[Awclist] [Fwd: RRFW Riverwire - FEIS DUE OUT IN LATE SUMMER]

[Thomas Robey]

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	RRFW Riverwire - FEIS DUE OUT IN LATE SUMMER
Date: 	Thu, 5 May 2005 16:31:14 -0600
From: 	Riverwire-RRFW <riverwire at rrfw.org>
Reply-To: 	<riverwire at rrfw.org>
Organization: 	River Runners for Wilderness
To: 	riverwire at rrfw.org



*RRFW Riverwire – FEIS DUE OUT IN LATE SUMMER*

*Release date: May 5, 2005*

*To the Many People Interested in the Grand Canyon: *

On October 8, 2004, the National Park Service (NPS) released the /Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement Colorado River Management Plan/ (DEIS) 
for public review and comment.

The DEIS was designed to provide a comprehensive look at the impacts to 
natural and cultural resources from current visitor uses on the Colorado 
River, and to evaluate various alternatives that can help the NPS 
achieve its mission to preserve park resources while enhancing 
recreational opportunities in the river corridor.

Public meetings to provide an overview of the DEIS and accept public 
comment were held throughout the country and were attended by 
approximately 1,000 people. During the public comment period, which 
ended on February 1, 2005, the NPS received a large volume of comments 
representing a wide range of interests.

The comments are being carefully analyzed and considered as the NPS 
begins to prepare a final EIS (FEIS) that will include responses to all 
of the substantive comments received, along with any necessary changes 
from the DEIS. The NPS currently anticipates releasing a FEIS in late 
summer/early fall of 2005. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 
and NPS policy require at least a 30-day no-action period following 
release of a FEIS. The FEIS will not be available for additional public 
comment during that time.

Following the no-action period, a Record of Decision (ROD) will be 
prepared that documents the agency’s choice of the final alternative, 
mitigation measures, and rationale for the decision. The ROD will be 
released to the public and a summary published in the /Federal Register/.

Once the ROD has been published, an implementation and monitoring plan 
will be developed to specify how the NPS will implement the provisions 
in the plan as specified in the ROD. The final /Colorado River 
Management Plan/ will be published as a separate document and made 
available to all interested parties.

Thank you for your thoughtful comments and for your continued 
participation in the CRMP planning process.

Sincerely,

Rick Ernenwein
Planning Team Leader

Grand Canyon National Park

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