Denali National Park and Preserve, AK; Final Backcountry Management Plan, General Management Plan Amendment and Environmental Impact Statement, 3118-3119 [06-481]
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3118
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 12 / Thursday, January 19, 2006 / Notices
backcountry management plan with
amendments. Recreational use and
National Park Service
access patterns would continue to
develop and the agency would respond
Denali National Park and Preserve, AK; as necessary on a case-by-case basis. No
Final Backcountry Management Plan,
new services or facilities would be
General Management Plan Amendment developed to meet increased levels of
and Environmental Impact Statement
use in the backcountry, except for those
identified in the Entrance Area or South
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
Side plans.
ACTION: Notice of availability of the
Alternative 2: This alternative would
Final Backcountry Management Plan,
distinguish a unique Denali experience
General Management Plan Amendment
based on dispersed use in a wilderness
and Environmental Impact Statement.
landscape with few sights or sounds of
people or mechanized civilization.
SUMMARY: The National Park Service
There would be few services, facilities,
(NPS) announces the availability of the
or signs of management presence. This
Final Backcountry Management Plan,
alternative would most clearly
General Management Plan Amendment
distinguish the backcountry experience
and Environmental Impact Statement
in Denali from the surrounding public
(EIS) for Denali National Park and
lands, providing a place primarily for
Preserve. The document describes and
visitors who are very self-reliant, and
analyzes the environmental impacts of a
including many opportunities for
preferred alternative and three other
extended expeditions in very remote
action alternatives for managing the
locations. Backcountry users seeking
park and preserve’s backcountry. A no
other experiences would find those
action alternative also is evaluated.
opportunities on neighboring lands.
DATES: A Record of Decision will be
Alternative 3: This alternative would
made no sooner than 30 days after the
provide a variety of wilderness
date the Environmental Protection
recreational activities by establishing
Agency’s Notice of Availability for this
areas to serve those visitors who want
final EIS appears in the Federal
to experience the wilderness resource
Register.
values of the Denali backcountry but
require services, assistance, or short
ADDRESSES: The Final Plan and EIS may
be viewed online at https://www.nps.gov/ time-commitments. The areas would be
dena through the ‘‘in Depth’’ link on our the minimum necessary to provide these
experiences based on present demand
homepage under ‘‘Planning and
and would be focused along the park
Management.’’ Hard copies or CDs of
the Final Backcountry Management Plan road in the Old Park and Kantishna and
at the existing high activity areas at the
and General Management Plan
Ruth Glacier and Kahiltna Base Camp.
Amendment and EIS are available on
The majority of the backcountry would
request from the address below.
be managed for dispersed, self-reliant
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
travel and would include opportunities
Mike Tranel, Chief of Planning, Denali
for extended expeditions in very remote
National Park and Preserve, 240 West
locations.
5th Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska 99501.
Alternative 4: Modified (Preferred
Telephone: (907) 644–3611, Fax: (907)
Alternative): Alternative 4 from the
644–3803.
Revised Draft was modified for the final
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant
plan to respond to substantive public
to section 102(2)(C) of the National
comments. Management area allocations
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Pub. and corridors were adjusted slightly,
L. 91–190, as amended), the NPS has
and indicators and standards for
prepared a final environmental impact
wildlife were added. The hierarchy for
statement that considers five
guided services and educational
alternatives for managing the park and
programs was removed and replaced
preserve’s backcountry. The five
with a statement indicating that NPS
alternatives evaluated in this EIS
and Murie Science and Learning Center
included four action alternatives and a
activities would have a priority for
available backcountry capacity where
no action alternative.
such capacity is limited. Definitions of
Alternative 1 (No Action): The
scenic air tours and air taxis were
National Park Service would continue
clarified. The restriction that would
the present management direction,
prohibit scenic air tours from landing on
guided by the 1986 General
the Pika or Eldridge Glaciers when
Management Plan, the 1997 Entrance
climbers or mountaineers are present
Area Road Corridor Development
was modified. Scenic air tour landings
Concept Plan, the 1997 South Side
may take place when climbers are
Denali Development Concept Plan, the
present, but those landings are subject
1997 Strategic Plan, and the 1976
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
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to management area standards, cannot
occur when other landing locations are
available, and are discouraged when
climbers are present. Guided day-hiking
in the Old Park would be restricted to
areas west of Toklat River with access
from Kantishna, plus the hiking in the
Wonder Lake area authorized by the
Entrance Area and Road Corridor DCP.
The total number of groups would be
limited to the average number of groups
over the previous 5 years. Language
describing backcountry facilities and
administrative and scientific activities
was also modified to address
substantive public comments.
Specifically, the requirement to develop
management area-specific criteria for
research and resource management
activities was removed in favor of a
requirement to obtain research permits.
This modified alternative would
guide the National Park Service in
providing opportunities for a variety of
wilderness recreational activities and
experiences while recognizing and
protecting the premier wilderness
resource values of the entire
backcountry. Areas in the Dunkle Hills
and around the Ruth and Tokositna
Glaciers on the south side of the Alaska
Range would be managed for those
visitors who want to experience the
wilderness resource values or other
resource values of the Denali
backcountry but require services or
assistance, or who are unable to make a
lengthy time commitment. Areas along
the park road in the Old Park and the
Kantishna Hills would provide
accessible opportunities for short- or
long-duration wilderness recreational
activities with only limited options for
guidance or assistance the farther one
gets from the park road. The remainder
of the backcountry would be managed
for dispersed, self-reliant travel, and
would include opportunities for
extended expeditions in very remote
locations.
Alternative 5: This alternative would
create two distinct geographic areas that
provide different kinds of visitor
experiences in the Denali backcountry.
The Old Park and the Denali Additions
north of the Alaska Range would be
primarily managed for dispersed, selfreliant travel although no areas would
be managed specifically to preserve
opportunities for extended expeditions
in remote locations. Areas along the
park road and in Kantishna that
presently receive a relatively high
volume of use and large parts of the
additions south of the Alaska Range
would be managed for a greater
intensity and variety of appropriate
recreational activities and would have
more visible management presence and
E:\FR\FM\19JAN1.SGM
19JAN1
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 12 / Thursday, January 19, 2006 / Notices
of each year. The superintendent may
adjust this seasonal quota upwards or
downwards, but may not exceed two
ships per day. The Glacier Bay National
Park and Preserve Vessel Quota and
Operating Requirements Environmental
Dated: December 23, 2006.
Impact Statement and Record of
Marcia Blaszak,
Decision (VQOR EIS and ROD) provide
Regional Director, Alaska Region.
additional background information
[FR Doc. 06–481 Filed 1–18–06; 8:45 am]
regarding vessel management within the
BILLING CODE 4310–PF–M
park area.
Federal regualations specific to
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
(36 CFR 13.65(b)(2)(v)(C)) provide that
‘‘[b]y October 1 of each year (beginning
National Park Service
in 1998), the superintendent will
determine, with the director’s approval,
Proposed Ten Percent Increase in
the number of cruise ship entries for the
Glacier Bay Cruise Ship Quota
following summer season (June 1
Beginning in Year 2007
through august 31). this determination
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
will be based upon available scientific
ACTION: Notice of availability; Proposed
and other information and applicable
Ten Percent Increase in the Seasonal
authorities. The number will be subject
Cruise Ship Quota for Glacier Bay
to the maximum daily limit of two
National Park and Preserve for Year
vessel use-days. The superintendent
2007.
will publish a document of any revision
in seasonal entries in the Federal
SUMMARY: The Superintendent of Glacier
Register with opportunity for public
Bay National Park and Preserve
comment.’’
proposes to increase the number of
This proposal is the result of the
cruise ships allowed to enter Glacier
VQOR EIS public planning process. In
Bay during the summer visitor season
making the proposal the Superintendent
by ten percent beginning in 2007. The
considered reviews of the best available
current cruise ship limit is a seasonal
scientific information collected both by
quota of 139 visits during June, July and
the National Park Service and by
August. The proposal, if implemented,
scientists independent of the agency,
would increase the seasonal cruise ship
which were incorporated in the report
quota to 153.
and recommendations from the Glacier
DATES: Comments on the proposal must
Bay National Park Science Advisory
be received no later than February 21,
Board, and an assessment of that report
2006.
provided by the NPS Alaska Regional
ADDRESSES: The proposal memorandum
Science Advisor.
and related documents may be viewed
Following a review of public
online at https://www.nps.gov/glba/
comments submitted in response to this
pphtml/documents.html. Please submit
notice, the Superintendent will submit
electronic comments on the proposal
the final decision for submission to the
memorandum at https://
Director of the National Park Service for
parkplanning.nps.gov/
approval. If an increase is approved it
parkHome.cfm?parkId=12. Written
will be announced in the Federal
comments can be mailed to the
Register.
Superintendent, Glacier Bay National
Dated: December 22, 2005.
Park and Preserve, P.O. Box 140,
Marcia Blaxzak,
Gustavus, AK 99826 or faxed to (907)
Regional Director, Alaska.
697–2654.
[FR Doc. 06–482 Filed 1–18–06; 8:45 am]
Comments may be hand delivered to
the Superintendent at Glacier Bay
BILLING CODE 4312–HX–M
National Park and Preserve, 1 Park
Road, Room 204, Gustavus, AK 99826.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Tomie Lee, Superintendent, Glacier Bay
National Park and Preserve, P.O. Box
Bureau of Justice Statistics; Agency
140, Gustavus, AK 99826; (907) 697–
Information Collection Activities:
2230.
Existing Collection; Comments
Requested
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Cruise
ship use in Glacier Bay is currently
ACTION: 60–Day Notice of Information
limited to no more than two ships per
Collection Under Review: National
day and a further seasonal quota of 139
Corrections Reporting Program.
total visits during June, July, and August
sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
opportunities for more services and
facilities.
The responsible official for a Record
of Decision on the proposed action is
the NPS Regional Director in Alaska.
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3119
The Department of Justice (DOJ),
Bureau of Justice Statistics, has
submitted the following information
collection request to the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) for
review and approval in accordance with
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
The proposed information collection is
published to obtain comments from the
public and affected agencies. Comments
are encouraged and will be accepted for
‘‘sixty days’’ until March 20, 2006. This
process is conducted in accordance with
5 CFR 1320.10.
If you have comments especially on
the estimated public burden or
associated response time, suggestions,
or need a copy of the proposed
information collection instrument with
instructions or additional information,
please contact Allen J. Beck, Ph.D.,
Bureau of Justice Statistics, 810 Seventh
Street NW., Washington, DC 20531.
Written comments and suggestions
from the public and affected agencies
concerning the proposed collection of
information are encouraged. Your
comments should address one or more
of the following four points:
—Evaluate whether the proposed
collection of information is necessary
for the proper performance of the
functions of the agency, including
whether the information will have
practical utility;
—Evaluate the accuracy of the agencies
estimate of the burden of the
proposed collection of information,
including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used;
—Enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information to be
collected; and
—Minimize the burden of the collection
of information on those who are to
respond, including through the use of
appropriate automated, electronic,
mechanical, or other technological
collection techniques or other forms
of information technology, e.g.,
permitting electronic submission of
responses.
Overview of this information
collection:
(1) Type of Information Collection:
Extension of a currently approved
collection.
(2) Title of the Form/Collection:
National Corrections Reporting Program.
The collection includes the forms:
National Corrections Reporting Program.
(3) Agency form number, if any, and
the applicable component of the
Department of Justice sponsoring the
collection: Form number(s): NCRP–1A,
NCRP–1B, NCRP–1C, and NCRP–1D.
Corrections Statistics Unit, Bureau of
Justice Statistics, Office of Justice
E:\FR\FM\19JAN1.SGM
19JAN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 12 (Thursday, January 19, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3118-3119]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-481]
[[Page 3118]]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Denali National Park and Preserve, AK; Final Backcountry
Management Plan, General Management Plan Amendment and Environmental
Impact Statement
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability of the Final Backcountry Management
Plan, General Management Plan Amendment and Environmental Impact
Statement.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS) announces the availability of
the Final Backcountry Management Plan, General Management Plan
Amendment and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Denali National
Park and Preserve. The document describes and analyzes the
environmental impacts of a preferred alternative and three other action
alternatives for managing the park and preserve's backcountry. A no
action alternative also is evaluated.
DATES: A Record of Decision will be made no sooner than 30 days after
the date the Environmental Protection Agency's Notice of Availability
for this final EIS appears in the Federal Register.
ADDRESSES: The Final Plan and EIS may be viewed online at https://
www.nps.gov/dena through the ``in Depth'' link on our homepage under
``Planning and Management.'' Hard copies or CDs of the Final
Backcountry Management Plan and General Management Plan Amendment and
EIS are available on request from the address below.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Tranel, Chief of Planning, Denali
National Park and Preserve, 240 West 5th Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska
99501. Telephone: (907) 644-3611, Fax: (907) 644-3803.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Pub. L. 91-190, as amended),
the NPS has prepared a final environmental impact statement that
considers five alternatives for managing the park and preserve's
backcountry. The five alternatives evaluated in this EIS included four
action alternatives and a no action alternative.
Alternative 1 (No Action): The National Park Service would continue
the present management direction, guided by the 1986 General Management
Plan, the 1997 Entrance Area Road Corridor Development Concept Plan,
the 1997 South Side Denali Development Concept Plan, the 1997 Strategic
Plan, and the 1976 backcountry management plan with amendments.
Recreational use and access patterns would continue to develop and the
agency would respond as necessary on a case-by-case basis. No new
services or facilities would be developed to meet increased levels of
use in the backcountry, except for those identified in the Entrance
Area or South Side plans.
Alternative 2: This alternative would distinguish a unique Denali
experience based on dispersed use in a wilderness landscape with few
sights or sounds of people or mechanized civilization. There would be
few services, facilities, or signs of management presence. This
alternative would most clearly distinguish the backcountry experience
in Denali from the surrounding public lands, providing a place
primarily for visitors who are very self-reliant, and including many
opportunities for extended expeditions in very remote locations.
Backcountry users seeking other experiences would find those
opportunities on neighboring lands.
Alternative 3: This alternative would provide a variety of
wilderness recreational activities by establishing areas to serve those
visitors who want to experience the wilderness resource values of the
Denali backcountry but require services, assistance, or short time-
commitments. The areas would be the minimum necessary to provide these
experiences based on present demand and would be focused along the park
road in the Old Park and Kantishna and at the existing high activity
areas at the Ruth Glacier and Kahiltna Base Camp. The majority of the
backcountry would be managed for dispersed, self-reliant travel and
would include opportunities for extended expeditions in very remote
locations.
Alternative 4: Modified (Preferred Alternative): Alternative 4 from
the Revised Draft was modified for the final plan to respond to
substantive public comments. Management area allocations and corridors
were adjusted slightly, and indicators and standards for wildlife were
added. The hierarchy for guided services and educational programs was
removed and replaced with a statement indicating that NPS and Murie
Science and Learning Center activities would have a priority for
available backcountry capacity where such capacity is limited.
Definitions of scenic air tours and air taxis were clarified. The
restriction that would prohibit scenic air tours from landing on the
Pika or Eldridge Glaciers when climbers or mountaineers are present was
modified. Scenic air tour landings may take place when climbers are
present, but those landings are subject to management area standards,
cannot occur when other landing locations are available, and are
discouraged when climbers are present. Guided day-hiking in the Old
Park would be restricted to areas west of Toklat River with access from
Kantishna, plus the hiking in the Wonder Lake area authorized by the
Entrance Area and Road Corridor DCP. The total number of groups would
be limited to the average number of groups over the previous 5 years.
Language describing backcountry facilities and administrative and
scientific activities was also modified to address substantive public
comments. Specifically, the requirement to develop management area-
specific criteria for research and resource management activities was
removed in favor of a requirement to obtain research permits.
This modified alternative would guide the National Park Service in
providing opportunities for a variety of wilderness recreational
activities and experiences while recognizing and protecting the premier
wilderness resource values of the entire backcountry. Areas in the
Dunkle Hills and around the Ruth and Tokositna Glaciers on the south
side of the Alaska Range would be managed for those visitors who want
to experience the wilderness resource values or other resource values
of the Denali backcountry but require services or assistance, or who
are unable to make a lengthy time commitment. Areas along the park road
in the Old Park and the Kantishna Hills would provide accessible
opportunities for short- or long-duration wilderness recreational
activities with only limited options for guidance or assistance the
farther one gets from the park road. The remainder of the backcountry
would be managed for dispersed, self-reliant travel, and would include
opportunities for extended expeditions in very remote locations.
Alternative 5: This alternative would create two distinct
geographic areas that provide different kinds of visitor experiences in
the Denali backcountry. The Old Park and the Denali Additions north of
the Alaska Range would be primarily managed for dispersed, self-reliant
travel although no areas would be managed specifically to preserve
opportunities for extended expeditions in remote locations. Areas along
the park road and in Kantishna that presently receive a relatively high
volume of use and large parts of the additions south of the Alaska
Range would be managed for a greater intensity and variety of
appropriate recreational activities and would have more visible
management presence and
[[Page 3119]]
opportunities for more services and facilities.
The responsible official for a Record of Decision on the proposed
action is the NPS Regional Director in Alaska.
Dated: December 23, 2006.
Marcia Blaszak,
Regional Director, Alaska Region.
[FR Doc. 06-481 Filed 1-18-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-PF-M
