Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision for the Environmental Impact Statement on the South Denali Implementation Plan, Denali National Park and Preserve, AK, 54687-54688 [06-7714]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 180 / Monday, September 18, 2006 / Notices mail survey; 500 respondents for telephone interviews). Estimated average burden hours per response: 1⁄3 hour for mail survey respondents; 1⁄12 hour for follow-up telephone interview respondents. Frequency of Response: 1 time per respondent. Estimated annual reporting burden: 709 hours. Dated: September 7, 2006. Leonard E. Stowe, NPS, Information Collection Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 06–7719 Filed 9–15–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4312–52–M DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR National Park Service Legislative Environmental Impact Statement on Gull Egg Harvest by the Huna Tlingit in Glacier Bay National Park National Park Service, Interior. Notice of intent to prepare a Legislative Environmental Impact Statement. AGENCY: cprice-sewell on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES ACTION: SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS) is preparing a Legislative Environmental Impact Statement (LEIS) on the potential harvest of gull eggs by the Huna Tlingit in Glacier Bay National Park. The purpose of the LEIS is to respond to Section 4 of the Glacier Bay National Park Resource Management Act of 1999 (Pub. L. 106–455) which requires the Secretary of Interior, in consultation with local residents, to assess whether sea gull eggs can be collected in the park on a limited basis without impairing the biological sustainability of the gull population in the park. The Act further requires that if the study determines that the limited collection of sea gull eggs can occur without impairing the biological sustainability of the gull population in the park, the Secretary shall submit recommendations for legislation to Congress. The proposed action alternative will include harvesting glaucous-winged gull (Larus glaucescens) eggs by tribal members of the Hoonah Indian Association (HIA) under a traditional harvest strategy cooperatively produced by NPS and HIA The traditional harvest strategy would outline the methods by which eggs could be harvested, harvest limits, and monitoring actions that would be implemented to ensure that park purposes and values would remain unimpaired. A second alternative will consider more limited egg harvest VerDate Aug<31>2005 14:48 Sep 15, 2006 Jkt 208001 opportunities. A no action alternative, which would continue to preclude egg harvest throughout the park will also be included in the LEIS. Scoping: The National Park Service seeks input from interested groups, organizations, individuals and government agencies. Written and verbal scoping comments are being solicited. Further information on this LEIS process is available by contacting the National Park Service at Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. Our practice is to make comments, including names, home addresses, home phone numbers, and email addresses of respondents, available for public review. Individual respondents may request that we withhold their names and/or home addresses, etc., but if you wish us to consider withholding this information you must state this prominently at the beginning of your comments. In addition, you must present a rationale for withholding this information. This rationale must demonstrate that disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy. Unsupported assertions will not meet this burden. In the absence of exceptional, documentable circumstances, this information will be released. We will always make submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, available for public inspection in their entirety. The LEIS is being prepared in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4331 et seq.) and its implementing regulations at 40 CFR part 1500 and the process for proposals for legislation (40 CFR 1506.8). DATES: Comments concerning the scope of this project should be received on or before November 17, 2006. The draft LEIS is projected to be available in early 2007. Submit electronic comments to https://parkplanning.nps.gov. Written comments may be mailed to the address provided below. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Beth Moss, Project Manager, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, P.O. Box 140, Gustavus, AK 99826. Telephone (907) 945–3545 x31, Fax (907) 945–3703. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Glacier Bay National Park is the traditional homeland of the Huna Tlingit people. The Huna Tlingit harvested eggs at gull rookeries in Glacier Bay, including the large nesting site on South Marble Island, prior to the park being PO 00000 Frm 00080 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 54687 established in 1925. Until recently, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act prohibited the harvest of gull eggs, and by statute and NPS regulations, harvest is still precluded within park boundaries. Legislation is necessary to authorize the collection of sea gull eggs in the park, and regulations would need to be promulgated to implement the gull egg collection program in accordance with the provisions of Section 4 of Pub. L. 106–455. Dated: August 9, 2006. Victor Knox, Acting Regional Director, Alaska. [FR Doc. 06–7716 Filed 9–15–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4312–HX–M DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision for the Environmental Impact Statement on the South Denali Implementation Plan, Denali National Park and Preserve, AK National Park Service, Interior. Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision for the Environmental Impact Statement on the South Denali Implementation Plan. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS) announces the availability of the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Environmental Impact Statement on the South Denali Implementation Plan, Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska. This Record of Decision documents the decision by the NPS, in cooperation with the State of Alaska and MatanuskaSusitna Borough to adopt the South Denali Implementation Plan. The Final South Denali Implementation Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) was prepared cooperatively by the National Park Service, the State of Alaska, and the Matanuska-Susitna Borough to provide specific direction for expanded visitor facilities and recreational opportunities in the South Denali region until 2021. South Denali is defined to include the local communities, the Petersville Road corridor, the western section of Denali State Park, the northern part of the Peters Hills, lands east of the Peters Hills to the eastern boundary of Denali State Park, and the Parks Highway corridor from Rabideaux Creek north through the state park. The NPS selected Alternative C, as described in the FEIS. Of the two action alternatives, this alternative best meets the objectives of the plan for resource E:\FR\FM\18SEN1.SGM 18SEN1 54688 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 180 / Monday, September 18, 2006 / Notices protection, increasing quality recreational and access opportunities, and preserving quality of life values in local communities. The ROD briefly discusses the background for the planning effort, summarizes public involvement during the planning process, states the decision and discusses the basis for it, describes other alternatives considered, specifies the environmentally preferable alternative, and identifies measures adopted to minimize potential environmental harm. The ROD can be found online at the NPS Planning, Environmental and Public Comment Web site at https:// parkplanning.nps.gov/index.cfm. Copies of the ROD are available on request from: Miriam Valentine, National Park Service, Talkeetna Ranger Station, P.O. Box 588, Talkeetna, Alaska, 99676. Telephone: (907) 733– 9102. ADDRESSES: cprice-sewell on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Tranel, Chief of Planning, National Park Service, Denali National Park and Preserve, 240 West 5th Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska 99501. Telephone: (907) 644–3611. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NPS prepared an EIS, as required, under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 and Council of Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR part 1500). A Notice of Intent to prepare an environmental impact statement, published in the Federal Register in February 2004 (69 FR 72513), formally initiated the NPS planning and EIS effort. A Draft EIS was issued in September 2005 (70 FR 55414). A Federal Register notice announcing the availability of the Final EIS was published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on May 5, 2006, commencing the required 30-day noaction period (71 FR 26498). The Final EIS describes and analyzes the environmental impacts of two action alternatives and a no-action alternative. The NPS selected Alternative C, as described in the Final EIS. The emphasis of the selected alternative is to enhance access and recreational opportunities throughout the South Denali region for a variety of visitors, including Alaskans, independent travelers, and package tour travelers, while at the same time protecting the important resource and community values in the area, including the rural lifestyle of local residents. Major actions of the selected alternative include: VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:18 Sep 15, 2006 Jkt 208001 • Provide a new destination and additional visitor opportunities in the South Denali region. New facilities will offer easily accessible visitor opportunities along the state’s main highway between Anchorage and Fairbanks. The visitor center will provide visitors an intimate setting and facilitate their connection to the landscape and natural resources. It will offer a range of opportunties for learning and recreating, and it will provide visitors of various abilities a chance to experience alpine and subarctic tundra environments and opportunities to view Mount McKinley and the Alaska Range. Opportunities to view wildlife exist as well as opportunities to spend a day or more at the visitor center or in the surrounding area. • Offer a wide variety of high-quality recreation opportunities throughout the South Denali region for a variety of visitors. Visitors traveling in groups and those traveling independently can benefit from the options offered. Some, and perhaps all, of the facilities and opportunities should be attractive to Alaska residents who recreate in the South Denali region. The new Parks Highway visitor center will provide information, orientation, interpretive programs, and shelter to visitors. Public use cabins, trail systems for a wide variety of user groups, and camping facilities will provide options for visitors to experience the landscape in remote as well as in easily accessible settings. New trails, parking areas, boat launch, and potential docking facility will provide increased access to rivers and public lands in the South Denali region. Together these developments should accommodate the visitor growth anticipated for the South Denali region over the next 15 to 20 years. • Create economic and employment opportunities for local residents through establishment of a new visitor destination. Residents of south central Alaska, in particular, will benefit from improved recreational access with this alternative. Rural character may be negatively affected, particularly for the community of Trapper Creek. Negative impacts will be partially mitigated by measures in the plan to protect the scenic qualities of adjacent road corridors. The agencies will continue to address local interests by seeking public input during future planning and implementation efforts. National Park Service, Department of the Interior. SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the National Park Service (NPS) announces the availability of the Record of Decision (ROD) on the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Stream Management Plan, Herbert Hoover National Historic Site (Site), West Branch, Iowa. The Midwest Regional Director approved the ROD for this final EIS on August 1, 2006. Specifically, the Site will adopt and implement actions described under Alternative E, the preferred alternative, in the final EIS. Under the selected action, the primary strategy entails the restoration of the function of the stream corridor and a floodwater detention area in the upstream portion of the Park. The EIS considered and evaluated five alternatives to the selected action. A full range of foreseeable environmental consequences was assessed. The overriding concern expressed by the Site and the public during the development of this action was the protection of fundamental resources and values of the Site. Alternative E— Provide 50-Year Flood Protection—is the selected alternative since it best meets the objectives of the Site. The preferred alternative will not result in the impairment of resources and values. The ROD includes a statement of the decision made, synopses of other alternatives considered, the basis for the decision, the rationale for why the selected action is the environmentally preferred alternative, a finding of no impairment of Site resources and values, and an overview of public involvement in the decisionmaking process. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Superintendent, Stream Management Plan Record of Decision, Herbert Hoover National Historic Site, P.O. Box 607, West Branch, Iowa 52358, or by calling 319–643–2541. Copies of the final EIS and ROD are available upon request from the above address. Dated: July 31, 2006. Victor Knox, Acting Regional Director. [FR Doc. 06–7714 Filed 9–15–06; 8:45 am] Dated: August 1, 2006. Ernest Quintana, Regional Director, Midwest Region. [FR Doc. 06–7715 Filed 9–15–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–PF–M BILLING CODE 4310–70–M PO 00000 Frm 00081 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service Notice of Availability for the Record of Decision on the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Stream Management Plan, Herbert Hoover National Historic Site, West Branch, IA AGENCY: E:\FR\FM\18SEN1.SGM 18SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 180 (Monday, September 18, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54687-54688]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-7714]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision for the 
Environmental Impact Statement on the South Denali Implementation Plan, 
Denali National Park and Preserve, AK

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision for the 
Environmental Impact Statement on the South Denali Implementation Plan.

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

SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS) announces the availability of 
the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Environmental Impact Statement on 
the South Denali Implementation Plan, Denali National Park and 
Preserve, Alaska.
    This Record of Decision documents the decision by the NPS, in 
cooperation with the State of Alaska and Matanuska-Susitna Borough to 
adopt the South Denali Implementation Plan. The Final South Denali 
Implementation Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) was 
prepared cooperatively by the National Park Service, the State of 
Alaska, and the Matanuska-Susitna Borough to provide specific direction 
for expanded visitor facilities and recreational opportunities in the 
South Denali region until 2021. South Denali is defined to include the 
local communities, the Petersville Road corridor, the western section 
of Denali State Park, the northern part of the Peters Hills, lands east 
of the Peters Hills to the eastern boundary of Denali State Park, and 
the Parks Highway corridor from Rabideaux Creek north through the state 
park.
    The NPS selected Alternative C, as described in the FEIS. Of the 
two action alternatives, this alternative best meets the objectives of 
the plan for resource

[[Page 54688]]

protection, increasing quality recreational and access opportunities, 
and preserving quality of life values in local communities. The ROD 
briefly discusses the background for the planning effort, summarizes 
public involvement during the planning process, states the decision and 
discusses the basis for it, describes other alternatives considered, 
specifies the environmentally preferable alternative, and identifies 
measures adopted to minimize potential environmental harm.

ADDRESSES: The ROD can be found online at the NPS Planning, 
Environmental and Public Comment Web site at https://
parkplanning.nps.gov/index.cfm. Copies of the ROD are available on 
request from: Miriam Valentine, National Park Service, Talkeetna Ranger 
Station, P.O. Box 588, Talkeetna, Alaska, 99676. Telephone: (907) 733-
9102.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Tranel, Chief of Planning, 
National Park Service, Denali National Park and Preserve, 240 West 5th 
Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska 99501. Telephone: (907) 644-3611.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NPS prepared an EIS, as required, under 
the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 and Council of 
Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR part 1500).
    A Notice of Intent to prepare an environmental impact statement, 
published in the Federal Register in February 2004 (69 FR 72513), 
formally initiated the NPS planning and EIS effort. A Draft EIS was 
issued in September 2005 (70 FR 55414). A Federal Register notice 
announcing the availability of the Final EIS was published by the U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency on May 5, 2006, commencing the required 
30-day no-action period (71 FR 26498). The Final EIS describes and 
analyzes the environmental impacts of two action alternatives and a no-
action alternative.
    The NPS selected Alternative C, as described in the Final EIS. The 
emphasis of the selected alternative is to enhance access and 
recreational opportunities throughout the South Denali region for a 
variety of visitors, including Alaskans, independent travelers, and 
package tour travelers, while at the same time protecting the important 
resource and community values in the area, including the rural 
lifestyle of local residents.
    Major actions of the selected alternative include:
     Provide a new destination and additional visitor 
opportunities in the South Denali region. New facilities will offer 
easily accessible visitor opportunities along the state's main highway 
between Anchorage and Fairbanks. The visitor center will provide 
visitors an intimate setting and facilitate their connection to the 
landscape and natural resources. It will offer a range of opportunties 
for learning and recreating, and it will provide visitors of various 
abilities a chance to experience alpine and subarctic tundra 
environments and opportunities to view Mount McKinley and the Alaska 
Range. Opportunities to view wildlife exist as well as opportunities to 
spend a day or more at the visitor center or in the surrounding area.
     Offer a wide variety of high-quality recreation 
opportunities throughout the South Denali region for a variety of 
visitors. Visitors traveling in groups and those traveling 
independently can benefit from the options offered. Some, and perhaps 
all, of the facilities and opportunities should be attractive to Alaska 
residents who recreate in the South Denali region. The new Parks 
Highway visitor center will provide information, orientation, 
interpretive programs, and shelter to visitors. Public use cabins, 
trail systems for a wide variety of user groups, and camping facilities 
will provide options for visitors to experience the landscape in remote 
as well as in easily accessible settings. New trails, parking areas, 
boat launch, and potential docking facility will provide increased 
access to rivers and public lands in the South Denali region. Together 
these developments should accommodate the visitor growth anticipated 
for the South Denali region over the next 15 to 20 years.
     Create economic and employment opportunities for local 
residents through establishment of a new visitor destination. Residents 
of south central Alaska, in particular, will benefit from improved 
recreational access with this alternative. Rural character may be 
negatively affected, particularly for the community of Trapper Creek. 
Negative impacts will be partially mitigated by measures in the plan to 
protect the scenic qualities of adjacent road corridors. The agencies 
will continue to address local interests by seeking public input during 
future planning and implementation efforts.

    Dated: July 31, 2006.
Victor Knox,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 06-7714 Filed 9-15-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-PF-M
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