Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Personal Watercraft Use at Gulf Islands National Seashore, Florida and Mississippi, 8189-8190 [2013-02482]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 24 / Tuesday, February 5, 2013 / Notices Before including your address, telephone number, email 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 in your comment to withhold from public review your personal identifying information, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Dated: January 10, 2013. Cameron H. Sholly, Associate Director, Visitor and Resource Protection. Authority: 43 CFR 2711.1–2 and 43 CFR 2720.1–1(b). [FR Doc. 2013–02100 Filed 1–30–13; 8:45 am] Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Personal Watercraft Use at Gulf Islands National Seashore, Florida and Mississippi BILLING CODE 4310–DQ–P AGENCY: Kent Hoffman Acting State Director. [FR Doc. 2013–02483 Filed 2–4–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–FF–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service [NPS–SERO–GUIS–10929; 5017–7129–409] ACTION: National Park Service [NPS–PWR–LARO–11986] [PPWLARO00– PPMPRLE1Z.Y00001] Acceptance of Concurrent Jurisdiction National Park Service, Interior. Notice of Concurrent Jurisdiction. ACTION: On behalf of the United States, the National Park Service has accepted concurrent legislative jurisdiction from the State of Washington over lands and waters administered by the National Park Service within the boundaries of Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area. SUMMARY: Effective Date: Concurrent legislative jurisdiction within Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area became effective on December 10, 2012. DATES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marty Huseman, Chief Ranger, Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area, 1008 Crest Drive, Coulee Dam, WA 99116; telephone 509–633–9441, extension 123. On December 10, 2012, acting in accordance with the provisions of 40 U.S.C. 3112 and Revised Code of Washington Section 37.04.020, Jonathan B. Jarvis, Director of the National Park Service, accepted concurrent legislative jurisdiction from the Honorable Christine Gregoire, Governor of the State of Washington, over lands and waters administered by the National Park Service within the boundaries of Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area. tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:18 Feb 04, 2013 Jkt 229001 Pursuant to Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Service (NPS) is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to analyze the impacts of Personal Watercraft (PWC) use at Gulf Islands National Seashore (GUIS). Personal Watercraft use emerged at GUIS in the 1980s and was permitted in units of the national park system under the same regulations as other motorized watercraft. However, on March 21, 2000, the NPS published a regulation governing PWC use within all units of the national park system (65 FR 15077, codified at 36 CFR 3.24). This regulation prohibits PWC use in all national park units unless the NPS determines that this type of water-based recreational activity is appropriate for the specific park unit based on the legislation establishing that park, the park’s resources and values, other visitor uses of the area, and overall management objectives. In 2004, the NPS prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) for a special regulation to allow continued PWC use at GUIS. The purpose of the EA was to evaluate a range of alternatives and strategies for the management of PWC use at GUIS to ensure the protection of park resources and values, while offering recreational opportunities as provided for in the GUIS enabling legislation, purpose, mission, and goals. A Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) was signed on January 25, 2006. The NPS published the final regulation for PWC use at GUIS in the Federal Register on May 4, 2006 (71 FR 26232). On May 15, 2008, a lawsuit was filed claiming that the PWC EA was deficient and violated NEPA, the NPS Organic Act, and the Administrative Procedure SUMMARY: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior. Notice of Intent. PO 00000 Frm 00089 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 8189 Act. On July 8, 2010, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia found that the impact analysis in the EA was inadequate. The court did not vacate the current PWC rule at GUIS, but remanded the case to the NPS ‘‘so that it may have an opportunity to provide adequate reasoning for its conclusions.’’ The special regulation remains in effect at GUIS and PWC are currently still allowed to operate under the restrictions identified in the park’s special regulation. At this time, the NPS intends to address the deficiencies identified by the court by preparing an EIS for PWC use at GUIS, which will include supplemental documentation, impact analyses not present in the earlier EA, and may include additional alternatives. DATES: Interested individuals, organizations, and agencies are encouraged to provide written comments regarding the scope of issues to be addressed in the EIS. The NPS will accept comments from the public for 60 days from the date that this Notice of Intent is published in the Federal Register or 15 days after the last public scoping meeting, whichever is later. NPS intends to hold public scoping meetings on the PWC EIS in the vicinity of GUIS, including both the Florida (Gulf Breeze/Pensacola Beach Area) and Mississippi (Ocean Springs/Biloxi/ Pascagoula Area) Districts during this scoping period. Specific dates, times, and locations will be made available in the local media and on the NPS’s Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) Web site at https:// parkplanning.nps.gov/guis-PWC-EIS. The scoping meetings will also be announced via a park press release and through email notification to the individuals and organizations on the park’s mailing list. The NPS will provide additional opportunities for the public to provide written comments upon publication of the draft EIS. ADDRESSES: Information will be available for public review online at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/guis-PWCEIS and in the office of the Superintendent, 1801 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze, FL 32563. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Daniel Brown, Superintendent, Gulf Islands National Seashore, 1801 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze, FL 32563; telephone (850) 916–3023. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: If you wish to comment during the scoping process, you may use any one of several methods. The preferred method for submitting comments is on the NPS PEPC Web site at https:// parkplanning.nps.gov/guis-PWC-EIS. You may also mail or hand-deliver your E:\FR\FM\05FEN1.SGM 05FEN1 8190 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 24 / Tuesday, February 5, 2013 / Notices comments on the PWC EIS to the Superintendent, Gulf Islands National Seashore, 1801 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze, FL 32563. Oral statements and written comments will also be accepted during scheduled public meetings. Comments will not be accepted by fax, email, or in any other method than those specified above. Comments in any format (hard copy or electronic) submitted on behalf of others will not be accepted. Before including your address, phone number, email 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. The responsible official for this Notice of Intent is the Regional Director, Southeast Region, NPS, 100 Alabama Street SW., 1924 Building, Atlanta, Georgia 30303. Dated: January 11, 2013. Gordon Wissinger, Acting Regional Director, Southeast Region. [FR Doc. 2013–02482 Filed 2–4–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–X8–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Ocean Energy Management [Docket No. BOEM–2012–0088] Commercial Leasing for Wind Power on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Offshore North Carolina—Call for Information and Nominations (Call); Reopening of Comment Period Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Interior. ACTION: Call for Information and Nominations; Reopening of Comment Period. AGENCY: BOEM is reopening the comment period announced in the Call for Information and Nominations for Commercial Leasing for Wind Power Offshore North Carolina (Call), published on December 13, 2012 (77 FR 7204). DATES: BOEM must receive your nomination describing your interest in obtaining a commercial wind lease in one or more, or any portion of, the Call Areas, postmarked by March 7, 2013 for your nomination to be considered. BOEM requests comments or submissions of information to be tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:18 Feb 04, 2013 Jkt 229001 postmarked or delivered by this same date. BOEM will consider only those nominations received that conform to this requirement. Submission Procedures: You may submit nominations, comments, and other information by one of two methods: 1. Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. In the entry entitled ‘‘Enter Keyword or ID,’’ enter BOEM–2012–0088, and then click ‘‘search.’’ Follow the instructions to submit comments and view supporting and related materials available for this notice. 2. U.S. Postal Service or other delivery service. Send your comments and information to the following address: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Office of Renewable Energy Programs, 381 Elden Street, HM 1328, Herndon, Virginia 20170. Dated: January 29, 2013. Walter D. Cruickshank, Deputy Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Will Waskes, Oceanographer, BOEM, Office of Renewable Energy Programs, 381 Elden Street, HM 1328, Herndon, Virginia 20170, (703) 787–1320 or Will.Waskes@boem.gov. SUMMARY: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background: On December 13, 2012, BOEM published the Call in the Federal Register with a 45-day comment period. The Call invited nominations from potential offshore wind developers describing commercial leasing interest and requested comments and information pertaining to the Call areas. Because of requests received from the public, we are hereby reopening the comment period until March 7, 2013. As stated in the Call, BOEM will use the nominations received in response to this Call to gauge specific interest in commercial development of OCS wind resources in the areas described, as required by 43 U.S.C. 1337(p)(3). Parties wishing to submit a nomination should submit detailed and specific information in response to the requirements described in the section of the Call entitled, ‘‘Required Nomination Information.’’ BOEM also invites all interested and affected parties to comment and provide information— including information on multiple uses of the area, environmental issues and data—that will be useful in the consideration of the appropriateness of all or portions of the Call areas for commercial wind energy development. Please refer to the Call published in the Federal Register on December 13, 2012, for further information. Comments already submitted in response to the Call do not need to be resubmitted. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background: On December 13, 2012, BOEM published the Notice in the Federal Register (77 FR 74218) inviting Federal, state, local government agencies, tribal governments, and other interested parties to send their written comments regarding environmental issues and the identification of reasonable alternatives related to the proposed action (i.e., the issuance of renewable energy leases within all or some of the Call Areas identified offshore North Carolina, and the approval of site assessment activities on those leases). The Notice requested submissions by January 28, 2013. Because of requests received from the public, we are hereby reopening the comment period until March 7, 2013. As stated in the Notice, BOEM will use the responses to identify alternatives to be considered in the EA, as well as environmental and/or socioeconomic issues to be analyzed. Please refer to the Notice published in the Federal Register on December 13, 2012, for further information. The Notice and a map of the Call Areas identified offshore North Carolina can be found at: https:// PO 00000 Frm 00090 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 [FR Doc. 2013–02411 Filed 2–4–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–MR–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Ocean Energy Management [Docket No. BOEM–2012–0090] Commercial Wind Leasing and Site Assessment Activities on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Offshore North Carolina; Reopening of Comment Period Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Interior. ACTION: Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Assessment; Reopening of Comment Period. AGENCY: BOEM is reopening the comment period announced in the Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) for Commercial Wind Leasing and Site Assessment Activities on the OCS Offshore North Carolina. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michelle Morin, BOEM Office of Renewable Energy Programs, 381 Elden Street, HM 1328, Herndon, Virginia 20170, (703) 787–1340 or Michelle.Morin@boem.gov. E:\FR\FM\05FEN1.SGM 05FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 24 (Tuesday, February 5, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8189-8190]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-02482]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-SERO-GUIS-10929; 5017-7129-409]


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
Personal Watercraft Use at Gulf Islands National Seashore, Florida and 
Mississippi

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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

SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Service 
(NPS) is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to analyze 
the impacts of Personal Watercraft (PWC) use at Gulf Islands National 
Seashore (GUIS).
    Personal Watercraft use emerged at GUIS in the 1980s and was 
permitted in units of the national park system under the same 
regulations as other motorized watercraft. However, on March 21, 2000, 
the NPS published a regulation governing PWC use within all units of 
the national park system (65 FR 15077, codified at 36 CFR 3.24). This 
regulation prohibits PWC use in all national park units unless the NPS 
determines that this type of water-based recreational activity is 
appropriate for the specific park unit based on the legislation 
establishing that park, the park's resources and values, other visitor 
uses of the area, and overall management objectives.
    In 2004, the NPS prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) for a 
special regulation to allow continued PWC use at GUIS. The purpose of 
the EA was to evaluate a range of alternatives and strategies for the 
management of PWC use at GUIS to ensure the protection of park 
resources and values, while offering recreational opportunities as 
provided for in the GUIS enabling legislation, purpose, mission, and 
goals. A Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) was signed on January 
25, 2006. The NPS published the final regulation for PWC use at GUIS in 
the Federal Register on May 4, 2006 (71 FR 26232).
    On May 15, 2008, a lawsuit was filed claiming that the PWC EA was 
deficient and violated NEPA, the NPS Organic Act, and the 
Administrative Procedure Act. On July 8, 2010, the U.S. District Court 
for the District of Columbia found that the impact analysis in the EA 
was inadequate. The court did not vacate the current PWC rule at GUIS, 
but remanded the case to the NPS ``so that it may have an opportunity 
to provide adequate reasoning for its conclusions.'' The special 
regulation remains in effect at GUIS and PWC are currently still 
allowed to operate under the restrictions identified in the park's 
special regulation. At this time, the NPS intends to address the 
deficiencies identified by the court by preparing an EIS for PWC use at 
GUIS, which will include supplemental documentation, impact analyses 
not present in the earlier EA, and may include additional alternatives.

DATES: Interested individuals, organizations, and agencies are 
encouraged to provide written comments regarding the scope of issues to 
be addressed in the EIS. The NPS will accept comments from the public 
for 60 days from the date that this Notice of Intent is published in 
the Federal Register or 15 days after the last public scoping meeting, 
whichever is later. NPS intends to hold public scoping meetings on the 
PWC EIS in the vicinity of GUIS, including both the Florida (Gulf 
Breeze/Pensacola Beach Area) and Mississippi (Ocean Springs/Biloxi/
Pascagoula Area) Districts during this scoping period. Specific dates, 
times, and locations will be made available in the local media and on 
the NPS's Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) Web site at 
https://parkplanning.nps.gov/guis-PWC-EIS. The scoping meetings will 
also be announced via a park press release and through email 
notification to the individuals and organizations on the park's mailing 
list. The NPS will provide additional opportunities for the public to 
provide written comments upon publication of the draft EIS.

ADDRESSES: Information will be available for public review online at 
https://parkplanning.nps.gov/guis-PWC-EIS and in the office of the 
Superintendent, 1801 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze, FL 32563.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Daniel Brown, Superintendent, Gulf 
Islands National Seashore, 1801 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze, FL 
32563; telephone (850) 916-3023.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: If you wish to comment during the scoping 
process, you may use any one of several methods. The preferred method 
for submitting comments is on the NPS PEPC Web site at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/guis-PWC-EIS. You may also mail or hand-deliver 
your

[[Page 8190]]

comments on the PWC EIS to the Superintendent, Gulf Islands National 
Seashore, 1801 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze, FL 32563. Oral 
statements and written comments will also be accepted during scheduled 
public meetings. Comments will not be accepted by fax, email, or in any 
other method than those specified above. Comments in any format (hard 
copy or electronic) submitted on behalf of others will not be accepted. 
Before including your address, phone number, email 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.
    The responsible official for this Notice of Intent is the Regional 
Director, Southeast Region, NPS, 100 Alabama Street SW., 1924 Building, 
Atlanta, Georgia 30303.

    Dated: January 11, 2013.
Gordon Wissinger,
 Acting Regional Director, Southeast Region.
[FR Doc. 2013-02482 Filed 2-4-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-X8-P
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