Tongass National Forest; Alaska; Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Facility Improvement Project, 81442-81444 [2020-27634]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Forest Service

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 242 (Wednesday, December 16, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 81442-81444]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-27634]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Tongass National Forest; Alaska; Mendenhall Glacier Visitor 
Facility Improvement Project

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service will 
prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to analyze a variety of 
actions to improve visitor experience, increase capacity to meet 
current and projected demand, and to protect the existing ecosystem of 
the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area (MGRA). The purpose of the 
project is to provide a range of sustainable recreation experiences 
that meet Forest Plan goals and objectives for Recreation and Tourism, 
including opportunities consistent with public demand with an emphasis 
on locally popular recreation places and those important to the tourism 
industry. The need to improve the MGRA was identified during the 
Mendenhall Glacier Master Plan process.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis must be received 
by January 15, 2021. The draft EIS is expected July 2021 and the final 
EIS is expected January 2022.

ADDRESSES: Electronic comments may be submitted at https://cara.ecosystem-management.org/Public/CommentInput?project=53780 
(preferred) or sent via email to [email protected]. Written comments can be sent to Juneau Ranger 
District, MGRA Project, 8510 Mendenhall Loop Rd., Juneau, Alaska 99801.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cathy Tighe, MGRA Project Manager, 
Tongass National Forest, 648 Mission Street, Ketchikan, Alaska 99901 or 
by telephone at 907-228-6274.
    Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf

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(TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-
877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through 
Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Project Background

    The MGRA encompasses about 5,800 acres adjacent to the Mendenhall 
Glacier on the Juneau Ranger District of the Tongass National Forest 
near Juneau, Alaska. The project area is located approximately three 
miles north of the Juneau International Airport. One of every three 
Alaska visitors comes to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, making 
it one of the most popular attractions in the state. The MGRA is also 
popular with residents.
    Management of the Tongass National Forest is guided by the Tongass 
National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan), which 
classifies the MGRA as a Special Interest Area Land Use Designation. 
The MGRA is further guided by the MGRA Management Plan. Current 
Management Plan principles include sustaining the natural setting and 
habitat as much as possible while providing access to recreational 
opportunities for all visitors. The Management Plan recognizes heavy 
local use and the MGRA as a major attraction for tourists, and includes 
an objective to work with the tourism industry to develop 
opportunities. Portions of the Management Plan will need updates if an 
action alternative is selected for this project. Those updates, 
possibly a series of updates, would occur separately after a decision 
is made on this project since some updates would only be needed if the 
project is implemented.
    This project was initiated as an Environmental Assessment and a 
prior 30-day scoping comment period began on February 18, 2020. This 
Notice of Intent signifies a determination to begin the process for an 
EIS. All previous comments received remain valid, continue to be 
considered, contributed to the current proposed action, and do not need 
to be resubmitted.

Purpose and Need for Action

    The purpose of the project is to meet Forest Plan goals and 
objectives to provide a range of sustainable recreation opportunities 
consistent with public demand, emphasizing locally popular recreation 
places and those important to the tourism industry, while protecting 
outstanding scenery, fish and wildlife habitat, and to support local 
and regional economies (Forest Plan, pages 2-3 to 2-6).
    Visitor demand at the MGRA exceeds capacity, resulting in a 
diminished visitor experience and the potential for environmental 
impacts. Current demand for commercial use is not being met, and the 
existing visitor capacity does not allow room for growth within the 
tourism sector of the local and regional economy. There is a need to 
review capacity allocations throughout the MGRA, particularly as they 
relate to potential infrastructure and visitor experience changes.
    In addition, the Mendenhall Glacier has been receding at an 
increased rate over the last twenty years, creating a changed 
environment. As the glacier continues to recede, the main attraction 
for visitors to the MGRA could be out of view from the Visitor Center 
within 20 to 40 years, creating a need for additional types of visitor 
experiences and education opportunities.
    The Mendenhall Glacier Master Plan, completed in 2019, identified a 
long-term vision for the MGRA, and there is a need to begin 
implementation of that plan.

Proposed Action

    More complete descriptions of the proposed action can be found on 
the project web page at https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=53780. 
Primary Proposed Action components are:
    Transportation--Parking and Access, expanded:
     The two existing parking areas nearest the Visitor Center 
would be combined to provide more parking and separation between 
commercial and private vehicles.
     The existing gravel lot about 0.25 mile south of the main 
parking area would be expanded and paved to provide commercial and 
overflow parking and staging.
    Facility--Welcome Center Complex, new:
     The existing pavilion, parking area shelters, and kiosks 
would be replaced with a single story, 18,000 square-foot Welcome 
Center facility near the main parking area.
     Other enhancements include: Interpretive shelters; an 
amphitheater; and improvements to, connections between, and extensions 
of existing trails.
    Facility--Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, expansion:
     The upper floor of the Visitor Center would be expanded to 
include a defined theater queuing space and more restrooms, and 
interior spaces would be remodeled.
     Deferred maintenance repairs would be made to the railing 
and trail leading up to the Visitor Center and a covered area outside 
the main upper doors would be added.
    Trails--Glacier Spur Road Trailheads, new:
     Three paved trailhead parking lots are proposed where 
existing trails (Powerline, Crystal Lake, and Dredge Lakes) intersect 
or come close to Glacier Spur Road.
    Trails--Lakeshore Trail, new:
     A new trail along the south shore of Mendenhall Lake would 
connect the Welcome Center Plaza to Mendenhall Campground, and continue 
through the campground to Skaters Cabin Road. A new pedestrian bridge 
would cross the Mendenhall River.
     Existing walk-in campsites would be replaced, relocated, 
or converted to day-use picnic sites in order to construct a new day-
use parking area in the campground.
     Extensions and realignments to existing trails would 
connect currently disconnected trail segments to create a complete 
recreational loop around the Dredge Lakes area.
    Trails--Nugget Falls Trail, expansion:
     Nugget Falls Trail and the informal trail along the lake 
would connect to form a loop.
    Habitat Restoration--Steep Creek:
     About 1,500 feet of Steep Creek would be realigned and 
restored. Backside Pond on the west side of the creek would be enlarged 
and connected to the Steep Creek.
     The two existing culverts under Glacier Spur Road would be 
replaced with a bridge.
     The culvert under Glacier Spur Road leading to Pond of 
Time would also be replaced.
    Trails--Steep Creek Trail, extension:
     The Steep Creek Trail would be realigned and extended from 
the shore of Mendenhall Lake to the Trail of Time.
     The existing Dike Trail between the Trail of Time and 
Glacier Spur Road would be decommissioned.
    Visitor Experience--Steep Creek Fish Viewing Window, new:
     A fish viewing facility would be accessed from the Steep 
Creek Trail.
    Visitor Experience--Public Use Cabins, new:
     Five new public use rental cabins would be built in the 
Mendenhall Campground.
    Facility--Boat Docks and Related Support Facilities, new:
     Three boat docks would be installed on Mendenhall Lake: 
One would be accessed from the new Lakeshore trail on the south shore 
near the Visitor Center; a second would be on the north shore near the 
glacier visitor area (below); and a permanent boat launch ramp and 
associated loading dock

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would be on the west shore near either Skaters Cabin or the West 
Glacier trailhead parking.
     A fenced, upland winter storage area would be constructed 
adjacent to the existing West Glacier parking.
     Commercial (guided) boats on the lake would be allowed 
under special use authorization with the following stipulations: A 
maximum capacity of 49 passengers each; use of alternative fuel or low-
emissions motors; and a top operating speed to create no or minimal 
wake.
    Facility--Remote Glacier visitor area, new:
     Four seasonal, relocatable structures and restroom 
facilities would be installed near the glacier. An accessible trail 
connecting the dock to the glacier facilities would be constructed and 
would be extended as the glacier retreats.
    Trails--West Glacier Spur Trail, new/expansion:
     The existing user-created trail from West Glacier Trail to 
the glacier visitor area would be upgraded and realigned. A new trail 
spur trail would link to the existing West Glacier Trail at a higher 
elevation to create a loop.
     Additional parking stalls would be added in the West 
Glacier Trailhead parking.
    Visitor Capacity, increase:
     Visitor capacity will be increased, with the allocation 
between commercial and non-commercial users set for the entire MGRA 
and/or by individual management zones.
     Management zone boundaries will be adjusted to group 
together similar activities and facilities proposed in this project.

Possible Alternatives

    A no action alternative, which represents no change and serves as 
the baseline for the comparison of action alternatives, will be 
analyzed. Other alternatives will be developed based on significant 
issues identified in public comments.

Responsible Official

    The Responsible Official for the decision on this project is the 
Forest Supervisor, Tongass National Forest, Federal Building, 648 
Mission Street, Ketchikan, Alaska 99901.

Preliminary Issues

    Two preliminary issues have been identified based on previous 
scoping efforts: (1) Proposed developments and increased visitation 
could cause visual impacts; disturb area fish and wildlife, 
particularly bears, nesting birds, migratory birds, and fish; and 
create increased human-bear interactions; and (2) Increased visitation, 
particularly in areas that have lower use currently, would negatively 
impact user experience through increased encounters and larger group 
sizes.

Scoping Comments and the Objection Process

    This notice of intent initiates the scoping process, which guides 
the development of the EIS through internal and external input on the 
issues, impacts, and alternatives to consider. Notifcation will also be 
sent to the project mailing list and posted on the project website at 
https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=53780. An open house was held 
February 20, 2020 in Juneau, Alaska during a previous 30-day scoping 
period when this project was initiated as an Environmental Assessment. 
No scoping meeting is planned during this comment period.
    Written comments submitted during the comment period that began 
February 18, 2020 do not need to be resubmitted, continue to be 
considered, and are in the project record. Forest Service regulations 
at 36 CFR 218 subparts A and B, regarding the project-level 
predecisional administrative review process, apply to projects and 
activities implementing land management plans that are not authorized 
under the Healthy Forest Restoration Act. Only individuals or entities 
who submit timely and specific written comments concerning the project 
during this or another designated public comment period established by 
the Responsible Offical will be eligible to file an objection. It is 
important for reviewers to provide comments at such times and in such a 
manner to be useful to the agency's preparation of the EIS. Therefore, 
comments should be provided prior to the close of the comment period 
and should clearly articulate the reviewer's concerns and contentions. 
Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names and 
addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record for 
this proposed action. Comments submitted anonymously will be accepted 
and considered; however, anonymous commenters will not gain standing to 
object as defined in 36 CFR 218.2.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    The Responsible Official will review the no action, the proposed 
action, other alternatives, and the environmental consequences to make 
decisions that include: (1) Whether to select the proposed action or 
another alternative; (2) whether to increase visitor capacity, 
including the level of commercial use, of the entire MGRA and/or 
specific management zones; and (3) mitigation measures and monitoring 
requirements, which may include an adaptive management strategy.

Christine Dawe,
Acting Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2020-27634 Filed 12-15-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P