[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 22 (Friday, February 1, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 7450]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-01997]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-PWR-PWRO-10060; PPWONRADE2 PMP00E105.YP0000]


Final Environmental Impact Statement for Protecting and Restoring 
Native Ecosystems by Managing Non-Native Ungulates, Hawaii Volcanoes 
National Park, HI

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The National Park Service announces the availability of a 
Final Environmental Impact Statement for Protecting and Restoring 
Native Ecosystems by Managing Non-Native Ungulates (final plan/EIS) at 
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii. The final plan/EIS will provide 
a park-wide framework to systematically guide non-native ungulate 
management activities in a manner that supports long-term ecosystem 
protection, supports natural ecosystem recovery and provides desirable 
conditions for active ecosystem restoration, and supports protection 
and preservation of cultural resources.

DATES: The National Park Service will execute a Record of Decision 
(ROD) no sooner than 30 days from the date of publication by the U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency of the notice of filing of the final 
plan/EIS in the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: The final plan/EIS is available in electronic format at 
http://parkplanning.nps.gov/havo_ecosystem_feis. Printed copies of 
the final plan/EIS are available for viewing at the Hawaii Volcanoes 
National Park K[imacr]lauea Visitor Center, One Crater Rim Drive, 
Hawaii National Park, HI 96718, and in local libraries (locations noted 
on above Web site). A limited number of compact discs (CDs) and printed 
copies of the final plan/EIS are also available by request. To obtain a 
copy or for further information, please contact: Rhonda Loh, Chief of 
Natural Resources Management, P.O. Box 52, Hawaii Volcanoes National 
Park, HI 96718-0052; (808) 985-6098.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The final plan/EIS responds to, and 
incorporates where appropriate, agency and public comments received on 
the draft plan/EIS, which was available for public review from November 
18, 2011 to January 20, 2011. Three public meetings were held from 
December 5 through December 7, 2011 to gather input on the draft plan/
EIS. Twenty-six pieces of correspondence were received during the 
public review period. NPS responses to substantive agency and public 
comments are provided as Appendix F of the final plan/EIS.
    The final plan/EIS evaluates five alternatives for protecting and 
restoring native ecosystems by managing non-native ungulates. The NPS 
preferred alternative is ``Alternative D: Comprehensive Management Plan 
that Maximizes Flexibility of Management Techniques.'' This alternative 
includes a progression of management phases, monitoring, and 
considerations for the use of management tools; a population objective 
of zero non-native ungulates, or as low as practicable, in managed 
areas; complete boundary fencing for the Kahuku area and the Olaa 
rainforest; and potential use of localized internal fencing to assist 
in the control of non-native ungulates. Control techniques would be 
primarily lethal, but non-lethal techniques could also be considered. 
Volunteer programs would continue, but modifications would be required 
for lethal removal programs to meet current NPS practices. When 
approved, the plan will guide non-native ungulate management in Hawaii 
Volcanoes National Park for at least the next 15 to 20 years.
    Because this is a delegated EIS, the official responsible for the 
final decision on the plan to protect and restore native ecosystems by 
managing non-native ungulates is the Regional Director, Pacific West 
Region, National Park Service. Subsequently, the official responsible 
for implementation of the approved plan will be the Superintendent, 
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

    Dated: May 5, 2012.
Patricia L. Neubacher,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 2013-01997 Filed 1-31-13; 8:45 am]
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