Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Whistle Stop Project on the Chugach National Forest, Kenai Peninsula Borough, AK, 25805-25807 [05-9758]
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 93 / Monday, May 16, 2005 / Notices
Sweetpotatoes using the procedures that
appear in part 36 of title 7 of the Code
of Federal Regulations (7 CFR part 36).
Background
AMS received two petitions from food
processors through the Food Products
Association (FPA), formerly the
National Food Processors Association,
requesting revision of the United States
Standards for Grades of Canned
Sweetpotatoes. The petitioners
requested the USDA to revise the
definition of the style of ‘‘Whole’’ to
reflect newer varieties, new sorting
techniques, and canning processes. The
‘‘Beauregard’’ variety, a new variety
widely used in canned sweetpotatoes is
oddly shaped and must be cut and
trimmed to give the appearance of a
whole sweet potato. This variety may or
may not be tapered on one end and
because of mechanical trimming may
not meet the definition of whole.
The current definition for the style of
‘‘Whole’’ states that, ‘‘Whole means the
canned sweetpotatoes have the
appearance of being essentially whole or
almost whole in that the units retain the
approximate shape of whole
sweetpotatoes.’’
The petitioners wanted to revise the
definition for canned whole
sweetpotatoes to allow for those that are
cylindrical in shape, two inches plus or
minus 0.5 inches in length, by 1.5
inches plus or minus 0.25 inches in
diameter for 404 x 307 and 603 x 700
can sizes and 1.0 inch plus or minus
0.25 inches in diameter for smaller can
sizes.
Prior to undertaking research and
other work associated with revising the
grade standards, AMS sought public
comments on the petition. A notice
requesting comments on the petition to
revise the United States Standards for
Grades of Canned Sweetpotatoes was
published in March 12, 2003, Federal
Register (68 FR 11802).
In response to our request for
comments, AMS received one comment
from one of the processors that had
requested the revision. The commenter
did not favor the proposed revision of
the standard, noting that the use of
length and diameter requirement to
describe a whole sweetpotato would be
a severe disadvantage to canners. The
commenter further suggested that the
term ‘‘Almost Whole’’ be removed from
the standard.
AMS determined that the term
‘‘Whole’’ implies that the sweetpotatoes
have not been cut into smaller pieces.
An ‘‘Almost whole’’ sweetpotato unit
should resemble a whole unit with one
or both ends trimmed to remove fibrous
ends. Larger sized sweetpotatoes would
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16:37 May 13, 2005
Jkt 205001
require excessive trimming to meet the
suggested size requirements as stated in
the petition. AMS decided that the best
approach to revising the grade standards
was to leave the style description for
‘‘Whole’’ unchanged without specific
reference to length and size. AMS
further decided to remove the style of
‘‘Sections,’’ which is not commercially
packed, reducing the confusion between
‘‘Sections’’ and ‘‘Pieces, cuts, or cut’’
styles. The style ‘‘Other’’ was added to
account for styles not specifically
mentioned in the grade standard. These
changes were suggested in order to more
clearly delineate the difference between
‘‘whole’’ and ‘‘pieces, cuts, or cut’’
styles, thereby promoting uniformity in
grading canned sweetpotatoes.
A discussion draft that included these
changes was sent to FPA, in March
2004. In December 2004, the members of
FPA agreed with the proposed changes
to the grade standard. Therefore, AMS is
proposing a change to the U.S.
Standards for Grades of Canned
Sweetpotatoes that will accommodate
the needs of the industry and promote
uniformity in grading. A copy of the
proposed grade standards is posted on
the AMS Web site located at https://
www.ams.usda.gov/fv/ppb.html and is
available at the address above.
This proposal will provide a common
language for trade, a means of
measuring value in the marketing of
canned sweetpotatoes, and provide
guidance in the effective utilization of
canned sweetpotatoes. The official grade
of a lot of canned sweetpotatoes covered
by these standards will be determined
by the procedures set forth in the
Regulations Governing Inspection and
Certification of Processed Fruits and
Vegetables, Processed Products Thereof,
and Certain Other Processed Food
Products (7 CFR 52.1–52.83).
This notice provides for a 60 day
comment period for interested parties to
comment on changes to the standards.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1621–1627.
Dated: May 11, 2005.
Kenneth C. Clayton,
Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing
Service.
[FR Doc. 05–9695 Filed 5–13–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–02–P
PO 00000
25805
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement for
the Whistle Stop Project on the
Chugach National Forest, Kenai
Peninsula Borough, AK
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of intent to prepare an
environmental impact statement.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: The USDA Forest Service will
prepare an Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) on a proposed action to
develop a series of remote
interconnected backcountry train on-off
load platforms along approximately 25
miles of existing Alaska Railroad track.
The proposed action calls for six
backcountry train on-off load platforms,
construction of approximately 44 miles
of new backcountry dispersed trail, and
development of approximately six
backcountry public use cabins and 34
dispersed, hardened backcountry sites
for remote camping. The majority of all
components of this project would occur
on Chugach National Forest land in the
Kenai Peninsula Borough.
DATES: Comments concerning the scope
of the analysis must be received by June
15, 2005.
The Draft EIS is expected to be filed
with the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) and to be available for
public review during the winter of
2005/2006. At that time, EPA will
publish a Notice of Availability of the
Draft EIS in the Federal Register. The
comment period on the Draft EIS will be
45 days from the date the EPA publishes
the Notice of Availability in the Federal
Register. The Final EIS is scheduled to
be completed in the summer of 2006.
ADDRESSES: Address all comments
concerning this notice to the Chugach
National Forest, ATTN: Whistle Stop
Project, P.O. Box 129, Girdwood, AK
99587. E-mail comments may be sent to:
comments-chugachwhistle_stop@fs.fed.us.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Adam McClory, Glacier Ranger District,
Chugach National Forest, (907) 754–
2352.
The
information presented in this notice is
included to help the reviewer determine
if they are interested in or potentially
affected by the proposed action.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose and Need for Action
The Forest Service seeks to meet the
growing demand for dispersed
recreation opportunities and growing
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
E:\FR\FM\16MYN1.SGM
16MYN1
25806
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 93 / Monday, May 16, 2005 / Notices
demands of recreation-based tourism by
developing remote, backcountry trails
and minimal support facilities adjacent
to the existing rail way infrastructure,
along with a series of interconnected
recreation sites that will provide the
public with a unique recreation and
travel experience not found anywhere
else in the United States. Utilizing the
existing infrastructure and
transportation service capability of the
Alaska Railroad, the Forest Service
proposes to create a wide variety of
world-class recreation and
transportation opportunities for users of
the Chugach National Forest. Access
would be gained by existing railroad to
spectacular ice-capped mountains,
glacial lakes, wild rivers and dispersed
backcountry campsites, huts and trails,
with transportation provided through
Alaska Railroad passenger rail cars.
Completion of this project will both
better disperse concentration of visitor
use and strengthen the ability for
Chugach National Forest visitors to get
out and experience National Forest
lands instead of experiencing them
through the ‘‘glass window’’ that
currently exists for the majority of
Alaska Railroad passengers traveling
through this scenic corridor. The
purpose and need for this project is to:
• Provide additional backcountry
access and better disperse recreation
opportunities available to Chugach
National Forest visitors while
maintaining an Alaskan backcountry
experience and maintaining the area’s
natural quality. With a large land base
in the eastern Kenai Peninsula and few
existing backcountry recreation
facilities, the proposed mix of trails,
overnight facilities, viewing platforms
and information and education sites
will meet the needs of Chugach National
Forest visitors for years to come. Use
would be better spread throughout the
Kenai Peninsula thereby providing users
with a more remote, Alaskan
backcountry experience. The additional
backcountry access that is required due
to growing demand will be provided
utilizing the existing Alaska Railroad
infrastructure and will not necessitate
development of new roads.
• Provide opportunities for visitor
information and education regarding
various forest resources including
wildlife and fisheries. The Chugach
National Forest Revised Land and
Resource Management Plan emphasizes
the need to provide Forest visitors with
information and education regarding
Forest resources. From the glacial
movement evident at Spencer Lake, to
the dynamic hydrological activity, to the
historical remnants scattered along the
Alaska Railroad, the Forest Service can
VerDate jul<14>2003
16:37 May 13, 2005
Jkt 205001
provide a diverse view of the natural
and human history of the area.
Additionally, both Alaska residents and
visitors alike are drawn to the annual
spawning of various fish species and the
incredible diversity of wildlife found in
Alaska including brown and black
bears, moose, wolves, Dall sheep and
mountain goats. Located at each remote
Whistle Stop station and throughout the
inter-connected trail system, minimally
developed backcountry kiosks will
interpret the important aspects of each
geographical area.
• Provide a unique transportation and
recreation experience found nowhere
else in the United States, while
encouraging transportation dispersal
and public safety. Alaska is famous for
and attracts a tremendous number of
tourists because of its immense glaciers
and ice-capped mountains. The Railroad
is unquestionably the best land-based
transportation route to view and access
glaciers. Furthermore, development of
this transportation route would
diminish somewhat the congestion on
the Seward Highway, thereby providing
safety on the road while creating
significant opportunities to disperse
recreation opportunities away from
heavy used areas of concentration along
the Seward highway.
Implementation of the Whistle Stop
project will help meet the purpose and
need outlined above and follow
direction outlined in the Chugach
National Forest Revised Land and
Resource Management Plan (CRLRMP).
Forestwide direction outlined in the
CRLRMP identifies Recreational
Opportunities, Access and Facilities as
a major area of emphasis to be
accomplished through Forest Plan
implementation (CRLRMP, 3–1, 3–7–3–
9). Three goals identified in this section
of the CRLRMP will be met with
implementation of the Whistle Stop
project including: Maintaining quality
settings for nonmotorized recreation
opportunities; provide[ing] recreation
opportunities for interpretation and
education as related to all Forest
resources; and expand[ing] recreational
capacity by developing new recreational
facilities and trails in response to user
demands and where appropriate to
management area objectives (CRLRMP,
3–8, 3–9). Forest Plan direction for the
Kenai Peninsula Geographic Area,
where the Whistle Stop project is
located, dictates that ‘‘during the
summer season nonmotorized use will
predominate across the area. These
opportunities will include hiking,
camping, mountain biking, fishing,
hunting and mountaineering with
opportunities for canoeing, rafting and
other forms of boating on lakes and
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
rivers * * * Campgrounds or similar
developments (i.e., ‘‘Whistle Stop’’)
along the Alaska Railroad between
Moose Pass and Portage may also be
available (CRLRMP, 3–15).’’
Proposed Action
Recreation Facilities
The project proposal calls for a variety
of dispersed recreation facility
developments that are summarized
below:
I Whistle Stop stations. Six
backcountry Whistle Stop stations are
proposed for development along
approximately 25 miles of Alaska
Railroad track between Luebner Lake
and Trail Creek. The six proposed stops,
from north to south include: Luebner
Lake, Spencer Lake, Bartlett Glacier,
Grandview, Hunter and Trail Creek.
I Trail system.
• A system consisting of
approximately 44 miles of new trails are
proposed for the project area. The
backbone of this trail system is the
proposed Placer Valley Trail which will
connect the Whistle Stops of Luebner
Lake, Spencer Lake, Bartlett Glacier and
Grandview. Spurs trails off of the Placer
Valley Trail will be located in the
Spencer Lake, Bartlett Glacier and
Grandview areas.
• The majority of the trail system
would be designed and actively
managed for hiker/pedestrian and
bicycle use.
• Easements will be established
where necessary to survey, construct
and manage certain trail segments that
cross other landowners. At this time,
proposed trail segments totaling
approximately 3 miles cross land owned
by the State of Alaska Department of
Natural Resources.
• Overnight sites.
• Six public-use cabins are proposed
for development along various sections
of the trail system.
• Thirty-four dispersed, hardened
overnight sites are proposed for
development throughout the trail
system.
• One group campsite, capable of
accommodating at least 150 people is
proposed for development in the
Spencer Lake area where such uses
already occur.
• Wildlife and Scenic viewing
platforms.
• Two wildlife viewing platforms,
including interpretive kiosks and
viewfinders, would be located along the
boardwalk trail at the Luebner Lake
Whistle Stop.
• A wildlife and scenic viewing
platform, including interpretive kiosks
and viewfinders, would be located along
E:\FR\FM\16MYN1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 93 / Monday, May 16, 2005 / Notices
the boardwalk trail at the Grandview
Whistle Stop.
• Rafting take-out locations. The
rafting take-out locations at Luebner
Lake and Trail Creek will include a
platform that will allow for safe transfer
of gear from the platform to the rail car.
Additionally, at both sites a temporary
storage facility (approximately 250
square feet) for rafting gear will be
located at these locations from MaySeptember.
Preliminary Issues
Listed below are possible issues that
may be related to this project, but are
not limited to:
• Impacts to wildlife, including
brown bears, mountain goats and Dall
sheep.
• Impacts to heritage resources
throughout the project area.
• Visual impacts due to placement of
developed facilities in the backcountry.
• Conflicts between different types of
recreation throughout the project area.
Train Schedule
Responsible Official
The Forest Supervisor, Chugach
National Forest, is the Responsible
Official. The address is Chugach
National Forest Supervisor’s Office,
3301 C Street, Anchorage, AK 99503.
Currently the Alaska Railroad
conducts daily business, carrying both
freight and passengers, throughout the
project area multiple times per day. In
terms of passenger business, up to three
trains per day visit the project area: The
Coastal Classic and Glacier Discovery
both operate daily from mid-May to
mid-September and a train chartered by
Cruise Ship companies periodically
traverses the project area.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
The Forest Supervisor, as Responsible
Official, may decide to: (1) Select the
proposed action, (2) select one of the
alternatives, (3) select one of the
alternatives after modifying the
alternative with additional mitigating
25807
measures or combinations of activities
from other alternatives, or (4) select the
no action alternative and take no action
at this time.
Comment Requested
The Forest Service would like to
know of any issues, concerns, and
suggestions you may have about this
proposal. Comments should be as fully
formed as possible to assist us in the
analysis. If you have any questions, or
if something is unclear, contact Adam
McClory at (907) 754–2352 before
submitting your comments. Although
comments are welcome at any time,
they will be most effective if received by
June 15, 2005. Send comments to:
Chugach National Forest, ATTN:
Whistle Stop Project, P.O. Box 129,
Girdwood, AK 99587.
Alternately, e-mail your comments to:
comments-chugachwhistle_stop@fs.fed.us.
Public Meetings
Below are the public meeting dates
and locations for our scoping meetings:
CHUGACH NATIONAL FOREST OPEN HOUSE MEETINGS
Date
Town
Place
May 23, 2005
May 23, 2005
May 24, 2005
May 24, 2005
May 25, 2005
June 1, 2005
Anchorage .........................................................................
Seward ..............................................................................
Girdwood ...........................................................................
Moose Pass ......................................................................
Cooper Landing ................................................................
Soldotna ............................................................................
UAA Commons Rm. 106 ..................................................
Edgewater Hotel (5th and Railroad Ave.) .........................
Community Hall .................................................................
Moose Pass School ..........................................................
Community Hall .................................................................
Soldotna Sports Center ....................................................
Authorization: National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 as
amended (42 U.S.C. 4321–4346);
Council on Environmental Quality
Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500–1508);
U.S. Department of Agriculture NEPA
Policies and Procedures (7 CFR part 1b).
Reviewer’s Obligation: The Forest
Service believes, at this early stage, it is
important to give reviewers notice of
several court rulings related to public
participation in the environmental
review process. First, reviewers of draft
environmental impact statements must
structure their participation in the
environmental review of the proposal so
that it is meaningful and alerts the
agency to the reviewer’s position and
contentions. Vermont Yankee Nuclear
Power Corp. v. NRDC, 435 U.S. 519, 553
(1978). Also, environmental objections
that could be raised at the draft
environmental impact stage but that are
not raised until after completion of the
final environmental impact statement
may be waived or dismissed by the
courts. City of Angoon v. Hodel, 803
F.2d 1016, 1022 (9th Cir. 1986) and
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16:37 May 13, 2005
Jkt 205001
Wisconsin Heritages, Inc. v. Harris, 490
F. Supp. 1334, 1338 (E.D. Wisc. 1980).
Because of these court rulings, it is very
important that those interested in this
proposed action participate by the close
of the comment period so that
substantive comments and objections
are made available to the Forest Service
at the time when it can meaningfully
consider them and respond to them in
the final environmental impact
statement.
To assist the Forest Service in
identifying and considering issues and
concerns on the proposed action,
comments on the draft environmental
impact statement should be as specific
as possible. It is also helpful if
comments refer to specific pages or
chapters of the draft statement.
Comments may also address the
adequacy of the draft environmental
impact statement or the merits of the
alternatives formulated and discussed in
the statement. Reviewer may wish to
refer to the Council on Environmental
Quality Regulations for implementing
the procedural provisions of the
PO 00000
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Time
5–8
5–8
7–9
6–8
5–8
5–8
p.m.
p.m.
p.m.
p.m.
p.m.
p.m.
National Environmental Policy Act at 40
CFR 1503.3 in addressing these points.
Comments received, including the
names and addresses of those who
comment, will be considered part of the
public record on this proposal and will
be available for public inspection.
(Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 1508.22;
Forest Service Handbook 1909.15, Section
21).
Dated: May 10, 2005.
Joe L. Meade,
Forest Supervisor, Chugach National Forest.
[FR Doc. 05–9758 Filed 5–13–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–11–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area
(SRA) Advisory Council
AGENCY:
ACTION:
E:\FR\FM\16MYN1.SGM
Forest Service, USDA.
Notice of meeting.
16MYN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 93 (Monday, May 16, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25805-25807]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-9758]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for
the Whistle Stop Project on the Chugach National Forest, Kenai
Peninsula Borough, AK
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The USDA Forest Service will prepare an Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) on a proposed action to develop a series of remote
interconnected backcountry train on-off load platforms along
approximately 25 miles of existing Alaska Railroad track. The proposed
action calls for six backcountry train on-off load platforms,
construction of approximately 44 miles of new backcountry dispersed
trail, and development of approximately six backcountry public use
cabins and 34 dispersed, hardened backcountry sites for remote camping.
The majority of all components of this project would occur on Chugach
National Forest land in the Kenai Peninsula Borough.
DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received
by June 15, 2005.
The Draft EIS is expected to be filed with the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) and to be available for public review during
the winter of 2005/2006. At that time, EPA will publish a Notice of
Availability of the Draft EIS in the Federal Register. The comment
period on the Draft EIS will be 45 days from the date the EPA publishes
the Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. The Final EIS is
scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2006.
ADDRESSES: Address all comments concerning this notice to the Chugach
National Forest, ATTN: Whistle Stop Project, P.O. Box 129, Girdwood, AK
99587. E-mail comments may be sent to: comments-chugach-whistle_
stop@fs.fed.us.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Adam McClory, Glacier Ranger District,
Chugach National Forest, (907) 754-2352.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The information presented in this notice is
included to help the reviewer determine if they are interested in or
potentially affected by the proposed action.
Purpose and Need for Action
The Forest Service seeks to meet the growing demand for dispersed
recreation opportunities and growing
[[Page 25806]]
demands of recreation-based tourism by developing remote, backcountry
trails and minimal support facilities adjacent to the existing rail way
infrastructure, along with a series of interconnected recreation sites
that will provide the public with a unique recreation and travel
experience not found anywhere else in the United States. Utilizing the
existing infrastructure and transportation service capability of the
Alaska Railroad, the Forest Service proposes to create a wide variety
of world-class recreation and transportation opportunities for users of
the Chugach National Forest. Access would be gained by existing
railroad to spectacular ice-capped mountains, glacial lakes, wild
rivers and dispersed backcountry campsites, huts and trails, with
transportation provided through Alaska Railroad passenger rail cars.
Completion of this project will both better disperse concentration
of visitor use and strengthen the ability for Chugach National Forest
visitors to get out and experience National Forest lands instead of
experiencing them through the ``glass window'' that currently exists
for the majority of Alaska Railroad passengers traveling through this
scenic corridor. The purpose and need for this project is to:
Provide additional backcountry access and better disperse
recreation opportunities available to Chugach National Forest visitors
while maintaining an Alaskan backcountry experience and maintaining the
area's natural quality. With a large land base in the eastern Kenai
Peninsula and few existing backcountry recreation facilities, the
proposed mix of trails, overnight facilities, viewing platforms and
information and education sites will meet the needs of Chugach National
Forest visitors for years to come. Use would be better spread
throughout the Kenai Peninsula thereby providing users with a more
remote, Alaskan backcountry experience. The additional backcountry
access that is required due to growing demand will be provided
utilizing the existing Alaska Railroad infrastructure and will not
necessitate development of new roads.
Provide opportunities for visitor information and
education regarding various forest resources including wildlife and
fisheries. The Chugach National Forest Revised Land and Resource
Management Plan emphasizes the need to provide Forest visitors with
information and education regarding Forest resources. From the glacial
movement evident at Spencer Lake, to the dynamic hydrological activity,
to the historical remnants scattered along the Alaska Railroad, the
Forest Service can provide a diverse view of the natural and human
history of the area. Additionally, both Alaska residents and visitors
alike are drawn to the annual spawning of various fish species and the
incredible diversity of wildlife found in Alaska including brown and
black bears, moose, wolves, Dall sheep and mountain goats. Located at
each remote Whistle Stop station and throughout the inter-connected
trail system, minimally developed backcountry kiosks will interpret the
important aspects of each geographical area.
Provide a unique transportation and recreation experience
found nowhere else in the United States, while encouraging
transportation dispersal and public safety. Alaska is famous for and
attracts a tremendous number of tourists because of its immense
glaciers and ice-capped mountains. The Railroad is unquestionably the
best land-based transportation route to view and access glaciers.
Furthermore, development of this transportation route would diminish
somewhat the congestion on the Seward Highway, thereby providing safety
on the road while creating significant opportunities to disperse
recreation opportunities away from heavy used areas of concentration
along the Seward highway.
Implementation of the Whistle Stop project will help meet the
purpose and need outlined above and follow direction outlined in the
Chugach National Forest Revised Land and Resource Management Plan
(CRLRMP). Forestwide direction outlined in the CRLRMP identifies
Recreational Opportunities, Access and Facilities as a major area of
emphasis to be accomplished through Forest Plan implementation (CRLRMP,
3-1, 3-7-3-9). Three goals identified in this section of the CRLRMP
will be met with implementation of the Whistle Stop project including:
Maintaining quality settings for nonmotorized recreation opportunities;
provide[ing] recreation opportunities for interpretation and education
as related to all Forest resources; and expand[ing] recreational
capacity by developing new recreational facilities and trails in
response to user demands and where appropriate to management area
objectives (CRLRMP, 3-8, 3-9). Forest Plan direction for the Kenai
Peninsula Geographic Area, where the Whistle Stop project is located,
dictates that ``during the summer season nonmotorized use will
predominate across the area. These opportunities will include hiking,
camping, mountain biking, fishing, hunting and mountaineering with
opportunities for canoeing, rafting and other forms of boating on lakes
and rivers * * * Campgrounds or similar developments (i.e., ``Whistle
Stop'') along the Alaska Railroad between Moose Pass and Portage may
also be available (CRLRMP, 3-15).''
Proposed Action
Recreation Facilities
The project proposal calls for a variety of dispersed recreation
facility developments that are summarized below:
[ssbox] Whistle Stop stations. Six backcountry Whistle Stop
stations are proposed for development along approximately 25 miles of
Alaska Railroad track between Luebner Lake and Trail Creek. The six
proposed stops, from north to south include: Luebner Lake, Spencer
Lake, Bartlett Glacier, Grandview, Hunter and Trail Creek.
[ssbox] Trail system.
A system consisting of approximately 44 miles of new
trails are proposed for the project area. The backbone of this trail
system is the proposed Placer Valley Trail which will connect the
Whistle Stops of Luebner Lake, Spencer Lake, Bartlett Glacier and
Grandview. Spurs trails off of the Placer Valley Trail will be located
in the Spencer Lake, Bartlett Glacier and Grandview areas.
The majority of the trail system would be designed and
actively managed for hiker/pedestrian and bicycle use.
Easements will be established where necessary to survey,
construct and manage certain trail segments that cross other
landowners. At this time, proposed trail segments totaling
approximately 3 miles cross land owned by the State of Alaska
Department of Natural Resources.
Overnight sites.
Six public-use cabins are proposed for development along
various sections of the trail system.
Thirty-four dispersed, hardened overnight sites are
proposed for development throughout the trail system.
One group campsite, capable of accommodating at least 150
people is proposed for development in the Spencer Lake area where such
uses already occur.
Wildlife and Scenic viewing platforms.
Two wildlife viewing platforms, including interpretive
kiosks and viewfinders, would be located along the boardwalk trail at
the Luebner Lake Whistle Stop.
A wildlife and scenic viewing platform, including
interpretive kiosks and viewfinders, would be located along
[[Page 25807]]
the boardwalk trail at the Grandview Whistle Stop.
Rafting take-out locations. The rafting take-out locations
at Luebner Lake and Trail Creek will include a platform that will allow
for safe transfer of gear from the platform to the rail car.
Additionally, at both sites a temporary storage facility (approximately
250 square feet) for rafting gear will be located at these locations
from May-September.
Train Schedule
Currently the Alaska Railroad conducts daily business, carrying
both freight and passengers, throughout the project area multiple times
per day. In terms of passenger business, up to three trains per day
visit the project area: The Coastal Classic and Glacier Discovery both
operate daily from mid-May to mid-September and a train chartered by
Cruise Ship companies periodically traverses the project area.
Preliminary Issues
Listed below are possible issues that may be related to this
project, but are not limited to:
Impacts to wildlife, including brown bears, mountain goats
and Dall sheep.
Impacts to heritage resources throughout the project area.
Visual impacts due to placement of developed facilities in
the backcountry.
Conflicts between different types of recreation throughout
the project area.
Responsible Official
The Forest Supervisor, Chugach National Forest, is the Responsible
Official. The address is Chugach National Forest Supervisor's Office,
3301 C Street, Anchorage, AK 99503.
Nature of Decision To Be Made
The Forest Supervisor, as Responsible Official, may decide to: (1)
Select the proposed action, (2) select one of the alternatives, (3)
select one of the alternatives after modifying the alternative with
additional mitigating measures or combinations of activities from other
alternatives, or (4) select the no action alternative and take no
action at this time.
Comment Requested
The Forest Service would like to know of any issues, concerns, and
suggestions you may have about this proposal. Comments should be as
fully formed as possible to assist us in the analysis. If you have any
questions, or if something is unclear, contact Adam McClory at (907)
754-2352 before submitting your comments. Although comments are welcome
at any time, they will be most effective if received by June 15, 2005.
Send comments to: Chugach National Forest, ATTN: Whistle Stop Project,
P.O. Box 129, Girdwood, AK 99587.
Alternately, e-mail your comments to: comments-chugach-whistle_
stop@fs.fed.us.
Public Meetings
Below are the public meeting dates and locations for our scoping
meetings:
Chugach National Forest Open House Meetings
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date Town Place Time
------------------------------------------------------------------------
May 23, 2005...... Anchorage........ UAA Commons Rm. 5-8 p.m.
106.
May 23, 2005...... Seward........... Edgewater Hotel 5-8 p.m.
(5th and
Railroad Ave.).
May 24, 2005...... Girdwood......... Community Hall... 7-9 p.m.
May 24, 2005...... Moose Pass....... Moose Pass School 6-8 p.m.
May 25, 2005...... Cooper Landing... Community Hall... 5-8 p.m.
June 1, 2005...... Soldotna......... Soldotna Sports 5-8 p.m.
Center.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Authorization: National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 as amended
(42 U.S.C. 4321-4346); Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40
CFR parts 1500-1508); U.S. Department of Agriculture NEPA Policies and
Procedures (7 CFR part 1b).
Reviewer's Obligation: The Forest Service believes, at this early
stage, it is important to give reviewers notice of several court
rulings related to public participation in the environmental review
process. First, reviewers of draft environmental impact statements must
structure their participation in the environmental review of the
proposal so that it is meaningful and alerts the agency to the
reviewer's position and contentions. Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp.
v. NRDC, 435 U.S. 519, 553 (1978). Also, environmental objections that
could be raised at the draft environmental impact stage but that are
not raised until after completion of the final environmental impact
statement may be waived or dismissed by the courts. City of Angoon v.
Hodel, 803 F.2d 1016, 1022 (9th Cir. 1986) and Wisconsin Heritages,
Inc. v. Harris, 490 F. Supp. 1334, 1338 (E.D. Wisc. 1980). Because of
these court rulings, it is very important that those interested in this
proposed action participate by the close of the comment period so that
substantive comments and objections are made available to the Forest
Service at the time when it can meaningfully consider them and respond
to them in the final environmental impact statement.
To assist the Forest Service in identifying and considering issues
and concerns on the proposed action, comments on the draft
environmental impact statement should be as specific as possible. It is
also helpful if comments refer to specific pages or chapters of the
draft statement. Comments may also address the adequacy of the draft
environmental impact statement or the merits of the alternatives
formulated and discussed in the statement. Reviewer may wish to refer
to the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for implementing
the procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act at
40 CFR 1503.3 in addressing these points.
Comments received, including the names and addresses of those who
comment, will be considered part of the public record on this proposal
and will be available for public inspection.
(Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 1508.22; Forest Service Handbook
1909.15, Section 21).
Dated: May 10, 2005.
Joe L. Meade,
Forest Supervisor, Chugach National Forest.
[FR Doc. 05-9758 Filed 5-13-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P
