Given the strong public interest in the National Park Service's Draft San Gabriel Watershed and Mountains Special Resource Study, we are providing an update on where we are in the study process, and addressing some frequently asked questions and answers about the study process and next steps.

The public comment period on the National Park Service's Draft San Gabriel Watershed and Mountains SRS and Environmental Assessment extended from October 17, 2011 to February 13, 2012. The National Park Service is currently analyzing the public comments received on the draft study. Over 12,000 comments were submitted. This is a higher than usual volume of comments, reflecting a strong interest in the resources and visitor opportunities within these public lands. Although the National Park Service identified an environmentally preferred alternative, the National Park Service has not identified an agency preferred alternative for the special resource study. The Director of the National Park Service is required under law and policy to identify which alternative or combination of alternatives would be most effective and efficient in protecting significant resources and providing for visitor enjoyment. The Director will make this determination while considering public and stakeholder comment on the draft study report. The final outcome of the study will be a recommendation to Congress from the Secretary of the Interior. Following completion of the comment analysis, the NPS will identify the agency preferred alternative, revise the report as needed, and transmit the final study to the Secretary of the Interior. The Secretary of the Interior will then submit the final study report to Congress along with the Secretary of Interior’s own recommendation. The final study and recommendation will be made available to the public after the study has been transmitted to Congress.

We appreciate your interest in this study!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: When will the final study be available?
A: The final study report will be made available following transmittal to Congress. Given the volume of comments received on the draft study the NPS cannot determine the exact time frame for completion of the final study at this time. The NPS appreciates the interest in the study and would like to ensure that each comment is given due consideration.

Q: Does the NPS have a preferred alternative?
A: The National Park Service has not yet identified an agency preferred alternative for the special resource study. An environmentally preferable alternative was identified in the draft study report (Alternative D) as required by the National Environmental Policy Act.

The environmentally preferable alternative should not be viewed as the National Park Service’s preferred alternative. The Director of the National Park Service is required under law and policy to identify which alternative or combination of alternatives would be most effective and efficient in protecting significant resources and providing for visitor enjoyment. The Director will make this determination while considering public and stakeholder comment. This finding will be included in the study package forwarded to the Secretary of the Interior and ultimately transmitted to Congress.

Q: Does the National Park Service have to select one of the alternatives presented in the draft study report?
A: The Director of the National Park Service could recommend an alternative presented in the draft study or a combination of the alternatives presented. The Director’s recommendation may also include revisions to the alternatives, to the extent that the revisions would not warrant additional environmental analysis.

Q: What if the NPS chooses an alternative that includes land in my community?
A: As stated in the draft study report, all of the alternatives presented would respect private property rights and existing authorities. An NPS designation alone, as proposed in the study report, would not establish additional regulatory or land use control over existing authorities and local governments. NPS land management regulations and policies would only apply to lands that the NPS acquires or owns. The NPS would only acquire land by donation or from willing sellers.

The NPS preferred alternative is only a recommendation to Congress. A designation requires an act of Congress. If Congress were to establish a national park unit in the area, the NPS would work with area partners on a management plan that would provide a vision for implementation and identify funding priorities and commitments. Such a plan would be completed with public involvement. Whatever legislation is passed by Congress would be the guiding policy for any park unit established.

Q: What would happen to the Angeles National Forest and other public lands if a national park unit were established?
A: All of the alternatives considered in the draft special resource study propose continued management of the Angeles National Forest by the U.S. Forest Service. All of the alternatives presented in the draft special resource study envision continued management of public lands by existing landowners and local governments.

Q: What will the NPS do when the study is completed?
A: The NPS will take no further action in the study area unless directed to do so by Congress. The NPS preferred alternative is only a recommendation to Congress. A designation requires an act of Congress. The NPS has no authority or funding to work in the San Gabriel Watershed and Mountains area beyond the completion of the special resource study without further direction from Congress.