The National Park Service (NPS) has published a Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) as part of the Gaviota Coast Seashore Feasibility Study. Since January 2000, the NPS has sought public and agency input into the feasibility study process. Based on the level of public concern and the range of strong public opinions voiced during this process, the NPS has decided to prepare an EIS. Accordingly, a formal scoping process has been initiated, supplementing the previous public input opportunities. Comments will be accepted through October 9, 2000.

"This really doesn’t change our study process," stated Ray Murray, Planning and Partnerships Team Leader for the NPS." Our intent all along has been to complete a very thorough analysis of the potential impacts of each alternative we consider. The preparation of an EIS just formalizes the process."

Comments received during the initial public input phase have been fully documented and will be incorporated into the EIS. Comments sent earlier do not need to be repeated. This additional, formal scoping period is an opportunity for substantive new comments to be added. A summary of all issues and concerns received to date 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/.

"We’ve learned a lot from the initial public process," said Murray. "We’ve heard clearly that the Gaviota Coast is a beautiful place, with unique and diverse resources that people hope will remain intact into the future. We’ve also heard that property owners want continued privacy and control over their land. We’ve heard that agriculture is part of why the area is still as unspoiled as it is, and that agricultural operations need to remain profitable in order to continue. We’ve heard that many people want portions of the coast to be accessible to them, but they don’t want the coast to be ruined by too many people."

The next steps in the feasibility study process are to determine the significance of the resources and to draft alternatives. 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, alternative designations to a National Seashore (e.g., National Reserve, National Heritage Area), and cooperative management by NPS and other entities.

All interested 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 must be postmarked no later than October 9, 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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