[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 167 (Monday, August 30, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52969-52971]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-21551]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Rim of the Valley Corridor Special Resource Study, Los Angeles
and Ventura Counties, CA; Notice of Scoping
Summary: Notice is hereby given in accordance with provisions of
the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Pub. L. 91-190) and the
Council on Environmental Quality's implementing regulations (40 CFR
1502.9(c)) that public scoping has been initiated for a conservation
planning and environmental impact analysis
[[Page 52970]]
process to identify and assess potential impacts of alternative
resource protection and other considerations within the Rim of the
Valley Corridor Special Resource Study area in Los Angeles and Ventura
counties of California. The purpose of the scoping process is to elicit
early public comment regarding issues and concerns, alternatives, and
the nature and extent of potential environmental impacts (and as
appropriate, mitigation measures) which should be addressed.
Background: As authorized by the Consolidated Natural Resources Act
of 2008 (Pub. L. 110-229-May 2008), the National Park Service (NPS) is
conducting a special resource study of the area known as the Rim of the
Valley Corridor, generally including the mountains encircling the San
Fernando, La Crescenta, Santa Clarita, Simi, and Conejo Valleys in
California. The study area also includes the majority of the existing
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. The study will explore
many issues including: Protection of wildlife habitat and linkages
between open space areas; completion of the Rim of the Valley Trail
system; preserving recreational opportunities and facilitating access
to recreation for a variety of users; protection of rare, threatened or
endangered species and rare or unusual plant communities and habitats;
and identifying the needs of communities within and around the study
area.
In conducting the Rim of the Valley Corridor Special Resource
Study, the NPS will evaluate the national significance of the area's
natural and cultural resources. The NPS will also assess the area's
suitability and feasibility to be a unit of the National Park System.
Factors which the NPS study team will evaluate include: Whether the
study area includes types or quality of resources not already
adequately represented in the National Park System; whether long-term
protection and public use of the area are feasible; and whether the
area can be adequately protected and administered at a reasonable cost.
The recommendations of the NPS may vary for different portions of the
study area.
The authorizing statute directs the NPS to determine the
suitability and feasibility of designating all or a portion of the
corridor as a unit of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation
Area. It also directs the NPS to determine the methods and means for
the protection and interpretation of this corridor by the NPS, other
Federal, State, or local government entities or private or non-profit
organizations.
The NPS will also consider: Alternative strategies for management,
protection and use of significant resources within the overall study
area, including management by other public agencies or the private
sector; technical or financial assistance available from established
programs or special initiatives and partnerships; alternative
designations other than a national park, or as an expansion unit of
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area; and cooperative
management by NPS and other entities.
Public Engagement: During the study process, a range of
alternatives will be developed in consultation with Federal, State and
local governments and interested members of the public, groups, and
organizations. The NPS will conduct an environmental review of the
alternatives and potential consequences of resource protection
considerations as part of the Rim of the Valley Corridor Special
Resource Study. At this time, it has not been determined whether an
Environmental Assessment or an Environmental Impact Statement will be
prepared, however, this scoping process will aid in the preparation of
either document. The public will have several opportunities to comment
and participate throughout the study process. Additionally, the public
will be afforded the opportunity to review and comment on the ensuing
environmental document following its release. For initial scoping and
alternatives development, the most useful comments are those that
provide the NPS with assistance in identifying issues and concerns
which should be addressed, or providing important information germane
to this study. All responses to this Notice will also be used to
establish a mailing list of interested persons, organizations, and
agencies that desire to receive further information as the
environmental document is developed.
The public scoping period for the Rim of the Valley Corridor
Special Resource Study will conclude--and all comments must be
postmarked or transmitted no later than--October 29, 2010. Interested
individuals, organizations, and agencies wishing to provide written
comments on issues or concerns should respond to: National Park
Service, Rim of the Valley Corridor Special Resource Study, 570 West
Avenue 26, Suite 175, Los Angeles, CA 90065. Comments may also be
transmitted through the study's Web site listed below.
Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be
aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying
information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can
ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be
able to do so.
At this time the following scoping meetings (public workshops) have
been scheduled: September 14 in Chatsworth, September 15 in Los
Angeles, September 21 in Santa Clarita, September 22 in Thousand Oaks,
October 4 in Calabasas, October 5 in Tujunga, and October 6 in
Altadena. Complete details of dates, times and locations of the
meetings will be posted on the project Web site (noted below). Complete
information will also be conveyed to local and regional press media,
and will be advertised in a newsletter which will be distributed to
stakeholders and interested parties.
Information updates about the study process and opportunities for
the public to participate will be distributed via direct mailings,
regional and local news media and the Rim of the Valley Corridor
Special Resource Study Web site (http://www.nps.gov/pwro/rimofthevalley). The study team may also be contacted via e-mail at
[email protected].
Further Information: Availability of the forthcoming draft
environmental document for review and written comment will be announced
by local and regional news media, the above listed Web site, and direct
mailing. At this time the draft environmental review document is
anticipated to be available for public review and comment in 2013 and
the draft and final report to Congress available in 2014. Comments on
the draft document will be fully considered and responded to as
appropriate in the final document. The official responsible for the
initial recommendation will be the Regional Director, Pacific West
Region, National Park Service. The official responsible for amending or
ratifying the recommendation and transmitting the final document to the
Secretary of the Interior will be the Director of the National Park
Service. The final document will identify the alternative that, in the
professional judgment of the Director of the National Park Service, is
the most effective and efficient method for protecting significant
resources and providing for public enjoyment. The Secretary of the
Interior subsequently will forward the completed study along with a
recommendation regarding the Secretary's preferred management option
for the area to Congress for their consideration. It is anticipated
that the final study report will be available in 2014.
[[Page 52971]]
Dated: July 30, 2010.
George J. Turnbull,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 2010-21551 Filed 8-27-10; 8:45 am]
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