[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 40 (Friday, February 28, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Page 11465]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-04472]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-IMR-ROMO-14032; PPIMROMO60, PAN00AN53.NM0000]


Grand Ditch Breach Restoration Final Environmental Impact 
Statement, Record of Decision, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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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 Grand Ditch Breach Restoration, Rocky 
Mountain National Park, Colorado. On August 14, 2013, 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 
May 31, 2013.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ben Bobowksi, Division Chief, 1000 US 
Highway 36, Estes Park, CO 80517-8937, Telephone (970) 586-1206, [email protected].

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Record of Decision can be obtained from the 
contact listed above or online at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/romo or 
by email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Park Service (NPS) considered 
five alternatives for the restoration of the Grand Ditch breach. 
Alternative A, the no action alternative; Alternative B, minimal 
restoration; Alternative C, high restoration; Alternative D, the NPS 
preferred alternative; and Alternative E, maximum restoration. 
Alternative D, the NPS preferred alternative, is the selected action 
and will emphasize the removal of large debris deposits at the 
confluence of Lulu Creek and the Colorado River and in the Lulu City 
wetland. Actions will be conducted to stabilize limited areas of 
unstable 2003 debris deposits along slopes and banks throughout the 
project area. Stabilization actions will be implemented in areas with 
steep slopes, where vegetation has not reestablished since the 2003 
ditch breach occurred, and outside the channel and floodplain that are 
not exposed to high flows. These actions will enhance hydrologic 
conditions and remove debris sources that could erode and be 
transported downstream as sediment causing continued degradation. 
Sediment would also be removed in localized areas along the Colorado 
River to reconnect the river with some previously blocked floodplain 
locations. Hydrology through the Lulu City wetland will be restored in 
the historical central channel through removal of large, localized 
deposits of debris and sediment, relying on the historical channel to 
transport river flow. Channel restoration will achieve stream channels 
that are more hydrologically and hydraulically stable and provide 
streambed and channel dynamic stability. Small-scale motorized 
equipment may be employed for stabilization and revegetation 
activities, while larger equipment may be employed for excavation of 
large debris deposits. The selected action represents basic hydraulic 
engineering requirements to ensure that flows are naturally conveyed 
within the stream channel cross-sections and that the channels will 
maintain hydrologic function, while accommodating the natural range of 
overbank flooding of adjacent floodplains and wetlands. 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 preferable alternative, a finding of no 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.

    Dated: December 10, 2013.
Colin Campbell,
Acting Regional Director, Intermountain Region, National Park Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-04472 Filed 2-27-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4912-CB-P