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Anacapa Island Restoration Plan, Final Environmental Impact Statement, Channel Islands National Park, Ventura County, CA; Notice of Availability

Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.

 [Federal Register: October 12, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 198)]
[Notices]
[Page 60677-60678]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr12oc00-99]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Anacapa Island Restoration Plan, Final Environmental Impact
Statement, Channel Islands National Park, Ventura County, CA; Notice of
Availability

SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969 (Pub. L. 81-190 as amended), the National Park
Service, Department of the Interior, has prepared a Final Environmental
Impact Statement (FEIS) assessing the potential impacts of eradicating
the Black rat on Anacapa Island. This FEIS analyzes the effects of
implementing proposed actions that accomplish the following objectives:
(1) Eradicating introduced Black rats on Anacapa Island; (2) adopting
an emergency response plan for accidental introductions of rodents on
Anacapa, Santa Barbara, Prince, and Sutil Islands; and (3)
incorporating a prevention strategy to reduce the potential for rodents
to be accidentally introduced to Park islands. The proposed action was

[[Page 60678]]

developed in concert with the Island Conservation and Ecology Group and
is based on worldwide evaluation of other island rat eradication
projects. Actions to manage existing and potential Black rat
infestations are necessary because of the ecological damage occurring
on Anacapa Island, and the potential negative impact they would have if
introduced to other Park islands.

Proposal

    The technique proposed for eradicating rats on Anacapa Island is
modeled after other island rat eradication projects that have
successfully been completed worldwide. Due to the steep cliffs of the
island, an aerial broadcast is necessary to deliver rodenticide to
every rat's territory, a condition that has to be met to accomplish
eradication. The proposed target date for the application is fall-
winter 2000-2001. This period offers the optimum time to apply the bait
for three reasons: the Endangered brown pelicans are not breeding on
the island; rats are in decline due to lack of available food sources,
which prompts them to eat bait more readily; and the onset of the rainy
season would expedite the degradation of any residual bait not consumed
by the target species. The chronology of eradication would begin with
baiting in representative habitat within the project area during the
2000 treatment window. Representative habitat may include all of East
Islet or smaller area on Middle Islet that allows for easy and
unobtrusive access. The objective of the initial eradication treatment
is to conduct both effectiveness and validation monitoring of the
project's objective and the alternative's proposed activities including
mandated mitigation. This effort would be followed up with the
completion of the island-wide eradication activities starting with East
Islet. East Islet baiting would occur during the 2000 treatment window
and would be treated along with approximately 20 ha of Middle Islet to
lower the probability of invasion by rats from Middle Islet to East
Islet. The 20 ha section of Middle Islet may be treated intermittently
to prevent re-invasion of East Islet. Middle Islet (including the
section treated with East Islet) and West Islet would be treated during
the 2001 application window following East Islet application.

Alternatives

    In addition to the six alternatives analyzed in detail in the FEIS,
many other alternatives were considered, but were eliminated from
further study because they could not meet the objective of total
eradication.
    The alternatives considered in the FEIS are as follows: Alternative
One (No Action) would continue with limited control of rats around
buildings and structures; Alternative Two (proposal) would use an
aerial broadcast technique and use a rodent bait containing
brodifacoum; Alternative Three would utilize bait stations for the top
of islands and aerial broadcast the cliffsides and use the rodent bait
containing brodifacoum; Alternative Four would use an aerial broadcast
of a rodent bait containing bromadiolone; Alternative Five would use
bait stations for the top of islands and aerial broadcast the
cliffsides with the rodent bait bromadiolone; and Alternative Six would
aerial broadcast a rodent bait containing diphacinone followed by a
rodent bait containing brodifacoum.
    Mitigation measures specific to implementing each alternative were
identified. In addition, each alternative addresses the need to: (1)
Conduct effectiveness and validation monitoring; (2) implement a non-
native rodent introduction and prevention plan; (3) protect the native
deer mouse population; (4) implement the rat detection response plan;
(5) require visitor use restrictions for a short period during and
after bait application; (6) restrict baiting to specified treatment
windows; (7) obtain Federal EPA approval for use of rodenticide bait
(and otherwise comply with NPS integrated pest management policies);
and (8) conduct public awareness program on the impacts of introduced
species.

Public Involvement

    Since 1996 conservation biologists, educators, agency officials,
and interested individuals and organizations have deliberated on the
Anacapa Island rat infestation. The Park formally initiated scoping
activities in November, 1999, including public meeting held December 8,
1999. Through the scoping and public involvement process the following
significant environmental issues were identified: (1) Target species
efficacy; (2) Non-target species impacts; and (3) Visitation and
visitor use. Development of alternatives was strongly influenced by
these environmental issues. In developing a complete range of
alternatives, the Park consulted many experts in the field of
vertebrate biology, toxicology, and avian biology. The DEIS was
distributed during June, 2000. The formal comment period ended
September 5, 2000; nine written responses were received.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FEIS is available at Park headquarters,
on the Park's website (http:www.nps.gov/chis/naturalresources/
AIRP.html), and at Fosters Library, Ventura, California. Copies of the
FEIS may also be obtained by contacting the Superintendent, Channel
Islands National Park, 1901 Spinnaker Dr, Ventura, California 93001 (or
via telephone at (805) 658-5700).
    If individuals submitting comments at this time request that their
name or/and address be withheld from public disclosure, it will be
honored to the extent allowable by law. Such requests must be stated
prominently in the beginning of the comments. There also may be
circumstances wherein the NPS will withhold a respondent's identity as
allowable by law. As always: NPS will make available to public
inspection all submissions from organizations or businesses and from
persons identifying themselves as representatives or officials of
organizations and businesses; and, anonymous comments may not be
considered.

Decision

    No sooner than 30 (thirty) days after release of this FEIS a Record
of Decision (ROD) will be executed. Notice of approval will be given
via local and regional media, and will be duly noted in the Federal
Register (actions to implement any elements of this plan may not occur
until after the latter Notice). The official responsible for approval
is the Regional Director, Pacific West Region; the official responsible
for implementation is the Superintendent, Channel Islands National
Park.

    Dated: October 4, 2000.
Patricia L. Neubacher,
Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 00-26143 Filed 10-11-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P

 
 

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