National Park Service March 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In accordance with section 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 is initiating the conservation planning and environmental impact analysis process 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 SystemSan 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 and other City and County of San Francisco planning and transportation agencies. 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, only .85 miles from the public-serving facilities at Fort Mason Center. The popularity of the historic streetcars, which currently serve more than 20,000 passengers a day, has resulted in public and private interest in extending the service, with the creation of the E-Line to Fort Mason. The Municipal Railway (MUNI) currently operates historic streetcar service on Market Street and along the San Francisco waterfront (F- Line) to the line's existing terminus at Jones Street and Beach (in the Fisherman's Wharf area). The E-Line extension would begin at the terminus of the F-line and extend west to San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park (NHP) and on to Fort Mason. The exact route has yet to be determined but would utilize either existing rail right- of-way routes confined to city streets or pass through NHP's Aquatic Park (at the core of the National Historic Landmark District) in order to reach the Fort Mason tunnel. It is anticipated that under all alternatives the railway line would extend through the tunnel and end in the area of lower 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. The Fort Mason area is 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: At this time a full range of alternatives has not been confirmed. However, in order to be successful, any project selected would: Increase alternative transportation options for visitors to the NHP and Fort Mason; Serve a new cohesive recreation and cultural corridor along the northern waterfront; Enhance links for the City's lower-income population with all NPS sites and other northern waterfront attractions; Improve local and regional transit connectivity and decrease the need for automobile use and parking in historic and environmentally sensitive areas; Facilitate efforts to reduce the need for automobile-based trips to the National Historic Landmark District destinations by providing park visitors an attractive, non-polluting mass transit access; Avoid or minimize adverse effects on the National Historic Landmark District and related cultural and historic resources and waterfront values. Scoping: This notice serves to formally open the public scoping comment phase for this planning process. The purpose of the scoping process is to elicit public comment on the proposed extension in order to inform the development of the Draft EIS. The public and interested organizations are encouraged to provide comment on issues and concerns, feasible alternatives, potential environmental effects and appropriate mitigation measures that would reduce project impacts. The public will have an initial opportunity to comment on the proposal by attending a public scoping meeting or providing written comments electronically via the internet or sending letters through the mail. All scoping comments must be postmarked or transmitted not later than 60 days after the publication of this Notice in the Federal Registeras soon as this ending date is confirmed, it will be announced on the project Web site (noted below). The NPS anticipates hosting a public meeting in late March 2006 (complete information regarding this meeting will be posted on the project Web site). Following a short presentation regarding the project, the public will be given the opportunity to ask questions and provide comments to the planning team. The project Web site will provide the most up-to-date information regarding the project, including project description, planning process updates, meeting notices, reports and documents, and useful links associated with the project (the Web site is: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/goga; once at the site, click on project name and follow Web site instructions). Written comments 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, project updates or requests to be included on the Draft EIS mailing list can be accommodated by contacting the MUNI Railway Extension Project Manager at (415) 561-4472. It is the practice of the NPS to make all comments, including names and addresses of respondents who provide that information, available for public review following the conclusion of the NEPA process. Individuals may request that the NPS withhold their name and/or address from public disclosure. If you wish to do this, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your comment. Commenters using the Web site can make such a request by checking the box ``keep my contact information private''. NPS will honor such requests to the extent allowable by law, but you should be aware that the NPS may still be required to disclose your name and address pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act. Decision Process: At this time it is anticipated that the Draft EIS will be available for public review in early 2007. Availability of the Draft EIS document will be formally announced through the publication of a Notice of Availability in the Federal Register, through local and regional news media, via the project Web site, and direct mailing to the project mailing list. 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.

Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Pub. L. 91-190, as amended) and the implementing regulations promulgated by the Council on Environmental Quality (40 CFR part 1505.2), the Department of the Interior, National Park Service has prepared, and the Regional Director, Pacific West Region has approved the Record of Decision for the updated Fire Management Plan for Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The formal no-action waiting period was officially initiated December 23, 2005, with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Federal Register notification of the filing of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Decision: As soon as practicable the park will begin to implement as its updated Fire Management Plan the ``Hazard Reduction and Resource Enhancement through Multiple Treatments'' alternative (also identified and analyzed as the Preferred Alternative C in the Draft and Final EIS). The selected plan update allows for the greatest number of acres to be treated annually while minimizing potential adverse resource effects of fire management activities. Alternative C utilizes prescribed burning and mechanical treatment strategies deemed to be appropriate for reducing fuel loads near developed areas. Expanded research will examine the role of these strategies in enhancing natural resource conditions, and will also be used to adaptively guide the fire management program and maximize the benefits to park cultural and natural resources. As documented in the EIS, this plan was also deemed to be the ``environmentally preferred'' alternative. This course of action and two alternatives were initially identified and analyzed in the Draft EIS (distributed in March 2005); minor modifications were made based on public and agency review. The Final EIS was released in December 2005. The full spectrum of foreseeable environmental consequences was assessed, and appropriate mitigation measures identified. Beginning with early scoping, through the preparation of the Draft and Final EIS, numerous public meetings and agency consultations were conducted, and newsletter updates were regularly provided. Approximately one dozen written responses to the Draft EIS were received and duly considered. Key consultations which aided in preparing the Draft and Final EIS involved (but were not limited to) the California State Historic Preservation Office, California Coastal Commission, local air quality management districts, adjoining land managing agencies, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and National Marine Fisheries Service. Area residents, county and city officials, and interested organizations were contacted extensively during initial scoping and throughout the fire planning process. Copies: Interested parties desiring to review the Record of Decision may obtain a complete copy by contacting the Superintendent, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Bldg. 201, Ft. Mason, San Francisco, CA 94123 or via telephone request at (415) 331-6374.

Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C., Chapter 3507) and 5 CFR part 1320, Reporting and Record Keeping Requirements, the National Park Service (NPS) invites public comments on the reinstatement, with change, of a previously approved collection for which approval has expired (OMB 1024-0226).

Notice is hereby given that in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service is initiating the scoping process for preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement on the General Management Plan (GMP) for Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA), including Muir Woods National Monument and Fort Point National Historical Monument, in the San Francisco Bay area of California. The GMP will provide a well- grounded, clearly defined direction for resource protection and visitor management throughout the area managed by GGNRA, including Muir Woods National Monument and Fort Point National Historic Site, and lands acquired since approval of the 1980 GMP. Consistent with NPS Planning Program Standards and the Secretary of the Interior's ``Four C's'' (Conservation through Consultation, Cooperation, and Communication) the GMP will: (1) Describe the purposes, significance, and primary interpretive themes of the park; (2) identify the fundamental resources and values of the park, its other important resources and values, and describe the condition of these resources; (3) describe desired conditions for cultural and natural resources and visitor experiences throughout the park and for each management unit in the park; (4) develop management zoning to support these desired conditions; (5) develop alternative applications of these management zones to the park landscape (i.e., zoning alternatives); (6) address carrying capacity; (7) analyze potential boundary modifications; (8) ensure that the GMP recommendations are developed in consultation with interested stakeholders and the public and adopted by the NPS leadership after an adequate analysis of the benefits, environmental impacts, and economic costs of alternative courses of action; and (9) identify and prioritize subsequent detailed studies, plans and actions that may be needed to implement the GMP. In addition, the GMP will: (1) Articulate park management philosophy; (2) provide the foundation for managing park partnerships (which are critical to the successful future operation of GGNRA) and for coordinating and collaborating with adjacent public land managers; (3) provide a framework for continued public and partner stewardship of the park's resources; and (4) strive to foster an engaged constituency that will remain active in supporting the park in the future. Scoping: Through the scoping process, the National Park Service (NPS) welcomes suggestions from the public regarding resource protection, visitor use, and management of the lands administered by GGNRA. This notice formally initiates the public scoping comment phase for the EIS process for the GMP update. All scoping comments must be postmarked or transmitted not later than 60 days after the publication of this noticeimmediately upon confirmation of this date it will be announced on the park's GMP Web site (noted below). All written comments should be submitted to the following address: Brian O'Neill, Superintendent, GGNRA (Attn: GMP Team), Fort Mason, Bldg. 201, San Francisco, CA 94123 (or may be transmitted by electronic mail to goga.gmp@nps.gov or via Facsimile to (415) 561-4710). A key purpose of the scoping process is to elicit early public comment on the GMP proposal in order to inform the development of the Draft EIS. In addition, the scoping process will help define issues or problems to be addressed in the GMP. The public is encouraged to provide comments and pertinent information on issues and concerns, goals and objectives, alternatives, and potential environmental impacts or mitigation strategies. At this time it is expected that 4 public meetings will be hosted during April 19-27, 2006. Detailed information regarding these meetings will be posted on the GMP Web site (see below). Following a short presentation regarding the project, all attendees will be given the opportunity to ask questions and provide comments to the planning team. The GMP Web site will provide the most up-to-date information regarding the project, including project description, planning process updates, meeting notices, reports and documents, and useful links associated with the project. The URL for the GMP Web site is: https://parkplanning.nps/gov/goga (once at the site, click on project name and follow the instructions). Informational messages may also be accessed at (415) 561-4965. It is the practice of the NPS to make all comments, including names and addresses of respondents who provide that information, available for public review following the conclusion of the NEPA process. Individuals may request that the NPS withhold their name and/or address from public disclosure. If you wish to do this, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your comments. Commentators using the Web site can make such a request by checking the box ``keep my contact information private''. NPS will honor such requests to the extent allowable by law, but you should be aware that the NPS may still be required to disclose your name and address pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act.

Pursuant to subsection 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, codified as amended at 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Service (NPS) announces the availability of the Record of Decision for the Colorado River Management Plan, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. On February 17, 2006, the Director, Intermountain Region approved the Record of Decision for the project. As soon as practicable, the NPS will begin to implement the two Preferred Alternatives contained in the Final Environmental Impact Statement issued on November 10, 2005. For the Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek section of the Colorado River, the NPS has selected the preferred alternative, modified Alternative H, which will allow 5.5 months mixed motor/nonmotor use and 6.5 months nonmotorized use; reduce the maximum group size for commercial groups; establish use patterns based on daily, weekly and seasonal launch limits; and increase noncommercial use primarily in the shoulder and winter months. This alternative will allow for a moderate increase in estimated yearly passenger totals and allow passenger exchanges at Whitmore to accommodate commercial trips launching during the mixed-use seasons. Noncommercial permits will be awarded through a ``hybrid'' weighted lottery system for applicants applying for Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek river trips after boaters transition from the waitlist. This course of action and 7 other alternatives were analyzed in the Draft and Final Environmental Impact Statements for the Lees Ferry to Diamond Creek section of the Colorado River. The full range of foreseeable environmental consequences was assessed, and appropriate mitigating measures were identified. For the Lower Gorge of the Colorado River, the NPS has selected modified Alternative 4, which reflects an agreement reached between Grand Canyon National Park and the Hualapai Tribe, achieved through extensive consultation, on most issues relating to the elements of use, specifically for trips launching at or continuing past Diamond Creek. This alternative will allow overall HRR operations to increase, while reducing group size, limiting day trips in the non-peak season, and limiting overnight trips throughout the year. However, agreement could not be reached after extensive consultation and incorporation of Hualapai tribal concerns, on the level of pontoon boat operations and upstream travel from Lake Mead. This selected modified Alternative 4, incorporates the NPS's preference for lower levels of pontoon boat use in the Quartermaster area compared to levels proposed by the Hualapai Tribe. Pontoon operations, under this alternative, will continue to be allowed, with five boats operating at one time in the Quartermaster area and with a maximum daily capacity of 480 passengers, which could increase to 600 passengers per day based on favorable performance reviews of concession operations and resource monitoring data. Upriver, motorized trip takeouts will be allowed with a maximum of four trips per day during the peak season and one per day during the non-peak season; however, no jetboat tours will be allowed to operate. This course of action and 4 other alternatives were analyzed in the Draft and Final Environmental Impact Statements for the Lower Gorge of the Colorado River. The full range of foreseeable environmental consequences was assessed, and appropriate mitigating measures were identified. The Record of Decision includes a statement of the decision made, synopses of other alternatives considered, the basis for the decision, a description of the environmentally preferable alternatives, a finding on impairment of park resources and values, a listing of measures to minimize environmental harm, an overview of public involvement in the decision-making process, and a Statement of Findings.

This notice sets forth the dates of the April 7, 2006 and October 5, 2006 meetings of the Gettysburg National Military Park Advisory Commission.

The National Park Service (NPS) is proposing to designate areas where personal watercraft (PWC) may be used in Curecanti National Recreation Area, Colorado. This proposed rule implements the provisions of the NPS general regulations authorizing park areas to allow the use of PWC by promulgating a special regulation. The individual parks must determine whether PWC use is appropriate for a specific park area based on an evaluation of that area's enabling legislation, resources and values, other visitor uses, and overall management objectives.

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463, 86 Stat. 770, 5 U.S.C. App 1, section 10), notice is hereby given that the Concessions Management Advisory Board (the Board) will hold its 15th meeting on march 22-23, 2006, in Washington, DC. The meeting will be held at the Wyndham Washington Hotel, 1400 M Street, NW., Washington, DC. The meeting will convene at 8:30 a.m. and will conclude at 4:30 p.m.

Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Pub. L. 91-190, as amended) and the implementing regulations promulgated by the Council on Environmental Quality (40 CFR 1505.2), the Department of the Interior, National Park Service has prepared, and the Regional Director, Pacific West Region has approved, the Record of Decision for the Fire Management Plan for Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. The formal no-action period was officially initiated December 23, 2005, with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Federal Register notification of the filing of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Decision: As soon as practicable the park will begin to implement as its updated Fire Management Plan the ``Mechanical Fuel Reduction/ Ecological Prescribed Fire/Strategic Fuels Treatment'' alternative (also described and analyzed as the Preferred Alternative (2)) contained in the Draft and Final EIS. The selected plan provides the maximum potential environmental benefits and minimizes adverse effects of fire management activities. Alternative 2 is the most flexible alternative, utilizing all available fire management strategies deemed to be appropriate for the mediterranean type conditions found in Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. As documented in the EIS, this plan was also deemed to be the ``environmentally preferred'' alternative. This course of action and three alternatives were identified and analyzed in the Final EIS, and previously in the Draft EIS (the latter was distributed in June 2004). The full spectrum of foreseeable environmental consequences was assessed, and appropriate mitigation measures identified, for each alternative. Beginning with early scoping, through the preparation of the Draft and Final EIS, numerous public meetings were conducted (in Thousand Oaks, Malibu, Los Angeles, Agoura Hills, Calabasas) and newsletter updates were regularly provided. Approximately 25 written comments responding to the Draft EIS were received and duly considered. Key consultations which aided in preparing the Draft and Final EIS involved (but were not limited to) the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, State Historic Preservation Office, native American Tribes, air quality management districts, adjoining land managing agencies, and U.S. Geological Survey. Local communities, county and city officials, and interested organizations were contacted extensively during initial scoping and throughout the fire planning process. Copies: Interested parties desiring to review the Record of Decision may obtain a complete copy by contacting the Superintendent, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, and 401 West Hillcrest Dr., Thousand Oaks, CA 91360-4223 or via telephone request at (805) 370-2300.

The National Park Service (NPS) is proposing this rule to more effectively manage motor vessel use in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. It proposes to revise existing regulations regarding vessel quotas and operating requirements for five types of motor vessels cruise ships, tour vessels, charter vessels, private vessels, and passenger ferrieswithin Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. This rule is proposed in conjunction with the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and the Record of Decision (ROD) for Vessel Quotas and Operating Requirements in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, completed in October and November 2003, respectively, and implements decisions made in the ROD.

Pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the National Park Service (NPS) announces the availability of a Record of Decision (ROD) for the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Low Country Gullah Culture Special Resource Study (Study). The Study area stretches along the southeastern United States coast roughly from the Cape Fear River in North Carolina to the St. John's River in Florida and approximately 30 miles inland. The Study describes ways that the NPS can assist in preserving Gullah culture (more commonly known as Geechee in Georgia and Florida) by outlining four management alternatives for consideration by Congress, and a no-action alternative. The alternatives provide a range of actions for the future protection, interpretation, and commemoration of Gullah cultural resources. The Final EIS analyzes the potential environmental impacts of those actions. The ROD describes the background of the Study, other alternatives considered, the basis for the decision, the environmentally preferable alternative, and public involvement in the decision-making process. The ROD was approved by the Southeast Regional Director on November 4, 2005.