[Federal Register: November 8, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 217)]
[Notices]
[Page 68164]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr08no02-126]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Reclamation
[INT-FES-02-34]
Reach 11 Recreation Master Plan, Central Arizona Project, Arizona
AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability of a final environmental impact
statement (EIS).
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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of
1969, as amended, and the Council on Environmental Quality's
Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of NEPA, the
Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), in conjunction with the City of
Phoenix (City), has prepared a final EIS for a Recreation Master Plan
for the Reach 11 Recreation Area (Reach 11), located in the northeast
portion of the city of Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona. The final EIS
considers the proposed approval and implementation of a recreation
master plan for a 1,500-acre area adjacent to the Central Arizona
Project (CAP) canal, between Cave Creek and Scottsdale roads. The land
is owned by Reclamation and is managed for recreational purposes by the
City's Parks and Recreation Department (PRD) under a 1986 Recreation
Land Use Agreement (RLUA). The final EIS describes the anticipated
environmental effects associated with a new recreation master plan for
Reach 11. A proposed action and two action alternative master plans
have been considered in the EIS. A No Action Alternative is also
described, which provides a baseline for comparing the impacts of the
three action alternatives.
DATES: No decision will be made on the proposed action until 30 days
after the release of the final EIS. After the 30-day waiting period,
Reclamation will complete a Record of Decision (ROD).
ADDRESSES: Copies of the final EIS are available for public inspection
and review at the locations listed in the Supplementary Information
section below.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Sandra Eto, Bureau of Reclamation,
Phoenix Area Office (PXAO-1500), PO Box 81169, Phoenix, AZ 85069-1169,
telephone 602-216-3857.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The final EIS considers the effects of
approving a new Recreation Master Plan for Reach 11. Reach 11 is
managed for recreational purposes by the PRD, consistent with the 1986
RLUA pursuant to Title 28, Federal Water Project Recreation Act of 1965
(Pub. L. 89-72, as amended). The current master plan was approved in
1987. The City and Reclamation determined a comprehensive planning
effort for a new master plan should be carried out, due to the major
population growth that has occurred and future growth anticipated for
the area. This effort included conducting a recreation needs assessment
to inventory existing facilities in the vicinity of Reach 11, and
evaluating needs based upon established park standards, existing
capacity, and public interest in or opposition to various recreation
uses. The purpose and need for a new Recreation Master Plan is to
optimize recreational use of Reach 11 based upon the needs of the City
and community, while ensuring compatibility with the primary flood
control function of Reach 11. A master plan would accommodate and
respect the full range of current and future recreation demands of this
growing area of Phoenix, Arizona. The final EIS considers three
alternative master plan scenarios. All three provide a level of
development established for a City district park. Under the Proposed
Action, high-demand recreation needs would be balanced with passive
recreation uses and maintenance of quality habitat areas. Two other
alternative action alternatives are considered: One that would provide
less active recreation-oriented development and emphasizes passive
recreation-oriented activities (Alternative 1), and one that would
maximize development of active-recreation oriented recreation
facilities (Alternative 2). The No Action Alternative assumes the
existing 1987 master plan, (which does not meet current PRD district
park standards), would continue to be implemented. The alternative
ultimately selected and implemented is expected to be developed in
phases by PRD, as funding becomes available.
The draft EIS was issued November 9, 2001. Responses to comments
received from interested organizations and individuals on the draft EIS
are addressed in the final EIS.
Locations for public inspection and review of the final EIS:
[sbull] Department of the Interior, Natural Resources Library, 1849
C Street, NW, Washington, DC 20240.
[sbull] Bureau of Reclamation, Denver Office Library, Building 67,
Room 167, Denver Federal Center, 6th and Kipling, Denver CO 80225.
[sbull] Arizona Department of Library Archives and Public Records,
1700 West Washington St., Phoenix AZ 85007.
[sbull] North Central Regional County Library, 17811 N. 32nd St.,
Phoenix AZ 85032.
[sbull] Phoenix Public Library (Burton Barr Central), 1221 N.
Central Ave., Phoenix AZ 85004.
[sbull] Government Document Service, Arizona State University,
Tempe, AZ 85281.
[sbull] Arizona State University--West Library, 4701 W. Thunderbird
Rd., Glendale AZ 85306.
After release of the final EIS and the end of the 30-day waiting
period, Reclamation will complete a Record of Decision (ROD). The ROD
will state the action that will be implemented and will discuss all
factors leading to the decision.
Dated: Ocotber 11, 2002.
Lorri Gray,
Acting Regional Director, Lower Colorado Region.
[FR Doc. 02-28509 Filed 11-7-02; 8:45 am]