Draft Environmental Impact Statement/General Management Plan, Pinnacles National Monument, San Benito and Monterey Counties, CA; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement, 17181-17182 [E7-6447]

Download as PDF pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 66 / Friday, April 6, 2007 / Notices documentation for this general management plan update. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This new general management plan (GMP) will update the overall direction for the national monument, setting broad management goals for managing the area over the next 15 to 20 years. As noted above, the GMP was originally scoped as an EIS. However, few public comments were received in the scoping process. No issues with the potential for controversial impacts were identified for the general management plan. The current GMP was approved in 1979. In the general management planning process the NPS planning team developed four preliminary alternatives for the national monument, none of which would result in substantial changes in the operation and management of the area. The three ‘‘action’’ alternatives primarily focus on maintaining and protecting paleontological and other resources, and expanding interpretation and visitor opportunities where appropriate. The alternatives vary in their treatment of the Cant Ranch cultural landscape, the management of the Hancock mammal quarry, and the development of new trails. Preliminary analysis of the alternatives has revealed no major (nor significant) potential effects on the quality of the human environment, nor any potential for impairment of park resources and values. Most of the impacts from the alternatives are expected to be negligible to minor in magnitude, with the remainder being of a minor to moderate level. For these reasons the NPS determined that the requisite conservation planning and environmental impact analysis necessary for updating the general management plan can appropriately be completed through preparation of an Environmental Assessment (EA). For further information about this determination or other aspects of the GMP process, please contact: James Hammett, Superintendent, John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, 32651 Highway 19, Kimberly, OR 97848 (telephone: (514) 987–2333; e-mail: JODA_Superintendent@nps.gov). Decsion Process: The draft general management plan/EA is expected to be distributed for public comment in the fall/winter of 2007. The NPS will notify the public about release of the draft general management plan/EA by mail, local and regional media, Web site postings, and other means; all announcements will include information on where and how to obtain a copy of the EA, how to comment on the EA, and the length of the public VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:39 Apr 05, 2007 Jkt 211001 comment period. Following due consideration of public comments and agency consults, at this time a decision is expected be made in the winter of 2008. The official responsible for the final decision on the GMP is the Regional Director; subsequently the responsible official for implementing the approved GMP is the Superintendent, John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. Dated: January 26, 2007. Jonathan B. Jarvis, Director, Pacific West Region. [FR Doc. E7–6451 Filed 4–5–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–3J–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service Draft Environmental Impact Statement/ General Management Plan, Pinnacles National Monument, San Benito and Monterey Counties, CA; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement SUMMARY: In accord with section 102(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.), the National Park Service (NPS) has undertaken a conservation planning and environmental impact analysis process for updating the General Management Plan (GMP) for Pinnacles National Monument. An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared concurrently with the GMP. The GMP will address desired conditions for the Monument, uses or treatment needs for resource protection, visitor use and other management goals thus serving as a ‘‘blueprint’’ to guide management of natural and cultural resources and visitor use during the next 15–20 years. This notice supersedes the previous notice published in the Federal Register on November 19, 1998 (Vol. 63, No. 223). Background: Pinnacles National Monument preserves an ecologicallyrich, geologically-spectacular, and culturally-significant landscape in the Central Coast region of California. Established in 1908 and named for dramatic rock formations that are the remains of an ancient volcano, the Monument preserves a landscape shaped by earthquake, fire, and flood. The Monument is rich in plant and animal life that inhabit the park’s chaparral, oak woodland, talus cave, riparian, and rock-and-scree habitats. In 2003, Pinnacles became the home once again to the California condor, one of the nation’s most endangered species, PO 00000 Frm 00091 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 17181 elevating the Monument’s profile substantially throughout the region. Pinnacles preserves a rich human history with archeological sites reaching back at least 2,000 years, revealing use by indigenous people. Sites from the 1800s reflect the homesteading history of the area. In the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps played the central role in the development of the Monument that visitors enjoy today, evidenced by roads, a visitor center, numerous park structures, and an outstanding trail system that stands as an important cultural resource in itself. Located 100 miles south of the greater San Francisco Bay Area, Pinnacles is on the edge of one of the state’s most populated and fastest-growing areas. Since 1976, Pinnacles has grown from 16,271 acres to 24,436 acres. In 1976, 15,985 acres were designated by Congress as Wilderness (and several tracts of land since transferred from the BLM bring the Wilderness total acreage to 16,048). Also, acquisition of the 2,000-acre Pinnacles Ranch during the spring of 2006 has added substantial new resources, infrastructure, recreational opportunities, and management challenges. A new GMP reflecting contemporary issues and challenges facing Pinnacles in the future is essential. The plan will provide direction for park management through the establishment of management zones, user capacities and appropriate types and levels of development and recreational use for all areas of the park. Resource protection, visitor experiences, community relationships, and relationships with neighboring land management agencies will be improved through completion and implementation of the GMP. Scoping Process: The purpose of the scoping outreach efforts is to elicit public comment regarding issues and concerns, the nature and extent of potential environmental impacts (and appropriate mitigation measures) that should be addressed in the plan. Major issues anticipated to be addressed in the EIS include: • What are the desired conditions for native/endemic ecosystems? • What are the desired conditions for Wilderness areas? • What are the desired conditions for cultural resources and cultural landscapes? • What areas and structures are appropriate for museum collections storage, preservation and accessibility for research? • What is the desired visitor experience throughout the Monument (east side, west side, high peaks, Bear Gulch, Chalone, Chaparral, Pinnacles E:\FR\FM\06APN1.SGM 06APN1 pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES 17182 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 66 / Friday, April 6, 2007 / Notices Ranch, campground, backcountry, Wilderness)? • What are appropriate visitor use levels for different parts of the Monument? • What transportation options should be considered for providing access to and within the Monument? What types of trail (or other) access are appropriate, and where? • What is the appropriate level of development in different parts of the Monument, and what areas are appropriate for park administration and operations activities? • How should the NPS work with nearby communities to encourage community understanding of the Monument and to address potential effects of development and population growth in neighboring communities on ecological, scenic, and Wilderness values of the Monument? • Are there any recommendations for changes in the authorizing legislation for Pinnacles National Monument that should be considered in the GMP? Comments: Through the outreach activities planned in this final scoping effort, the NPS welcomes additional information and suggestions from the public regarding resource protection, visitor use, and land management. This notice formally resumes the public scoping comment phase for the EIS process for the GMP. All interested persons, organizations, agencies, and American Indian tribes wishing to express new concerns or provide information about management issues which should be addressed in the GMP and environmental impact analysis process are encouraged to contact the Superintendent (previous responses are contained in the administrative record and do not need to be resubmitted). All comments received will become part of the public record. Before including your address, phone number, e-mail 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. At this time, public scoping meetings are anticipated to be held during the spring of 2007; details will be announced widely in local and regional news media, via direct park mailings and through the GMP Web site: (https:// parkplanning.nps.gov/pinn). All attendees will be given the opportunity to ask questions and provide comments VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:39 Apr 05, 2007 Jkt 211001 to the planning team. The Web site will provide the most up-to-date information regarding the project, including project description, planning process updates, meeting notices, reports and documents, and useful links associated with the project. All written comments regarding the preparation of the EIS/GMP must be postmarked or transmitted not later than May 31, 2007 and should be submitted directly to General Management Plan Team, Pinnacles National Monument, 5000 Hwy 146, Paicines, CA 95043 (or electronically through the Web site noted above). Decision Process: At this time, the draft EIS/GMP is expected to be released for public review during the fall of 2008; following due consideration of all comments as may be submitted, the final document is anticipated to be completed in the summer of 2009. Formal announcement of the availability of both documents will be published in the Federal Register, publicized via local and regional media and the internet, and via direct mailing to the project mailing list. Responsibility for approving the Final EIS/GMP is delegated to the NPS, and the official responsible for the final decision is the Regional Director, Pacific West Region; subsequently the official responsible for implementing the approved GMP is the Superintendent, Pinnacles National Monument. Dated: January 26, 2007. Jonathan B. Jarvis, Regional Director, Pacific West Region. [FR Doc. E7–6447 Filed 4–5–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4312–EP–P 20005; or by fax, 202–371–6447. Written or faxed comments should be submitted by April 23, 2007. J. Paul Loether, Chief, National Register of Historic Places/ National Historic Landmarks Program. COLORADO Conejos County Denver & Rio Grande Railroad San Juan Extension (Boundary Increase), Railway corridor from Antonito, CO to Chama, NM via Cubres Pass, Antonito, 07000374 GEORGIA Carroll County Carrollton Downtown Historic District, Roughly around downtown sq. and is bounded by Johnson Ave., White St., Mill St. and Barnes St., Carrollton, 07000378 Lowndes County Southside Historic District, Roughly bounded by CSX trks, Bunche Dr., Griffin Ave., Old Statenville Rd., Wisenbake Ln., Dasher Ln., and S. Patterson Rd., Valdosta, 07000379 Thomas County Boston Historic District, Roughly bounded by U.S. 84, Roundtree and S. Oak St., Washington St. and W. Jefferson and W. Railroad Sts., Boston, 07000375 MARYLAND Wicomico County Union Station, WI–150, 611 Railroad Ave., Salisbury, 07000389 MICHIGAN Berrien County Robbins, Wendell P. and Harriet Rounds, House, 680 Pipestone St., Benton Harbor, 07000385 Kalamazoo County DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service Fanckboner—Nichols Farmstead, 5992 West VW Ave., Prairie Ronde Township, 07000387 Lenawee County National Register of Historic Places; Notification of Pending Nominations and Related Actions Nominations for the following properties being considered for listing or related actions in the National Register were received by the National Park Service before March 24, 2007. Pursuant to § 60.13 of 36 CFR Part 60 written comments concerning the significance of these properties under the National Register criteria for evaluation may be forwarded by United States Postal Service, to the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service, 1849 C St., NW., 2280, Washington, DC 20240; by all other carriers, National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service, 1201 Eye St., NW., 8th floor, Washington, DC PO 00000 Frm 00092 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Davenport Hotel, 1280 US–12, Franklin Township, 07000383 Irish Hills Towers, 8433 W US–12, Cambridge Township, 07000380 Saint Joseph Church and Shrine, 8742 US– 12, Cambridge Township, 07000382 Walker’s, S., Hotel, 11705 US–12, Cambridge Township, 07000381 Marquette County Cleveland Mine Engine House Number 3, 601 Division St., Ishpeming, 07000386 MISSOURI Cass County Watkins Family Farm Historic District, 19116 S. School Rd., Raymore, 07000376 St. Louis Independent City Wellston Station, 6111 Dr. Martin Luther King Dr., St. Louis (Independent City), 07000377 E:\FR\FM\06APN1.SGM 06APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 66 (Friday, April 6, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17181-17182]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-6447]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Draft Environmental Impact Statement/General Management Plan, 
Pinnacles National Monument, San Benito and Monterey Counties, CA; 
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement

SUMMARY: In accord with section 102(C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.), the National Park Service 
(NPS) has undertaken a conservation planning and environmental impact 
analysis process for updating the General Management Plan (GMP) for 
Pinnacles National Monument. An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) 
will be prepared concurrently with the GMP. The GMP will address 
desired conditions for the Monument, uses or treatment needs for 
resource protection, visitor use and other management goals thus 
serving as a ``blueprint'' to guide management of natural and cultural 
resources and visitor use during the next 15-20 years. This notice 
supersedes the previous notice published in the Federal Register on 
November 19, 1998 (Vol. 63, No. 223).
    Background: Pinnacles National Monument preserves an ecologically-
rich, geologically-spectacular, and culturally-significant landscape in 
the Central Coast region of California. Established in 1908 and named 
for dramatic rock formations that are the remains of an ancient 
volcano, the Monument preserves a landscape shaped by earthquake, fire, 
and flood. The Monument is rich in plant and animal life that inhabit 
the park's chaparral, oak woodland, talus cave, riparian, and rock-and-
scree habitats. In 2003, Pinnacles became the home once again to the 
California condor, one of the nation's most endangered species, 
elevating the Monument's profile substantially throughout the region.
    Pinnacles preserves a rich human history with archeological sites 
reaching back at least 2,000 years, revealing use by indigenous people. 
Sites from the 1800s reflect the homesteading history of the area. In 
the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps played the central role in 
the development of the Monument that visitors enjoy today, evidenced by 
roads, a visitor center, numerous park structures, and an outstanding 
trail system that stands as an important cultural resource in itself.
    Located 100 miles south of the greater San Francisco Bay Area, 
Pinnacles is on the edge of one of the state's most populated and 
fastest-growing areas. Since 1976, Pinnacles has grown from 16,271 
acres to 24,436 acres. In 1976, 15,985 acres were designated by 
Congress as Wilderness (and several tracts of land since transferred 
from the BLM bring the Wilderness total acreage to 16,048). Also, 
acquisition of the 2,000-acre Pinnacles Ranch during the spring of 2006 
has added substantial new resources, infrastructure, recreational 
opportunities, and management challenges.
    A new GMP reflecting contemporary issues and challenges facing 
Pinnacles in the future is essential. The plan will provide direction 
for park management through the establishment of management zones, user 
capacities and appropriate types and levels of development and 
recreational use for all areas of the park. Resource protection, 
visitor experiences, community relationships, and relationships with 
neighboring land management agencies will be improved through 
completion and implementation of the GMP.
    Scoping Process: The purpose of the scoping outreach efforts is to 
elicit public comment regarding issues and concerns, the nature and 
extent of potential environmental impacts (and appropriate mitigation 
measures) that should be addressed in the plan. Major issues 
anticipated to be addressed in the EIS include:
     What are the desired conditions for native/endemic 
ecosystems?
     What are the desired conditions for Wilderness areas?
     What are the desired conditions for cultural resources and 
cultural landscapes?
     What areas and structures are appropriate for museum 
collections storage, preservation and accessibility for research?
     What is the desired visitor experience throughout the 
Monument (east side, west side, high peaks, Bear Gulch, Chalone, 
Chaparral, Pinnacles

[[Page 17182]]

Ranch, campground, backcountry, Wilderness)?
     What are appropriate visitor use levels for different 
parts of the Monument?
     What transportation options should be considered for 
providing access to and within the Monument? What types of trail (or 
other) access are appropriate, and where?
     What is the appropriate level of development in different 
parts of the Monument, and what areas are appropriate for park 
administration and operations activities?
     How should the NPS work with nearby communities to 
encourage community understanding of the Monument and to address 
potential effects of development and population growth in neighboring 
communities on ecological, scenic, and Wilderness values of the 
Monument?
     Are there any recommendations for changes in the 
authorizing legislation for Pinnacles National Monument that should be 
considered in the GMP?
    Comments: Through the outreach activities planned in this final 
scoping effort, the NPS welcomes additional information and suggestions 
from the public regarding resource protection, visitor use, and land 
management. This notice formally resumes the public scoping comment 
phase for the EIS process for the GMP. All interested persons, 
organizations, agencies, and American Indian tribes wishing to express 
new concerns or provide information about management issues which 
should be addressed in the GMP and environmental impact analysis 
process are encouraged to contact the Superintendent (previous 
responses are contained in the administrative record and do not need to 
be resubmitted). All comments received will become part of the public 
record. Before including your address, phone number, e-mail 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.
    At this time, public scoping meetings are anticipated to be held 
during the spring of 2007; details will be announced widely in local 
and regional news media, via direct park mailings and through the GMP 
Web site: (https://parkplanning.nps.gov/pinn). All attendees will be 
given the opportunity to ask questions and provide comments to the 
planning team. The Web site will provide the most up-to-date 
information regarding the project, including project description, 
planning process updates, meeting notices, reports and documents, and 
useful links associated with the project.
    All written comments regarding the preparation of the EIS/GMP must 
be postmarked or transmitted not later than May 31, 2007 and should be 
submitted directly to General Management Plan Team, Pinnacles National 
Monument, 5000 Hwy 146, Paicines, CA 95043 (or electronically through 
the Web site noted above).
    Decision Process: At this time, the draft EIS/GMP is expected to be 
released for public review during the fall of 2008; following due 
consideration of all comments as may be submitted, the final document 
is anticipated to be completed in the summer of 2009. Formal 
announcement of the availability of both documents will be published in 
the Federal Register, publicized via local and regional media and the 
internet, and via direct mailing to the project mailing list. 
Responsibility for approving the Final EIS/GMP is delegated to the NPS, 
and the official responsible for the final decision is the Regional 
Director, Pacific West Region; subsequently the official responsible 
for implementing the approved GMP is the Superintendent, Pinnacles 
National Monument.

    Dated: January 26, 2007.
Jonathan B. Jarvis,
Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
 [FR Doc. E7-6447 Filed 4-5-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-EP-P

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