Avalanche Hazard Reduction by Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway in Glacier National Park and Flathead National Forest, MT Final Environmental Impact Statement, Record of Decision, Glacier National Park, MT, 65394-65395 [E8-26122]
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 213 / Monday, November 3, 2008 / Notices
official or representative of a business or
organization. Any adverse comments
will be reviewed by the State Director,
who may sustain, vacate, or modify this
realty action. In the absence of timely
filed objections, this realty action will
become the final determination of the
Department of the Interior.
The land will not be offered for sale
prior to December 18, 2008.
Authority: 43 CFR 2711.1–2.
Lance C. Porter,
Field Manager.
[FR Doc. E8–26119 Filed 10–31–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[NM–030–5874–EU–038G]
Notice of Realty Action; Proposed Sale
of Public Land, New Mexico
Bureau of Land Management
(BLM), Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Realty Action.
AGENCY:
A parcel of public land in
Grant County, New Mexico, is being
considered for sale under the provisions
of the Federal Land Policy Management
Act of 1976 (FLPMA), at no less than the
appraised fair market value.
DATES: In order to ensure consideration
in the environmental analysis of the
proposed sale, comments must be
received by December 18, 2008.
ADDRESSES: Written comments
concerning this Notice should be
addressed to: District Manager, BLM Las
Cruces District Office, 1800 Marquess
Street, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88005.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lori
Allen, Realty Specialist, at the above
address or telephone (575) 525–4454.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
following described public land in
Grant County, New Mexico is being
considered for sale under the authority
of section 203 of the FLPMA of 1976,
(90 Stat. 2750, 43 U.S.C. 1713):
SUMMARY:
sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
New Mexico Principal Meridian
T. 18 S., R. 11 W.,
Sec. 7.
T. 18 S., R. 12 W.,
Secs. 1, 2, 3, 8, and 12.
The exact acreage and legal descriptions
will be determined by a Cadastral Survey.
The 1993 Mimbres Resource
Management Plan identifies these
parcels of public land as suitable for
disposal. Conveyance of the identified
public land will be subject to valid
existing rights and encumbrances of
record, including but not limited to,
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:58 Oct 31, 2008
Jkt 217001
rights-of-way for roads and public
utilities. Conveyance of any mineral
interests pursuant to section 209 of
FLPMA will be analyzed during
processing of the proposed sale.
On November 3, 2008, the abovedescribed land will be segregated from
appropriation under the public land
laws, including the mining laws and
mineral leasing laws, except the sale
provisions of the FLPMA. Until
completion of the sale, the BLM will no
longer accept land use applications
affecting the identified public land, with
the exception of applications for the
amendment of previously filed right-ofway applications or existing
authorizations to increase the term of
the grants in accordance with 43 CFR
2807.15 and 2886.15. The segregative
effect will terminate upon issuance of a
patent, publication in the Federal
Register of a termination of the
segregation, or November 3, 2010,
unless extended by the BLM State
Director in accordance with 43 CFR
2711.1–2(d) prior to the termination
date.
Public Comments
For a period until December 18, 2008,
interested parties and the general public
may submit in writing any comments
concerning the land being considered
for sale, including notification of any
encumbrances or other claims relating
to the identified land, to the District
Manager, BLM Las Cruces District
Office, at the above address. In order to
ensure consideration in the
environmental analysis of the proposed
sale, comments must be in writing and
postmarked or delivered within 45 days
of the initial date of publication of this
Notice. Comments transmitted via email will not be accepted. Comments,
including names and street addresses of
respondents, will be available for public
review at the BLM Las Cruces District
Office during regular business hours,
except holidays.
Individual respondents may request
confidentiality. Before including your
address, phone number, e-mail address,
or other personal identifying
information in your comment, be
advised 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 from
public review your personal identifying
information, we cannot guarantee that
we will be able to do so. If you wish to
have your name or address withheld
from public disclosure under the
Freedom of Information Act, you must
state this prominently at the beginning
of your comments. Any determination
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by the BLM to release or withhold the
names or addresses of those who
comment will be made on a case-by-case
basis.
Such requests will be honored to the
extent allowed by law. The BLM will
make available for public review, in
their entirety, all comments submitted
by businesses or organizations,
including comments by individuals in
their capacity as an official or
representative of a business or
organization.
(Authority: 43 CFR 2711.1–2)
Bill Childress,
District Manager, Las Cruces.
[FR Doc. E8–26129 Filed 10–31–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–VC–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Avalanche Hazard Reduction by
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway
in Glacier National Park and Flathead
National Forest, MT Final
Environmental Impact Statement,
Record of Decision, Glacier National
Park, MT
National Park Service,
Department of the Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Availability of a
Record of Decision on the Final
Environmental Impact Statement for the
Avalanche Hazard Reduction by
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway
in Glacier National Park and Flathead
National Forest, Glacier National Park.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42
U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park
Service announces the availability of the
Record of Decision for the Avalanche
Hazard Reduction by Burlington
Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) in
Glacier National Park (GNP) and
Flathead National Forest, Montana,
Final Environmental Impact Statement.
On September 12, 2008, the Regional
Director, Intermountain Region
approved the Record of Decision. As
soon as practicable, the National Park
Service will begin to implement the
Preferred Alternative contained in the
FEIS issued on August 2, 2008. Four
alternatives were analyzed and
Alternative B was identified as the
preferred which will include the
following actions: GNP will issue a
special use permit to BNSF for nonexplosive snow stability testing,
installation of a weather station and
other avalanche forecasting equipment
and detection devices in the Middle
Fork area within the park. All
E:\FR\FM\03NON1.SGM
03NON1
sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 213 / Monday, November 3, 2008 / Notices
installations will be painted to blend in
and reduce their visibility. GNP will not
permit the use of explosives for
avalanche hazard reduction within the
park except during emergency
extenuating circumstances after all other
options, including railroad delays, have
been exercised. GNP recommends that
BNSF build snowsheds in areas of the
John Stevens Canyon that currently do
not have them. GNP also recommends
that BNSF lengthen existing snowsheds
that do not provide sufficient protection
from avalanche activity. In the event
that BNSF constructs snowsheds, GNP
recommends that wildlife crossings be
incorporated into the structures where
appropriate. Wildlife specialists from
GNP, FNF and the USFWS will work
closely with BNSF to assist with this
effort. GNP also recommends that BNSF
design historically compatible
extensions on the existing historic
snowsheds. Cultural Resource
Specialists from both GNP and FNF will
assist with this effort. Other alternatives
analyzed were: (1) No Action—BNSF
would continue to use avalanche
forecasting, travel restrictions, and
delays to protect employees, freight,
equipment and Amtrak passengers; (2)
Alternative C–GNP would permit
explosive use for up to ten years for
avalanche hazard reduction after a
commitment from BNSF to build
snowsheds and fund a 15 year resource
monitoring program; and (3) Alternative
D–GNP would permit BNSF to conduct
a permanent explosive avalanche hazard
reduction program using military
artillery in the park. Construction of less
than one mile of snowsheds offers the
best avalanche protection for Amtrak
passengers, BNSF employees,
equipment, and freight. Explosive
avalanche hazard reduction is an
inappropriate use of park lands and may
have unacceptable impacts on park
resources and values, as defined in the
2006 NPS Management Policies. GNP
along with Waterton Lakes National
Park is the world’s first International
Peace Park, an International Biosphere
Reserve, and a World Heritage Site.
Three comments were received on the
Final EIS supporting the preferred
alternative. Over 13,000 comments were
received on the Draft EIS in addition to
1,100 comments received during
scoping.
The public as well as other agencies
and tribes were overwhelmingly in
support of the preferred alternative. The
Record of Decision includes a
description of the decision, key actions
and mitigation measures, a synopsis of
other alternatives considered, the basis
for the decision, findings on
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:58 Oct 31, 2008
Jkt 217001
impairment, unacceptable impacts and
appropriate use of park resources and
values, a description of the
environmentally preferable alternative,
and an overview of public and agency
involvement in the decision-making
process.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mary Riddle, Glacier National Park,
West Glacier, Montana 59936,
mary_riddle@nps.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Copies of
the Record of Decision may be obtained
from the contact listed above or online
at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/glac.
Dated: October 24, 2008.
Anthony J. Schetzsle,
Deputy Director, Intermountain Region,
National Park Service.
[FR Doc. E8–26122 Filed 10–31–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–94–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Final Environmental Impact Statement
and General Management Plan; San
Juan Island National Historical Park,
San Juan County, WA; Notice of
Availability
SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(C)
of the National Environmental Policy
Act of 1969 (Pub. L. 91–190, as
amended), and the Council on
Environmental Quality Regulations (40
CFR Part 1500–1508), the National Park
Service (NPS), Department of the
Interior, has prepared a final
environmental impact statement (FEIS)
for updating the General Management
Plan (GMP) for San Juan Island National
Historical Park located in San Juan
County, Washington. The current GMP
was prepared in 1979. This FEIS
describes and analyzes three GMP
alternatives that respond to both NPS
planning requirements and to the
public’s concerns and issues, identified
during the scoping and public
involvement process. Each alternative
presents management strategies for
resource protection and preservation,
education and interpretation, visitor use
and facilities, land protection and
boundaries, and long-term operations
and management of the park. The
potential environmental consequences
of all the alternatives, and mitigation
strategies, are identified and analyzed in
the FEIS. In addition to a ‘‘no-action’’
alternative, an ‘‘environmentally
preferred’’ alternative is identified.
Proposed Plan and Alternatives:
Alternative A constitutes the ‘‘noaction’’ alternative and assumes a
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65395
continuation of existing management
and trends at San Juan Island National
Historical Park. The primary emphasis
in current management is placed on the
protection and preservation of cultural
resources. Since 1966, the park has been
listed in the National Register of
Historic Places and is a National
Historic Landmark. The management of
cultural landscapes around the
immediate encampment areas at
American Camp and English Camp
would continue to emphasize cultural
landscape management while respecting
the natural environment and natural
processes. No new construction would
be authorized.
Alternative B would increase visitor
opportunities and outreach at both
English Camp and American Camp, as
well as in the town of Friday Harbor
through additional visitor facilities,
recreational opportunities, programs,
and services. Natural and cultural
resources interpretation would be
enhanced through more extensive
facilities and programs. At English
Camp, the road system would be
reconfigured as a one-way loop road by
connecting a road segment
approximately one-fifth mile long from
the entrance road to the administrative
road. The road would follow the
existing historic road alignment where
possible. The Crook house would be
rehabilitated as a visitor contact facility
on the ground floor and for
administrative use on the second floor.
At American Camp, the 1979 doublewide trailer that serves as the temporary
visitor center at American Camp would
be removed, the site restored to natural
conditions, and a new enlarged visitor
center would be constructed north of
the redoubt. The new visitor center
would include space for a collections
study room for natural and cultural
resource items, including a portion of
the military-era collections. The existing
road to the redoubt off Pickett’s Lane
would be removed and converted to a
trail. The cultural landscapes would be
enhanced to aid visitor understanding
and interpretation through a variety of
techniques. The prairie would be
restored to native plant species. Offisland interpretation would be
enhanced through partnerships. The
park would propose boundary
adjustments at both sites to include
important natural and cultural resources
related to the purpose of the park.
Alternative C is the agency-preferred
alternative as it would broaden the
scope of resource management and
interpretation programs to emphasize
connections and interrelationships
between the park’s natural and cultural
resources. New facilities, trails and
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 213 (Monday, November 3, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65394-65395]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-26122]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Avalanche Hazard Reduction by Burlington Northern Santa Fe
Railway in Glacier National Park and Flathead National Forest, MT Final
Environmental Impact Statement, Record of Decision, Glacier National
Park, MT
AGENCY: National Park Service, Department of the Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Availability of a Record of Decision on the Final
Environmental Impact Statement for the Avalanche Hazard Reduction by
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway in Glacier National Park and
Flathead National Forest, Glacier National Park.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42
U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Service announces the availability
of the Record of Decision for the Avalanche Hazard Reduction by
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) in Glacier National Park
(GNP) and Flathead National Forest, Montana, Final Environmental Impact
Statement. On September 12, 2008, the Regional Director, Intermountain
Region approved the Record of Decision. As soon as practicable, the
National Park Service will begin to implement the Preferred Alternative
contained in the FEIS issued on August 2, 2008. Four alternatives were
analyzed and Alternative B was identified as the preferred which will
include the following actions: GNP will issue a special use permit to
BNSF for non-explosive snow stability testing, installation of a
weather station and other avalanche forecasting equipment and detection
devices in the Middle Fork area within the park. All
[[Page 65395]]
installations will be painted to blend in and reduce their visibility.
GNP will not permit the use of explosives for avalanche hazard
reduction within the park except during emergency extenuating
circumstances after all other options, including railroad delays, have
been exercised. GNP recommends that BNSF build snowsheds in areas of
the John Stevens Canyon that currently do not have them. GNP also
recommends that BNSF lengthen existing snowsheds that do not provide
sufficient protection from avalanche activity. In the event that BNSF
constructs snowsheds, GNP recommends that wildlife crossings be
incorporated into the structures where appropriate. Wildlife
specialists from GNP, FNF and the USFWS will work closely with BNSF to
assist with this effort. GNP also recommends that BNSF design
historically compatible extensions on the existing historic snowsheds.
Cultural Resource Specialists from both GNP and FNF will assist with
this effort. Other alternatives analyzed were: (1) No Action--BNSF
would continue to use avalanche forecasting, travel restrictions, and
delays to protect employees, freight, equipment and Amtrak passengers;
(2) Alternative C-GNP would permit explosive use for up to ten years
for avalanche hazard reduction after a commitment from BNSF to build
snowsheds and fund a 15 year resource monitoring program; and (3)
Alternative D-GNP would permit BNSF to conduct a permanent explosive
avalanche hazard reduction program using military artillery in the
park. Construction of less than one mile of snowsheds offers the best
avalanche protection for Amtrak passengers, BNSF employees, equipment,
and freight. Explosive avalanche hazard reduction is an inappropriate
use of park lands and may have unacceptable impacts on park resources
and values, as defined in the 2006 NPS Management Policies. GNP along
with Waterton Lakes National Park is the world's first International
Peace Park, an International Biosphere Reserve, and a World Heritage
Site. Three comments were received on the Final EIS supporting the
preferred alternative. Over 13,000 comments were received on the Draft
EIS in addition to 1,100 comments received during scoping.
The public as well as other agencies and tribes were overwhelmingly
in support of the preferred alternative. The Record of Decision
includes a description of the decision, key actions and mitigation
measures, a synopsis of other alternatives considered, the basis for
the decision, findings on impairment, unacceptable impacts and
appropriate use of park resources and values, a description of the
environmentally preferable alternative, and an overview of public and
agency involvement in the decision-making process.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Riddle, Glacier National Park,
West Glacier, Montana 59936, mary_riddle@nps.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Copies of the Record of Decision may be
obtained from the contact listed above or online at https://
parkplanning.nps.gov/glac.
Dated: October 24, 2008.
Anthony J. Schetzsle,
Deputy Director, Intermountain Region, National Park Service.
[FR Doc. E8-26122 Filed 10-31-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-94-P
