available at http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/lvfo.html.

    Dated: August 8, 2011.
Martha J. Lee,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 2012-3037 Filed 2-14-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-A7-P