[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 14 (Monday, January 23, 1995)] [Notices] [Pages 4444-4445] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 95-1571] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service Wilderness and Backcountry Management Plan, Joshua Tree National Park, California; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement SUMMARY: The National Park Service will prepare a Wilderness and Backcountry Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (W&BCMP/ EIS) for Joshua Tree National Park, California and initiate the scoping process for this document. This notice is in accordance with 40 CFR 1501.7 and 40 CFR 1508.22, of the regulations of the President's Council on Environmental Quality for the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, Public Law 91-190. Background: The W&BCMP is needed to guide resource protection and visitor use activities in the undeveloped portions of the park. It will be consistent with and provide detailed direction to implement decisions made in the parkwide General Management Plan (GMP), expected to be completed in the next few months. It will serve as an amendment to the GMP in providing planning direction for the recently-authorized additions to the park, which are not covered by the GMP. The plan will provide for visitor access, visitor and resource protection, restoration of damaged areas, management of rock-climbing activities, and monitoring and regulating use to avoid exceeding carrying capacities. Persons wishing to offer comments or express concerns on the management issues and future management direction of backcountry areas of Joshua Tree National Park should address these to the Superintendent, Joshua Tree National Park, 74485 National Monument Drive, Twentynine Palms, Ca. 92277. (Telephone 619-367-7511). Comments on the scoping of the proposed W&BCMP/EIS should be received no later than February 28, 1995. Public scoping sessions will be scheduled as needed and notice given in the media. The responsible official is Stanley T. Albright, Regional Director, Western Region, National Park Service. The draft W&BCMP/EIS is expected to be available for public review in the fall of 1995, and the final W&BCMP/EIS and Record of Decision completed by the end of 1995. [[Page 4445]] Dated: January 9, 1995. Bruce M. Kilgore, Regional Director, Western Region. [FR Doc. 95-1571 Filed 1-20-95; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-70-P