80 FR 22221 - Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Channel Islands National Park General Management Plan/Wilderness Study, Santa Barbara County, California

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 76 (April 21, 2015)

The National Park Service (NPS) announce the availability of a Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS) for the Channel Islands National Park General Management Plan/Wilderness Study (GMP/ WS). The Final EIS/GMP/WS evaluates the impacts of three alternatives for management of the park over the next 20 to 40 years.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 76 (Tuesday, April 21, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22221-22222]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-09107]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-PWR-PWRO-17356; PXPD004214G001]


Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Channel Islands 
National Park General Management Plan/Wilderness Study, Santa Barbara 
County, California

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS) announce the availability of a 
Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS) for the Channel 
Islands National Park General Management Plan/Wilderness Study (GMP/
WS). The Final EIS/GMP/WS evaluates the impacts of three alternatives 
for management of the park over the next 20 to 40 years.

DATES: The NPS will execute a Record of Decision (ROD) no sooner than 
30 days following publication in the Federal Register of the 
Environmental Protection Agency's notice of the filing and release of 
the Final EIS/GMP/WS.

ADDRESSES: A limited number of printed copies of the Final EIS/GMP/
Wilderness Study may be picked up in-person or by making a request in 
writing to Channel Islands National Park, 1901 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura, 
CA 93001. The document is also available on the internet at the NPS 
Planning, Environment, and Public Comment Web site http://parkplanning.nps.gov/chis.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Russell Galipeau, Superintendent, 
Channel Islands National Park, 1901 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura, CA 93001; 
[email protected]; (805) 658-5702.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: For a park that includes five remote islands 
spanning 2,228 square miles of land and sea, the GMP defines a clear 
direction for resource preservation and visitor experience over the 
next 20 to 40 years. The GMP provides a framework for proactive 
decision making, which allows managers to effectively address

[[Page 22222]]

future opportunities and problems, such as resource, operational, 
administrative, and visitor use issues facing the park. The GMP serves 
as the basis for future detailed management documents, such as five-
year strategic plans and implementation plans. In addition, the 
wilderness study component determines if eligible portions of the park 
should be proposed for wilderness designation.
    The Final EIS/GMP/Wilderness Study responds to, and incorporates as 
appropriate, agency and public comments received on the Draft Plan/
Wilderness Study/EIS, which was available for public and agency review 
and comment during the extended 90-day comment period. Two public 
meetings were held to gather input on the Draft Plan/Wilderness Study/
EIS, one of which also included a public hearing on the wilderness 
study. One thousand, six hundred and twenty pieces of correspondence 
were received during the public review period. Agency and public 
comments and NPS responses are provided in Chapter 5 in the Final EIS/
GMP/Wilderness Study.
    The Final EIS/GMP/Wilderness Study describes and analyzes three 
alternatives for Channel Islands National Park. Alternative 1 (No 
Action Alternative) reflects current management direction and serves as 
a baseline for comparison with the other alternatives. Existing 
facilities, resource programs, and visitor opportunities would continue 
as they are. No areas of the park would be proposed for wilderness 
designation.
    Alternative 2--This alternative emphasizes ecosystem preservation, 
restoration, and preservation of large expanses in relatively pristine 
resource conditions. Resource stewardship including ecosystem 
preservation and restoration, and preservation of natural landscapes, 
cultural landscapes, archeological resources, and historic structures 
would continue to be emphasized. Increased recreational opportunities 
would be provided for visitors to enjoy and appreciate the park. Under 
Alternative 2, a total of 66,576 acres of the park would be proposed 
for eventual wilderness designation, primarily on Santa Rosa and Santa 
Cruz Islands.
    Alternative 3 (Preferred Alternative)--This alternative emphasizes 
resource stewardship and resource preservation; while also placing more 
attention on expanding education and recreational opportunities and 
accommodations to provide diverse visitor experiences on the islands. 
Under Alternative 3, as under Alternative 2, a total of 65,278 acres 
would be proposed for eventual wilderness designation.

    Dated: March 27, 2015.
Patricia L. Neubacher,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 2015-09107 Filed 4-20-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4312-55-P