Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Scorpion Pier Replacement, Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands National Park, Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties, California, 61233-61234 [2015-25786]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 196 / Friday, October 9, 2015 / Notices Individuals who are Federally registered lobbyists are ineligible to serve on all FACA and non-FACA boards, committees, or councils in an individual capacity. The term ‘‘individual capacity’’ refers to individuals who are appointed to exercise their own individual best judgment on behalf of the government, such as when they are designated Special Government Employees, rather than being appointed to represent a particular interest. All nominations must be compiled and submitted in one complete package. Incomplete submissions (missing one or more of the items described above) will not be considered. Dated: September 22, 2015. Alma Ripps, Chief, Office of Policy. [FR Doc. 2015–25732 Filed 10–8–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–EE–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service [NPS–PWR–PWRO–18475; PX.P0127341D.00.4] Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Scorpion Pier Replacement, Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands National Park, Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties, California National Park Service, Interior. Notice of availability. AGENCY: ACTION: The National Park Service announces the availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Scorpion Pier Replacement on Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands National Park. The Draft EIS analyzes the potential consequences of three alternatives: The No Action Alternative; Alternative 1, which would replace the existing pier in the same location and make road improvements; and Alternative 2, which would construct the new replacement pier south of the existing location and make minor road improvements. The Draft EIS also proposes mitigation measures to minimize the adverse impacts from pier construction or utilization. Road improvements would be more extensive under Alternative 1. DATES: All comments on the Draft EIS must be postmarked or transmitted not later than 60 days after the date the Environmental Protection Agency publishes notice of filing and release of the EIS in the Federal Register. The National Park Service will hold one public meeting during the comment tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:44 Oct 08, 2015 Jkt 238001 period—the date, time, and location of the meeting will be announced on https://parkplanning.nps.gov/chis, via local and regional press media, and will also be available by contacting Channel Islands National Park. ADDRESSES: Regularly updated project information will be available for public review and comment online through the NPS Planning, Environment & Public Comment Web site at https:// parkplanning.nps.gov.chis, and in the office of the Superintendent, Channel Islands National Park, 1901 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura, CA 93001. You may submit comments by one of two methods: Mail or hand-deliver comments to Channel Islands National Park, Attn: DEIS—Scorpion Pier Replacement (address above), or you may transmit comments electronically via the Web site noted above. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Russell Galipeau, Superintendent, Channel Islands National Park, 1901 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura, CA 93001; russell_galipeau@nps.gov; (805) 658– 5702. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Channel Islands National Park includes five remote islands spanning 2,228 square miles of land and sea. Santa Cruz Island, Scorpion Anchorage, is the most visited destination within the Park. The existing pier needs to be replaced in order to improve safety and accessibility, allowing all visitors to move safely from vessels to the pier, and providing easy access to the adjacent shoreline, the historic Scorpion Ranch and visitor center, restrooms, orientation displays, campground, and hiking trails. The need for the Project is driven by the following factors: (1) Scorpion Pier should provide safe access to Santa Cruz Island. The existing pier is deteriorating and does not meet NPS requirements for administrative use or safe visitor access. The access road to the current location also requires frequent rebuilding. The current height of the pier cannot sufficiently accommodate high and low tides; as such, vessel operators have difficulty docking without compromising risk to individuals, PO 00000 Frm 00079 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 61233 vessels, and the pier itself. The embarkation process requires passengers to climb—one person at a time, often while carrying a backpack—a single ladder that is not compliant with standards for accessibility. (2) Scorpion Pier should facilitate efficient access to Santa Cruz Island that accommodates visitor demand. The existing pier and access road significantly weaken the efficiency of NPS operations. The one-person ladder needed for embarkation, for example, lengthens the entire boarding process and increases visitor exposure to adverse weather conditions. The narrow width of the pier also causes delays because it cannot simultaneously accommodate visitors and large cargo (i.e., maintenance vehicles); as such, passenger embarkation must occur separately from many maintenance activities. Additionally, the lack of adequate armoring in the area increases the need for regular and expensive repairs to the eroding access road. Improvement of the pier and access road is necessary to meet current and future visitor demands. (3) Scorpion Pier and the access roadway should be operated in a manner that protects sensitive resources. The access road is extremely susceptible to harsh weather conditions, and is often washed out by Scorpion Creek when it floods. Maintenance of the existing pier access road currently requires repairing and re-grading several times per year due to wave and storm erosion. As a result of these grounddisturbing activities, sensitive archaeological resources may be threatened. Ongoing re-construction can also impact the environment through air emissions, erosion, and possible pollutants to waterways and sensitive habitats. (4) Scorpion Pier should provide access to Santa Cruz Island in consideration of predicted sea level rise. The predicted rise in sea level must be considered in the new pier design. Current predictions range from 0.33 foot to 1.1 foot by the year 2050, and 0.74 foot to 3.2 feet by 2100. Anticipated sea level rise has implications for the new pier design, as well as for the dynamics of Scorpion Creek during large storm events. Accordingly, the range of alternatives which have been developed will fulfill the following key project objectives: • Improve visitor experience. • Improve the pier while protecting marine and terrestrial environments and archeological resources. • Improve access for NPS and concessioner boats. E:\FR\FM\09OCN1.SGM 09OCN1 61234 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 196 / Friday, October 9, 2015 / Notices • Improve passenger, cargo, and operations circulation. • Preserve historic landscape qualities and visual character of Scorpion Ranch. • Improve efficiency and sustainability. Decision Process: Following due consideration of all public and agency comments received, a Final EIS will be prepared and released for public inspection during a 30 day no-action period. The official responsible for approval of the pier replacement project is the Regional Director, Pacific West Region. Subsequently the official responsible for implementing the approved project and for monitoring results is the Superintendent, Channel Islands National Park. of visitor services and has taken all reasonable and appropriate steps to consider alternatives to avoid an interruption of visitor services. This action is being taken pursuant to 36 CFR 51.24(a). This is not a request for proposals. Dated: September 21, 2015. Jonathan B. Jarvis, Director, National Park Service. [FR Doc. 2015–25787 Filed 10–8–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service [NPS–NERO–CACO–19359; PPNECACOS0, PPMPSD1Z.YM0000] Dated: June 5, 2015. Patricia L. Neubacher, Acting Regional Director, Pacific West Region. Notice of November 16, 2015, Meeting for Cape Cod National Seashore Advisory Commission Note: The Office of the Federal Register received this document on October 6, 2015. AGENCY: [FR Doc. 2015–25786 Filed 10–8–15; 8:45 am] ACTION: National Park Service, Interior. Meeting notice. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR This notice sets forth the date of the 300th Meeting of the Cape Cod National Seashore Advisory Commission. National Park Service DATES: SUMMARY: BILLING CODE 4312–FF–P The public meeting of the Cape Cod National Seashore Advisory Commission will be held on Monday, November 16, 2015, at 1:00 p.m. (Eastern). [NPS–WASO–CONC–ABSV–18183; PPWOBSADC0, PPMVSCS1Y.Y00000] Temporary Concession Contract for Point Reyes National Seashore National Park Service, Interior. Notice of proposed award of temporary concession contracts for Point Reyes National Seashore, California. AGENCY: ACTION: Notice is hereby given that the National Park Service (NPS) proposes to award a temporary concession contract for the conduct of certain Visitor services within Point Reyes National Seashore, California, for a term not to exceed 11 months. The visitor services include horseback riding and horse boarding of the location commonly known as Five Brooks Stables. This action is necessary to avoid interruption of visitor services. DATES: The term of the temporary concession contracts will commence (if awarded) on or around December 1, 2015. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NPS intends to award the temporary concession contract to Richard Vaughn, who the NPS has determined is a qualified person as defined in 36 CFR 51.3. The NPS has determined this temporary concession contract is necessary in order to avoid interruption tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:44 Oct 08, 2015 Jkt 238001 The 300th meeting of the Cape Cod National Seashore Advisory Commission will take place on Monday, November 16, 2015, at 1:00 p.m., in the conference room at park headquarters, 99 Marconi Site Road, Wellfleet, Massachusetts 02667 to discuss the following: 1. Adoption of Agenda 2. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting (September 14, 2015) 3. Reports of Officers 4. Reports of Subcommittees Update of Pilgrim Nuclear Plant Emergency Planning Subcommittee 5. Superintendent’s Report Shorebird Management Plan/ Environmental Assessment— Review of Plan and Preferred Alternative Outer Cape Bike and Pedestrian Master Plan—Review of Plan and Preferred Alternative 6. Old Business Live Lightly Campaign Progress Report 7. New Business 8. Date and Agenda for Next Meeting 9. Public Comment 10. Adjournment FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Further information concerning the ADDRESSES: PO 00000 Frm 00080 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 meeting may be obtained from George E. Price, Jr., Superintendent, Cape Cod National Seashore, 99 Marconi Site, Wellfleet, Massachusetts 02667, or via telephone at (508) 771–2144. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Commission was reestablished pursuant to Public Law 87–126, as amended by Public Law 105–280. The purpose of the Commission is to consult with the Secretary of the Interior, or her designee, with respect to matters relating to the development of Cape Cod National Seashore, and with respect to carrying out the provisions of sections 4 and 5 of the Act establishing the Seashore. The meeting is open to the public. It is expected that 15 persons will be able to attend the meeting in addition to Commission members. Interested persons may make oral/written presentations to the Commission during the business meeting or file written statements. Such requests should be made to the park superintendent prior to the meeting. Before including your address, telephone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you may ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Dated: September 29, 2015. Alma Ripps, Chief, Office of Policy. [FR Doc. 2015–25731 Filed 10–8–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–EE–P INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION Notice of Receipt of Complaint; Solicitation of Comments Relating to the Public Interest U.S. International Trade Commission. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given that the U.S. International Trade Commission has received a complaint entitled Certain Height-Adjustable Desk Platforms and Components Thereof, DN 3090; the Commission is soliciting comments on any public interest issues raised by the complaint or complainant’s filing under section 210.8(b) of the Commission’s Rules of SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\09OCN1.SGM 09OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 196 (Friday, October 9, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61233-61234]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-25786]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-PWR-PWRO-18475; PX.P0127341D.00.4]


Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Scorpion Pier Replacement, 
Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands National Park, Ventura and Santa 
Barbara Counties, California

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The National Park Service announces the availability of a 
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Scorpion Pier 
Replacement on Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands National Park. The 
Draft EIS analyzes the potential consequences of three alternatives: 
The No Action Alternative; Alternative 1, which would replace the 
existing pier in the same location and make road improvements; and 
Alternative 2, which would construct the new replacement pier south of 
the existing location and make minor road improvements. The Draft EIS 
also proposes mitigation measures to minimize the adverse impacts from 
pier construction or utilization. Road improvements would be more 
extensive under Alternative 1.

DATES: All comments on the Draft EIS must be postmarked or transmitted 
not later than 60 days after the date the Environmental Protection 
Agency publishes notice of filing and release of the EIS in the Federal 
Register. The National Park Service will hold one public meeting during 
the comment period--the date, time, and location of the meeting will be 
announced on https://parkplanning.nps.gov/chis, via local and regional 
press media, and will also be available by contacting Channel Islands 
National Park.

ADDRESSES: Regularly updated project information will be available for 
public review and comment online through the NPS Planning, Environment 
& Public Comment Web site at https://parkplanning.nps.gov.chis, and in 
the office of the Superintendent, Channel Islands National Park, 1901 
Spinnaker Dr., Ventura, CA 93001. You may submit comments by one of two 
methods: Mail or hand-deliver comments to Channel Islands National 
Park, Attn: DEIS--Scorpion Pier Replacement (address above), or you may 
transmit comments electronically via the Web site noted above. Before 
including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal 
identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your 
entire comment--including your personal identifying information--may be 
made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your 
comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public 
review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Russell Galipeau, Superintendent, 
Channel Islands National Park, 1901 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura, CA 93001; 
russell_galipeau@nps.gov; (805) 658-5702.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Channel Islands National Park includes five 
remote islands spanning 2,228 square miles of land and sea. Santa Cruz 
Island, Scorpion Anchorage, is the most visited destination within the 
Park. The existing pier needs to be replaced in order to improve safety 
and accessibility, allowing all visitors to move safely from vessels to 
the pier, and providing easy access to the adjacent shoreline, the 
historic Scorpion Ranch and visitor center, restrooms, orientation 
displays, campground, and hiking trails.
    The need for the Project is driven by the following factors: (1) 
Scorpion Pier should provide safe access to Santa Cruz Island. The 
existing pier is deteriorating and does not meet NPS requirements for 
administrative use or safe visitor access. The access road to the 
current location also requires frequent rebuilding. The current height 
of the pier cannot sufficiently accommodate high and low tides; as 
such, vessel operators have difficulty docking without compromising 
risk to individuals, vessels, and the pier itself. The embarkation 
process requires passengers to climb--one person at a time, often while 
carrying a backpack--a single ladder that is not compliant with 
standards for accessibility.
    (2) Scorpion Pier should facilitate efficient access to Santa Cruz 
Island that accommodates visitor demand. The existing pier and access 
road significantly weaken the efficiency of NPS operations. The one-
person ladder needed for embarkation, for example, lengthens the entire 
boarding process and increases visitor exposure to adverse weather 
conditions. The narrow width of the pier also causes delays because it 
cannot simultaneously accommodate visitors and large cargo (i.e., 
maintenance vehicles); as such, passenger embarkation must occur 
separately from many maintenance activities. Additionally, the lack of 
adequate armoring in the area increases the need for regular and 
expensive repairs to the eroding access road. Improvement of the pier 
and access road is necessary to meet current and future visitor 
demands.
    (3) Scorpion Pier and the access roadway should be operated in a 
manner that protects sensitive resources. The access road is extremely 
susceptible to harsh weather conditions, and is often washed out by 
Scorpion Creek when it floods. Maintenance of the existing pier access 
road currently requires repairing and re-grading several times per year 
due to wave and storm erosion. As a result of these ground-disturbing 
activities, sensitive archaeological resources may be threatened. 
Ongoing re-construction can also impact the environment through air 
emissions, erosion, and possible pollutants to waterways and sensitive 
habitats.
    (4) Scorpion Pier should provide access to Santa Cruz Island in 
consideration of predicted sea level rise. The predicted rise in sea 
level must be considered in the new pier design. Current predictions 
range from 0.33 foot to 1.1 foot by the year 2050, and 0.74 foot to 3.2 
feet by 2100. Anticipated sea level rise has implications for the new 
pier design, as well as for the dynamics of Scorpion Creek during large 
storm events.
    Accordingly, the range of alternatives which have been developed 
will fulfill the following key project objectives:
     Improve visitor experience.
     Improve the pier while protecting marine and terrestrial 
environments and archeological resources.
     Improve access for NPS and concessioner boats.

[[Page 61234]]

     Improve passenger, cargo, and operations circulation.
     Preserve historic landscape qualities and visual character 
of Scorpion Ranch.
     Improve efficiency and sustainability.
    Decision Process: Following due consideration of all public and 
agency comments received, a Final EIS will be prepared and released for 
public inspection during a 30 day no-action period. The official 
responsible for approval of the pier replacement project is the 
Regional Director, Pacific West Region. Subsequently the official 
responsible for implementing the approved project and for monitoring 
results is the Superintendent, Channel Islands National Park.

    Dated: June 5, 2015.
Patricia L. Neubacher,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific West Region.

    Note:  The Office of the Federal Register received this document 
on October 6, 2015.
[FR Doc. 2015-25786 Filed 10-8-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-FF-P

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