83_FR_54986 83 FR 54775 - Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for a General Management Plan Amendment, Point Reyes National Seashore and North District of Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Marin County, California

83 FR 54775 - Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for a General Management Plan Amendment, Point Reyes National Seashore and North District of Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Marin County, California

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 211 (October 31, 2018)

Page Range54775-54777
FR Document2018-23807

The National Park Service (NPS) is preparing a General Management Plan Amendment (GMP Amendment) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for all lands currently under agricultural lease/ permits within Point Reyes National Seashore and the north district of Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 211 (Wednesday, October 31, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 211 (Wednesday, October 31, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54775-54777]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-23807]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-PWR-PWRO-26857; PPWONRADE2, PMP00EI05.YP0000]


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
a General Management Plan Amendment, Point Reyes National Seashore and 
North District of Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Marin County, 
California

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS) is preparing a General 
Management Plan Amendment (GMP Amendment) and Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) for all lands currently under agricultural lease/
permits within Point Reyes National Seashore and the north district of 
Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

DATES: The NPS requests that comments be submitted by November 30, 
2018. Open houses will be announced in local media.

ADDRESSES: Information will be available for public review online at 
http://parkplanning.nps.gov/POREGMPA and in the Office of the 
Superintendent, 1 Bear Valley Road, Point Reyes Station, CA 94956 (415-
464-5120, telephone). You may submit your comments by any one of 
several methods. You may comment online at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/POREGMPA. You may mail or hand deliver comments to the Superintendent, 
Point Reyes National Seashore, 1 Bear Valley Road, Point Reyes Station, 
CA 94956. Written comments will also be accepted at the public open 
houses.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Melanie Gunn, Outreach Coordinator, 
Point Reyes National Seashore, 1 Bear Valley Road, Point Reyes Station, 
CA 94956 (415-464-5131, telephone).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C) (NEPA), and the terms of a 
Settlement Agreement approved by the U.S. District Court for the 
Northern District of California on July 14, 2017 (Resource Renewal 
Institute et al., v. National Park Service, Case No. 16-cv-00688-SBA 
(KAW) (N.D. Cal.)) (Agreement), the NPS is preparing an EIS for lands 
currently leased for ranching within Point Reyes National Seashore and 
the north district of Golden Gate National Recreation Area (planning 
area). In preparing the EIS, the NPS will follow all applicable laws 
and policies and will comply with the terms of the Agreement. The 
Agreement requires the EIS to address the statutory elements for 
General Management Plans, unless inapplicable, and to consider three 
specific alternatives. The EIS will amend the 1980 GMP for the planning 
area.
    This notice also terminates the GMP EIS process for Point Reyes 
National Seashore initiated by the NPS on October 14, 1997 (62 FR 
53336), updated on May 24, 1999 (64 FR 28008), and expanded to include 
the north district of Golden Gate National Recreation Area lands on 
February 3, 2000 (65 FR 5365-5366).

Background

    Legislation authorizing the establishment of Point Reyes National 
Seashore (Point Reyes or Seashore) was enacted in 1962 (16 U.S.C. 459c) 
for the purpose of preserving ``a portion of the diminishing seashore 
of the United States that remains undeveloped.'' The Seashore includes 
more than 71,000 acres of beaches, coastal cliffs and headlands, marine 
terraces, coastal uplands, forests, and includes all tide and submerged 
lands to 0.25 miles offshore. The Seashore administers an additional 
15,000 acres of the north district of Golden Gate National Recreation 
Area (Golden Gate NRA) under a Regional Directive for Management. 
Congress established Golden Gate NRA in 1972 and expanded it in 1980 to 
include lands within the planning area. The Golden Gate NRA legislation 
directs the NPS ``to preserve for public use and enjoyment certain 
areas of Marin and San Francisco Counties, California, possessing 
outstanding natural, historic, scenic, and recreational values . . . 
.'' and to ``preserve the recreation area, as far as possible, in its 
natural setting, and protect it from development and uses which would 
destroy the scenic beauty and natural character of the area.'' 16 
U.S.C. 460bb.
    Specific provisions of both the Point Reyes and Golden Gate NRA 
enabling legislation (16 U.S.C. 459c-5 and 460bb-2(j)) authorize the 
issuance of lease/special use permits (lease/permits) for agricultural, 
ranching, or dairying purposes. Approximately 28,000 acres of National 
Park Service lands, including 18,000 acres of Point Reyes National 
Seashore and 10,000 acres within the north district of Golden Gate 
National Recreation Area, are currently utilized for beef and dairy 
ranching under agricultural lease/permits.
    In the spring of 2014, the NPS initiated development of a Ranch 
Comprehensive Management Plan to address high priority management needs 
associated with the approximately 28,000 acres of active beef and dairy 
ranching on NPS lands within Point Reyes and the north district of 
Golden Gate NRA. The planning effort also addressed concerns related to 
the expansion of free-range tule elk into the park ranch lands, as well 
as other issues including lease duration, succession, and ranch 
operational flexibility and diversification.
    In February 2016, litigation was brought against the NPS related to 
the ranch planning process and the ongoing use of lands within the 
planning area for ranching and dairying. The plaintiffs and the NPS, 
together with the ranchers and the County of Marin, entered into 
settlement negotiations in an effort to resolve the litigation. As 
referenced in the Supplementary Information section above, a multi-
party Agreement was approved by the U.S. District Court on July 14, 
2017. Per the Agreement, the NPS agreed that in lieu of the Ranch 
Comprehensive Management Plan, the NPS would prepare a GMP Amendment 
and EIS addressing the management of the lands currently leased for 
ranching

[[Page 54776]]

within the Seashore and the north district of Golden Gate NRA.

Purpose and Need

Purpose

    The purpose of the EIS for the General Management Plan Amendment is 
to establish guidance for the preservation of natural and cultural 
resources and the management of infrastructure and visitor use within 
the planning area. The alternatives evaluated in the EIS will also 
address the future management of tule elk and leased ranch lands.

Need

    Action is needed at this time to address the park's highest 
priority planning issues which include the management of approximately 
28,000 acres of land currently leased for ranching. Action is also 
needed to comply with the terms of the Agreement which requires that 
the GMP Amendment and EIS be completed on or before July 14, 2021.

Alternatives

    The Agreement requires the NPS to give full consideration to and 
disclose the impacts of three alternatives: (1) No ranching; (2) no 
dairy ranching; and (3) reduced ranching. These alternatives must not 
be conditioned on the discretionary termination of agricultural lease/
permits by ranchers. The Agreement expressly preserves the NPS's right 
to give full consideration to other potential action alternatives. It 
also allows the NPS to consider agricultural diversification, increased 
operational flexibility, the promotion of sustainable operational 
practices, succession planning, and similar ranch management practices 
as part of any action alternative, except the no ranching alternative. 
Each of the action alternatives considered in the EIS must also address 
the four statutorily required elements for GMPs, to the extent 
applicable. These elements are: Measures to preserve park resources, 
guidance regarding the types and levels of public use and development, 
discussion of visitor carrying capacities, and potential external 
boundary modifications.

Elements Common to All Action Alternatives

    The NPS would identify opportunities to improve the visitor 
experience in the planning area such as enhanced trail connections, 
improved signage, and new interpretive waysides. The NPS would identify 
broad management strategies that would be undertaken to preserve park 
resources, as well as indicators and standards to guide visitor 
carrying capacities. The NPS has done some initial boundary analysis 
and does not expect to propose any external boundary modifications 
under any of the alternatives.
    Proposed Action--Based on the purpose and need for action, the NPS 
proposed action includes the Elements Common to All Action Alternatives 
and the following additional elements:
     Issue agricultural lease/permits with 20 year terms to 
existing ranch families to continue beef and dairy operations on 
approximately 27,000 acres within the planning area.
     The proposed action would include opportunities for 
operational flexibility and diversification, establish approximately 
900 acres of resource protection buffers, and provide programmatic 
review of best management practices.
     Implement a land management framework on ranch lands 
allowing for different intensities of land use depending on the zone 
(ranch core, pasture, and range). Diversification activities (e.g. 
poultry) would be allowed in the ranch core zone. Pasture areas would 
allow for some increased pasture management activities. Range areas 
would be dedicated to livestock grazing.
     Take actions to minimize elk-related impacts including: 
Hazing, fence repair and modification, water development, habitat 
improvement, and other measures as appropriate. The Drakes Beach free-
range tule elk herd would be managed at a level compatible with 
authorized ranching operations. The NPS would manage within that range 
using translocation outside of the park if practicable, or agency-
managed lethal removal methods. Additionally, the NPS will evaluate 
management of tule elk from the Limantour free-range herd if they 
affect ranchlands.
    The proposed action represents one alternative that will be 
considered during the EIS process, and it will be further developed and 
refined throughout the process. In addition to the proposed action, the 
NPS is considering the following additional alternative concepts.
    No Action--This alternative is required by NEPA and would continue 
the issuance of short-term agricultural lease/permits for ongoing 
activities, with limited management of free-range tule elk affecting 
park ranch lands, consistent with current management. This alternative 
would continue to maintain existing operations, management of park 
resources and visitor use generally at current levels. The NPS would 
maintain the existing Seashore boundary. Under this alternative, beef 
and dairy ranching operations would continue to be authorized on 
approximately 27,000 acres within the planning area under 5 and 10 year 
agricultural lease/permits.

Action Alternatives

    Continued Ranching and Removal of the Drakes Beach Tule Elk Herd--
Existing ranch families would be authorized to continue beef and dairy 
operations under agricultural lease/permits as described in the 
proposed action. Under this alternative, the Drakes Beach tule elk herd 
would be removed using translocation outside of the park if 
practicable, or agency-managed lethal methods. The NPS would continue 
to manage the Limantour herd as in the proposed action. Under this 
alternative, approximately 27,000 acres of beef and dairy ranching 
operations would be authorized under agricultural lease/permits within 
the planning area.
    Reduced Ranching and Management of the Drakes Beach Tule Elk Herd--
A reduced ranching alternative is required by the Agreement. Under this 
alternative, cessation of grazing operations would occur on 
approximately 7,500 acres within the planning area. The areas 
identified for closure to grazing would minimize the overall impact to 
the Point Reyes Peninsula Dairy Ranches Historic District and Olema 
Valley Dairy Ranches Historic District. Most of the areas identified 
for closure do not have developed complexes or permitted residential 
uses. For areas remaining in agricultural use, agricultural lease/
permits would be offered as described under the proposed action. Tule 
elk would be managed consistent with the actions described in the 
proposed action but under population targets commensurate with the 
level of ranching operations in this alternative. Under this 
alternative, approximately 19,500 acres of beef and dairy ranching 
operations would be authorized under agricultural lease/permits within 
the planning area.
    No Dairy Ranching and Limited Management of the Drakes Beach Tule 
Elk Herd--A no dairy ranching alternative is required by the Agreement. 
Under this alternative, all beef cattle grazing operations would 
continue. The six active dairies within Point Reyes would cease 
operations. Dairy operators would be eligible to convert operations to 
beef cattle grazing over a period of 5 years. For areas remaining in 
agricultural use, agricultural lease/permits would be offered as 
described above for the proposed action. The NPS would take

[[Page 54777]]

limited action to manage the geographic extent of all free-range tule 
elk, but only where management is needed to support other resource 
protection and park goals. Under this alternative, approximately 27,000 
acres of beef grazing operations would be authorized under agricultural 
lease/permits within the planning area.
    No Ranching and Expansion of Tule Elk in the Planning Area--A no 
ranching alternative is required by the Agreement. Under this 
alternative, ranching in all areas of the Seashore and the north 
district of Golden Gate NRA would cease. With the exception of the two 
locations with life-estates, most operations would be phased out over a 
period of 5 years. The NPS anticipates many of the areas and their 
associated facilities would be converted and offered for public not-
for-profit education, research and outdoor experiential activities and 
other public recreation and visitor opportunities. The EIS will 
evaluate these actions at the programmatic level. The NPS would take 
limited action to manage the geographic extent of the free-range tule 
elk herd, but only where management is needed to support other resource 
protection and park goals.
    Each of the action alternatives will also include the Elements 
Common to All Action Alternatives. The alternative concepts and 
management tools under consideration may change based upon input 
received during public scoping and throughout the development of the 
EIS. The NPS will also consider other alternatives that are suggested 
during the scoping period, as appropriate. The NPS will not select an 
alternative for implementation until after a final EIS is completed.

Public Comment

    How to Provide Comments--During the scoping period, maps and other 
project information will be available on the project's website (http://parkplanning.nps.gov/POREGMPA). Public open houses will be conducted to 
provide an opportunity for the public to share their comments and learn 
more about activities within the planning area. Details regarding the 
exact times and locations of these meetings will be announced on the 
project website and through local and regional media. The meetings will 
also be announced through email notification to individuals and 
organizations on the initial distribution list.
    If you wish to comment on the purpose, need, preliminary 
alternatives, or on any other issues associated with development of the 
draft GMP Amendment EIS, you may submit your comments by any one of 
several methods. The preferred method for commenting is online at 
http://parkplanning.nps.gov/POREGMPA. You may also mail or hand deliver 
comments to the Superintendent, Point Reyes National Seashore, 1 Bear 
Valley Road, Point Reyes Station, CA 94956. Written comments will also 
be accepted at the public open houses. Comments will not be accepted by 
fax, email, or by any method other than those specified above. Bulk 
comments in any format (hard copy or electronic) submitted on behalf of 
others will not be accepted.
    Public Availability of Comments--Before including your address, 
phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information 
in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--
including your personal identifying information--may be made publicly 
available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold 
your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot 
guarantee that we will be able to do so.

    Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7.

    Dated: October 19, 2018.
Colin Smith,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific West Region, National Park Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-23807 Filed 10-30-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4312-52-P



                                                                        Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 211 / Wednesday, October 31, 2018 / Notices                                          54775

                                              written protest 30 calendar days from                   http://parkplanning.nps.gov/                          offshore. The Seashore administers an
                                              the date of this publication at the                     POREGMPA and in the Office of the                     additional 15,000 acres of the north
                                              address listed in the ADDRESSES section                 Superintendent, 1 Bear Valley Road,                   district of Golden Gate National
                                              of this notice. A statement of reasons for              Point Reyes Station, CA 94956 (415–                   Recreation Area (Golden Gate NRA)
                                              the protest may be filed with the notice                464–5120, telephone). You may submit                  under a Regional Directive for
                                              of protest and must be filed within 30                  your comments by any one of several                   Management. Congress established
                                              calendar days after the protest is filed.               methods. You may comment online at                    Golden Gate NRA in 1972 and expanded
                                              If a protest against a survey is received               http://parkplanning.nps.gov/                          it in 1980 to include lands within the
                                              prior to the date of official filing, the               POREGMPA. You may mail or hand                        planning area. The Golden Gate NRA
                                              filing will be stayed pending                           deliver comments to the                               legislation directs the NPS ‘‘to preserve
                                              consideration of the protest. A plat will               Superintendent, Point Reyes National                  for public use and enjoyment certain
                                              not be officially filed until the day after             Seashore, 1 Bear Valley Road, Point                   areas of Marin and San Francisco
                                              all protests have been dismissed or                     Reyes Station, CA 94956. Written                      Counties, California, possessing
                                              otherwise resolved.                                     comments will also be accepted at the                 outstanding natural, historic, scenic,
                                                 Before including your address, phone                 public open houses.                                   and recreational values . . . .’’ and to
                                              number, email address, or other                         FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                      ‘‘preserve the recreation area, as far as
                                              personal identifying information in your                Melanie Gunn, Outreach Coordinator,                   possible, in its natural setting, and
                                              comment, please be aware that your                      Point Reyes National Seashore, 1 Bear                 protect it from development and uses
                                              entire protest, including your personal                 Valley Road, Point Reyes Station, CA                  which would destroy the scenic beauty
                                              identifying information may be made                     94956 (415–464–5131, telephone).                      and natural character of the area.’’ 16
                                              publicly available at any time. While                   SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant                   U.S.C. 460bb.
                                              you can ask us in your comment to                       to the National Environmental Policy                     Specific provisions of both the Point
                                              withhold your personal identifying                      Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)                     Reyes and Golden Gate NRA enabling
                                              information from public review, we                      (NEPA), and the terms of a Settlement                 legislation (16 U.S.C. 459c–5 and
                                              cannot guarantee that we will be able to                Agreement approved by the U.S. District               460bb–2(j)) authorize the issuance of
                                              do so.                                                  Court for the Northern District of                    lease/special use permits (lease/permits)
                                                 A copy of the described plats will be                                                                      for agricultural, ranching, or dairying
                                                                                                      California on July 14, 2017 (Resource
                                              placed in the open files, and available                                                                       purposes. Approximately 28,000 acres
                                                                                                      Renewal Institute et al., v. National Park
                                              to the public as a matter of information.                                                                     of National Park Service lands,
                                                                                                      Service, Case No. 16–cv–00688–SBA
                                                 Authority: 43 U.S.C. Chap. 3.                        (KAW) (N.D. Cal.)) (Agreement), the                   including 18,000 acres of Point Reyes
                                                                                                      NPS is preparing an EIS for lands                     National Seashore and 10,000 acres
                                              Leon W. Chmura,
                                                                                                      currently leased for ranching within                  within the north district of Golden Gate
                                              Acting Chief Cadastral Surveyor.                                                                              National Recreation Area, are currently
                                                                                                      Point Reyes National Seashore and the
                                              [FR Doc. 2018–23825 Filed 10–30–18; 8:45 am]                                                                  utilized for beef and dairy ranching
                                                                                                      north district of Golden Gate National
                                              BILLING CODE 4310–GJ–P
                                                                                                      Recreation Area (planning area). In                   under agricultural lease/permits.
                                                                                                      preparing the EIS, the NPS will follow                   In the spring of 2014, the NPS
                                                                                                      all applicable laws and policies and will             initiated development of a Ranch
                                              DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR                                                                                    Comprehensive Management Plan to
                                                                                                      comply with the terms of the
                                              National Park Service                                   Agreement. The Agreement requires the                 address high priority management needs
                                                                                                      EIS to address the statutory elements for             associated with the approximately
                                              [NPS–PWR–PWRO–26857; PPWONRADE2,                        General Management Plans, unless                      28,000 acres of active beef and dairy
                                              PMP00EI05.YP0000]                                                                                             ranching on NPS lands within Point
                                                                                                      inapplicable, and to consider three
                                                                                                      specific alternatives. The EIS will                   Reyes and the north district of Golden
                                              Notice of Intent To Prepare an
                                                                                                      amend the 1980 GMP for the planning                   Gate NRA. The planning effort also
                                              Environmental Impact Statement for a
                                                                                                      area.                                                 addressed concerns related to the
                                              General Management Plan
                                                                                                         This notice also terminates the GMP                expansion of free-range tule elk into the
                                              Amendment, Point Reyes National
                                                                                                      EIS process for Point Reyes National                  park ranch lands, as well as other issues
                                              Seashore and North District of Golden
                                                                                                      Seashore initiated by the NPS on                      including lease duration, succession,
                                              Gate National Recreation Area, Marin
                                                                                                      October 14, 1997 (62 FR 53336),                       and ranch operational flexibility and
                                              County, California
                                                                                                      updated on May 24, 1999 (64 FR 28008),                diversification.
                                              AGENCY:   National Park Service, Interior.              and expanded to include the north                        In February 2016, litigation was
                                              ACTION:   Notice of intent.                             district of Golden Gate National                      brought against the NPS related to the
                                                                                                      Recreation Area lands on February 3,                  ranch planning process and the ongoing
                                              SUMMARY:   The National Park Service                    2000 (65 FR 5365–5366).                               use of lands within the planning area for
                                              (NPS) is preparing a General                                                                                  ranching and dairying. The plaintiffs
                                              Management Plan Amendment (GMP                          Background                                            and the NPS, together with the ranchers
                                              Amendment) and Environmental Impact                       Legislation authorizing the                         and the County of Marin, entered into
                                              Statement (EIS) for all lands currently                 establishment of Point Reyes National                 settlement negotiations in an effort to
                                              under agricultural lease/permits within                 Seashore (Point Reyes or Seashore) was                resolve the litigation. As referenced in
                                              Point Reyes National Seashore and the                   enacted in 1962 (16 U.S.C. 459c) for the              the Supplementary Information section
                                              north district of Golden Gate National                  purpose of preserving ‘‘a portion of the              above, a multi-party Agreement was
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                                              Recreation Area.                                        diminishing seashore of the United                    approved by the U.S. District Court on
                                              DATES: The NPS requests that comments                   States that remains undeveloped.’’ The                July 14, 2017. Per the Agreement, the
                                              be submitted by November 30, 2018.                      Seashore includes more than 71,000                    NPS agreed that in lieu of the Ranch
                                              Open houses will be announced in local                  acres of beaches, coastal cliffs and                  Comprehensive Management Plan, the
                                              media.                                                  headlands, marine terraces, coastal                   NPS would prepare a GMP Amendment
                                              ADDRESSES: Information will be                          uplands, forests, and includes all tide               and EIS addressing the management of
                                              available for public review online at                   and submerged lands to 0.25 miles                     the lands currently leased for ranching


                                         VerDate Sep<11>2014   18:06 Oct 30, 2018   Jkt 247001   PO 00000   Frm 00075   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\31OCN1.SGM   31OCN1


                                              54776                     Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 211 / Wednesday, October 31, 2018 / Notices

                                              within the Seashore and the north                       carrying capacities. The NPS has done                 alternative, beef and dairy ranching
                                              district of Golden Gate NRA.                            some initial boundary analysis and does               operations would continue to be
                                                                                                      not expect to propose any external                    authorized on approximately 27,000
                                              Purpose and Need
                                                                                                      boundary modifications under any of                   acres within the planning area under 5
                                              Purpose                                                 the alternatives.                                     and 10 year agricultural lease/permits.
                                                The purpose of the EIS for the General                   Proposed Action—Based on the
                                                                                                      purpose and need for action, the NPS                  Action Alternatives
                                              Management Plan Amendment is to
                                                                                                      proposed action includes the Elements                    Continued Ranching and Removal of
                                              establish guidance for the preservation
                                                                                                      Common to All Action Alternatives and                 the Drakes Beach Tule Elk Herd—
                                              of natural and cultural resources and the
                                                                                                      the following additional elements:                    Existing ranch families would be
                                              management of infrastructure and
                                                                                                         • Issue agricultural lease/permits                 authorized to continue beef and dairy
                                              visitor use within the planning area.
                                                                                                      with 20 year terms to existing ranch                  operations under agricultural lease/
                                              The alternatives evaluated in the EIS
                                                                                                      families to continue beef and dairy                   permits as described in the proposed
                                              will also address the future management
                                                                                                      operations on approximately 27,000                    action. Under this alternative, the
                                              of tule elk and leased ranch lands.
                                                                                                      acres within the planning area.                       Drakes Beach tule elk herd would be
                                              Need                                                       • The proposed action would include                removed using translocation outside of
                                                Action is needed at this time to                      opportunities for operational flexibility             the park if practicable, or agency-
                                              address the park’s highest priority                     and diversification, establish                        managed lethal methods. The NPS
                                              planning issues which include the                       approximately 900 acres of resource                   would continue to manage the
                                              management of approximately 28,000                      protection buffers, and provide                       Limantour herd as in the proposed
                                              acres of land currently leased for                      programmatic review of best                           action. Under this alternative,
                                              ranching. Action is also needed to                      management practices.                                 approximately 27,000 acres of beef and
                                              comply with the terms of the Agreement                     • Implement a land management                      dairy ranching operations would be
                                              which requires that the GMP                             framework on ranch lands allowing for                 authorized under agricultural lease/
                                              Amendment and EIS be completed on or                    different intensities of land use                     permits within the planning area.
                                              before July 14, 2021.                                   depending on the zone (ranch core,                       Reduced Ranching and Management
                                                                                                      pasture, and range). Diversification                  of the Drakes Beach Tule Elk Herd—A
                                              Alternatives                                            activities (e.g. poultry) would be                    reduced ranching alternative is required
                                                 The Agreement requires the NPS to                    allowed in the ranch core zone. Pasture               by the Agreement. Under this
                                              give full consideration to and disclose                 areas would allow for some increased                  alternative, cessation of grazing
                                              the impacts of three alternatives: (1) No               pasture management activities. Range                  operations would occur on
                                              ranching; (2) no dairy ranching; and (3)                areas would be dedicated to livestock                 approximately 7,500 acres within the
                                              reduced ranching. These alternatives                    grazing.                                              planning area. The areas identified for
                                              must not be conditioned on the                             • Take actions to minimize elk-                    closure to grazing would minimize the
                                              discretionary termination of agricultural               related impacts including: Hazing, fence              overall impact to the Point Reyes
                                              lease/permits by ranchers. The                          repair and modification, water                        Peninsula Dairy Ranches Historic
                                              Agreement expressly preserves the                       development, habitat improvement, and                 District and Olema Valley Dairy
                                              NPS’s right to give full consideration to               other measures as appropriate. The                    Ranches Historic District. Most of the
                                              other potential action alternatives. It                 Drakes Beach free-range tule elk herd                 areas identified for closure do not have
                                              also allows the NPS to consider                         would be managed at a level compatible                developed complexes or permitted
                                              agricultural diversification, increased                 with authorized ranching operations.                  residential uses. For areas remaining in
                                              operational flexibility, the promotion of               The NPS would manage within that                      agricultural use, agricultural lease/
                                              sustainable operational practices,                      range using translocation outside of the              permits would be offered as described
                                              succession planning, and similar ranch                  park if practicable, or agency-managed                under the proposed action. Tule elk
                                              management practices as part of any                     lethal removal methods. Additionally,                 would be managed consistent with the
                                              action alternative, except the no                       the NPS will evaluate management of                   actions described in the proposed action
                                              ranching alternative. Each of the action                tule elk from the Limantour free-range                but under population targets
                                              alternatives considered in the EIS must                 herd if they affect ranchlands.                       commensurate with the level of
                                              also address the four statutorily required                 The proposed action represents one                 ranching operations in this alternative.
                                              elements for GMPs, to the extent                        alternative that will be considered                   Under this alternative, approximately
                                              applicable. These elements are:                         during the EIS process, and it will be                19,500 acres of beef and dairy ranching
                                              Measures to preserve park resources,                    further developed and refined                         operations would be authorized under
                                              guidance regarding the types and levels                 throughout the process. In addition to                agricultural lease/permits within the
                                              of public use and development,                          the proposed action, the NPS is                       planning area.
                                              discussion of visitor carrying capacities,              considering the following additional                     No Dairy Ranching and Limited
                                              and potential external boundary                         alternative concepts.                                 Management of the Drakes Beach Tule
                                              modifications.                                             No Action—This alternative is                      Elk Herd—A no dairy ranching
                                                                                                      required by NEPA and would continue                   alternative is required by the
                                              Elements Common to All Action                           the issuance of short-term agricultural               Agreement. Under this alternative, all
                                              Alternatives                                            lease/permits for ongoing activities,                 beef cattle grazing operations would
                                                 The NPS would identify opportunities                 with limited management of free-range                 continue. The six active dairies within
                                              to improve the visitor experience in the                tule elk affecting park ranch lands,                  Point Reyes would cease operations.
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                                              planning area such as enhanced trail                    consistent with current management.                   Dairy operators would be eligible to
                                              connections, improved signage, and                      This alternative would continue to                    convert operations to beef cattle grazing
                                              new interpretive waysides. The NPS                      maintain existing operations,                         over a period of 5 years. For areas
                                              would identify broad management                         management of park resources and                      remaining in agricultural use,
                                              strategies that would be undertaken to                  visitor use generally at current levels.              agricultural lease/permits would be
                                              preserve park resources, as well as                     The NPS would maintain the existing                   offered as described above for the
                                              indicators and standards to guide visitor               Seashore boundary. Under this                         proposed action. The NPS would take


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                                                                        Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 211 / Wednesday, October 31, 2018 / Notices                                           54777

                                              limited action to manage the geographic                 comments by any one of several                        submissions pursuant to Commission
                                              extent of all free-range tule elk, but only             methods. The preferred method for                     rules.
                                              where management is needed to support                   commenting is online at http://                       FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                              other resource protection and park                      parkplanning.nps.gov/POREGMPA. You                    Houda Morad, Office of the General
                                              goals. Under this alternative,                          may also mail or hand deliver                         Counsel, U.S. International Trade
                                              approximately 27,000 acres of beef                      comments to the Superintendent, Point                 Commission, 500 E Street SW,
                                              grazing operations would be authorized                  Reyes National Seashore, 1 Bear Valley                Washington, DC 20436, telephone (202)
                                              under agricultural lease/permits within                 Road, Point Reyes Station, CA 94956.                  708–4716. Copies of non-confidential
                                              the planning area.                                      Written comments will also be accepted                documents filed in connection with this
                                                 No Ranching and Expansion of Tule                    at the public open houses. Comments                   investigation are or will be available for
                                              Elk in the Planning Area—A no                           will not be accepted by fax, email, or by             inspection during official business
                                              ranching alternative is required by the                 any method other than those specified                 hours (8:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.) in the
                                              Agreement. Under this alternative,                      above. Bulk comments in any format                    Office of the Secretary, U.S.
                                              ranching in all areas of the Seashore and               (hard copy or electronic) submitted on                International Trade Commission, 500 E
                                              the north district of Golden Gate NRA                   behalf of others will not be accepted.                Street SW, Washington, DC 20436,
                                              would cease. With the exception of the                     Public Availability of Comments—                   telephone (202) 205–2000. General
                                              two locations with life-estates, most                   Before including your address, phone                  information concerning the Commission
                                              operations would be phased out over a                   number, email address, or other                       may be obtained by accessing its
                                              period of 5 years. The NPS anticipates                  personal identifying information in your              internet server (https://www.usitc.gov).
                                              many of the areas and their associated                  comment, you should be aware that                     The public record for this investigation
                                              facilities would be converted and                       your entire comment—including your                    may also be viewed on the
                                              offered for public not-for-profit                       personal identifying information—may                  Commission’s electronic docket (EDIS)
                                              education, research and outdoor                         be made publicly available at any time.               at https://edis.usitc.gov. Hearing-
                                              experiential activities and other public                While you can ask us in your comment                  impaired persons are advised that
                                              recreation and visitor opportunities. The               to withhold your personal identifying
                                              EIS will evaluate these actions at the                                                                        information on this matter can be
                                                                                                      information from public review, we                    obtained by contacting the
                                              programmatic level. The NPS would                       cannot guarantee that we will be able to
                                              take limited action to manage the                                                                             Commission’s TDD terminal on (202)
                                                                                                      do so.                                                205–1810.
                                              geographic extent of the free-range tule
                                                                                                        Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7.                           SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section
                                              elk herd, but only where management is
                                              needed to support other resource                          Dated: October 19, 2018.                            337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as
                                              protection and park goals.                              Colin Smith,                                          amended, 19 U.S.C. 1337 (‘‘section
                                                 Each of the action alternatives will                 Acting Regional Director, Pacific West Region,        337’’), provides that if the Commission
                                              also include the Elements Common to                     National Park Service.                                finds a violation, it shall exclude the
                                              All Action Alternatives. The alternative                [FR Doc. 2018–23807 Filed 10–30–18; 8:45 am]          articles concerned from the United
                                              concepts and management tools under                     BILLING CODE 4312–52–P                                States unless, after considering the
                                              consideration may change based upon                                                                           effect of such exclusion upon the public
                                              input received during public scoping                                                                          health and welfare, competitive
                                              and throughout the development of the                   INTERNATIONAL TRADE                                   conditions in the United States
                                              EIS. The NPS will also consider other                   COMMISSION                                            economy, the production of like or
                                              alternatives that are suggested during                                                                        directly competitive articles in the
                                              the scoping period, as appropriate. The                 [Investigation No. 337–TA–1074]                       United States, and United States
                                              NPS will not select an alternative for                                                                        consumers, it finds that such articles
                                                                                                      Certain Industrial Automation Systems                 should not be excluded from entry. 19
                                              implementation until after a final EIS is
                                                                                                      and Components Thereof Including                      U.S.C. 1337(d)(1). A similar provision
                                              completed.
                                                                                                      Control Systems, Controllers,                         applies to cease and desist orders. 19
                                              Public Comment                                          Visualization Hardware, Motion and                    U.S.C. 1337(f)(1).
                                                How to Provide Comments—During                        Motor Control Systems, Networking                        The Commission is soliciting
                                              the scoping period, maps and other                      Equipment, Safety Devices, and Power                  comments on public interest issues
                                              project information will be available on                Supplies; Notice of Request for                       raised by the recommended relief,
                                              the project’s website (http://                          Statements on the Public Interest                     should the Commission find a violation,
                                              parkplanning.nps.gov/POREGMPA).                         AGENCY: U.S. International Trade                      i.e.: (1) A general exclusion order
                                              Public open houses will be conducted to                 Commission.                                           (‘‘GEO’’) against certain industrial
                                              provide an opportunity for the public to                ACTION: Notice.                                       automation systems and components
                                              share their comments and learn more                                                                           thereof including control systems,
                                              about activities within the planning                    SUMMARY:   Notice is hereby given that                controllers, visualization hardware,
                                              area. Details regarding the exact times                 the presiding administrative law judge                motion and motor control systems,
                                              and locations of these meetings will be                 has issued a final Initial Determination              networking equipment, safety devices,
                                              announced on the project website and                    on section 337 violation and a                        and power supplies; and (2) a cease and
                                              through local and regional media. The                   Recommended Determination on                          desist order (‘‘CDO’’) against one of the
                                              meetings will also be announced                         remedy and bonding in the above-                      defaulted respondents, namely,
                                              through email notification to                           captioned investigation. The                          Fractioni (Hongkong) Ltd.
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                                              individuals and organizations on the                    Commission is soliciting comments on                     The Commission is interested in
                                              initial distribution list.                              public interest issues raised by the                  further development of the record on
                                                If you wish to comment on the                         recommended relief, should the                        the public interest in this investigation.
                                              purpose, need, preliminary alternatives,                Commission find a section 337                         Accordingly, parties are to file public
                                              or on any other issues associated with                  violation. This notice is soliciting public           interest submissions pursuant to
                                              development of the draft GMP                            interest comments from the public only.               pursuant to 19 CFR 210.50(a)(4). In
                                              Amendment EIS, you may submit your                      Parties are to file public interest                   addition, members of the public are


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Document Created: 2018-10-31 00:34:03
Document Modified: 2018-10-31 00:34:03
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice of intent.
DatesThe NPS requests that comments be submitted by November 30, 2018. Open houses will be announced in local media.
ContactMelanie Gunn, Outreach Coordinator, Point Reyes National Seashore, 1 Bear Valley Road, Point Reyes Station, CA 94956 (415-464-5131, telephone).
FR Citation83 FR 54775 

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