Wilderness Stewardship Plan/Environmental Impact Statement, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Tulare and Fresno Counties, CA, 23335-23337 [2011-10042]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 80 / Tuesday, April 26, 2011 / Notices Interest Lands Conservation Act, 43 U.S.C. 1635(e), become effective without further action by the State upon publication of this Public Land Order in the Federal Register, if such land is otherwise available. Lands selected by, but not conveyed to the State will be subject to Public Land Order No. 5186 (37 FR 5589), as amended, and any other withdrawal, application, or segregation of record. Dated: April 15, 2011. Wilma A. Lewis, Assistant Secretary—Land and Minerals Management. [FR Doc. 2011–10014 Filed 4–25–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–JA–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management Order By virtue of the authority vested in the Secretary of the Interior by Section 204 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, 43 U.S.C. 1714, it is ordered as follows: Public Land Order No. 6849 (56 FR 16278 (1991)), as corrected by Public Land Order No. 6907 (56 FR 57806 (1991)), 56 FR 24119 (1991), Public Land Order No. 6862 (56 FR 27692 (1991)), and 75 FR 74743 (2010), that withdrew 457,800 acres of the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge from location under the United States mining laws (30 U.S.C. Ch. 2), but not from leasing under the mineral leasing laws, to protect the wildlife habitat and unique resource values, is hereby extended for an additional 20-year period until April 21, 2031. Authority: 43 CFR 2310.4. Dated: April 1, 2011. Wilma A. Lewis, Assistant Secretary—Land and Minerals Management. Public Land Order No. 7761; Extension of Public Land Order No. 6849; Nevada [FR Doc. 2011–10012 Filed 4–25–11; 8:45 am] ACTION: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Public Land Order. National Park Service This order extends the duration of the withdrawal created by Public Land Order No. 6849, as corrected, for an additional 20-year period. The extension is necessary for continued protection of the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge in Washoe and Humboldt Counties, Nevada. SUMMARY: DATES: Effective Date: April 22, 2011. Pamela C. Ridley, Bureau of Land Management, Nevada State Office, P.O. Box 12000, 1340 Financial Blvd., Reno, Nevada 89502, or 775–861–6530. To maintain the purpose for which the withdrawal was first made, an extension is required for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to continue to conserve and protect the sagebrush-steppe landscape for optimum populations of native plants and wildlife including pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, pygmy rabbits, and greater sage-grouse. The withdrawal extended by this order will expire on April 21, 2031, unless, as a result of a review conducted prior to the expiration date pursuant to Section 204(f) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, 43 U.S.C. 1714(f), the Secretary determines that the withdrawal shall be further extended. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:09 Apr 25, 2011 Jkt 223001 [NPS–NCR–CHOH–0910–5821; 3101–241A– 726] Notification of Boundary Revision National Park Service, Interior. Notification of boundary revision. AGENCY: ACTION: Notice is hereby given that the boundary of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park (Park) in Washington County, Maryland, is modified to include one (1) tract of land adjacent to the park. This revision is made to include privately-owned property that the National Park Service (NPS) wishes to acquire. The NPS has determined that the inclusion of this tract within the Park’s boundary will make significant contributions to the purposes for which the Park was established. After the United States’ acquisition of the tract, the NPS will manage the property in accordance with applicable law. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Superintendent, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, 1850 Dual Highway, Suite 100, Hagerstown, Maryland 21740 or Chief, Land Resources Program Center, National Capital Region, 1100 Ohio Drive, SW., Washington, DC 20242. SUMMARY: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES BILLING CODE 4310–HC–P Bureau of Land Management, Interior. PO 00000 Frm 00064 The effective date of this boundary revision is the date of publication in the Federal Register. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public Law 91–664, enacted January 8, 1971, authorizes the acquisition of certain lands for the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. Section 7(c) of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act, as amended by Public Law 104–333, authorizes minor boundary revisions to areas within the National Park System. Such boundary revisions may be made, when necessary, after advising the appropriate congressional committees, and following publication of a revised boundary map, drawing or other boundary description in the Federal Register. In order to properly interpret and preserve the historic character of the Park, it is necessary to revise the existing boundary to include one (1) additional tract of land comprising 3.75 acres of unimproved land. Notice is hereby given that the exterior boundary of the Park is hereby revised to include one (1) additional tract of land identified as Tract 43–124. The parcel is a portion of the same land acquired by American Legion Post 202 by deed dated June 5, 1989, and recorded in Deed Book 01012, Page 00216, in the Land Records of Washington County, Maryland, subject to existing easements for public roads and highways, public utilities, railroads and pipelines. This tract of land is depicted on Segment Map 43, identified as Tract 43– 124, dated June 1971. The map is on file and available for inspection in the Land Resources Program Center, National Capital Region, 1100 Ohio Drive, SW., Washington, DC 20242. DATES: [LLNVW00000.L14300000.ET0000 241A; NEV–051742; 11–08807; MO#4500012855; TAS: 14X1109] AGENCY: 23335 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Dated: July 29, 2010. Peggy O’Dell, Regional Director, National Capital Region. Editorial Note: This document was received at the Office of the Federal Register April 21, 2011. [FR Doc. 2011–10039 Filed 4–25–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–6V–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service [NPS–PWR–PWRO–01–20–6605; 2310– 0087–422] Wilderness Stewardship Plan/ Environmental Impact Statement, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Tulare and Fresno Counties, CA AGENCY: E:\FR\FM\26APN1.SGM National Park Service, Interior. 26APN1 23336 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 80 / Tuesday, April 26, 2011 / Notices Notice of Intent to Prepare Environmental Impact Statement for Wilderness Stewardship Plan, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. ACTION: In accordance with § 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (PL91–190) Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (SEKI) are initiating the conservation planning and environmental impact analysis process required to inform consideration of alternative strategies for the future management of SEKI wilderness. The Sequoia-Kings Canyon and John Krebs Wildernesses (an 808,000-acre expanse of wild High Sierra lands that were designated by the California Wilderness Act of 1984 and the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009) are contained wholly within these two national parks. Through this process, SEKI will identify and analyze a range of alternatives for achieving wilderness stewardship objectives, which include providing appropriate types and levels of access for visitors and authorized users, preserving wilderness character, protecting cultural and natural resources, and adhering to legallymandated management and preservation requirements. This planning process represents a significant commitment by SEKI to complete a Wilderness Stewardship Plan (WSP) for these two national parks. On April 30, 1997, SEKI published a Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in the Federal Register to notify the public of the intent to prepare a WSP, and had previously held seven public scoping sessions in communities throughout California between May 28 and October 5, 1996. Based on an analysis of the numerous scoping comments received, and with consideration of a variety of other factors, SEKI determined that the WSP/ EIS process should be suspended and that SEKI should instead first prepare a new General Management Plan for the parks. The General Management Plan (GMP) process was initiated in October 1997 and culminated with a Record of Decision in September 2007 (the Final EIS/General Management Plan/ Comprehensive River Management Plan and associated Record of Decision are available at https://www.nps.gov/seki/ parkmgmt/gmp.htm). The GMP provides broad, programmatic direction for wilderness management. Importantly, however, the GMP commits SEKI to preparing a tiered plan for the management of wilderness resources, and explains that this tiered srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:09 Apr 25, 2011 Jkt 223001 plan would be an implementation level plan focused on both SEKI wilderness stewardship overall, as well as stock use within wilderness. As an implementation level plan, the WSP will provide detailed guidance on a variety of issues including, but not limited to: Day and overnight use; wilderness permitting; use of campfires; wildlife and proper food storage; party size; camping and campsites; human waste management; stock use; meadow management; research activities; wildlife management in wilderness; cultural resources in wilderness; maintenance of trails, bridges, or other necessary infrastructure; and the ‘‘minimum requirement’’ for administration of the areas as Wilderness. Also to be analyzed and determined is the extent to which commercial services are necessary to fulfill the recreational and other purposes of SEKI’s Congressionally designated wilderness areas. This ‘‘extent necessary’’ determination for commercial services will be performed to ensure compliance with § 4(d)(5) of the Wilderness Act. The WSP will reevaluate existing wilderness-related plans and guidance, such as the 1986 Backcountry Management Plan and the 1986 Stock Use and Meadow Management Plan. The WSP will also provide for more detailed management direction on provisions of the California Wilderness Act of 1984, the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, the NPS Management Policies (2006), and current interagency policies regarding the preservation of wilderness character as they relate to wilderness within SEKI. How to Comment: In consideration for the complexity and scope of wilderness stewardship issues in SEKI, the period during which comments will be accepted will extend for 90 days. SEKI encourages comments regarding the range of issues which should be addressed, alternative approaches to managing SEKI wilderness areas, and other concerns regarding SEKI wilderness areas or the wilderness planning process. All written comments must be transmitted, postmarked, or hand-delivered no later than July 25, 2011. The status of the Draft EIS (DEIS) will updated periodically at https:// parkplanning.nps.gov/sekiwild. You may request to be added to the project mailing list by mailing or faxing your request to: Superintendent Karen F. Taylor-Goodrich, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Attn: Wilderness Stewardship Plan, 47050 Generals Highway, Three Rivers, CA 93271. So that we may plan accordingly, PO 00000 Frm 00065 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 please note in your request whether you will prefer to receive a printed or compact disk copy of the DEIS/WSP when it is released, or just wish to receive a notice that the document is available for review on the Web site (to assist in reducing costs, the public is strongly encouraged to accept compact disks versus printed copies). In order to ensure that information you may provide or any concerns expressed are fully considered, you may use either of two methods to respond during this scoping period. To respond electronically, you may submit your comments online to the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) Web site (https:// parkplanning.nps.gov/sekiwild). To submit written comments (e.g., in a letter), you may send them by U.S. Postal Service or other mail delivery service, or hand deliver your comments to the address provided above. Written comments will also be accepted during public scoping meetings. Comments in any format (written or electronic) submitted by an individual or organization on behalf of another individual or organization will not be accepted. It is the practice of the NPS to make all comments available for public review, after the close of the EIS process. 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. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: At this time SEKI anticipates hosting five public scoping meetings in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles Area, and in Fresno, Visalia, and Bishop—these are expected to occur during April 25 through April 29, 2011. Confirmed details will be posted on the project Web sites. In addition, a scoping newsletter will be distributed to publicize the meeting details, and to provide a summary of issues and concerns developed through the previous scoping efforts, as well as present additional information about SEKI wilderness areas and the wilderness planning process. This newsletter will be posted on the park planning Web site (https://www.nps.gov/ seki/parkmgmt/planning.htm) and the PEPC Web site (noted above), and sent to the SEKI mailing list. E:\FR\FM\26APN1.SGM 26APN1 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 80 / Tuesday, April 26, 2011 / Notices Following due consideration for all comments obtained through this scoping effort, SEKI will prepare the DEIS/WSP. This document will state the purpose and need for Federal action, describe and analyze a range of ‘‘action’’ alternatives (and a ‘‘no action’’ baseline alternative), assess potential environmental consequences of each alternative and provide appropriate impact mitigation strategies, identify the ‘‘environmentally preferred’’ course of action, and explain the process and rationale for determining the ‘‘agencypreferred’’ alternative. The DEIS/WSP will also include an analysis of the extent to which commercial services in wilderness are necessary to realize Wilderness Act purposes. The release of the DEIS/WSP will be formally announced by publication of a Notice of Availability in the Federal Register, and via Web site postings and announcements in local and regional news media. Notifications will also be sent to the project mailing list, as well as to local, State, Federal, and Tribal governments. Decision Process: Following careful analysis of all responses received concerning the DEIS/WSP, a Final EIS/ WSP will be prepared and its availability similarly announced in the Federal Register. Thereafter, but not sooner than 30 days after release of the Final EIS/WSP, a Record of Decision would be prepared. As a delegated EIS, the official responsible for final approval of the SEKI Wilderness Stewardship Plan is the Regional Director, Pacific West Region. Subsequently the official responsible for implementation of the approved plan would be the Superintendent, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Dated: January 5, 2011. Christine S. Lehnertz, Regional Director, Pacific West Region. [FR Doc. 2011–10042 Filed 4–25–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–X2–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES [NPS–PWR–PWRO–03–15–6965; 8400– 0001–M7G] Warner Valley Comprehensive Site Plan/Environmental Impact Statement, Lassen Volcanic National Park, Plumas County, CA National Park Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of Approval of Record of Decision for the Warner Valley Comprehensive Site Plan, Lassen Volcanic National Park. AGENCY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:09 Apr 25, 2011 Jkt 223001 Pursuant to § 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Pub. L. 91–190, as amended) and the regulations promulgated by the Council on Environmental Quality (40 CFR 1505.2), the Department of the Interior, National Park Service (NPS) has prepared and approved a Record of Decision for the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Warner Valley Comprehensive Site Plan (CSP) in Lassen Volcanic National Park. The requisite no-action ‘‘wait period’’ was initiated September 24, 2010, with the Environmental Protection Agency’s Federal Register notification of the filing of the Final EIS. Decision: As soon as practical the NPS will begin to implement the first phase of restoration work identified in the CSP, including incrementional lowering and removal of Dream Lake Dam, rehabilitation of drainage ditches in Drakesbad Meadow, and propagation of plant materials derived from local native species for use in revegetation. Other key project elements include rehabilitation or repair of compatible facilities in Drakesbad Guest Ranch historic district, and removal of nonconforming structures. Consolidation of concession housing (tent cabins) and services outside the core of the historic district will occur. This approved CSP was identified and analyzed as the agency-preferred Alternative 2 in the Final EIS (and includes no substantive modifications from the course of action that was described in the Draft EIS). The full ranges of foreseeable environmental consequences were assessed, and appropriate mitigation measures are incorporated in the approved plan. Both a No Action alternative and an additional ‘‘action’’ alternative were also identified and analyzed. As documented in the Draft and Final EIS, the selected alternative was deemed to be the ‘‘environmentally preferred’’ course of action. Copies: Interested parties desiring to review the Record of Decision may obtain a copy by contacting the Superintendent, Lassen Volcanic National Park, P.O. Box 100, Mineral, CA 96063–0100 or via telephone request at (530) 595–4444. SUMMARY: Dated: March 11, 2011. Christine S. Lehnertz, Regional Director, Pacific West Region. [FR Doc. 2011–10041 Filed 4–25–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4312–GD–P PO 00000 Frm 00066 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 23337 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service [5284–TT02–371] Record of Decision National Park Service, Interior. Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision on the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Tamiami Trail Modifications: Next Steps Project. AGENCY: ACTION: Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and National Park Service (NPS) policy in Director’s Order Number 2 (Park Planning) and Director’s Order Number 12 (Conservation Planning, Environmental Impact Analysis, and Decision-making), the NPS announces the availability of the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Tamiami Trail (U.S. Highway 41) Modifications: Next Steps Project for Everglades National Park (ENP), Florida. DATES: The 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act, Public Law 111– 008, dated March 11, 2009, directed the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to construct modifications to U.S. Highway 41 (Tamiami Trail) that were approved in the 2008 Limited Reevaluation Report and Environmental Assessment. The 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act also directed the NPS to ‘‘immediately evaluate the feasibility of additional bridge length, beyond that to be constructed pursuant to the Modified Water Deliveries to ENP Project (16 U.S.C. 410r–8), including a continuous bridge, or additional bridges or some combination thereof, for the Tamiami Trail to restore more natural water flow to ENP and Florida Bay and for the purpose of restoring habitat within the ENP and the ecological connectivity between the ENP and the Water Conservation Areas.’’ The FEIS for the Tamiami Trail Modifications: Next Steps Project provides historical information, existing conditions, alternatives for infrastructure modifications, including the preferred alternative, related impacts of the alternatives, and public involvement and consultation. The Tamiami Trail Modifications: Next Steps Project would be implemented in accordance with the preferred alternative should it be authorized and funded by the Congress. ADDRESSES: The Record of Decision document will be available for public review online at https:// parkplanning.nps.gov/ever. You may SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\26APN1.SGM 26APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 80 (Tuesday, April 26, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23335-23337]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-10042]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-PWR-PWRO-01-20-6605; 2310-0087-422]


Wilderness Stewardship Plan/Environmental Impact Statement, 
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Tulare and Fresno Counties, CA

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

[[Page 23336]]


ACTION: Notice of Intent to Prepare Environmental Impact Statement for 
Wilderness Stewardship Plan, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with Sec.  102(2)(C) of the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (PL91-190) Sequoia and Kings Canyon 
National Parks (SEKI) are initiating the conservation planning and 
environmental impact analysis process required to inform consideration 
of alternative strategies for the future management of SEKI wilderness. 
The Sequoia-Kings Canyon and John Krebs Wildernesses (an 808,000-acre 
expanse of wild High Sierra lands that were designated by the 
California Wilderness Act of 1984 and the Omnibus Public Land 
Management Act of 2009) are contained wholly within these two national 
parks. Through this process, SEKI will identify and analyze a range of 
alternatives for achieving wilderness stewardship objectives, which 
include providing appropriate types and levels of access for visitors 
and authorized users, preserving wilderness character, protecting 
cultural and natural resources, and adhering to legally-mandated 
management and preservation requirements.
    This planning process represents a significant commitment by SEKI 
to complete a Wilderness Stewardship Plan (WSP) for these two national 
parks. On April 30, 1997, SEKI published a Notice of Intent to prepare 
an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in the Federal Register to 
notify the public of the intent to prepare a WSP, and had previously 
held seven public scoping sessions in communities throughout California 
between May 28 and October 5, 1996. Based on an analysis of the 
numerous scoping comments received, and with consideration of a variety 
of other factors, SEKI determined that the WSP/EIS process should be 
suspended and that SEKI should instead first prepare a new General 
Management Plan for the parks.
    The General Management Plan (GMP) process was initiated in October 
1997 and culminated with a Record of Decision in September 2007 (the 
Final EIS/General Management Plan/Comprehensive River Management Plan 
and associated Record of Decision are available at https://www.nps.gov/seki/parkmgmt/gmp.htm). The GMP provides broad, programmatic direction 
for wilderness management. Importantly, however, the GMP commits SEKI 
to preparing a tiered plan for the management of wilderness resources, 
and explains that this tiered plan would be an implementation level 
plan focused on both SEKI wilderness stewardship overall, as well as 
stock use within wilderness.
    As an implementation level plan, the WSP will provide detailed 
guidance on a variety of issues including, but not limited to: Day and 
overnight use; wilderness permitting; use of campfires; wildlife and 
proper food storage; party size; camping and campsites; human waste 
management; stock use; meadow management; research activities; wildlife 
management in wilderness; cultural resources in wilderness; maintenance 
of trails, bridges, or other necessary infrastructure; and the 
``minimum requirement'' for administration of the areas as Wilderness. 
Also to be analyzed and determined is the extent to which commercial 
services are necessary to fulfill the recreational and other purposes 
of SEKI's Congressionally designated wilderness areas. This ``extent 
necessary'' determination for commercial services will be performed to 
ensure compliance with Sec.  4(d)(5) of the Wilderness Act.
    The WSP will reevaluate existing wilderness-related plans and 
guidance, such as the 1986 Backcountry Management Plan and the 1986 
Stock Use and Meadow Management Plan. The WSP will also provide for 
more detailed management direction on provisions of the California 
Wilderness Act of 1984, the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, 
the NPS Management Policies (2006), and current interagency policies 
regarding the preservation of wilderness character as they relate to 
wilderness within SEKI.
    How to Comment: In consideration for the complexity and scope of 
wilderness stewardship issues in SEKI, the period during which comments 
will be accepted will extend for 90 days. SEKI encourages comments 
regarding the range of issues which should be addressed, alternative 
approaches to managing SEKI wilderness areas, and other concerns 
regarding SEKI wilderness areas or the wilderness planning process. All 
written comments must be transmitted, postmarked, or hand-delivered no 
later than July 25, 2011.
    The status of the Draft EIS (DEIS) will updated periodically at 
https://parkplanning.nps.gov/sekiwild. You may request to be added to 
the project mailing list by mailing or faxing your request to: 
Superintendent Karen F. Taylor-Goodrich, Sequoia and Kings Canyon 
National Parks, Attn: Wilderness Stewardship Plan, 47050 Generals 
Highway, Three Rivers, CA 93271. So that we may plan accordingly, 
please note in your request whether you will prefer to receive a 
printed or compact disk copy of the DEIS/WSP when it is released, or 
just wish to receive a notice that the document is available for review 
on the Web site (to assist in reducing costs, the public is strongly 
encouraged to accept compact disks versus printed copies).
    In order to ensure that information you may provide or any concerns 
expressed are fully considered, you may use either of two methods to 
respond during this scoping period. To respond electronically, you may 
submit your comments online to the NPS Planning, Environment and Public 
Comment (PEPC) Web site (https://parkplanning.nps.gov/sekiwild). To 
submit written comments (e.g., in a letter), you may send them by U.S. 
Postal Service or other mail delivery service, or hand deliver your 
comments to the address provided above. Written comments will also be 
accepted during public scoping meetings. Comments in any format 
(written or electronic) submitted by an individual or organization on 
behalf of another individual or organization will not be accepted. It 
is the practice of the NPS to make all comments available for public 
review, after the close of the EIS process.
    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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: At this time SEKI anticipates hosting five 
public scoping meetings in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles 
Area, and in Fresno, Visalia, and Bishop--these are expected to occur 
during April 25 through April 29, 2011. Confirmed details will be 
posted on the project Web sites. In addition, a scoping newsletter will 
be distributed to publicize the meeting details, and to provide a 
summary of issues and concerns developed through the previous scoping 
efforts, as well as present additional information about SEKI 
wilderness areas and the wilderness planning process. This newsletter 
will be posted on the park planning Web site (https://www.nps.gov/seki/parkmgmt/planning.htm) and the PEPC Web site (noted above), and sent to 
the SEKI mailing list.

[[Page 23337]]

    Following due consideration for all comments obtained through this 
scoping effort, SEKI will prepare the DEIS/WSP. This document will 
state the purpose and need for Federal action, describe and analyze a 
range of ``action'' alternatives (and a ``no action'' baseline 
alternative), assess potential environmental consequences of each 
alternative and provide appropriate impact mitigation strategies, 
identify the ``environmentally preferred'' course of action, and 
explain the process and rationale for determining the ``agency-
preferred'' alternative. The DEIS/WSP will also include an analysis of 
the extent to which commercial services in wilderness are necessary to 
realize Wilderness Act purposes. The release of the DEIS/WSP will be 
formally announced by publication of a Notice of Availability in the 
Federal Register, and via Web site postings and announcements in local 
and regional news media. Notifications will also be sent to the project 
mailing list, as well as to local, State, Federal, and Tribal 
governments.
    Decision Process: Following careful analysis of all responses 
received concerning the DEIS/WSP, a Final EIS/WSP will be prepared and 
its availability similarly announced in the Federal Register. 
Thereafter, but not sooner than 30 days after release of the Final EIS/
WSP, a Record of Decision would be prepared. As a delegated EIS, the 
official responsible for final approval of the SEKI Wilderness 
Stewardship Plan is the Regional Director, Pacific West Region. 
Subsequently the official responsible for implementation of the 
approved plan would be the Superintendent, Sequoia and Kings Canyon 
National Parks.

    Dated: January 5, 2011.
Christine S. Lehnertz,
Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 2011-10042 Filed 4-25-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-X2-P
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