[Awclist] GCPBA Newswire -- Colorado River Plan Published

[David Yeamans]

GCPBA Newswire - 23 March 2006 - ROD Released

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Colorado River Management Plan, Final Environmental Impact
Statement, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ

AGENCY: National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability of a Record of Decision on the Final
Environmental Impact Statement for the Colorado River Management Plan,
Grand Canyon National Park.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to subsection 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969, codified as amended

[[Page 14718]]

at 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Service (NPS) announces the
availability of the Record of Decision for the Colorado River
Management Plan, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. On February 17,
2006, the Director, Intermountain Region approved the Record of
Decision for the project. As soon as practicable, the NPS will begin to
implement the two Preferred Alternatives contained in the Final
Environmental Impact Statement issued on November 10, 2005. For the
Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek section of the Colorado River, the NPS has
selected the preferred alternative, modified Alternative H, which will
allow 5.5 months mixed motor/nonmotor use and 6.5 months nonmotorized
use; reduce the maximum group size for commercial groups; establish use
patterns based on daily, weekly and seasonal launch limits; and
increase noncommercial use primarily in the shoulder and winter months.
This alternative will allow for a moderate increase in estimated yearly
passenger totals and allow passenger exchanges at Whitmore to
accommodate commercial trips launching during the mixed-use seasons.
Noncommercial permits will be awarded through a ``hybrid'' weighted
lottery system for applicants applying for Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek
river trips after boaters transition from the waitlist. This course of
action and 7 other alternatives were analyzed in the Draft and Final
Environmental Impact Statements for the Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek
section of the Colorado River. The full range of foreseeable
environmental consequences was assessed, and appropriate mitigating
measures were identified.
      For the Lower Gorge of the Colorado River, the NPS has selected
modified Alternative 4, which reflects an agreement reached between
Grand Canyon National Park and the Hualapai Tribe, achieved through
extensive consultation, on most issues relating to the elements of use,
specifically for trips launching at or continuing past Diamond Creek.
This alternative will allow overall HRR operations to increase, while
reducing group size, limiting day trips in the non-peak season, and
limiting overnight trips throughout the year. However, agreement could
not be reached after extensive consultation and incorporation of
Hualapai tribal concerns, on the level of pontoon boat operations and
upstream travel from Lake Mead. This selected modified Alternative 4,
incorporates the NPS's preference for lower levels of pontoon boat use
in the Quartermaster area compared to levels proposed by the Hualapai
Tribe. Pontoon operations, under this alternative, will continue to be
allowed, with five boats operating at one time in the Quartermaster
area and with a maximum daily capacity of 480 passengers, which could
increase to 600 passengers per day based on favorable performance
reviews of concession operations and resource monitoring data. Upriver,
motorized trip takeouts will be allowed with a maximum of four trips
per day during the peak season and one per day during the non-peak
season; however, no jetboat tours will be allowed to operate. This
course of action and 4 other alternatives were analyzed in the Draft
and Final Environmental Impact Statements for the Lower Gorge of the
Colorado River. The full range of foreseeable environmental
consequences was assessed, and appropriate mitigating measures were
identified.
      The Record of Decision includes a statement of the decision made,
synopses of other alternatives considered, the basis for the decision,
a description of the environmentally preferable alternatives, a finding
on impairment of park resources and values, a listing of measures to
minimize environmental harm, an overview of public involvement in the
decision-making process, and a Statement of Findings.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Killeen, Chief of Planning and
Compliance Office, Grand Canyon National Park, 928-638-7885.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Copies of the Record of Decision may be
obtained from the contact listed above or online at
<http://www.nps.gov/grca/crmp>http://www.nps.gov/grca/crmp
.


      Dated: February 17, 2006.
Steve Martin,
Deputy Director, National Park Service.
[FR Doc. 06-2761 Filed 3-22-06; 8:45 am]





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