[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 228 (Monday, November 27, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 70733]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-30148]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Final Environmental Impact Statement, Anacapa Island Restoration 
Plan, Channel Islands National Park, Ventura County, California; Notice 
of Approval of Record of Decision

SUMMARY: (Pursuant to section 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 has prepared and 
approved a Record of Decision for the Final Environmental Impact 
Statement\Anacapa Island Restoration Plan for Channel Islands National 
Park. The 30-day no-action period was initiated October 13, 2000, with 
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Federal Register 
notification of the filing of the Final Environmental Impact Statement.
    Decision: The National Park Service (NPS) has determined through 
field surveys and corroborated with researchers and other agency pest 
management experts that non-native black rats are having a severely 
deleterious effect upon unique native plants and animals on Anacapa 
Island. After due consideration the NPS has determined it is essential 
to implement aerial broadcast of the rodenticide Brodifacoum, multi-
year seasonal control activities, human safety and health safeguards, 
monitoring, and other elements of an island-specific, comprehensive 
program described as ``Alternative 2'' as soon as practical. This 
course of action and five alternatives were identified and analyzed in 
the Final and Draft Environmental Impact Statements (former issued 
October 13, 2000, latter issued July 7, 2000).
    Public Review and Consultation: Public scoping leading to 
preparation of the Draft EIS was initiated in November, 1999. A public 
meeting was conducted on December 8, 1999. The Draft EIS was announced 
on July 7, 2000; the Final EIS was announced on October 13, 2000. 
Meetings and availability of both EIS documents were widely publicized 
in local and regional print and radio media, via the internet, at area 
libraries, and by direct mailings. Approximately 20 comments were 
received overall.
    In addition, the NPS consulted extensively with experts in the 
field of vertebrate pest ecology worldwide, conservation organizations 
and universities, and regulatory and resource protection agencies 
including the California Coastal Commission, US Army Corps of 
Engineers, US Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries 
Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the 
Environmental Protection Agency.
    As a result of these collaborations, five action alternatives were 
identified and compared, and it was further determined that Alternative 
2 comprised the ``environmentally preferred'' alternative.
    Copies: Interested parties desiring to review the Record of 
Decision may obtain a copy by contacting the Superintendent, Channel 
Islands National Park, 1901 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura, California 93001; 
or via telephone request at (805) 658-5700.

    Dated: November 17, 2000.
John J. Reynolds,
Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 00-30148 Filed 11-24-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P