[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 219 (Thursday, November 13, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67445-67446]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-26824]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[NPS-PWR-PWRO-13760; PX.P0137227A.00.1]
Final Environmental Impact Statement for Cottonwood Cove and
Katherine Landing Development Concept Plans, Lake Mead National
Recreation Area, Arizona and Nevada
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
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SUMMARY: The National Park Service announces availability of the Final
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Cottonwood Cove and
Katherine Landing Development Concept Plans, Lake Mead National
Recreation Area. The document describes and analyzes three
alternatives. Alternative 1 (no action alternative) reflects current
management direction and serves as a baseline for comparison with the
other alternatives. Existing facilities would be retained with minimal
changes. Alternative 2 Implement Previous Planning Proposals would
implement previous planning proposals that separate day use and marina
facilities, maintain the type of overnight facilities, and provide
flood mitigation. Alternative 3 Enhance Visitor Experience and Park
Operations (agency-preferred alternative) would enhance day-use
opportunities, upgrade and expand the type of overnight facilities, and
provide flood mitigation. The Final EIS also analyzes the potential
environmental impacts of the alternatives, including: Potential impacts
to native plant communities and soils; wildlife; threatened,
endangered, and special status species; floodplains; archeological
resources; historic structures; cultural landscape; ethnographic
resources; visitor use, experience, and safety; park operations; and
socioeconomic environment.
DATES: The Record of Decision for the Cottonwood Cove and Katherine
Landing Development Concept Plans will be executed not sooner than 30
days after the date of publication by the Environmental Protection
Agency of its notice of filing of the Final EIS in the Federal
Register.
ADDRESSES: The Final EIS is available for public inspection at http://parkplanning.nps.gov.lake, and in the office of the Superintendent,
Lake Mead National Recreation Area, 601 Nevada Way, Boulder City, NV
89005, (702) 293-8920.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Jim Holland, Park Planner, Lake
Mead National Recreation Area, 601 Nevada Highway, Boulder City, NV
89005, (702) 293-8986.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purposes of the development concept
plans are to reevaluate the implementation strategies for these two
areas that were identified in the 1986 Lake Mead National Recreation
Area General Management Plan/Development Concept Plans/Final
Environmental Impact Statement (GMP), and to incorporate the concepts
and carrying capacities that were approved in the 2003 Lake Mead
National Recreation Area Lake Management Plan/Final Environmental
Impact Statement (LMP). Each development concept plan provides an
integrated plan for development with site-specific guidance for the
extent, type, and location of facilities and services that is
consistent with the management direction and intent established in the
GMP and the LMP.
The GMP addressed the need to provide recreational opportunities
while preserving and protecting natural and cultural resources. It
established land-based management zones and included development
concept plans for Cottonwood Cove and Katherine Landing that identified
limits on the development, established the number and type of
facilities, and addressed flood hazards. The GMP's vision for both
areas was to accommodate increasing use, enhance the visitor
experience, and mitigate flood hazards. The LMP established water-based
management zones and provided further guidance for the long-term
protection of park resources while allowing a range of recreational
opportunities to support visitor needs. A number of the management
actions identified in both approved plans require more site-specific
development planning. There are also a number of management issues that
have not been adequately addressed or resolved in the previous planning
efforts and that require a more detailed examination of development and
operational needs. The primary issues addressed in the Final EIS are as
follows: (1) Water quality and flood control; (2) air quality; (3)
socioeconomics guiding policies, regulations, and laws; and (4) Park
operations methodologies and assumptions.
Decision Process: Not sooner than 30 days after the publication of
the Environmental Protection Agency's notice of filing of the Final EIS
in the Federal Register, a Record of Decision will be executed. As a
delegated EIS, the official responsible for approval of the
[[Page 67446]]
Cottonwood Cove and Katherine Landing Development Concept Plans is the
NPS Regional Director, Pacific West Region. Subsequently the official
responsible for project implementation and for monitoring results is
the Superintendent, Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
Dated: September 17, 2014.
Patricia L. Neubacher,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 2014-26824 Filed 11-12-14; 8:45 am]
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