Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Protecting and Restoring Native Ecosystems by Managing Non-Native Ungulates, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii, 72436-72437 [2011-30170]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
• National Park Service

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 226 (Wednesday, November 23, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72436-72437]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-30170]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-PWR-PWRO-0927-8527; 2310-0057-422]


Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Protecting and Restoring 
Native Ecosystems by Managing Non-Native Ungulates, Hawaii Volcanoes 
National Park, Hawaii

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability for Draft Environmental Impact Statement 
for Protecting and Restoring Native Ecosystems by Managing Non-Native 
Ungulates.

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SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS) announces the availability of 
the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIS) for Protecting and 
Restoring Native Ecosystems by Managing Non-Native Ungulates, Hawaii 
Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii. The park's current management plan for 
non-native ungulate control was developed nearly 40 years ago. The new 
plan will provide a park-wide framework to systematically guide non-
native ungulate management activities over the next 15-20 years. The 
Draft EIS presents five alternatives for managing non-native ungulates 
in a manner that supports long-term ecosystem protection, supports 
natural ecosystem recovery and provides desirable conditions for active 
ecosystem restoration, and supports

[[Page 72437]]

protection and preservation of cultural resources.

DATES: All comments must be postmarked or transmitted not later than 60 
days following publication by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 
(EPA) of its notice of filing of the Draft EIS. Immediately upon 
confirmation of this date an announcement will be posted by the NPS on 
the Project Web site, along with times and locations of three public 
meetings (December 5 in Volcano, December 6 in Na'alehu, and December 8 
in Kailua-Kona). This information will also be announced via press 
releases and direct mailings to the park's mailing list.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Because the ecosystems of the Hawaiian 
Islands evolved over millions of years in the absence of large 
mammalian herbivores, they are extremely vulnerable to the effects of 
non-native ungulates, which, in the park, include mouflon sheep 
(mouflon) (Ovis musimon), pigs (Sus scrofa), sheep (Ovis aries), goats 
(Capra hircus) and small numbers of feral cattle (Bos taurus). These 
animals cause loss of vegetation, wildlife habitat degradation, 
population decline for native Hawaiian species, including numerous 
threatened, endangered, and sensitive plants and wildlife, and 
deterioration of watersheds.
    The loss of native species and damage to the ecological integrity 
of the area also detracts from the natural conditions that contribute 
to the wilderness character of the park (which currently contains 
130,790 acres designated as Wilderness). Cultural resources at the park 
are also susceptible to impacts from non-native ungulates, including 
physical effects from trampling, digging, and rooting; alterations in 
the ecosystem of an area; and loss of native plant and animal 
communities important to the culture of native peoples.
    The Draft EIS identifies and analyzes five alternatives--a no-
action alternative (A) and four action alternatives (B, C, D, and E). 
Under Alternative A the NPS would continue current non-native ungulate 
management practices, which include lethal reduction, supported by 
qualified volunteers, and fencing (the current program is based on the 
1974 resources management plan/EIS and subsequent amendments, and other 
management decisions).
    Alternative B: the NPS would implement a comprehensive, systematic 
management plan that would use fencing and lethal techniques, and would 
continue the use of qualified volunteers. Alternative C: the NPS would 
implement a comprehensive, systematic management plan that includes 
fencing and maximizes efficiency by expanding lethal removal 
techniques, and discontinues the use of volunteers. Alternative D 
(agency-preferred): the NPS would implement a comprehensive, systematic 
management plan that includes fencing, maximizes flexibility, and 
continues the use of volunteers. Management tools would rely primarily 
on lethal techniques, but non-lethal techniques such as relocation 
could also be considered. Alternative E: the NPS would implement a 
comprehensive, systematic management plan that increases flexibility of 
management techniques similar to Alternative D, while limiting the use 
of volunteers.
    Electronic copies of the Draft EIS will be available on-line for 
public review and comment at the Project Web site: https://www.parkplanning.nps.gov/havo_ecosystem_deis. In addition, printed 
copies of the Draft EIS will be available at local public libraries 
(locations noted on Web site). Persons who wish to comment on the Draft 
EIS may submit comments by any one of several methods: Electronic 
comments may be submitted via the internet at the Project Web site 
noted above. Written comments can be mailed to Park Superintendent, 
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, P.O. Box 52, Hawaii National Park, HI 
96718-0052. Comments can be submitted at one of the public meetings to 
be held during the 60-day comment period (information to be provided as 
noted above) or hand-delivered to the Park Superintendent c/o Kilauea 
Visitor Center, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii, 96718.
    Before including your address, telephone number, electronic 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 to withhold your personal identifying 
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be 
able to do so. Also, bulk comments in any format (hard copy or 
electronic) submitted on behalf of others will not be accepted.
    Decision Process: Following due consideration of all agency and 
public comment on the Draft EIS, a Final EIS will be prepared and 
availability similarly announced in the Federal Register. As a 
delegated EIS, the official responsible for the final decision on the 
non-native ungulates management plan is the Regional Director, Pacific 
West Region, National Park Service. Subsequently, the official 
responsible for implementation of the approved plan is the 
Superintendent, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

    Dated: August 16, 2011.
Patricia L. Neubacher,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 2011-30170 Filed 11-22-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-KV-P