Federal Register: November 7, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 216)
DOCID: FR Doc 01-27881
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Reclamation Bureau
DOCUMENT ID: [Arizona, INT-DES 01-38]
NOTICE: NOTICES
ACTION: Environmental statements; availability, etc.:
DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice of availability of and public hearing for a draft environmental impact statement (EIS).
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Reach 11 Recreation Master Plan, Central Arizona Project, Arizona
DATES: A public hearing is scheduled for December 11, 2001, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. A 60day public review and comment period begins with the filing of the draft EIS with the Environmental Protection Agency. Written comments must be received no later than January 18, 2002.
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of
1969, as amended, and the Council on Environmental Quality's
Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of NEPA, the
Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), in conjunction with the City of
Phoenix (City), has prepared a draft EIS for a Recreation Master Plan
for the Reach 11 Recreation Area (Reach 11), located in the northeast
portion of the City, Maricopa County, Arizona. The draft EIS describes
the anticipated environmental effects associated with the proposed
approval and implementation of a recreation master plan for a 1,500
acre area adjacent to the Central Arizona Project (CAP) canal, between Cave Creek and Scottsdale
[[Page 56346]]
roads. The land is owned by Reclamation and is managed for recreational
purposes by the City's Recreation and Library Department (PRLD) under a
1986 land use agreement. The draft EIS describes in detail a proposed
recreation master plan and two action alternative master plans that
could be approved and implemented. A No Action Alternative is also
described, which provides a baseline for comparing the impacts of the
three action alternatives. A public hearing will be held to receive
comments from interested individuals and organizations regarding the
adequacy of the draft EIS in describing the anticipated environmental
impacts from the proposed project.
SUMMARY:
Central Arizona Project, AZ ; Reach 11 Recreation Area,
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Reclamation is proposing to approve a new Recreation Master Plan for Reach 11, managed for recreational purposes by the PRLD. The current master plan was approved in 1987. The City and Reclamation determined a comprehensive planning effort for a new master plan should be carried out, due to the major population growth that has occurred and future growth anticipated for the area. This effort included conducting a recreation needs assessment to inventory existing facilities in the vicinity of Reach 11, and evaluating needs based upon established park standards, existing capacity, and public interest in or opposition to various recreation uses. The purpose and need for a new Recreation Master Plan is to optimize recreational use of Reach 11 based upon the needs of the City and community, while ensuring compatibility with the primary flood control function of Reach 11. A master plan would accommodate and respect the full range of current and future recreation demands of this growing area of Phoenix, Arizona. The draft EIS considers three alternative master plan scenarios. All three provide a level of development established for a City district park. Under the Proposed Action, highdemand recreation needs would be balanced with passive recreation uses and maintenance of quality habitat areas. Two other alternative action alternatives are considered: one that would provide less active recreationoriented development, and that emphasizes passive recreationoriented activities (Alternative 1), and one that would maximize development of active recreation oriented recreation facilities (Alternative 2). The No Action Alternative assumes the existing 1987 master plan, (which does not meet current PRLD district park standards), would continue to be implemented. The alternative ultimately selected and implemented is expected to be developed in phases by PRLD, as funding becomes available.
Copies of the draft EIS are available for public inspection and review at the following locations:
Written comments received by Reclamation become part of the public
record associated with this action. Accordingly, Reclamation makes
these comments, including names and home addresses of respondents,
available for public review. Individual respondents may request that we
withhold their home address from public disclosure, which we will honor
to the extent allowable by law. There also may be circumstances in
which we would withhold a respondent's identity from public disclosure,
as allowable by law. If you wish us to withhold your name and/or
address, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your
comment. We will make all submissions from organizations or businesses,
and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or
officials of organizations or businesses, available for public disclosure in their entirety.
Dated: October 24, 2001.
V. LeGrand Neilsen,
Deputy Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 0127881 Filed 11601; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310MNP
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Questions regarding the draft EIS should be directed to Ms. Sandra Eto, Bureau of Reclamation, Phoenix Area Office (PXAO1500), PO Box 81169, Phoenix, AZ 850691169, telephone (602) 2163857.