49134 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 177 / Monday, September 14, 1998 / Notices to obtain a copy of the prospectus. This Fish and Wildlife Service. The DEIS change in road maintenance, although describes the requirements of the identifies and evaluates the some roads might be improved if proposed contract to be awarded for a environmental consequences of a funding became available. No changes period of 10 years (from approximately proposed action and two alternatives; in recreation use would occur. Land January 1, 1999, through December 31, appropriate mitigations are addressed. acquisition would focus on obtaining 2008). No significant adverse environmental funds to acquire private property and SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This impacts are anticipated. The GMP will mineral interests from willing sellers contract has been determined to be serve as the overall management only where proposed uses conflict with categorically excluded from the strategy for the next 10–15 years under the park mission. The Optional procedural provisions of the National which more detailed activity or Management approach (Alternative 3) Environmental Policy Act and no implementation plans are prepared. provides for approval of the use of airstrips at Saline Valley Warm Springs, environmental document will be Proposal prepared. No right of preference in designating campsites at the Warm renewal is being exercised with this This DEIS presents the proposed Springs, specifies acquisition of private prospectus. The Secretary of the Interior management approach and two land or mineral interests only in will consider and evaluate all proposals alternatives for park management. The sensitive habitats, and phases out the received in response to this notice. Any Proposed Action (Alternative 1) seeks to concession operation at Stovepipe proposal to be considered and evaluated extend existing management strategies Wells. that are in place for the original smaller must be received by the Superintendent, Comments Hot Springs National Park, at the area (proclaimed a national monument Printed or CD–ROM copies of the address given above, not later than close on February 11, 1933), to the DEIS are available for public review at of business, CST (Central Standard management of the resources within the park headquarters, as well as at many Time) by November 17, 1998. new lands added to the unit in 1994. It also strives to incorporate the NPS public libraries and federal offices in FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT: southern California and southern George R. Frederick, Chief, Concessions mission and policies, and respond to the designation of 95% of the park as Nevada. In addition, the document is Management, National Park Service, posted on the internet at www.nps.gov/ 1709 Jackson Street, Omaha, Nebraska Wilderness. This alternative addresses the removal of feral burros and horses deva. Inquiries and comments on the 68102, or at 402–221–3612. DEIS should be directed to: Dated: September 3, 1998. from the park in order to achieve the NPS mission of managing the unit for Superintendent, Death Valley National David N. Given, native desert species. It also recognizes Park, Furnace Creek, California 92328. Deputy Regional Director, Midwest Region. the need to work cooperatively with the The telephone number for the park is [FR Doc. 98–24533 Filed 9–11–98; 8:45 am] Bureau of Land Management on (760) 786–2331. All written comments BILLING CODE 4310±70±P adjacent land, where their mandate from must be postmarked not later than 90 Congress is to maintain viable herds of days after publication of a notice of filing of the DEIS/GMP in the Federal DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR wild horses and burros. Furthermore, this alternative strives to balance the Register by the Environmental National Park Service preservation of resources mission with Protection Agency. specific mandates from Congress for Public Meetings Draft Environmental Impact Statement/ Death Valley, such as continuation of General Management Plan; Death The NPS will host a series of open grazing on the new lands. This houses to provide interested individuals Valley National Park; Inyo and San alternative addresses grazing as a Bernardino Counties, CA; Nye and and organization representatives an component of the management. This opportunity to express concerns, ask Esmeralda Counties, Nevada; Notice of alternative also identifies a number of Availability questions, view large scale maps and activity-level or site-specific issues, engage in dialogue about the range or such as management of the Saline Summary content of alternatives. Specific details Valley Warm Springs area and a Pursuant to § 102(2)(C) of the National will be available at the internet site Backcountry and Wilderness identified above or by calling the park. Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Pub. Management Plan. This alternative L. 91–190, as amended), the National This dialogue is intended to provide seeks funding for purchase of private additional guidance to the NPS in Park Service (NPS), Department of the property from willing sellers, and/or Interior, has prepared a Draft preparing a final EIS and plan amending mineral interests where proposed uses the GMP and LPP. Written comments Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) conflict with the primary mission of identifying and evaluating potential will also be accepted at these preserving resources and providing for workshops. All workshops are impacts of a proposed General visitor enjoyment. Management Plan (GMP) for Death scheduled for 6:00–9:00 p.m., as Valley National Park. Death Valley is a Alternatives follows: unit of the National Park System, In addition to the proposal, the Monday, Oct. 19, Doubletree Inn, 191 created by Congress on October 31, alternatives described and analyzed are Los Robles, Pasadena, CA 1994, in the California Desert Protection existing management (no action) and an Tuesday, Oct. 20, Harvey House (Santa Fe Depot), 685 First St., Barstow, CA Act (CDPA). The DEIS also includes a optional management approach. The Wednesday, Oct. 21, Hilltop Hotel, 2000 draft Land Protection Plan (LPP) that Existing Management alternative Ostrems Way, San Bernardino, CA addresses management options for non- (Alternative 2) describes outcomes of Thursday, Oct. 22, Needles Community federal lands that exist inside the park continuing current management Senior Center, 1699 Bailey Ave., boundary. This planning document and strategies. It is commonly referred to as Needles, CA DEIS were initiated as a component of the no-action or status quo alternative. Friday, Oct. 23, Enterprise Public the Northern and Eastern Mojave Under this alternative, existing visitor Library, 25 E. Shelbourne Ave., Las Planning Project, a coordinated and administrative support services and Vegas, NV interagency effort involving the NPS, facilities would be maintained in their Saturday, Oct. 24, Baker Senior Center, Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. current locations. There would be no 73730C Baker Blvd., Baker, CA Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 177 / Monday, September 14, 1998 / Notices 49135

Tuesday, Oct. 27, Death Valley Natl Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. existing management (no action) and an Park, Visitor Center Auditorium, Fish and Wildlife Service. The DEIS optional management approach. The Furnace Creek, CA identifies and evaluates potential existing management alternative Wednesday, Oct. 28, Eastern Sierra environmental consequences of a (Alternative 2) describes the Fairgrounds, Sierra St. & Fair Dr., proposed action and two alternatives; continuation of current management Bishop, CA appropriate mitigations are addressed. strategies. It is commonly referred to as Thursday, Oct. 29, Boulder Creek RV No significant adverse environmental the no-action or status quo alternative. Park, Hwy 395 (5mi s. of Lone Pine), impacts are anticipated. The GMP will Under this alternative, existing visitor Lone Pine, CA serve as the initial overall management and administrative support services and Friday, Oct. 30, Ridgecrest Public strategy for the next 10–15 years under facilities would be maintained in their Library, 131 E. Las Flores, Ridgecrest, which more detailed activity or current locations. There would be few CA implementation plans are prepared. improvements in existing structures and there would be no change in road Proposal Decision maintenance, although some roads Following the formal DEIS review This DEIS presents the proposed might be improved if funding became period all written comments received management approach and two available. No significant change in will be considered in preparing a final alternatives for the management of the current accommodations to recreation plan. Currently the Final EIS and GMP/ 1.6 million-acre Mojave National use would occur. Protection of Kelso LPP are anticipated to be completed Preserve (Preserve) in the northeastern Depot from fire, earthquakes and during spring 1999. Their availability Mojave Desert in California. The vandalism would be provided if funding will be similarly announced in the proposed action (Alternative 1) could be obtained, but it would not be Federal Register. Subsequently a Record envisions the Preserve as a natural restored. Land acquisition would focus of Decision would be approved by the environment and a cultural landscape, on obtaining minimum funds to acquire Regional Director, Pacific West Region, where the protection of native desert property from willing sellers and no sooner than 30 (thirty) days after ecosystems and processes is assured for properties where uses conflict with the release of the Final EIS. The responsible future generations. The protection and Preserve mission. The optional officials are the Regional Director, perpetuation of native species in a self- approach (Alternative 3) provides for an Pacific West Region, and the sustaining environment is a primary increase in the facilities and services Superintendent, Death Valley National long-term goal. The proposal seeks to provided for public enjoyment. A small Park. manage the Preserve to perpetuate the visitor contact building might be built at sense of discovery and adventure that Kelso to provide information. Land Dated: August 31, 1998. currently exists. This includes would be acquired in sensitive areas John J. Reynolds, minimizing development inside the and wilderness. Regional Director, Pacific West Region. Preserve (including proliferation of [FR Doc. 98–24597 Filed 9–11–98; 8:45 am] signs, new campgrounds, and Comments BILLING CODE 4310±70±P interpretive exhibits) and fulfilling Printed or CD–ROM copies of the wilderness stewardship obligations. The DEIS are available for public review at NPS would look to adjacent park headquarters, as well as at many DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR communities to provide most support public libraries in southern California services (food, gas, and lodging) for and southern Nevada. In addition, the National Park Service Draft visitors. The proposal seeks to provide document is posted on the internet at Environmental Impact Statement the public, consistent with the NPS www.nps.gov/moja. Inquiries and General Management Plan; Mojave mission, with maximum opportunities comments on the DEIS should be National Preserve, San Bernardino for roadside camping, backcountry directed to: Superintendent, Mojave County, CA; Notice of Availability camping and appropriate access via National Preserve, 222 E. Main St., Suite Summary existing roads. The proposal would seek 202, Barstow, California 92311. The funding for the complete historic telephone number for the preserve is Pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of the restoration of the Kelso Depot and its (760) 255–8800. All written comments National Environmental Policy Act of use as a museum and interpretive must be postmarked not later than 90 1969 (P.L. 91–190, as amended), the facility. A balance is struck between the days after publication of a notice of National Park Service (NPS), NPS mission of resource preservation filing of the DEIS in the Federal Department of the Interior, has prepared and other mandates from Congress, such Register by the Environmental a Draft Environmental Impact Statement as maintaining grazing, hunting, and Protection Agency. (DEIS) identifying and evaluating mining under NPS regulations and Public Meetings potential impacts of a proposed General continuing the existence of major utility Management Plan (GMP) for Mojave corridors. The proposal would maintain The NPS will host a series of open National Preserve. Mojave is a new unit the ability of private landowners inside houses to provide interested individuals of the National Park System, established the boundary of the Preserve to and organization representatives an by Congress on October 31, 1994, by the maintain their current way of life, while opportunity to express concerns, ask California Desert Protection Act. The seeking funding to purchase property questions, view large scale maps and DEIS also includes a draft Land from willing sellers where proposed engage in dialogue about the range or Protection Plan (LPP) that addresses uses conflict with the primary mission content of alternatives. Specific details management options for non-federal of preserving resources. Nearly 230,000 will be available at the internet site lands that exist inside the preserve acres within the Preserve are in identified above or by calling the boundary. This planning document and nonfederal ownership. Preserve. This dialogue is intended to DEIS were initiated as a component of provide additional guidance to the NPS the Northern and Eastern Mojave Alternatives in preparing the Final EIS and GMP/ Planning Effort, a coordinated In addition to the proposal, the two LPP. Written comments will also be interagency project involving the NPS, alternatives described and analyzed are accepted at these workshops. All