Final Environmental Impact Statement/Mountain Lakes Fishery Management Plan; North Cascades National Park Service Complex; Chelan, Skagit and Whatcom Counties, WA; Notice of Availability, 42826-42827 [E8-16887]

Download as PDF 42826 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 142 / Wednesday, July 23, 2008 / Notices meetings, topics will include: Miles City and Billings Field Office manager updates, subcommittee briefings, work sessions and other issues that the council may raise. All meetings are open to the public and the public may present written comments to the Council. Each formal Council meeting will also have time allocated for hearing public comments. Depending on the number of persons wishing to comment and time available, the time for individual oral comments may be limited. Individuals who plan to attend and need special assistance, such as sign language interpretation, tour transportation or other reasonable accommodations should contact the BLM as provided above. Dated: July 15, 2008. M. Elaine Raper, Field Manager. [FR Doc. E8–16881 Filed 7–22–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–$$–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service Final Environmental Impact Statement/ Mountain Lakes Fishery Management Plan; North Cascades National Park Service Complex; Chelan, Skagit and Whatcom Counties, WA; Notice of Availability Pursuant to § 102(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Pub. L. 91–190, as amended), the National Park Service in cooperation with the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife has prepared a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and Mountain Lakes Fishery Management Plan. The FEIS identifies and evaluates proposed plan and three alternatives for management of nonnative fish in the natural mountain lakes within North Cascades National Park Service Complex and the Stephen Mather Wilderness. Appropriate mitigation strategies are assessed, and an ‘‘environmentally preferred’’ alternative is also identified. When approved, the Mountain Lakes Fishery Management Plan (Plan) will govern all fishery management actions, including potential removal of self-sustaining populations of non-native fish and fish stocking. Background: The National Park Service (NPS) manages North Cascades National Park, Lake Chelan National Recreation Area, and Ross Lake National Recreation Area collectively as the North Cascades National Park Service Complex (hereafter referred to as ‘‘North Cascades’’). The rugged, wilderness mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:14 Jul 22, 2008 Jkt 214001 landscape of North Cascades contains 245 natural mountain lakes which are naturally fishless due to impassable topographic barriers. Though naturally barren of fish, these lakes contain a rich array of native aquatic life including plankton, aquatic insects, frogs and salamanders. In the late 1800’s, settlers began stocking lakes within the presentday boundaries of North Cascades with various species of non-native trout for food and recreation. By the 20th century, fish stocking was routinely undertaken by the U.S. Forest Service, various counties, and individuals. Then in 1933, the state of Washington assumed responsibility for stocking mountain lakes to create and maintain a recreational fishery. After North Cascades was established in 1968, a conflict over fish stocking emerged between the NPS and Washington state. This conflict derived from fundamental policy differences: NPS policies prohibited stocking so as to protect native ecosystems and Wilderness, whereas Washington policies encouraged stocking to enhance recreational opportunities. Preferred Plan and Alternatives Considered: As the proposed Mountain Lakes Fishery Management Plan, Alternative B (agency-preferred alternative) would allow continued stocking of select lakes with a history of fish stocking. To minimize ecological risks, only trout that are native to the watershed or functionally sterile would be stocked at low densities. Selfsustaining populations of trout would be removed from all lakes (where feasible) using various methods including gillnets, electrofishing, spawning habitat exclusion, and antimycin, a potent yet ephemeral pesticide. Management actions would be monitored and evaluated to enable adaptive management and minimize impacts to biological integrity. Implementation of this Alternative would require clarification from Congress regarding fish stocking in North Cascades and the Stephen Mather Wilderness. The ‘‘no action’’ alternative (Alternative A) would continue fishery management according to the terms and conditions of the 1988 Supplemental Agreement with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). This agreement provides for continued stocking of select lakes in North Cascades National Park. Implementation of this alternative would require clarification from Congress regarding fish stocking in the North Cascades and Stephen Mather Wilderness. PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Alternative C would include continued fish stocking in select lakes in Ross Lake National Recreation Area and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area; stocking would be discontinued in North Cascades National Park. Otherwise, the adaptive management framework for this alternative would be similar to Alternative B. Implementation of Alternative C would require clarification from Congress regarding continued fish stocking in the Stephen Mather Wilderness. Alternative D would discontinue fish stocking in all mountain lakes in North Cascades Complex. This alternative would implement a long-term goal of removing, wherever feasible, selfsustaining populations of non-native trout in up to 37 lakes using the removal methods described for Alternative B. Public Involvement: The public scoping phase formally began January 16, 2003, with the NPS publication of a Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS for a high mountain lakes fishery management plan. Extensive local and regional publicity and distribution of public scoping brochures occurred during February–March 2003. In late March 2003, the four public scoping meetings were hosted in the surrounding communities of SedroWoolley, Wenatchee, Bellevue and Seattle. The NPS received 248 comments during the public scoping phase; a public scoping report was prepared and posted on the project Web site (see below). The EPA’s notice of filing of the Draft EIS was published in the Federal Register by the EPA on May 27, 2005; the park’s notice of availability was published on May 31, 2005. The 90day opportunity for public review and comment extended through August 26, 2005. Four public meetings were hosted in surrounding communities during the week of July 25–28, 2005. Ninety individuals and organizations provided 350 substantive comments both for and against continued stocking. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Electronic copies of the final document will be available online at https:// parkplanning.nps.gov/noca. Bound printed copies will be available for public review at the North Cascades Headquarters Office, 810 State Route 20, Sedro-Woolley, Washington 98284; and at the Seattle, Wenatchee, Chelan and Bellingham public libraries. For further information or to request copies of the document, contact Mr. Roy Zipp, Environmental Protection Specialist, 810 State Route 20, Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284; (360) 854–7313. Decision Process: Following careful consideration of all public and agency E:\FR\FM\23JYN1.SGM 23JYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 142 / Wednesday, July 23, 2008 / Notices comments received on the Draft EIS/ Plan, the NPS in cooperation with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has completed the Final Mountain Lakes Fishery Management Plan/Final Environmental Impact Statement. Not sooner than 30 days after notice of release of the Final EIS is published in the Federal Register by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a Record of Decision will be prepared by the NPS. As a delegated EIS, the official responsible for the final decision is the Regional Director, Pacific West Region; subsequently, the official responsible for implementation will be the Superintendent, North Cascades National Park Service Complex. Dated: March 5, 2008. Patricia L. Neubacher, Acting Regional Director, Pacific West Region. Editorial Note: This document was received in the Office of the Federal Register on July 18, 2008. [FR Doc. E8–16887 Filed 7–22–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4312–HJ–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Intermountain Region, Santa Fe, NM National Park Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice. mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES AGENCY: Notice is here given in accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 U.S.C. 3005, of the intent to repatriate cultural items in the possession of the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Intermountain Region, Santa Fe, NM, that meet the definition of ‘‘sacred objects’’ under 25 U.S.C. 3001. This notice is published as part of the National Park Service’s administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 25 U.S.C. 3003(d)(3). The determinations in this notice are the sole responsibility of the NAGPRA coordinator, Intermountain Region. In 1994, the National Park Service assisted the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service with the investigation of a Migratory Bird Treaty Act violation. The evidence included a collection of Native American objects confiscated from the East-West Trading Post in Santa Fe, NM. Preliminary subject matter expert review of the collection indicated that the objects were historically significant and VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:14 Jul 22, 2008 Jkt 214001 potentially subject to NAGPRA. The collection was accessioned in 2002 into the Southwest Regional Office collections, now called the Intermountain Region Office. The three cultural items covered in this notice are one bundle with carved bird, shell, and eagle feather; one bundle with eagle feathers; and one carved bird with beads. Following adjudication of the case, a detailed assessment of the objects was made by Intermountain Region (IMIR) NAGPRA program staff in close collaboration with the IMIR Museum Services program staff and in consultation with representatives of potentially affiliated tribes. During consultation, representatives of the Pueblo of Santa Ana, New Mexico, identified the cultural items as specific ceremonial objects needed by traditional Pueblo of Santa Ana religious leaders for the practice of a traditional Native American religion by their present-day adherents. Oral tradition evidence presented by representatives of the Pueblo of Santa Ana, New Mexico, and the written repatriation request received by the Intermountain Region further articulated the ceremonial significance of the cultural items to the Pueblo of Santa Ana, New Mexico. Based on anthropological information, court case documentation, oral tradition, museum records, consultation evidence, and expert opinion, there is a cultural affiliation between the Pueblo of Santa Ana, New Mexico, and the three sacred objects. Officials of the Intermountain Region have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(3)(C), the three cultural items described above are specific ceremonial objects needed by traditional Native American religious leaders for the practice of traditional Native American religions by their present-day adherents. Officials of the Intermountain Region also have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), there is a relationship of shared group identity that can be reasonably traced between the sacred objects and the Pueblo of Santa Ana, New Mexico. Representatives of any other Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with the sacred objects should contact Dave Ruppert, NAGPRA Coordinator, NPS Intermountain Region, 12795 West Alameda Parkway, Lakewood, CO 80228, telephone (303) 969–2879, before August 22, 2008. Repatriation of the sacred objects to the Pueblo of Santa Ana, New Mexico may proceed after that date if no additional claimants come forward. The Intermountain Region is responsible for notifying the Apache PO 00000 Frm 00057 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 42827 Tribe of Oklahoma; Fort Sill Apache Tribe of Oklahoma; Hopi Tribe of Arizona; Jicarilla Apache Nation, New Mexico; Mescalero Apache Tribe of the Mescalero Reservation, New Mexico; Navajo Nation, Arizona, New Mexico & Utah; Ohkay Owingeh, New Mexico (formerly the Pueblo of San Juan); Pueblo of Acoma, New Mexico; Pueblo of Cochiti, New Mexico; Pueblo of Jemez, New Mexico; Pueblo of Isleta, New Mexico; Pueblo of Laguna, New Mexico; Pueblo of Nambe, New Mexico; Pueblo of Picuris, New Mexico; Pueblo of Pojoaque, New Mexico; Pueblo of San Felipe, New Mexico; Pueblo of San Ildefonso, New Mexico; Pueblo of Sandia, New Mexico; Pueblo of Santa Ana, New Mexico; Pueblo of Santa Clara, New Mexico; Pueblo of Santo Domingo, New Mexico; Pueblo of Taos, New Mexico; Pueblo of Tesuque, New Mexico; Pueblo of Zia, New Mexico; San Carlos Apache Tribe of the San Carlos Reservation, Arizona; Tonto Apache Tribe of Arizona; Ute Mountain Tribe of the Ute Mountain Reservation, Colorado, New Mexico & Utah; White Mountain Apache Tribe of the Fort Apache Reservation, Arizona; YavapaiApache Nation of the Camp Verde Indian Reservation, Arizona; Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo of Texas; and Zuni Tribe of the Zuni Reservation, New Mexico that this notice has been published. Dated: June 24, 2008. Sherry Hutt, Manager, National NAGPRA Program. [FR Doc. E8–16732 Filed 7–22–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4312–50–M DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service 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 July 4, 2008. Pursuant to section 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 20005; or by fax, 202–371–6447. Written E:\FR\FM\23JYN1.SGM 23JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 142 (Wednesday, July 23, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42826-42827]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-16887]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Final Environmental Impact Statement/Mountain Lakes Fishery 
Management Plan; North Cascades National Park Service Complex; Chelan, 
Skagit and Whatcom Counties, WA; Notice of Availability

SUMMARY: Pursuant to Sec.  102(c) of the National Environmental Policy 
Act of 1969 (Pub. L. 91-190, as amended), the National Park Service in 
cooperation with the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife 
has prepared a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and Mountain 
Lakes Fishery Management Plan. The FEIS identifies and evaluates 
proposed plan and three alternatives for management of non-native fish 
in the natural mountain lakes within North Cascades National Park 
Service Complex and the Stephen Mather Wilderness. Appropriate 
mitigation strategies are assessed, and an ``environmentally 
preferred'' alternative is also identified. When approved, the Mountain 
Lakes Fishery Management Plan (Plan) will govern all fishery management 
actions, including potential removal of self-sustaining populations of 
non-native fish and fish stocking.
    Background: The National Park Service (NPS) manages North Cascades 
National Park, Lake Chelan National Recreation Area, and Ross Lake 
National Recreation Area collectively as the North Cascades National 
Park Service Complex (hereafter referred to as ``North Cascades''). The 
rugged, wilderness landscape of North Cascades contains 245 natural 
mountain lakes which are naturally fishless due to impassable 
topographic barriers. Though naturally barren of fish, these lakes 
contain a rich array of native aquatic life including plankton, aquatic 
insects, frogs and salamanders. In the late 1800's, settlers began 
stocking lakes within the present-day boundaries of North Cascades with 
various species of non-native trout for food and recreation. By the 
20th century, fish stocking was routinely undertaken by the U.S. Forest 
Service, various counties, and individuals. Then in 1933, the state of 
Washington assumed responsibility for stocking mountain lakes to create 
and maintain a recreational fishery. After North Cascades was 
established in 1968, a conflict over fish stocking emerged between the 
NPS and Washington state. This conflict derived from fundamental policy 
differences: NPS policies prohibited stocking so as to protect native 
ecosystems and Wilderness, whereas Washington policies encouraged 
stocking to enhance recreational opportunities.
    Preferred Plan and Alternatives Considered: As the proposed 
Mountain Lakes Fishery Management Plan, Alternative B (agency-preferred 
alternative) would allow continued stocking of select lakes with a 
history of fish stocking. To minimize ecological risks, only trout that 
are native to the watershed or functionally sterile would be stocked at 
low densities. Self-sustaining populations of trout would be removed 
from all lakes (where feasible) using various methods including 
gillnets, electrofishing, spawning habitat exclusion, and antimycin, a 
potent yet ephemeral pesticide. Management actions would be monitored 
and evaluated to enable adaptive management and minimize impacts to 
biological integrity. Implementation of this Alternative would require 
clarification from Congress regarding fish stocking in North Cascades 
and the Stephen Mather Wilderness.
    The ``no action'' alternative (Alternative A) would continue 
fishery management according to the terms and conditions of the 1988 
Supplemental Agreement with the Washington Department of Fish and 
Wildlife (WDFW). This agreement provides for continued stocking of 
select lakes in North Cascades National Park. Implementation of this 
alternative would require clarification from Congress regarding fish 
stocking in the North Cascades and Stephen Mather Wilderness.
    Alternative C would include continued fish stocking in select lakes 
in Ross Lake National Recreation Area and Lake Chelan National 
Recreation Area; stocking would be discontinued in North Cascades 
National Park. Otherwise, the adaptive management framework for this 
alternative would be similar to Alternative B. Implementation of 
Alternative C would require clarification from Congress regarding 
continued fish stocking in the Stephen Mather Wilderness.
    Alternative D would discontinue fish stocking in all mountain lakes 
in North Cascades Complex. This alternative would implement a long-term 
goal of removing, wherever feasible, self-sustaining populations of 
non-native trout in up to 37 lakes using the removal methods described 
for Alternative B.
    Public Involvement: The public scoping phase formally began January 
16, 2003, with the NPS publication of a Notice of Intent to prepare an 
EIS for a high mountain lakes fishery management plan. Extensive local 
and regional publicity and distribution of public scoping brochures 
occurred during February-March 2003. In late March 2003, the four 
public scoping meetings were hosted in the surrounding communities of 
Sedro-Woolley, Wenatchee, Bellevue and Seattle. The NPS received 248 
comments during the public scoping phase; a public scoping report was 
prepared and posted on the project Web site (see below). The EPA's 
notice of filing of the Draft EIS was published in the Federal Register 
by the EPA on May 27, 2005; the park's notice of availability was 
published on May 31, 2005. The 90-day opportunity for public review and 
comment extended through August 26, 2005. Four public meetings were 
hosted in surrounding communities during the week of July 25-28, 2005. 
Ninety individuals and organizations provided 350 substantive comments 
both for and against continued stocking.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Electronic copies of the final document will 
be available online at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/noca. Bound printed 
copies will be available for public review at the North Cascades 
Headquarters Office, 810 State Route 20, Sedro-Woolley, Washington 
98284; and at the Seattle, Wenatchee, Chelan and Bellingham public 
libraries. For further information or to request copies of the 
document, contact Mr. Roy Zipp, Environmental Protection Specialist, 
810 State Route 20, Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284; (360) 854-7313.
    Decision Process: Following careful consideration of all public and 
agency

[[Page 42827]]

comments received on the Draft EIS/Plan, the NPS in cooperation with 
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has completed the Final 
Mountain Lakes Fishery Management Plan/Final Environmental Impact 
Statement. Not sooner than 30 days after notice of release of the Final 
EIS is published in the Federal Register by the U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency, a Record of Decision will be prepared by the NPS. As 
a delegated EIS, the official responsible for the final decision is the 
Regional Director, Pacific West Region; subsequently, the official 
responsible for implementation will be the Superintendent, North 
Cascades National Park Service Complex.

    Dated: March 5, 2008.
Patricia L. Neubacher,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific West Region.

    Editorial Note: This document was received in the Office of the 
Federal Register on July 18, 2008.
 [FR Doc. E8-16887 Filed 7-22-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-HJ-P

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.