Grand Ditch Breach Restoration Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Rocky Mountain National Park, CO, 14418-14419 [2012-5696]

Download as PDF 14418 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 47 / Friday, March 9, 2012 / Notices The areas described contain approximately 35,551.84 acres in Elmore County. Boise Meridian, Idaho srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES T. 4 S., R. 12 E., Secs. 16 to 22, inclusive; Secs. 27 to 30, inclusive. T. 5 S., R. 12 E., Secs. 4 and 6. The areas described contain approximately 8,312.02 acres in Gooding County. The Blair Fire motorized vehicle closure will support several post-fire stabilization and rehabilitation objectives as set forth in the environmental assessments for the 2005 Boise District Fire Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation Plan and the 2005 Shoshone and Burley Normal Fire Rehabilitation Plan: (1) Allow burned areas to re-establish a vegetative cover, which protects the soil from erosion and provides for moisture retention; (2) allow seeded shrub, forb, and grass species to become established; (3) allow remaining plants to recover from the effects of the fire; and (4) help slow the spread of noxious weeds. In addition, the closure will help ensure the long-term viability of slickspot peppergrass, a species listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Slickspots, which provide potential habitat for slickspot peppergrass, are particularly susceptible to damage from motorized vehicles under post-fire conditions. The closure will also help ensure the long-term viability of habitat for wildlife populations in the area by protecting key year-round sage-grouse habitat and crucial winter habitat for mule deer, which suffered significant losses in the Blair Fire. For the duration of the closure, cross-country motorized use is prohibited. The BLM, Walker Reservoir, and Lower Hog Creek roads that access the burn area will be open from June 1 through December 31, 2012, and from June 1 through September 5, 2013. At all times, the area will be open for mechanized vehicles, pedestrians, equestrian riders, and other nonmotorized transport. The BLM will post closure signs at main entry points to the closed areas and/or other locations on-site. This closure will be posted in the Boise District and Twin Falls District BLM offices. Maps of the affected area and other documents associated with this closure are available at 3948 Development Avenue, Boise, Idaho 83705 and 2536 Kimberly Road, Twin Falls, Idaho 83301. Under the authority of Section 303(a) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:21 Mar 08, 2012 Jkt 226001 1733(a)), 43 CFR 8360.0–7, and 43 CFR 8364.1, the BLM will enforce the following rules within the Blair Fire closure: Motorized vehicles may not be used in the closed area except during the stated periods and over the designated routes described above. Exemptions: The following persons are exempt from this order: Federal, State, and local officers and employees in the performance of their official duties; members of organized rescue or fire-fighting forces in the performance of their official duties; and persons with written authorization from the BLM. Penalties: Any person who violates the above rule may be tried before a United States Magistrate and fined no more than $100,000, imprisoned for no more than 12 months, or both. Violators may also be subject to the enhanced fines provided for in 18 U.S.C. 3571. Authority: 43 CFR 8364.1. Ruth Miller, Shoshone Field Manager. Matthew McCoy, Acting Four Rivers Field Manager. [FR Doc. 2012–5707 Filed 3–8–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–GG–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service [NPS–ROMO–1201–8979; 1526–0002–630] Grand Ditch Breach Restoration Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Rocky Mountain National Park, CO National Park Service, Department of the Interior. ACTION: Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Grand Ditch Breach Restoration, Rocky Mountain National Park. AGENCY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Service announces the availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Grand Ditch Breach Restoration, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. The purpose of this environmental impact statement is to guide management actions in the park to restore the hydrological processes, ecological services, and wilderness character of the area in the Upper Kawuneeche Valley impacted by the 2003 Grand Ditch breach. The National Park Service is obligated by law and policy to maintain and restore, to the extent possible, the natural conditions and processes in park units (NPS Management Policies 2006, section SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00080 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 4.1.5). The following objectives for restoring the area impacted by the 2003 Grand Ditch breach are identified in the environmental impact statement: restore appropriate stream and groundwater processes, restore appropriate native plant communities, restore the stability of the hillside below the breach site, restore wilderness character, restore wildlife habitat, restore aquatic habitat, and restore water quality in the affected area and downstream. Five alternatives are being considered: Alternative A, ‘‘the no action alternative,’’ would continue current management activities within the impacted area, following existing management policies and NPS guidance. Alternative B, minimal restoration, would emphasize less intensive management activity to restore portions of the impacted area. This alternative would focus actions on areas that are unstable and present a high potential of continued degradation of existing ecosystem resources and services. Management activities would be conducted using hand tools to reduce impact on wilderness character. This alternative would include stabilization of zone 1A, the road-cut hillside immediately below the Grand Ditch, under one of two stabilization options. Alternative C, high restoration, would involve more intensive management actions over large portions of the impacted area. This alternative would focus actions on unstable areas that present a high to moderate potential of continued degradation of existing ecosystem resources and services. Restoration methods would be used to stabilize banks, slopes, and disturbed areas; to improve channel stability in portions of Lulu Creek and the Colorado River; and to reduce sediment transport over a larger portion of the project area. This alternative would involve the use of heavy equipment and possibly reusing excavated debris for restoration and stabilization actions both within and between zones. This alternative would include stabilization of zone 1A under one of two stabilization options. Alternative D, the preferred alternative, would emphasize the removal of large debris deposits in the alluvial fan area and in the Lulu City wetland. Actions would be conducted to stabilize limited areas of unstable slopes and banks throughout the upper portions of the restoration area. Hydrology through the Lulu City wetland would be restored in the historical central channel through removal of large deposits of debris, relying on the historical channel to transport river flow. Small-scale motorized equipment would be employed for stabilization and E:\FR\FM\09MRN1.SGM 09MRN1 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 47 / Friday, March 9, 2012 / Notices revegetation activities, while larger equipment would be employed for excavation of large debris deposits and reconfiguration of the Colorado River through the Lulu City wetland. This alternative would include stabilization of zone 1A under the preferred option, option 1. Alternative E, maximum restoration, would involve extensive management activity and use of motorized equipment over large portions of the impacted area to restore the damage. Engineered solutions would be used to stabilize banks and slopes to approximate pre-breach contours and to reduce transport of sediments over a larger portion of the impacted area. Extensive changes would be made to the Colorado River channel to route the river to its historical alignment through the center of the Lulu City wetland. To facilitate movement of heavy mechanized equipment and excavated debris from the wetland to upland disposal areas, a temporary haul road would be constructed. This alternative would include stabilization of zone 1A under one of two stabilization options. All action alternatives would have substantial beneficial impacts to wilderness character; surface and groundwater hydrology; stream channel, floodplain and wetland morphology and function; water quality; riparian and wetland communities; aquatic habitat; visitor experience; and long-term resource productivity. DATES: The National Park Service will accept comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement from the public for 60 days after the date the Environmental Protection Agency publishes this Notice of Availability. No public meetings are scheduled at this time. Information will be available for public review and comment online at https:// parkplanning.nps.gov/romo, in the office of the Superintendent, Vaughn Baker, 1000 US Highway 36 Estes Park, CO 80517–8397, 970–586–1200 and from the Public Information Office, Rocky Mountain National Park, 1000 US Highway 36, Estes Park, Colorado 80517–8397. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Public Information Office, Rocky Mountain National Park, 1000 US Highway 36, Estes Park, Colorado 80517–8397, (970) 586–1206, romo_information@nps.gov. srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES ADDRESSES: If you wish to comment on any other issues associated with the Grand Ditch Breach Restoration EIS, you may submit your comments by any one of several SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:21 Mar 08, 2012 Jkt 226001 methods. You may mail comments to: Superintendent, Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, CO 80517– 8397. You may also comment via the Internet at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/ romo. You can email comments to romo_superintendent@nps.gov. Finally, you may hand-deliver comments to: Rocky Mountain National Park Headquarters, 1000 US Highway 36, Estes Park, Colorado 80517–8397 or to Kawuneeche Visitor Center, Rocky Mountain National Park, 16018 Highway 34, Grand Lake, CO 80447. 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. Dated: November 23, 2011. John Wessels, Director, Intermountain Region. [FR Doc. 2012–5696 Filed 3–8–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–D8–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service [NPS–NCR–NACA–0112–9309; 3086–SYM] Notice of Meeting, National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission National Park Service, Interior. Notice of meeting. AGENCY: ACTION: Notice is hereby given that the National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission (the Commission) will meet at the National Building Museum, Room 312, 401 F Street NW., Washington, DC, on Thursday, March 29, 2011, at 1 p.m., to consider matters pertaining to commemorative works in the District of Columbia and its environs. SUMMARY: Thursday, March 29, 2012. National Building Museum, Room 312, 401 F Street NW., Washington, DC 20001. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Nancy Young, Secretary to the Commission, by telephone at (202) 619– 7097, by email at nancy_young@nps.gov, by telefax at (202) 619–7420, or by mail at the National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission, 1100 Ohio Drive SW., Room 220, Washington, DC 20242. DATES: ADDRESSES: PO 00000 Frm 00081 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 14419 The Commission was established by Public Law 99–652, the Commemorative Works Act (40 U.S.C. Chapter 89 et seq.), to advise the Secretary of the Interior (the Secretary) and the Administrator, General Services Administration, (the Administrator) on policy and procedures for establishment of, and proposals to establish, commemorative works in the District of Columbia and its environs, as well as such other matters as it may deem appropriate concerning commemorative works. The Commission examines each memorial proposal for conformance to the Commemorative Works Act, and makes recommendations to the Secretary and the Administrator and to Members and Committees of Congress. The Commission also serves as a source of information for persons seeking to establish memorials in Washington, DC, and its environs. The members of the Commission are as follows: Director, National Park Service. Administrator, General Services Administration. Chairman, National Capital Planning Commission. Chairman, Commission of Fine Arts. Mayor of the District of Columbia. Architect of the Capitol. Chairman, American Battle Monuments Commission. Secretary of Defense. The purpose of the meeting is to review the design concept for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Visitor Center. The meeting will begin at 1 p.m. and is open to the public. Persons who wish to file a written statement or testify at the meeting or who want further information concerning the meeting may contact Ms. Nancy Young, Secretary to the Commission. 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. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Dated: February 7, 2012. Stephen E. Whitesell, Regional Director, National Capital Region. [FR Doc. 2012–5693 Filed 3–8–12; 8:45 a.m.] BILLING CODE 4312–JK–P E:\FR\FM\09MRN1.SGM 09MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 47 (Friday, March 9, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14418-14419]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-5696]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-ROMO-1201-8979; 1526-0002-630]


Grand Ditch Breach Restoration Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement, Rocky Mountain National Park, CO

AGENCY: National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Grand Ditch Breach Restoration, Rocky Mountain 
National Park.

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

SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 
U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Service announces the availability 
of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Grand Ditch Breach 
Restoration, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. The purpose of 
this environmental impact statement is to guide management actions in 
the park to restore the hydrological processes, ecological services, 
and wilderness character of the area in the Upper Kawuneeche Valley 
impacted by the 2003 Grand Ditch breach. The National Park Service is 
obligated by law and policy to maintain and restore, to the extent 
possible, the natural conditions and processes in park units (NPS 
Management Policies 2006, section 4.1.5). The following objectives for 
restoring the area impacted by the 2003 Grand Ditch breach are 
identified in the environmental impact statement: restore appropriate 
stream and groundwater processes, restore appropriate native plant 
communities, restore the stability of the hillside below the breach 
site, restore wilderness character, restore wildlife habitat, restore 
aquatic habitat, and restore water quality in the affected area and 
downstream. Five alternatives are being considered: Alternative A, 
``the no action alternative,'' would continue current management 
activities within the impacted area, following existing management 
policies and NPS guidance. Alternative B, minimal restoration, would 
emphasize less intensive management activity to restore portions of the 
impacted area. This alternative would focus actions on areas that are 
unstable and present a high potential of continued degradation of 
existing ecosystem resources and services. Management activities would 
be conducted using hand tools to reduce impact on wilderness character. 
This alternative would include stabilization of zone 1A, the road-cut 
hillside immediately below the Grand Ditch, under one of two 
stabilization options. Alternative C, high restoration, would involve 
more intensive management actions over large portions of the impacted 
area. This alternative would focus actions on unstable areas that 
present a high to moderate potential of continued degradation of 
existing ecosystem resources and services. Restoration methods would be 
used to stabilize banks, slopes, and disturbed areas; to improve 
channel stability in portions of Lulu Creek and the Colorado River; and 
to reduce sediment transport over a larger portion of the project area. 
This alternative would involve the use of heavy equipment and possibly 
reusing excavated debris for restoration and stabilization actions both 
within and between zones. This alternative would include stabilization 
of zone 1A under one of two stabilization options. Alternative D, the 
preferred alternative, would emphasize the removal of large debris 
deposits in the alluvial fan area and in the Lulu City wetland. Actions 
would be conducted to stabilize limited areas of unstable slopes and 
banks throughout the upper portions of the restoration area. Hydrology 
through the Lulu City wetland would be restored in the historical 
central channel through removal of large deposits of debris, relying on 
the historical channel to transport river flow. Small-scale motorized 
equipment would be employed for stabilization and

[[Page 14419]]

revegetation activities, while larger equipment would be employed for 
excavation of large debris deposits and reconfiguration of the Colorado 
River through the Lulu City wetland. This alternative would include 
stabilization of zone 1A under the preferred option, option 1. 
Alternative E, maximum restoration, would involve extensive management 
activity and use of motorized equipment over large portions of the 
impacted area to restore the damage. Engineered solutions would be used 
to stabilize banks and slopes to approximate pre-breach contours and to 
reduce transport of sediments over a larger portion of the impacted 
area. Extensive changes would be made to the Colorado River channel to 
route the river to its historical alignment through the center of the 
Lulu City wetland. To facilitate movement of heavy mechanized equipment 
and excavated debris from the wetland to upland disposal areas, a 
temporary haul road would be constructed. This alternative would 
include stabilization of zone 1A under one of two stabilization 
options. All action alternatives would have substantial beneficial 
impacts to wilderness character; surface and groundwater hydrology; 
stream channel, floodplain and wetland morphology and function; water 
quality; riparian and wetland communities; aquatic habitat; visitor 
experience; and long-term resource productivity.

DATES: The National Park Service will accept comments on the Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement from the public for 60 days after the 
date the Environmental Protection Agency publishes this Notice of 
Availability. No public meetings are scheduled at this time.

ADDRESSES: Information will be available for public review and comment 
online at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/romo, in the office of the 
Superintendent, Vaughn Baker, 1000 US Highway 36 Estes Park, CO 80517-
8397, 970-586-1200 and from the Public Information Office, Rocky 
Mountain National Park, 1000 US Highway 36, Estes Park, Colorado 80517-
8397.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Public Information Office, Rocky 
Mountain National Park, 1000 US Highway 36, Estes Park, Colorado 80517-
8397, (970) 586-1206, romo_information@nps.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: If you wish to comment on any other issues 
associated with the Grand Ditch Breach Restoration EIS, you may submit 
your comments by any one of several methods. You may mail comments to: 
Superintendent, Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, CO 80517-
8397. You may also comment via the Internet at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/romo. You can email comments to romo_superintendent@nps.gov. Finally, you may hand-deliver comments to: 
Rocky Mountain National Park Headquarters, 1000 US Highway 36, Estes 
Park, Colorado 80517-8397 or to Kawuneeche Visitor Center, Rocky 
Mountain National Park, 16018 Highway 34, Grand Lake, CO 80447. 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.

    Dated: November 23, 2011.
John Wessels,
Director, Intermountain Region.
[FR Doc. 2012-5696 Filed 3-8-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-D8-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.