[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 219 (Thursday, November 13, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67445-67446]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-26824]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-PWR-PWRO-13760; PX.P0137227A.00.1]


Final Environmental Impact Statement for Cottonwood Cove and 
Katherine Landing Development Concept Plans, Lake Mead National 
Recreation Area, Arizona and Nevada

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The National Park Service announces availability of the Final 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Cottonwood Cove and 
Katherine Landing Development Concept Plans, Lake Mead National 
Recreation Area. The document describes and analyzes three 
alternatives. Alternative 1 (no action alternative) reflects current 
management direction and serves as a baseline for comparison with the 
other alternatives. Existing facilities would be retained with minimal 
changes. Alternative 2 Implement Previous Planning Proposals would 
implement previous planning proposals that separate day use and marina 
facilities, maintain the type of overnight facilities, and provide 
flood mitigation. Alternative 3 Enhance Visitor Experience and Park 
Operations (agency-preferred alternative) would enhance day-use 
opportunities, upgrade and expand the type of overnight facilities, and 
provide flood mitigation. The Final EIS also analyzes the potential 
environmental impacts of the alternatives, including: Potential impacts 
to native plant communities and soils; wildlife; threatened, 
endangered, and special status species; floodplains; archeological 
resources; historic structures; cultural landscape; ethnographic 
resources; visitor use, experience, and safety; park operations; and 
socioeconomic environment.

DATES: The Record of Decision for the Cottonwood Cove and Katherine 
Landing Development Concept Plans will be executed not sooner than 30 
days after the date of publication by the Environmental Protection 
Agency of its notice of filing of the Final EIS in the Federal 
Register.

ADDRESSES: The Final EIS is available for public inspection at http://parkplanning.nps.gov.lake, and in the office of the Superintendent, 
Lake Mead National Recreation Area, 601 Nevada Way, Boulder City, NV 
89005, (702) 293-8920.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Jim Holland, Park Planner, Lake 
Mead National Recreation Area, 601 Nevada Highway, Boulder City, NV 
89005, (702) 293-8986.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purposes of the development concept 
plans are to reevaluate the implementation strategies for these two 
areas that were identified in the 1986 Lake Mead National Recreation 
Area General Management Plan/Development Concept Plans/Final 
Environmental Impact Statement (GMP), and to incorporate the concepts 
and carrying capacities that were approved in the 2003 Lake Mead 
National Recreation Area Lake Management Plan/Final Environmental 
Impact Statement (LMP). Each development concept plan provides an 
integrated plan for development with site-specific guidance for the 
extent, type, and location of facilities and services that is 
consistent with the management direction and intent established in the 
GMP and the LMP.
    The GMP addressed the need to provide recreational opportunities 
while preserving and protecting natural and cultural resources. It 
established land-based management zones and included development 
concept plans for Cottonwood Cove and Katherine Landing that identified 
limits on the development, established the number and type of 
facilities, and addressed flood hazards. The GMP's vision for both 
areas was to accommodate increasing use, enhance the visitor 
experience, and mitigate flood hazards. The LMP established water-based 
management zones and provided further guidance for the long-term 
protection of park resources while allowing a range of recreational 
opportunities to support visitor needs. A number of the management 
actions identified in both approved plans require more site-specific 
development planning. There are also a number of management issues that 
have not been adequately addressed or resolved in the previous planning 
efforts and that require a more detailed examination of development and 
operational needs. The primary issues addressed in the Final EIS are as 
follows: (1) Water quality and flood control; (2) air quality; (3) 
socioeconomics guiding policies, regulations, and laws; and (4) Park 
operations methodologies and assumptions.
    Decision Process: Not sooner than 30 days after the publication of 
the Environmental Protection Agency's notice of filing of the Final EIS 
in the Federal Register, a Record of Decision will be executed. As a 
delegated EIS, the official responsible for approval of the

[[Page 67446]]

Cottonwood Cove and Katherine Landing Development Concept Plans is the 
NPS Regional Director, Pacific West Region. Subsequently the official 
responsible for project implementation and for monitoring results is 
the Superintendent, Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

    Dated: September 17, 2014.
Patricia L. Neubacher,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 2014-26824 Filed 11-12-14; 8:45 am]
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