The National Park Service (NPS) has opened the public comment period for the Wilderness Stewardship Plan/Draft Environmental Impact Statement (WPS/DEIS) for Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. All public comments must be received by August 25.
The NPS will use the framework established in the final version of this document to preserve wilderness character, provide opportunities for and encourage public use and enjoyment of the wilderness, and improve conditions in areas where there may be unacceptable levels of impacts on wilderness character. More information, including the WSP/DEIS, is available on the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) website at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/sekiwild or by calling Nancy Hendricks, environmental protection specialist, at 565-3102. A CD-version of the document is also available.
Printed versions of the document may be found at the parks’ visitor centers in Sequoia National Park: Foothills Visitor Center, Mineral King, Giant Forest Museum, and Lodgepole; at the parks’ visitor centers in Kings Canyon National Park at Grant Grove and Cedar Grove; and locally at the Tulare County Library branches in Dinuba, Exeter, Lindsay, Three Rivers, Visalia and Porterville.
Interested parties are encouraged to make comments about the plan on the PEPC website. Electronic comments will only be accepted through this website. Comments will also be accepted in writing (by hand-delivery, mail or fax). To submit written comments by letter, you may send them by U.S. Postal Service or other mail delivery service, or hand-deliver your comments to: Superintendent, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Attn: WSP/DEIS, 47050 Generals Highway, Three Rivers, CA 93271. In addition, faxed comments will be accepted at 565-4202. Anonymous comments will not be considered.
To learn more about the plan, the public is invited to attend informational meetings at the Visalia Marriott Hotel on July 28th from 6-9pm. The meeting will begin with an open house with posters and information about the alternatives. A formal presentation will occur at 7pm. Attendees will have an opportunity to learn more about the plan, to find out how to provide comments on the plan, and to ask questions and discuss the plan with park staff.