National Park Service Extends Scoping Period for Gaviota Coast Seashore Feasibility Study

In consultation with Congresswoman Lois Capps and in deference to public agencies, organizations and individuals, the National Park Service (NPS) has extended the scoping comment period for the Gaviota Coast Seashore Feasibility Study and Environmental Impact Statement. Scoping comments will be accepted through November 30, 2000.

Scoping is a process of seeking public and agency input on the variety and extent of factors to be considered in the feasibility study, including resources, issues and range of alternatives.

Since January 2000, the NPS has sought public and agency input into the feasibility study process. Comments have been wide-ranging, including:

• the Gaviota Coast is a beautiful place, with unique and diverse resources that people hope will remain intact into the future.
• property owners want continued privacy and control over their land.
• agriculture is part of why the area is still as unspoiled as it is, and agricultural operations need to remain profitable in order to continue.
• portions of the coast should be accessible, but not ruined by too many people.

A summary of all comments received in the initial public input period was distributed in July, and is available on request. This summary and additional information about the study can also be obtained on the Internet at http://www.nps.gov/pwro/gaviota/.

The preparation of an EIS will not change the overall feasibility study process. The NPS will evaluate the feasibility of a full range of management alternatives for the Gaviota Coast, and will document the potential impacts of each alternative and identify appropriate mitigation strategies. The NPS will consider alternative boundaries and strategies for the management, protection and use of significant resources within the overall study area, including management by other public agencies and/or the private sector, technical or financial assistance available from established programs or special initiatives and partnerships, National Seashore designation, other national designations (e.g., National Reserve, National Heritage Area), and cooperative management by NPS and other entities.

All individuals, organizations and agencies who wish to provide additional comments, suggestions, or relevant information, or to be added to the project mailing list, should respond to: Gaviota Coast Feasibility Study Team, National Park Service, 600 Harrison Street, Suite 600, San Francisco, CA 94107. All written comments regarding the preparation of the draft feasibility study and EIS must be postmarked no later than November 30, 2000, or transmitted via e-mail no later than this date to PGSO_Gaviota@nps.gov.

For more information, please contact Ray Murray, National Park Service, Planning and Partnerships Team Leader, at 415/427-1439, or Martha Crusius at 415/427-1447.

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