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National Park Service



[Federal Register: March 3, 1995]







DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

 


Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Arizona and Nevada; Notice of 
Availability of Final Environmental Impact Statement



SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 (P.L. 91-190, as amended), the National Park 
Service, Department of Interior, has prepared a final environmental 
impact statement (FEIS) that describes and analyzes a proposed action 
and four alternatives for burro management within Lake Mead National 
Recreation Area (NRA), Mohave County, Arizona, and Clark County, 
Nevada.

    The draft Environmental Impact Statement for Burro Management was 
released for public review on June 28, 1994 (59 FR 123), and the public 
comment period closed August 31, 1994. During this period written 
comments were received. The FEIS contains responses to the comments 
received and modifications to the text as needed in response to the 
comments.

    The goal of the proposed action, designated in the FEIS as 
``Alternative B: Resource Based Management'', is the cessation of 
environmental change caused by burros, and the protection of the 
natural, cultural, and recreational resources of Lake Mead NRA. It 
intends to allow the restoration of damaged park lands and the 
protection and preservation of native ecosystems not yet altered by 
burros. Burros would be removed, using live-removal techniques, 
fencing, sterilization and/or birth control, from portions of the park 
that have been so severely overutilized by burros in the past that 
habitat recovery is not possible with any level of burro use. Burros 
would also be removed within areas that have threatened, endangered, 
sensitive, or unique resources, or where burros cause a threat to 
public safety. Burros would not be allowed to expand into areas that 
are currently burro free. Burro presence would be tolerated in certain 
areas of the park where reducing the burro populations to zero is not 
prudent or feasible at this time, due to presence of burro populations 
on adjacent Bureau of Land Management administered lands, few or nonexistent 
barriers, and the lack of practical and cost effective control 
methods for these areas of the park. Lands within the park near the 
Muddy Mountains and Gold Butte, Nevada and Arizona; portions of the 
Grand Wash not designated as critical tortoise habitat; and lands 
within the park south of the Eldorado Jeep Trail, Arizona, would be 
areas where burros may remain, managed to NPS standards and 
prescriptions, in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management.
    The alternatives under consideration, in addition to the proposed 
action, include ``No-Action or Status Quo'' (which is the continuance 
of the level of management that currently exists within the NRA), ``No 
Management of Burros'', ``Managing a Population of Burros for 
Perpetuity'', and ``Total Removal of All Burros''. Major impact topics 
assessed for the proposed action and alternatives include natural 
resources, socioeconomic resources, cultural resources, and burros.



SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The no-action period on this final 
environmental impact statement for burro management will extend for 30 
days after a notice of its availability is published by the 
Environmental Protection Agency in the Federal Register.
    Inquiries about the document should be addressed to: 
Superintendent, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, 601 Nevada Highway, 
Boulder City, Nevada, 89005; or by calling the park at (702) 293-8949.
    For copies of the FEIS, or for further information, please contact 
the Superintendent at the above address or telephone number. Copies of 
the document are available at park headquarters and at area libraries.



    Dated: February 22, 1995.

Stanley T. Albright,

Regional Director, Western Region.

[FR Doc. 95-5195 Filed 3-2-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P

 
 

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