[Federal Register: October 5, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 192)] [Notices] [Page 53461-53462] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr05oc98-93] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [AK-050-1220-04] Limits of Acceptable Change, Gulkana River, AK AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of intent to hold planning and scoping meetings to discuss and develop limits of acceptable change for the Gulkana River, AK and to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 and the Alaska National Interest and Conservation Act (ANILCA) of 1980. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposes to conduct a Limits of Acceptable Change (LAC) planning process for the Gulkana River area. The recommendations developed during the LAC planning process will be used to update the Gulkana National Wild River Management Plan and develop a Lower Gulkana River Management Plan. The LAC process will be conducted by a third party contractor. Based on the recommendations developed during the LAC process, the BLM will determine the appropriate level of compliance required under Section 102 (2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. DATES: Public meetings will be held in Glennallen, AK on October 19, 1998 beginning at 2, 4:30, and 7 pm at the Caribou Cafe Banquet Room, Mile 187, Glenn Highway, Glennallen, AK, (907) 822-3656. In Fairbanks, AK on October 21, 1998 meetings will be held at 2, 4:30 and 7 pm at the Noel Wein (FSNB) Public Library, 1215 Cowles Street, Fairbanks, AK, (907) 459-1020. In Anchorage on October 23, 1998 at 2, 4:30 and 7 pm at Z.J. Loussac Public Library Conference Room, 3600 Denali Street, Anchorage, AK (907) 343-2906. ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to the Gulkana River Studies Team, P.O. 2372, Durango, CO 81302. The e-mail address is info@gulkanariver.com. A website with pertinent information has been established at www.gulkanariver.com. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gulkana River Studies Team. 1-800-439- 0410; Kathy Liska, Glennallen Field Office, Bureau of Land Management (907) 822-3217. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Gulkana LAC planning process is being coordinated by a third party consultant to the Bureau of Land Management, Glennallen Field Office. The purpose of this contract is to conduct a Limits of Acceptable Change planning process for the Gulkana River, AK. The West and Middle Forks and the mainstem of the Gulkana River are included in the National Wild and Scenic River system. In 1980 Congress designated 181 miles of the Gulkana River as ``Wild'' pursuant to the 1968 Wild and Scenic River Act. The three stretches of river exhibit general inaccessibility, except by trails, with watersheds essentially primitive with unpolluted waters and represent vestiges of primitive America. The Limits of Acceptable Change study includes the existing Wild River Corridor and the following areas: (1) A 9,840 acre area along the South Branch West Fork, west of the existing Wild River Corridor. This stretch has been considered for additional designation as a wild river; and, (2) The Gulkana River from the southern limits of the existing Wild River Corridor at Sourdough Creek to the confluence with the Copper River, plus adjacent land generally between the river and the Richardson Highway and about 1 mile west of the river. The objectives of the Limits of Acceptable Change process include three components: (1) Provide recommendations to update the Gulkana National Wild River Management Plan and create a citizen-driven Lower Gulkana River Management Plan; (2) Produce documents required to comply with potential National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) actions and ANILCA Sec 810; and, (3) Develop and implement a monitoring program to measure and evaluate changes in natural and social conditions, with corresponding management actions that [[Page 53462]] may be needed to maintain or achieve desired future conditions. The desired outcome of the Limits of Acceptable Change planning process is to develop a consensus among the various stakeholders as to the best ways to manage the Gulkana River corridor within legislative constraints. Existing regulatory guidance for management of the Gulkana River corridor is provided by the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (1968) and the Alaska National Interest Lands and Conservation Act (1980). In December 1983 the Bureau of Land Management completed the initial River Management Plan for the Gulkana River. That report was entitled ``Gulkana River. A Component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System''. In that document the specific boundaries and management policies were established for the Gulkana National Wild River. With increasing use and improved access to the Gulkana River system, the Bureau of Land Management proposes to update the River Management Plan through the use of the Limits of Acceptable Change. Results from the LAC planning process will be utilized by the Bureau of Land Management to determine what level of NEPA compliance and environmental analysis will be required to implement the proposed recommendations. Dated: September 28, 1998. Kathy J. Liska, District Outdoor Recreation Planner, Glennallen Field Office. [FR Doc. 98-26554 Filed 10-2-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-JA-P