[Federal Register: February 24, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 36)] [Notices] [Page 9168] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr24fe99-90] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service Notice of Scoping for Fire Management Plan Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Tulare & Fresno Counties, California ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given, in accordance with the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et. seq.) that public scoping has been initiated for a conservation planning and impact analysis process for updating the fire management plan for Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. The purpose of the scoping process is to elicit early public comment regarding issues and concerns, a suitable range of alternatives and appropriate mitigating measures, and the nature and extent of potential environmental impacts which should be addressed. Background Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, units of the National Park System, are managed as one administrative unit. Extensive research has shown that fire is a significant natural process across a large portion of the 864,000 acres of the parks. An extensive fire management program was begun in 1968 and has continued to the present time. All forms of fire management, from aggressive suppression to managing natural (lightning) ignitions, have been used to achieve natural and cultural resource management and hazard fuel reduction goals. The parks fire management program also has a significant fire prevention and suppression function. The last revision of the fire management plan culminated in a Finding Of No Significant Impact, dated November 1, 1989. Since that time, a range of new issues, improved information, and unforeseeable constraints have emerged which have the potential to affect the future direction of the fire management program within the parks. Some of these issues include but are not limited to: a continued decline in ecosystem health due to fire suppression, increased hazards and costs associated with fire suppression, and more stringent air quality regulations. Comment and Approval As noted, the National Park Service will undertake an environmental analysis effort to address issues and alternatives for fire management in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. At this time, it has not been determined whether an Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement will be prepared, however, this scoping process will aid in the preparation of either document. As the first step in this undertaking, a series of five public scoping meetings will be conducted during March, 1999. California cities where scoping meetings will be held are: Wednesday March 3, 7:00 pm at Fort Miller Middle School Cafeteria, 1302 E. Dakota, Fresno; Wednesday March 10, 7:00 pm at the Tulare County Education Center (Education Building Corner of Burrel Ave. near the County Civic Center), Visalia; Monday March 15, 7:00 pm at the Visitor Center Auditorium at Griffith Park, Los Angeles; Monday March 22, 7:00 pm at the Presidio Visitor Center, 1st floor conference room, Building 102 on Montgomery St., San Francisco (adjacent parking available on parade grounds); Tuesday March 23, 7:30 pm at Three Rivers Union School gym. For those unable to attend meetings, a scoping document will be available through the park. The main topics addressed in the scoping document and meetings are: background information on the fire management program; a review of relevant policy and law affecting the fire management program; an assessment of current fire management needs; and the identification of issues and alternatives related to the fire management in the parks. Interested individuals, organizations, and agencies are invited to provide comments or suggestions. Written comments regarding the fire management program must be postmarked no later than June 7, 1999. For additional information on the scoping meetings, or to request a copy of the scoping background material and provide comments, please contact: Superintendent, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks; Attn: Fire Management Plan; Three Rivers, California 93271 (telephone (559) 565- 3164 or email seki__fire@nps.gov.). The official responsible for approval is the Regional Director, Pacific West Region, National Park Service. The official responsible for implementation is Michael J. Tollefson, Superintendent, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. The draft fire management plan and environmental document are expected to be available for public review in January, 2000. At this time it is anticipated that the final plan and environmental document are to be completed in June, 2000. Dated: February 16, 1999. John J. Reynolds, Regional Director, Pacific West. [FR Doc. 99-4484 Filed 2-23-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-70-P