Final General Management Plan/Wilderness Study/Environmental Impact Statement: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii, 12946-12949 [2016-05542]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
• National Park Service

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 48 (Friday, March 11, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12946-12949]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-05542]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-PWR-PWRO-20008; PX.PR113509L.00.1]


Final General Management Plan/Wilderness Study/Environmental 
Impact Statement: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS) has prepared a Final 
Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the General Management Plan 
(GMP)

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for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (Hawaii Volcanoes NP or park). This 
FEIS describes and analyzes three GMP alternatives that respond to 
public concerns and issues identified during the overall public 
engagement 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 Hawaii Volcanoes NP. The potential 
environmental consequences of all the alternatives, and mitigation 
strategies, are analyzed and the ``environmentally preferred'' 
alternative is identified. The proposed GMP also includes a wilderness 
study (WS) which analyzes wilderness suitability of park lands and 
includes a recommendation for wilderness designation. With due 
consideration for the minimal public and agency response to the Draft 
EIS (no substantive new information has been received), the NPS has 
utilized an abbreviated format in preparing the FEIS. Upon approval, 
this GMP will supersede the 1975 Master Plan.

DATES: The NPS will execute a Record of Decision not sooner than April 
11, 2016 after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's notice of 
filing for this FEIS.

ADDRESSES: Printed copies of both the Draft and Final GMP/WS/EIS will 
be available for public inspection at local public libraries; an 
electronic version of the final document is also available on the GMP 
project Web site (https://parkplanning.nps.gov/havo). A limited number 
of printed copies of each document are available upon written request 
to: Superintendent, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, P.O. Box 52, Hawaii 
National Park, HI 96718-0052.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cindy Orlando, Superintendent, Hawaii 
Volcanoes National Park, P.O. Box 52, Hawaii National Park, HI 96718-
0052 or via telephone at (808) 985-6026.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Background: A Notice of Intent announcing preparation of the EIS 
for the GMP was published in the Federal Register on April 13, 2009. 
During spring 2009, the NPS distributed approximately 8,500 newsletters 
describing the GMP process and soliciting feedback on issues which 
should be addressed. A comprehensive scoping outreach effort elicited 
public comment regarding issues and concerns, the nature and extent of 
potential environmental impacts, and possible alternatives that should 
be addressed in the preparation of the GMP. Agencies, organizations, 
governmental representatives, and Native Hawaiian organizations were 
sent letters of invitation to attend the public workshops or 
stakeholder meetings. Press releases were distributed to local and 
regional news media, and local radio stations aired public service 
announcements. News articles featuring these meetings were published in 
West Hawaii Today, Hawaii Tribune Herald, and the Kau Calendar.
    The NPS held seven public meetings on the islands of Hawaii, Oahu 
and Maui in April and May 2009 to provide the public with an 
opportunity to learn about the GMP project and to offer comments; a 
total of 95 people attended the meetings. The park also conducted 
several stakeholder meetings to obtain input from representatives of 
city, county, and federal agencies, business and community 
organizations, Native Hawaiian organizations, and research permit 
holders. Park staff also gave poster presentations at local meetings of 
the Kau Chamber of Commerce, Volcano Community Association, and Friends 
of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Altogether during the 2009 scoping 
phase, the park planning team spoke with approximately 2000 people at 
public and stakeholder meetings and park and community events. 
Correspondence received from over 130 individuals and organizations 
engendered approximately 1,250 specific comments.
    During August 2011, the NPS distributed a Draft Alternatives 
Newsletter, which outlined concepts and actions in the preliminary GMP 
alternatives and proposed management zones, and explained the completed 
wilderness eligibility process and the subsequent wilderness study that 
would be included in the Draft EIS (DEIS). The Newsletter contained a 
business reply questionnaire option to facilitate public comments. In 
addition to the planning schedule included in the Newsletter, 
information was distributed to local and regional press media in 
advance of the public meetings and articles were printed in three local 
papers: West Hawaii Today, Hawaii Tribune Herald, and the Kau Calendar.
    Expanding the scope of the EIS was announced in the Federal 
Register on December 2, 2011. The scope of analysis was expanded to 
include a wilderness study in order to evaluate foreseeable effects 
associated with possible designation of additional wilderness within 
the park. This notification also formally extended the GMP preliminary 
alternatives comment period through January 2, 2012, in order to gain 
additional comments about wilderness and the recently evaluated 
wilderness-eligible lands within the Kahuku Unit. The NPS undertook 
additional public involvement at the draft alternatives phase to ensure 
ample opportunity for formal scoping for the wilderness study. During 
this phase the park planning team described the wilderness eligibility 
analysis that had been completed for the Kahuku Unit and elicited 
public comments specifically focused on the wilderness study.
    The NPS conducted five public open house and stakeholder meetings; 
a total of 66 people participated. Overall the NPS received 72 written 
responses in the form of letters, emails, comment forms, and comments 
submitted on the PEPC Web site. All comments received were reviewed by 
the GMP team to inform preparation of the DEIS/GMP/WS. A summary of 
public comments on the preliminary alternatives and wilderness study 
was created and made available to the public in February 2012.
    The 60 day review period for the DEIS/GMP/WS was formally initiated 
through publication by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency of its 
Notice of Availability in the Federal Register on May 1, 2015. A press 
release announcing availability of the document was distributed to 
local and regional news media on April 30, 2015. Electronic and printed 
copies of the draft plan were available on NPS Web sites and at public 
libraries, as well through distribution to state congressional offices, 
Native Hawaiians, governmental agencies, and other interested 
organizations and individuals. The NPS also distributed the DEIS/GMP/WS 
Executive Summary Newsletter #4 to over 800 contacts on the GMP mailing 
list.
    The NPS held a ``talk story'' session and formal wilderness hearing 
on June 10, 2015, at the K[imacr]lauea Visitor Center; approximately 20 
people participated in these meetings and provided oral comments. The 
``talk story'' session is a traditional Hawaiian practice which is 
similar to an open house information meeting. The wilderness hearing 
was facilitated by the NPS, and an independent court reporter conducted 
the proceedings and responded to questions about wilderness protection 
and management and recorded formal comments regarding the Wilderness 
Study. This talk story session and wilderness hearing was announced via 
the Newsletter, the project Web site, and a separate press release that 
was distributed to media on June 5, 2015.
    Throughout the public review period, the public had opportunities 
to provide comments through attending the talk story session and 
wilderness hearing, submitting comments on NPS Web sites,

[[Page 12948]]

writing a letter or email, or providing comments on the postage paid 
comment form enclosed in the newsletter. Overall the NPS received 
approximately 32 responses. Of the comments received, two were from 
businesses, two were from non-profit conservation organizations, two 
were from other federal agencies, and the remaining comments were from 
interested individuals. None of the comments received were opposed to 
or critical of the proposals for wilderness designation or boundary 
modification included within the plan. Most comments were supportive of 
the NPS preferred alternative, Alternative 2. Because the comments 
received required only minor changes involving only factual corrections 
or clarifications, the NPS has prepared an Abbreviated FEIS which 
includes an analysis of comments received on the Draft GMP/WS/EIS with 
NPS responses, errata sheets detailing editorial corrections to the 
DEIS, and copies of letters received from agencies and organizations. 
No substantial changes have been made to the alternatives or to the 
impact analyses presented in the Draft GMP/WS/EIS, and Alternative 2 
remains the preferred alternative.
    Range of Alternatives: Alternative 1 (no action)--Existing 
programming, facilities, staffing, and funding would generally continue 
at current levels to protect the values of Hawaii Volcanoes National 
Park. There would be no major changes in current management or visitor 
use. Implementation of currently approved plans would continue as 
funding allows. This alternative provides the baseline for evaluating 
actions and impacts in other alternatives.
    Alternative 2 (agency preferred; environmentally preferred)--
Strengthens and expands opportunities to connect people with the 
volcanic world treasure, Hawaii Volcanoes NP, and provide a wide range 
of high quality visitor experiences based on different geographic 
areas. K[imacr]lauea summit would continue to be the most actively 
visited area of the park with the greatest concentration of services 
and amenities for park visitors. Along Chain of Craters Road and Mauna 
Loa Road, the park would strive to provide visitors with improved 
opportunities to experience and connect with park resources and values, 
including new opportunities at places like Mauna Ulu and 
Kealakomowaena, while dispersing use to create a less congested and 
more tranquil experience. At Kahuku, although visitor access and 
recreation opportunities would be expanded from what is currently 
offered, infrastructure and development would be minimal, gradually 
phased in over time, and remain rustic in design to allow for a 
primitive visitor experience. Natural and cultural resources would 
continue to be managed and protected with a high degree of integrity, 
consistent with direction provided by existing laws and policies. This 
alternative emphasizes the park's role as a refuge and haven for native 
biota, people, and cultures in a world constantly adapting to volcanic 
activity and island building processes. Native Hawaiian people and 
cultural values such as malama aina (nourishing or taking care of the 
land) and kuleana (responsibility), and perspectives from Native 
Hawaiian land management such as ahupuaa management (managing land from 
mauka (mountains) to makai (sea)), are incorporated as important 
concepts in park stewardship of resources. Native Hawaiian traditional 
ecological knowledge would be used to enhance current scientific 
understanding to protect park resources and provide additional 
interpretive and educational opportunities for visitors.
    Alternative 3--Emphasizes building new connections with the park 
primarily through expanded education and hands-on stewardship 
opportunities. Traditional visitor opportunities would continue and 
capacity could be expanded at some existing sites to allow for 
increased visitation, but new development would be very limited and a 
suite of management tools would be used to disperse visitors and manage 
congestion throughout the park. A greater focus would be placed on 
science and learning opportunities for visitors from mauka (mountains) 
to makai (sea). The park would immerse visitors in the protection and 
restoration of native species and ecosystems by maximizing 
opportunities to participate in restoration activities and additional 
emphasis would be placed on providing opportunities for visitors to 
engage in research, scientific investigation, and projects associated 
with natural and cultural resources management, notably in Kahuku. This 
alternative also emphasizes the park's role as a refuge and haven for 
native biota, people, and cultures in a world constantly adapting to 
volcanic activity and island building processes. This alternative 
honors the Native Hawaiian people and culture by recognizing Native 
Hawaiian values, such as malama aina and kuleana, and perspectives from 
Native Hawaiian land management such as ahupuaa management (managing 
land from mauka to makai). Native Hawaiian traditional ecological 
knowledge would be used to enhance current scientific understanding to 
protect park resources and provide additional interpretive and 
educational opportunities for visitors.
    Actions Common to All Alternatives--Many aspects of natural and 
cultural resource management (i.e., emphasis on restoring native 
ecosystems, preservation of wilderness character, and continued support 
for research), visitor use and experience (i.e., providing access to 
the iconic places and volcanic processes), park operations and 
concession services, and partner collaborations on a variety of issues 
(including coastal and shoreline management) are common to all 
alternatives. Moreover, flexibility in managing the park is necessary 
given proximity to two active volcanoes, and volcanic eruptions are 
possible at any time. Park management is influenced by the magnitude of 
individual events. Rather than provide specific recommendations park 
responses to a given event, the GMP provides general ``adaptive 
management'' guidance for managers facing volcanic activity in the 
future, notably with respect to facilities and infrastructure in the 
park.
    Notably, in 1989 a 5.5 mile segment of the historic Chain of 
Craters Road through the park towards Kalapana and Pahoa was buried by 
lava flows. Due to change in the direction of other lava flows, in 2014 
the remaining access to the Pahoa area became threatened. Consequently, 
an unpaved emergency access route was constructed along the old 
alignment. This route is only available for emergency access, in the 
event of existing access to Pahoa being cut off. Under all 
alternatives, when this route is no longer needed for emergency access, 
it could be used as an equestrian, biking, and hiking trail to provide 
for non-motorized visitor use--it would continue to be available in the 
future as an emergency route without compromising natural values and 
avoiding complexity of managing a new coastal entrance to the park.
    Wilderness Study--Wilderness designation of 121,015 acres found 
eligible in the Kahuku Unit is proposed as an extension of existing 
wilderness within the park. Designation would advance the park's 
conservation vision for high-elevation protection of unique natural and 
cultural resources and create connectivity for park wilderness that 
would span from the summit of Mauna Loa Volcano all the way down its 
massive Southwest Rift. This rugged and remote environment offers 
outstanding opportunities for solitude and potential for high-challenge 
recreational hiking, and nearly all of this area is a place where the 
imprint of

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humans is scarcely noticeable, overpowered by the vast lava expanse and 
aura of wildness. Consistent with NPS policy, the park would continue 
to manage these eligible lands for their wilderness qualities prior to 
formal designation.
    Decision Process: As noted above, not sooner than 30 days after the 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency notice of filing of the FEIS/GMP/
WS is published in the Federal Register, the NPS will execute a Record 
of Decision. Notice of GMP approval will be publicized on the park's 
Web site, via direct mailings, and through local and regional press 
media. Because this is a delegated EIS, the NPS official responsible 
for approval of the GMP is the Regional Director, Pacific West Region. 
Subsequently, the official responsible for project implementation is 
the Superintendent, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

    Dated: December 17, 2015.
Martha J. Lee,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 2016-05542 Filed 3-10-16; 8:45 am]
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