81 FR 22631 - Record of Decision 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 81, Issue 74 (April 18, 2016)

The National Park Service (NPS) has prepared and approved a Record of Decision for the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and General Management Plan/Wilderness Study (GMP/WS) for Channel Islands National Park. Approval of the GMP/WS culminates an extensive public engagement and environmental impact analysis effort that began in 2001.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 74 (Monday, April 18, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22631-22632]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-08841]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-PWR-PWRO-19326; PXPD004214G001]


Record of Decision 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) has prepared and approved a 
Record of Decision for the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) 
and General Management Plan/Wilderness Study (GMP/WS) for Channel 
Islands National Park. Approval of the GMP/WS culminates an extensive 
public engagement and environmental impact analysis effort that began 
in 2001.

ADDRESSES: Those wishing to review the Record of Decision may obtain a 
copy by submitting their request to the Superintendent, Channel Islands 
National Park, 1901 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura, CA 93001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Russell Galipeau, Superintendent, 
telephone (805) 508-5702 or email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This process was conducted pursuant to the 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and 
the regulations promulgated by the Council on Environmental Quality (40 
CFR part 1505.2). The original Notice of Intent (NOI) initiating the 
conservation planning and environmental impact analysis process 
appeared in the Federal Register on November 8, 2001 (66 FR 56575, 
column 1)--a revised NOI expanding GMP scope to include a wilderness 
study was published April 8, 2009 (74 FR 16006, column 2). Based on 
information obtained from extensive public outreach, three alternatives 
were developed. The NPS consulted with park partners; traditionally 
associated American Indian tribes and groups; the State Historic 
Preservation Officer; and other federal and state agencies. The Draft 
EIS was released on November 14, 2013 (78 FR 68469, column 2), for an 
extended 90-day review and comment period. Two public meetings were 
conducted to share information and gather feedback, one of which also 
included a public hearing on the wilderness study. Overall 1,620 pieces 
of correspondence were received during the public review period. The 
Final EIS was released on April 17, 2015. The legally required 30-day 
``wait period'' was initiated on April 17, 2015, with the Environmental 
Protection Agency's Federal Register publication of filing of the Final 
EIS.
    The NPS evaluated the environmental consequences of two action 
alternatives and a no-action alternative. These alternatives described 
varying means to provide appropriate types and levels of access for 
visitors and authorized users, preserve wilderness character, protect 
cultural and natural resources, and adhere to legally required 
management and preservation objectives. Alternative 3 (agency-
preferred) has been selected for implementation. This is also the 
environmentally-preferred course of action, which emphasizes resource 
stewardship and preservation while also placing more attention on 
expanding education and recreational opportunities and accommodations 
to

[[Page 22632]]

provide diverse visitor experiences on the islands. Wilderness 
designation is proposed for 1,298 acres on Anacapa, Santa Barbara, 
Santa Cruz, and Santa Rosa Islands, and additionally on Santa Cruz and 
Santa Rosa Islands 65,278 acres are identified as potential wilderness.
    For a park that includes five remote islands spanning 2,228 square 
miles of land and sea, the new Channel Islands National Park 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 will allow park managers to 
effectively address future opportunities and problems. The approved GMP 
will also serve as the basis for future detailed management documents, 
such as five-year strategic plans and project implementation plans.

    Dated: September 14, 2015.
Martha J. Lee,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific West Region.

    Editorial Note: This document was received for publication by 
the Office of the Federal Register on April 12, 2016.

[FR Doc. 2016-08841 Filed 4-15-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-FF-P