Final Environmental Impact Statement for Stehekin River Corridor Implementation Plan, Lake Chelan National Recreation Area, North Cascades National Park Service Complex, Chelan County, WA, 61631-61632 [2012-24924]
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 196 / Wednesday, October 10, 2012 / Notices
lease to any other interest affecting the
lands.
lease to any other interest affecting the
lands.
Julie L. Weaver,
Chief, Branch of Fluid Minerals Adjudication.
Julie L. Weaver,
Chief, Branch of Fluid Minerals Adjudication.
[FR Doc. 2012–24904 Filed 10–9–12; 8:45 am]
[FR Doc. 2012–24903 Filed 10–9–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–22–P
BILLING CODE 4310–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
National Park Service
[NPS–PWR–PWRO–10631; 9475–0764–422]
[WY–923–1310–FI; WYW145583]
Notice of Proposed Reinstatement of
Terminated Oil and Gas Lease
WYW145583, Wyoming
AGENCY:
Bureau of Land Management,
Interior.
ACTION:
ACTION:
Under the provisions of the
Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as
amended, the Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) received a petition
for reinstatement from CEP–M Purchase,
LLC, for competitive oil and gas lease
WYW145583 for land in Campbell
County, Wyoming. The petition was
filed on time and was accompanied by
all the rentals due since the date the
lease terminated under the law.
SUMMARY:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Bureau of Land Management, Julie L.
Weaver, Chief, Fluid Minerals
Adjudication, at 307–775–6176. Persons
who use a telecommunications device
for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–
800–877–8339 to contact the above
individual during normal business
hours. The FIRS is available 24 hours a
day, 7 days a week, to leave a message
or question with the above individual.
You will receive a reply during normal
business hours.
The lessee
has agreed to the amended lease terms
for rentals and royalties at rates of $10
per acre or fraction thereof, per year and
16–2/3 percent, respectively. The lessee
has paid the required $500
administrative fee and $159 to
reimburse the Department for the cost of
this Federal Register notice. The lessee
has met all the requirements for
reinstatement of the lease as set out in
Sections 31(d) and (e) of the Mineral
Lands Leasing Act of 1920 (30 U.S.C.
188), and the BLM is proposing to
reinstate lease WYW145583 effective
July 1, 2011, under the original terms
and conditions of the lease and the
increased rental and royalty rates cited
above. The BLM has not issued a valid
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
National Park Service, Interior.
Notice of availability of the
Final Environmental Impact Statement
for Stehekin River Corridor
Implementation Plan, Lake Chelan
National Recreation Area.
AGENCY:
Notice.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
Final Environmental Impact Statement
for Stehekin River Corridor
Implementation Plan, Lake Chelan
National Recreation Area, North
Cascades National Park Service
Complex, Chelan County, WA
15:15 Oct 09, 2012
Jkt 229001
The National Park Service, in
cooperation with the Federal Highway
Administration, has prepared a Final
Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS)
for the Stehekin River Corridor
Implementation Plan (SRCIP) and Lake
Chelan National Recreation Area Land
Protection Plan (LPP). The SRCIP/FEIS
identifies and analyzes five alternatives
for sustainable management of park
facilities (e.g., roads, bridges, trails,
maintenance yard) in response to
increased flooding and erosion issues in
the lower Stehekin River watershed.
When approved, the SCRIP will
implement several actions called for in
the 1995 General Management Plan
(GMP), including removal of park
maintenance and residential facilities
from floodplain areas, construction of
recreational facilities and relocation of
segments of the primary eastern access
road to the adjoining North Cascades
National Park, and protection of water
quality and scenery along the lower
Stehekin River. The updated Lake
Chelan National Recreation Area LPP
revises acquisition priorities and is
intended to accommodate willing sellers
of threatened private property.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Recent
major floods and resultant channel
changes on the lower Stehekin River
have intensified flood and erosion
threats to NPS facilities and are
impacting natural resources within Lake
Chelan NRA. The three largest recorded
Stehekin River floods have occurred
within the past 16 years, and in
response, the NPS has spent more than
$3 million to protect public roads and
SUMMARY:
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61631
facilities and to repair flood damage.
Roads, visitor facilities and private
development once thought to be safe
from the river are now threatened.
Because of the current impacts and
future risks associated with these
unprecedented conditions, the primary
purposes of the actions proposed within
the SRCIP are to: (1) Sustainably operate
and maintain NPS administrative
facilities, public access (roads and
trails), and campgrounds; (2) protect
water quality, scenic values, habitat,
and natural processes of the Stehekin
River; and (3) partner with the Stehekin
Community to provide services,
facilities and experiences for visitors.
The SRCIP is needed to (1) respond to
the increased magnitude and frequency
of flooding, (2) implement and clarify
1995 GMP guidance, (3) sustain public
facilities while protecting natural
resources, (4) manage limited funding,
and to (5) respond to private
landowners.
The SRCIP/FEIS describes and
analyzes five management alternatives,
including continuation of current
management actions. This includes a
new Alternative 5, which is derived
from modifications to Alternative 2 as
presented in the Draft EIS (which
evaluated four alternatives), based on
responses to public comments. All five
alternatives have in common certain
actions previously identified in the 1995
GMP, including relocation of the NPS
maintenance area and some housing out
of the channel migration zone;
resurfacing of the road from Stehekin
Landing to Milepost 9.2 (just above
Stehekin Valley Ranch), including
paving from Harlequin Bridge to
Milepost 9.2; and construction of the
Lower Valley Trail. Alternatives 2–5
would also add new campsites at
different locations to supplement sites
at Harlequin Bridge that are seasonally
flooded.
Alternative 1 (continue current
management) and Alternative 4 would
retain the Stehekin Valley Road access
through McGregor Meadows. To protect
the road from flood damage and to
provide access to private residences,
about 5,600 cubic yards of fill would be
placed in the floodplain. Under both
alternatives, new rock structures (barbs)
could be placed along the river.
Alternatives 2 and 3 would relocate
1.9 and 1.75 miles, respectively, of the
Stehekin Valley Road from the
floodplain in McGregor Meadows, while
retaining private access to the area via
a 0.75-mile-long reduced maintenance
road. Alternatives 2, 3 and 5 differ in
where the reroute rejoins to the existing
road, with the Alternative 2 and 5
alignments outside of the channel
E:\FR\FM\10OCN1.SGM
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61632
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 196 / Wednesday, October 10, 2012 / Notices
migration zone and Alternative 3
partially within it near the Lower Field.
Because of the reroute, implementation
of Alternatives 2 or 5 would close the
shooting range near the Lower Field.
Alternatives 2, 3 and 5 would install
roughly half as many rock structures
(barbs) compared to Alternatives 1 and
4.
Alternatives 2–5 would revise the
Lake Chelan NRA Land Protection Plan.
Alternatives 2, 3 and 5 would focus
more on exchange and acquisition of
properties threatened by the river
(provided there are willing sellers), and
would cluster future development in
areas outside of the channel migration
zone. The 1995 LPP placed a higher
value on scenic resources along the
Stehekin Valley Road. In Alternative 4,
less emphasis would be placed on
exchange and acquisition priorities in
the floodplain, and therefore far fewer
private parcels would be high priority
for purchase or exchange. Alternative 5
focuses on exchange/acquisition in the
most vulnerable areas threatened by the
river and introduces two new criteria for
prioritizing potential exchange/
acquisition lands, including scenic
resources and threats within debris flow
hazard zones.
Decision Process: Not sooner than 30
days from the date of publication in the
Federal Register by the Environmental
Protection Agency of its notice of filing
of the Final EIS, a Record of Decision for
the selected SRCIP alternative will be
prepared. Because this is a delegated
EIS, the official responsible for the final
decision is the Regional Director, Pacific
West Region; subsequently the official
responsible for implementation of the
approved Stehekin River Corridor
Implementation Plan is the
Superintendent, North Cascades
National Park Service Complex.
Dated: September 26, 2012.
Patricia L. Neubacher,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 2012–24924 Filed 10–9–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–T6–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
[NPS–PWR–PWRO–10630; 9530–1000–SZM]
Final Environmental Impact Statement
for Cattle Point Road Relocation, San
Juan Island National Historical Park,
San Juan County, Washington
National Park Service, Interior.
Notice of Availability of the
Final Environmental Impact Statement
AGENCY:
ACTION:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
15:15 Oct 09, 2012
Jkt 229001
for Cattle Point Road Relocation, San
Juan Island National Historical Park.
Pursuant to the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Pub.
L. 91–190, as amended), and the
Council on Environmental Quality
Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500–1508),
the National Park Service (NPS) and the
Federal Highway Administration
(FHWA), in cooperation with San Juan
County, Washington and the
Washington State Department of Natural
Resources, have prepared a Final
Environmental Impact Statement (Final
EIS) for alternatives designed to respond
to coastal bluff erosion that threatens a
segment of the Cattle Point Road located
in San Juan Island National Historical
Park (Park), Washington. The Final EIS
identifies and analyzes three action
alternatives for realignment of the road
through the park for use by residents
and visitors traveling to the east end of
the Cattle Point peninsula. The potential
environmental consequences of these
alternatives (and a no-action alternative
which would continue current road
management), and appropriate measures
to minimize or avoid harm, are
identified and analyzed.
Background: A 500-foot long segment
of the Cattle Point Road, which
terminates on the southeastern tip of
San Juan Island, is threatened by coastal
erosion at the base of the slope traversed
by the road. This road passes through
the Park and serves residences on a
peninsular area of the island known as
Cattle Point, as well as providing public
access to the Cattle Point Natural
Resource Conservation Area, managed
by the Washington Department of
Natural Resources (DNR). If erosion
continues unabated, the roadway
eventually may fail, disrupting
vehicular access to these areas. The road
is currently maintained by San Juan
County (County); the project area of
potential effect is primarily within the
Park. The entire Park is listed on the
National Register of Historic Places as a
National Historic Landmark.
A Notice of Intent to begin the
conservation planning and
environmental impact analysis for the
project was published in the Federal
Register on February 6, 2004. Public
engagement was initiated through a
newsletter and news release, followed
by two public meetings held February
18, 2004, on San Juan Island. Project
team members presented information
and gathered feedback and ideas on
preliminary alternatives and potential
environmental issues. Approximately 30
public comments were received during
the scoping period ending March 19,
2004. A Scoping Report was prepared
SUMMARY:
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which described the range of potential
alternatives identified for more detailed
analysis, as well as alternatives
dismissed from further consideration
(including armoring the base of the
slope in lieu of road realignment
options). The Scoping Report included
comments and agency responses as
appendices. On June 17, 2004, the
Scoping Report was issued, and a notice
posted on the Park Web site announced
availability of the document.
Throughout 2005–2006 newsletters and
press releases summarizing progress on
preparation of the EIS were distributed,
and the County and other agencies were
periodically updated. The Washington
State Historic Preservation Officer
provided concurrence with a
determination of No Adverse Effect on
June 23, 2009.
The Notice of Availability of the Draft
EIS was published in the Federal
Register on September 7, 2010. Public
engagement was initiated through wide
distribution of a newsletter. An article
regarding pending release of the Draft
EIS was published September 1, 2010,
in the Journal of the San Juan Islands.
A public open house was hosted by the
Park in the town of Friday Harbor on
October 26, 2010 (approximately three
dozen persons attended). During the 60
day public comment period, 40
comment letters were received (23 by
mail and 17 were submitted at the open
house); of this total, seven were from
agencies and organizations, and the
remainder were received from
individuals. No substantially new
information was received.
Proposal and Alternatives: Alternative
A: No Action—The existing use,
maintenance, and management
associated with the road would
continue without change. This
alternative provides a baseline of
current conditions to aid comparison
and analysis of the action alternatives.
Unless current management changes,
erosion eventually could cause the road
to fail, disrupting vehicular access to
residential properties in the Cattle Point
Estates and Cape San Juan
neighborhoods and to public lands east
of the eroding bluff. Since
measurements began in 2002, erosion
has moved approximately 14 feet closer
to the guard rail and is currently 32 feet
from the guard rail at its closest point.
The continued life span of the road is
difficult to predict, however large storm
events could potentially make the road
unsafe in a few years.
Life expectancy (relative to coastal
erosion) of each of the three action
alternatives is estimated at
approximately 100 years. Alternative C:
Long Tunnel on Minor Realignment
E:\FR\FM\10OCN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 196 (Wednesday, October 10, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61631-61632]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-24924]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[NPS-PWR-PWRO-10631; 9475-0764-422]
Final Environmental Impact Statement for Stehekin River Corridor
Implementation Plan, Lake Chelan National Recreation Area, North
Cascades National Park Service Complex, Chelan County, WA
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability of the Final Environmental Impact
Statement for Stehekin River Corridor Implementation Plan, Lake Chelan
National Recreation Area.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The National Park Service, in cooperation with the Federal
Highway Administration, has prepared a Final Environmental Impact
Statement (FEIS) for the Stehekin River Corridor Implementation Plan
(SRCIP) and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area Land Protection Plan
(LPP). The SRCIP/FEIS identifies and analyzes five alternatives for
sustainable management of park facilities (e.g., roads, bridges,
trails, maintenance yard) in response to increased flooding and erosion
issues in the lower Stehekin River watershed. When approved, the SCRIP
will implement several actions called for in the 1995 General
Management Plan (GMP), including removal of park maintenance and
residential facilities from floodplain areas, construction of
recreational facilities and relocation of segments of the primary
eastern access road to the adjoining North Cascades National Park, and
protection of water quality and scenery along the lower Stehekin River.
The updated Lake Chelan National Recreation Area LPP revises
acquisition priorities and is intended to accommodate willing sellers
of threatened private property.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Recent major floods and resultant channel
changes on the lower Stehekin River have intensified flood and erosion
threats to NPS facilities and are impacting natural resources within
Lake Chelan NRA. The three largest recorded Stehekin River floods have
occurred within the past 16 years, and in response, the NPS has spent
more than $3 million to protect public roads and facilities and to
repair flood damage. Roads, visitor facilities and private development
once thought to be safe from the river are now threatened.
Because of the current impacts and future risks associated with
these unprecedented conditions, the primary purposes of the actions
proposed within the SRCIP are to: (1) Sustainably operate and maintain
NPS administrative facilities, public access (roads and trails), and
campgrounds; (2) protect water quality, scenic values, habitat, and
natural processes of the Stehekin River; and (3) partner with the
Stehekin Community to provide services, facilities and experiences for
visitors. The SRCIP is needed to (1) respond to the increased magnitude
and frequency of flooding, (2) implement and clarify 1995 GMP guidance,
(3) sustain public facilities while protecting natural resources, (4)
manage limited funding, and to (5) respond to private landowners.
The SRCIP/FEIS describes and analyzes five management alternatives,
including continuation of current management actions. This includes a
new Alternative 5, which is derived from modifications to Alternative 2
as presented in the Draft EIS (which evaluated four alternatives),
based on responses to public comments. All five alternatives have in
common certain actions previously identified in the 1995 GMP, including
relocation of the NPS maintenance area and some housing out of the
channel migration zone; resurfacing of the road from Stehekin Landing
to Milepost 9.2 (just above Stehekin Valley Ranch), including paving
from Harlequin Bridge to Milepost 9.2; and construction of the Lower
Valley Trail. Alternatives 2-5 would also add new campsites at
different locations to supplement sites at Harlequin Bridge that are
seasonally flooded.
Alternative 1 (continue current management) and Alternative 4 would
retain the Stehekin Valley Road access through McGregor Meadows. To
protect the road from flood damage and to provide access to private
residences, about 5,600 cubic yards of fill would be placed in the
floodplain. Under both alternatives, new rock structures (barbs) could
be placed along the river.
Alternatives 2 and 3 would relocate 1.9 and 1.75 miles,
respectively, of the Stehekin Valley Road from the floodplain in
McGregor Meadows, while retaining private access to the area via a
0.75-mile-long reduced maintenance road. Alternatives 2, 3 and 5 differ
in where the reroute rejoins to the existing road, with the Alternative
2 and 5 alignments outside of the channel
[[Page 61632]]
migration zone and Alternative 3 partially within it near the Lower
Field. Because of the reroute, implementation of Alternatives 2 or 5
would close the shooting range near the Lower Field. Alternatives 2, 3
and 5 would install roughly half as many rock structures (barbs)
compared to Alternatives 1 and 4.
Alternatives 2-5 would revise the Lake Chelan NRA Land Protection
Plan. Alternatives 2, 3 and 5 would focus more on exchange and
acquisition of properties threatened by the river (provided there are
willing sellers), and would cluster future development in areas outside
of the channel migration zone. The 1995 LPP placed a higher value on
scenic resources along the Stehekin Valley Road. In Alternative 4, less
emphasis would be placed on exchange and acquisition priorities in the
floodplain, and therefore far fewer private parcels would be high
priority for purchase or exchange. Alternative 5 focuses on exchange/
acquisition in the most vulnerable areas threatened by the river and
introduces two new criteria for prioritizing potential exchange/
acquisition lands, including scenic resources and threats within debris
flow hazard zones.
Decision Process: Not sooner than 30 days from the date of
publication in the Federal Register by the Environmental Protection
Agency of its notice of filing of the Final EIS, a Record of Decision
for the selected SRCIP alternative will be prepared. Because this is a
delegated EIS, the official responsible for the final decision is the
Regional Director, Pacific West Region; subsequently the official
responsible for implementation of the approved Stehekin River Corridor
Implementation Plan is the Superintendent, North Cascades National Park
Service Complex.
Dated: September 26, 2012.
Patricia L. Neubacher,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 2012-24924 Filed 10-9-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-T6-P
