National Park Service – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In accordance with Sec. 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (PL91-190) Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (SEKI) are initiating the conservation planning and environmental impact analysis process required to inform consideration of alternative strategies for the future management of SEKI wilderness. The Sequoia-Kings Canyon and John Krebs Wildernesses (an 808,000-acre expanse of wild High Sierra lands that were designated by the California Wilderness Act of 1984 and the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009) are contained wholly within these two national parks. Through this process, SEKI will identify and analyze a range of alternatives for achieving wilderness stewardship objectives, which include providing appropriate types and levels of access for visitors and authorized users, preserving wilderness character, protecting cultural and natural resources, and adhering to legally-mandated management and preservation requirements. This planning process represents a significant commitment by SEKI to complete a Wilderness Stewardship Plan (WSP) for these two national parks. On April 30, 1997, SEKI published a Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in the Federal Register to notify the public of the intent to prepare a WSP, and had previously held seven public scoping sessions in communities throughout California between May 28 and October 5, 1996. Based on an analysis of the numerous scoping comments received, and with consideration of a variety of other factors, SEKI determined that the WSP/EIS process should be suspended and that SEKI should instead first prepare a new General Management Plan for the parks. The General Management Plan (GMP) process was initiated in October 1997 and culminated with a Record of Decision in September 2007 (the Final EIS/General Management Plan/Comprehensive River Management Plan and associated Record of Decision are available at https://www.nps.gov/ seki/parkmgmt/gmp.htm). The GMP provides broad, programmatic direction for wilderness management. Importantly, however, the GMP commits SEKI to preparing a tiered plan for the management of wilderness resources, and explains that this tiered plan would be an implementation level plan focused on both SEKI wilderness stewardship overall, as well as stock use within wilderness. As an implementation level plan, the WSP will provide detailed guidance on a variety of issues including, but not limited to: Day and overnight use; wilderness permitting; use of campfires; wildlife and proper food storage; party size; camping and campsites; human waste management; stock use; meadow management; research activities; wildlife management in wilderness; cultural resources in wilderness; maintenance of trails, bridges, or other necessary infrastructure; and the ``minimum requirement'' for administration of the areas as Wilderness. Also to be analyzed and determined is the extent to which commercial services are necessary to fulfill the recreational and other purposes of SEKI's Congressionally designated wilderness areas. This ``extent necessary'' determination for commercial services will be performed to ensure compliance with Sec. 4(d)(5) of the Wilderness Act. The WSP will reevaluate existing wilderness-related plans and guidance, such as the 1986 Backcountry Management Plan and the 1986 Stock Use and Meadow Management Plan. The WSP will also provide for more detailed management direction on provisions of the California Wilderness Act of 1984, the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, the NPS Management Policies (2006), and current interagency policies regarding the preservation of wilderness character as they relate to wilderness within SEKI. How to Comment: In consideration for the complexity and scope of wilderness stewardship issues in SEKI, the period during which comments will be accepted will extend for 90 days. SEKI encourages comments regarding the range of issues which should be addressed, alternative approaches to managing SEKI wilderness areas, and other concerns regarding SEKI wilderness areas or the wilderness planning process. All written comments must be transmitted, postmarked, or hand-delivered no later than July 25, 2011. The status of the Draft EIS (DEIS) will updated periodically at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/sekiwild. You may request to be added to the project mailing list by mailing or faxing your request to: Superintendent Karen F. Taylor-Goodrich, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Attn: Wilderness Stewardship Plan, 47050 Generals Highway, Three Rivers, CA 93271. So that we may plan accordingly, please note in your request whether you will prefer to receive a printed or compact disk copy of the DEIS/WSP when it is released, or just wish to receive a notice that the document is available for review on the Web site (to assist in reducing costs, the public is strongly encouraged to accept compact disks versus printed copies). In order to ensure that information you may provide or any concerns expressed are fully considered, you may use either of two methods to respond during this scoping period. To respond electronically, you may submit your comments online to the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) Web site (https://parkplanning.nps.gov/sekiwild). To submit written comments (e.g., in a letter), you may send them by U.S. Postal Service or other mail delivery service, or hand deliver your comments to the address provided above. Written comments will also be accepted during public scoping meetings. Comments in any format (written or electronic) submitted by an individual or organization on behalf of another individual or organization will not be accepted. It is the practice of the NPS to make all comments available for public review, after the close of the EIS process. Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire commentincluding your personal identifying informationmay 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.

Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and National Park Service (NPS) policy in Director's Order Number 2 (Park Planning) and Director's Order Number 12 (Conservation Planning, Environmental Impact Analysis, and Decision- making), the NPS announces the availability of the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Tamiami Trail (U.S. Highway 41) Modifications: Next Steps Project for Everglades National Park (ENP), Florida.

The National Park Service has prepared a Draft Dog Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (Plan/DEIS). The Plan/DEIS evaluates six alternatives for dog management in 21 areas of Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA). The original Notice of Availability (published in the Federal Register on January 20, 2011) announced a 90-day public comment period. In recognition of the complexity of the document and with deference to interest from the public and interested organizations, the comment period has been extended for an additional 45 days.

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Service announces the availability of the Record of Decision for the Long Draw Reservoir Special Use Authorization, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. On September 17, 2010, the Regional Director, Intermountain Region approved the Record of Decision for the project. As soon as practicable, the National Park Service will begin to implement the Preferred Alternative contained in the FEIS issued on March 27, 2009.

We (National Park Service) will ask the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve the information collection (IC) described below. Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and 5 CFR part 1320, Reporting and Record Keeping Requirements, and as part of our continuing efforts to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, we invite the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on this new collection of information form (NPS 10-650). We may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

Notice is hereby given in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463, 86 Stat. 770, 5 U.S.C. App 1, Section 10) of a meeting of the Cape Cod National Seashore Advisory Commission.

We (National Park Service) will ask the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve the information collection (IC) described below. As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3507 et seq.) and 5 CFR part 1320, Reporting and Record Keeping Requirements, and as part of our continuing efforts to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, we invite the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on this information collection. This IC is scheduled to expire on May 31, 2011. We may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

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 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 (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 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 terminusNorth 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 Registeras 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: SuperintendentGGNRA, 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 commentincluding your personal identifying informationmay 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.

Notice is hereby given in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act [5 U.S.C. Appendix (1988)], that a meeting of the Landmarks Committee of the National Park System Advisory Board will be held beginning at 1 p.m. on May 24, 2011, at the following location. The meeting will continue beginning at 9 a.m. on May 25 and 26, 2011.

The Office of the State Archaeologist, Michigan Historical Center has completed an inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects, in consultation with the appropriate Indian Tribes, and has determined that there is no cultural affiliation between the remains and associated funerary objects and any present-day Indian Tribe. Representatives of any Indian Tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with the human remains and associated funerary objects may contact the Office of the State Archaeologist, Michigan Historical Center. Disposition of the human remains to the Indian Tribe stated below may occur if no additional requestors come forward.

The U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Casper Field Office, has completed an inventory of human remains, in consultation with the appropriate Indian Tribes, and has determined that there is no cultural affiliation between the remains and any present-day Tribe. Representatives of any Indian Tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with the human remains may contact the Bureau of Land Management, Casper Field Office. Disposition of the human remains to the Indian Tribe stated below may occur if no additional requestors come forward.

The University of Colorado Museum has completed an inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects, in consultation with the appropriate Indian tribes, and has determined that there is no cultural affiliation between the remains and any present-day Indian tribe. Representatives of any Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with the human remains and associated funerary objects may contact the University of Colorado Museum. Disposition of the human remains and associated funerary objects to the Indian tribe stated below may occur if no additional requestors come forward.