Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Extension of F-Line Historic Streetcar Service, Golden Gate National Recreation Area and San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, County of San Francisco, CA, 15996-15997 [2011-6704]
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 55 / Tuesday, March 22, 2011 / Notices
Individuals who plan to attend and
need special assistance, such as sign
language interpretation and other
reasonable accommodations, should
contact the BLM as provided above.
Dated: June 14, 2010.
Joseph J. Fontana,
Public Affairs Officer.
[FR Doc. 2011–6635 Filed 3–21–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–40–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[NPS–PWRO–PWR–1228–6476; 8145–8B90–
SZM]
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
for Extension of F-Line Historic
Streetcar Service, Golden Gate
National Recreation Area and San
Francisco Maritime National Historical
Park, County of San Francisco, CA
National Park Service.
Notice of Availability for Draft
Environmental Impact Statement for
Extension of F-Line Historic Streetcar
Service, Golden Gate National
Recreation Area and San Francisco
Maritime National Historical Park.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
In accordance with
§ 102(2)(C) of the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, and
pursuant to the Council on
Environmental Quality’s regulations (40
CFR parts 1500–08), the National Park
Service has prepared a Draft
Environmental Impact Statement (Draft
EIS) for the proposed extension of the
northern waterfront Municipal Railway
Historic Streetcar Service. Beginning at
Fisherman’s Wharf, this proposed
railway extension would serve visitors
to two popular units of the National
Park System—San Francisco Maritime
National Historical Park and the Fort
Mason area of Golden Gate National
Recreation Area. This project is being
developed in close coordination with
San Francisco Municipal Railway
(Muni) and other City and County of
San Francisco planning and
transportation agencies. The course of
action proposed would lengthen the
historic streetcar F-line approximately
.85 mile from Fisherman’s Wharf to the
San Francisco Maritime National
Historical Park and thence to the Golden
Gate National Recreation Area.
Currently, the F-line serves more than
20,000 passengers daily and is one of
Muni’s most popular lines, yet does not
provide direct access to heavily visited
Aquatic Park and Fort Mason Center
areas. The intended effect of this
proposal is to provide park visitors and
srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:11 Mar 21, 2011
Jkt 223001
transit-dependent city residents with
high-quality rail transit that improves
transportation access and mobility. In
addition to the proposal, the Draft EIS
evaluates a No-Action alternative, and
documents early consideration of
preliminary options not carried forward
for analysis.
Background: A congressionallymandated Travel Study completed in
1977 recommended restoring the
historic rail link between the Hyde
Street Pier and Fort Mason to improve
access to various National Park Service
(NPS) sites. The rail line was
subsequently abandoned (1980), and the
area between Hyde Street Pier and the
Fort Mason tunnel entrance was
designated a National Historic
Landmark District in 1987 (which is
now encompassed in the San Francisco
Maritime National Historical Park
created in 1988). Also, in the late 1980s
federal highway funds originally
intended for extending Interstate 280
were reallocated to a number of
alternative transportation facilities along
the Embarcadero including creation of
an historic streetcar line along Market
Street and the Embarcadero to
Fisherman’s Wharf. In 2000 this service
was extended to Fisherman’s Wharf.
The popularity of the historic streetcars
resulted in public and private interest in
extending the service to the disjunct
NPS areas.
The Municipal Railway currently
operates historic streetcar service on
Market Street and along the San
Francisco waterfront (F-Line) to the
line’s existing terminus in the
Fisherman’s Wharf area. The proposed
expansion would extend west to San
Francisco Maritime National Historical
Park (NHP) and on to Fort Mason. The
NHP is visited by approximately 4
million people annually and is currently
served by very popular cable cars (often
crowded at peak tourist times) as well
as streetcar and bus lines. Fort Mason,
home to the Fort Mason Center, houses
more than 40 non-profit organizations
offering more than 15,000 events a year
and attracting upwards of 1.6 million
visitors. These areas are underserved by
mass transit access, and as a result
automobile-based visitation causes
massive parking problems that affect
surrounding neighborhoods.
Furthermore, inadequate mass transit
access makes it difficult for transitdependent San Franciscans to enjoy the
cultural and educational events offered
at Fort Mason Center.
Development of Alternatives: The core
team for development of the Draft EIS
includes the NPS as the lead federal
agency, and San Francisco Municipal
Transportation Agency and Federal
PO 00000
Frm 00063
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Transit Administration as cooperating
agencies. A Technical Advisory
Committee (TAC) was also convened to
meet periodically to provide technical
support during the various stages of the
study and preparation of the EIS. In
addition to the cooperators, members of
the TAC include representatives from
Fort Mason Center, Golden Gate
National Parks Conservancy, Market
Street Railway, San Francisco
Department of Recreation and Parks,
and San Francisco County
Transportation Authority.
Public notification at the onset of the
EIS process was made through direct
mail to approximately 4,000 persons,
organizations, and agencies. Media
publicity included announcements in
the San Francisco Examiner (May 3,
2006) and San Francisco Chronicle (May
6, 2006). The Notice of Intent formally
initiating the conservation planning and
environmental impact analysis process
was published in the Federal Register
on March 29, 2006. Public and agency
scoping meetings were held at Fort
Mason Officer’s Club on May 9, 2006.
During the 60-day public scoping
period, the NPS received over 100
comments from individuals,
organizations representing
environmental and recreational
interests, and governmental agencies.
Based on information obtained during
the scoping phase, analysis focused on
land use, socioeconomics,
transportation and circulation, air
quality, noise and vibration, cultural
resources, recreation and visitor use,
visual and aesthetic resources, night sky
visibility and light pollution, geological
resources, biological resources, public
health and safety, and public services
and utilities. The public’s primary
concerns focused on changes in traffic
and parking, impacts on parklands and
recreational facilities, noise and
vibration, visual impacts, and cultural
resources. Information to inform
preparation of the Draft EIS was also
solicited from the TAC.
A total of six preliminary alignments
and seven turnaround alternatives were
developed as a result of the comments
received. This included consideration of
other transit modes such as diesel bus
and trolley coach. Four additional
turnaround alternatives were
subsequently developed during the
project’s TAC meetings.
The Draft EIS identifies and analyzes
potential consequences of implementing
two alternatives. In addition, several
preliminary alternatives were
considered but dismissed from detailed
analysis. Alternative 1, the No-Action
‘‘baseline alternative’’ would provide no
changes from the existing historic
E:\FR\FM\22MRN1.SGM
22MRN1
srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 55 / Tuesday, March 22, 2011 / Notices
streetcar line and would not provide
transit connections to the Fort Mason
Center.
Alternative 2 (agency-preferred)
would extend the existing F–Line from
Fisherman’s Wharf to the Fort Mason
Center. Included are new rail track and
associated new platforms and
designated stops; retrofitting of the
historic State Belt Railroad tunnel; and
a turnaround loop. The track extension
would include a street-running segment
along Beach Street, a transition zone
between the street-running segment and
the Fort Mason Tunnel segment. Two
‘‘turnaround segment’’ options for the
terminus—North Loop (Fort Mason
parking lot) and South Loop (Great
Meadow)—were analyzed during a
Value Analysis (VA) workshop held in
August of 2010. The VA team focused
on: (1) Identifying a ‘‘preferred’’
alternative for the streetcar extension
turnaround; (2) identifying
opportunities to improve value for the
project; and (3) confirming sustainable
project goals for the NPS. The VA team
rated the North Loop turnaround option
higher than three variations of the South
Loop turnaround option. Other specific
project elements include constructing
streetcar track for approximately 0.85
miles, construction of 8–9-station
platforms, upgrades to the existing Fort
Mason Tunnel, and installation of
signals, crossings, wires and poles.
Comments: This notice serves to
formally open the public review and
comment phase for the Draft EIS. The
public and interested organizations are
encouraged to provide written
comments on issues and concerns,
refinements in alternatives, potential
environmental effects and appropriate
mitigation measures that would reduce
potential impacts. To afford an
opportunity to obtain information, a
public open house will be hosted on
April 20, 2011 from 7–9 p.m. in the
Golden Gate Room, Building A, Fort
Mason (for directions or information
about public transit, please consult the
project Web site or contact the Muni
Railway Extension Project Manager at
(415) 561–2872). All written comments
must be postmarked or transmitted not
later than 60 days after publication of
the EPA’s notice of filing in the Federal
Register—as soon as this ending date is
confirmed it will be announced on the
project Web site.
The project Web site https://
parkplanning.nps.gov/
StreetcarExtension provides the most
up-to-date information regarding the
project, including electronic version of
the Draft EIS, planning process updates,
meeting notices, reports and documents,
and useful links associated with the
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:11 Mar 21, 2011
Jkt 223001
project. Written comments on the Draft
EIS should be mailed to the following
address: Superintendent—GGNRA,
Attn: Rick Foster, Muni Railway
Extension Project Manager, Fort Mason,
Bldg. 201, San Francisco, CA 94123. In
addition to the project Web site,
requests for printed copy of the Draft
EIS or to be included on the project
mailing list can be accommodated by
contacting the Muni Railway Extension
Project Manager at (415) 561–2872.
Before including your address, phone
number, e-mail address, or other
personal identifying information in your
comment, you should be aware that
your entire comment—including your
personal identifying information—may
be made publicly available at any time.
While you can ask us in your comment
to withhold your personal identifying
information from public review, we
cannot guarantee that we will be able to
do so.
Decision Process: Availability of the
Draft EIS for a 60-days public review
will be formally announced through
publication of this Notice of
Availability, through local and regional
news media, via the project Web site,
and direct mailing to the project mailing
list. Following due consideration of all
public and agency comments, a Final
EIS will be prepared. As a delegated EIS
the official responsible for the final
decision regarding the proposed
extension is the Regional Director,
Pacific West Region. Subsequently the
officials responsible for implementation
will be the Superintendents of Golden
Gate National Recreation Area and San
Francisco Maritime National Historical
Park.
Dated: March 15, 2011.
Christine S. Lehnertz,
Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 2011–6704 Filed 3–21–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312–FN–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Reclamation
Information Collection Activities;
Proposed Information Collection;
Comment Request
Bureau of Reclamation,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice and request for
comments.
AGENCY:
The Bureau of Reclamation
(we, our, or us) intends to seek renewal
of the following approved information
collection set to expire on August 31,
2011: Recreation Visitor Use Surveys.
We will use several distinct forms to
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00064
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
15997
collect different types of recreation
information. Before submitting the
information collection request—OMB
No. 1006–0028—to the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) for
renewal, we are soliciting comments on
specific aspects of the information
collection.
DATES: Comments on this notice must be
received by May 23, 2011.
ADDRESSES: Send all comments
concerning this notice to Bureau of
Reclamation, Office of Policy and
Administration, Attention: Jerome
Jackson (84–53000), P.O. Box 25007,
Denver, CO 80225–0007, or via e-mail at
jljackson@usbr.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
further information or a copy of the
proposed collection of information
forms, contact Jerome Jackson at 303–
445–2712.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In
accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501
et seq.), this notice announces that we
are requesting approval for the
collection of data from recreational
users of our lands and waterbodies.
To meet our needs for the collection
of visitor use data, we will be requesting
that OMB reauthorize a two-part
request.
The first part of the request provides
us with a set of 11 pre-approved
questionnaires to be administered as
approved by OMB. The second part of
the request consists of OMB and the
Bureau of Reclamation agreeing upon a
process whereby we custom design a
survey instrument to fit a specific
situation or area. The custom designed
survey would be created by extracting
questions from the approved
questionnaires as applicable to the area
and issue being evaluated. Only
questions included in the pre-approved
questionnaires will be used. We will
then submit the new survey form to
OMB for expedited approval.
Title: Recreation Visitor Use Surveys.
Abstract: The Bureau of Reclamation
is responsible for recreation
development at all of its reservoirs.
Presently, there are 289 designated
recreation areas on our lands within the
17 Western States. We must be able to
respond to emerging trends, changes in
the demographic profile of users,
changing values, needs, wants, desires,
and conflicts between user groups.
Statistically valid and up-to-date data
derived from users is essential to
developing and providing recreation
programs relevant to today’s visitor.
Respondents: Respondents to the
surveys will be members of the public
engaged in recreational activities on our
E:\FR\FM\22MRN1.SGM
22MRN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 55 (Tuesday, March 22, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15996-15997]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-6704]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[NPS-PWRO-PWR-1228-6476; 8145-8B90-SZM]
Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Extension of F-Line
Historic Streetcar Service, Golden Gate National Recreation Area and
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, County of San
Francisco, CA
AGENCY: National Park Service.
ACTION: Notice of Availability for Draft Environmental Impact Statement
for Extension of F-Line Historic Streetcar Service, Golden Gate
National Recreation Area and San Francisco Maritime National Historical
Park.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In accordance with Sec. 102(2)(C) of the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, and pursuant to the Council on
Environmental Quality's regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-08), the
National Park Service has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact
Statement (Draft EIS) for the proposed extension of the northern
waterfront Municipal Railway Historic Streetcar Service. Beginning at
Fisherman's Wharf, this proposed railway extension would serve visitors
to two popular units of the National Park System--San Francisco
Maritime National Historical Park and the Fort Mason area of Golden
Gate National Recreation Area. This project is being developed in close
coordination with San Francisco Municipal Railway (Muni) and other City
and County of San Francisco planning and transportation agencies. The
course of action proposed would lengthen the historic streetcar F-line
approximately .85 mile from Fisherman's Wharf to the San Francisco
Maritime National Historical Park and thence to the Golden Gate
National Recreation Area. Currently, the F-line serves more than 20,000
passengers daily and is one of Muni's most popular lines, yet does not
provide direct access to heavily visited Aquatic Park and Fort Mason
Center areas. The intended effect of this proposal is to provide park
visitors and transit-dependent city residents with high-quality rail
transit that improves transportation access and mobility. In addition
to the proposal, the Draft EIS evaluates a No-Action alternative, and
documents early consideration of preliminary options not carried
forward for analysis.
Background: A congressionally-mandated Travel Study completed in
1977 recommended restoring the historic rail link between the Hyde
Street Pier and Fort Mason to improve access to various National Park
Service (NPS) sites. The rail line was subsequently abandoned (1980),
and the area between Hyde Street Pier and the Fort Mason tunnel
entrance was designated a National Historic Landmark District in 1987
(which is now encompassed in the San Francisco Maritime National
Historical Park created in 1988). Also, in the late 1980s federal
highway funds originally intended for extending Interstate 280 were
reallocated to a number of alternative transportation facilities along
the Embarcadero including creation of an historic streetcar line along
Market Street and the Embarcadero to Fisherman's Wharf. In 2000 this
service was extended to Fisherman's Wharf. The popularity of the
historic streetcars resulted in public and private interest in
extending the service to the disjunct NPS areas.
The Municipal Railway currently operates historic streetcar service
on Market Street and along the San Francisco waterfront (F-Line) to the
line's existing terminus in the Fisherman's Wharf area. The proposed
expansion would extend west to San Francisco Maritime National
Historical Park (NHP) and on to Fort Mason. The NHP is visited by
approximately 4 million people annually and is currently served by very
popular cable cars (often crowded at peak tourist times) as well as
streetcar and bus lines. Fort Mason, home to the Fort Mason Center,
houses more than 40 non-profit organizations offering more than 15,000
events a year and attracting upwards of 1.6 million visitors. These
areas are underserved by mass transit access, and as a result
automobile-based visitation causes massive parking problems that affect
surrounding neighborhoods. Furthermore, inadequate mass transit access
makes it difficult for transit-dependent San Franciscans to enjoy the
cultural and educational events offered at Fort Mason Center.
Development of Alternatives: The core team for development of the
Draft EIS includes the NPS as the lead federal agency, and San
Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency and Federal Transit
Administration as cooperating agencies. A Technical Advisory Committee
(TAC) was also convened to meet periodically to provide technical
support during the various stages of the study and preparation of the
EIS. In addition to the cooperators, members of the TAC include
representatives from Fort Mason Center, Golden Gate National Parks
Conservancy, Market Street Railway, San Francisco Department of
Recreation and Parks, and San Francisco County Transportation
Authority.
Public notification at the onset of the EIS process was made
through direct mail to approximately 4,000 persons, organizations, and
agencies. Media publicity included announcements in the San Francisco
Examiner (May 3, 2006) and San Francisco Chronicle (May 6, 2006). The
Notice of Intent formally initiating the conservation planning and
environmental impact analysis process was published in the Federal
Register on March 29, 2006. Public and agency scoping meetings were
held at Fort Mason Officer's Club on May 9, 2006. During the 60-day
public scoping period, the NPS received over 100 comments from
individuals, organizations representing environmental and recreational
interests, and governmental agencies. Based on information obtained
during the scoping phase, analysis focused on land use, socioeconomics,
transportation and circulation, air quality, noise and vibration,
cultural resources, recreation and visitor use, visual and aesthetic
resources, night sky visibility and light pollution, geological
resources, biological resources, public health and safety, and public
services and utilities. The public's primary concerns focused on
changes in traffic and parking, impacts on parklands and recreational
facilities, noise and vibration, visual impacts, and cultural
resources. Information to inform preparation of the Draft EIS was also
solicited from the TAC.
A total of six preliminary alignments and seven turnaround
alternatives were developed as a result of the comments received. This
included consideration of other transit modes such as diesel bus and
trolley coach. Four additional turnaround alternatives were
subsequently developed during the project's TAC meetings.
The Draft EIS identifies and analyzes potential consequences of
implementing two alternatives. In addition, several preliminary
alternatives were considered but dismissed from detailed analysis.
Alternative 1, the No-Action ``baseline alternative'' would provide no
changes from the existing historic
[[Page 15997]]
streetcar line and would not provide transit connections to the Fort
Mason Center.
Alternative 2 (agency-preferred) would extend the existing F-Line
from Fisherman's Wharf to the Fort Mason Center. Included are new rail
track and associated new platforms and designated stops; retrofitting
of the historic State Belt Railroad tunnel; and a turnaround loop. The
track extension would include a street-running segment along Beach
Street, a transition zone between the street-running segment and the
Fort Mason Tunnel segment. Two ``turnaround segment'' options for the
terminus--North Loop (Fort Mason parking lot) and South Loop (Great
Meadow)--were analyzed during a Value Analysis (VA) workshop held in
August of 2010. The VA team focused on: (1) Identifying a ``preferred''
alternative for the streetcar extension turnaround; (2) identifying
opportunities to improve value for the project; and (3) confirming
sustainable project goals for the NPS. The VA team rated the North Loop
turnaround option higher than three variations of the South Loop
turnaround option. Other specific project elements include constructing
streetcar track for approximately 0.85 miles, construction of 8-9-
station platforms, upgrades to the existing Fort Mason Tunnel, and
installation of signals, crossings, wires and poles.
Comments: This notice serves to formally open the public review and
comment phase for the Draft EIS. The public and interested
organizations are encouraged to provide written comments on issues and
concerns, refinements in alternatives, potential environmental effects
and appropriate mitigation measures that would reduce potential
impacts. To afford an opportunity to obtain information, a public open
house will be hosted on April 20, 2011 from 7-9 p.m. in the Golden Gate
Room, Building A, Fort Mason (for directions or information about
public transit, please consult the project Web site or contact the Muni
Railway Extension Project Manager at (415) 561-2872). All written
comments must be postmarked or transmitted not later than 60 days after
publication of the EPA's notice of filing in the Federal Register--as
soon as this ending date is confirmed it will be announced on the
project Web site.
The project Web site https://parkplanning.nps.gov/StreetcarExtension
provides the most up-to-date information regarding the project,
including electronic version of the Draft EIS, planning process
updates, meeting notices, reports and documents, and useful links
associated with the project. Written comments on the Draft EIS should
be mailed to the following address: Superintendent--GGNRA, Attn: Rick
Foster, Muni Railway Extension Project Manager, Fort Mason, Bldg. 201,
San Francisco, CA 94123. In addition to the project Web site, requests
for printed copy of the Draft EIS or to be included on the project
mailing list can be accommodated by contacting the Muni Railway
Extension Project Manager at (415) 561-2872.
Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be
aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying
information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can
ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be
able to do so.
Decision Process: Availability of the Draft EIS for a 60-days
public review will be formally announced through publication of this
Notice of Availability, through local and regional news media, via the
project Web site, and direct mailing to the project mailing list.
Following due consideration of all public and agency comments, a Final
EIS will be prepared. As a delegated EIS the official responsible for
the final decision regarding the proposed extension is the Regional
Director, Pacific West Region. Subsequently the officials responsible
for implementation will be the Superintendents of Golden Gate National
Recreation Area and San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park.
Dated: March 15, 2011.
Christine S. Lehnertz,
Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 2011-6704 Filed 3-21-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-FN-P
