National Park Service – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Service announces the availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Cottonwood Cove and Katherine Landing Development Concept Plans, Lake Mead National Recreation Area. The Draft EIS identifies and analyzes three alternatives, as follows. Alternative 1 Continue Current Management Trends (no action alternative) reflects current management direction and serves as a baseline for comparison with the other alternatives. Existing facilities would be retained with minimal changes. Alternative 2 Implement Previous Planning Proposals would implement previous planning proposals that separate day use and marina facilities, maintain the type of overnight facilities, and provide flood mitigation. Alternative 3 Enhance Visitor Experience and Park Operations (agency-preferred alternative) would enhance day-use opportunities, upgrade and expand the type of overnight facilities, and provide flood mitigation. The Draft EIS also evaluates the potential environmental impacts of the alternatives, including potential impacts to native plant communities and soils, wildlife, threatened, endangered, and special status species; floodplains; archeological resources; historic structures; cultural landscape; ethnographic resources; visitor use, experience, and safety; park operations; and socioeconomic environment.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2 of the Act of September 28, 1976, 16 U.S.C. 1902, and in accordance with the provisions of 36 C.F.R. 9.17, notice is hereby given that Thomas and Kathryn Lamal have filed a proposed plan of operations to conduct a mining operation on lands embracing the Shamrock (AA026813) and Tony M (AA026810) unpatented placer claims within Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. Public Availability: This plan of operations is available for inspection during normal business hours at the following locations:

Notice is hereby given in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. Appendix (1988), that a teleconference meeting of the Landmarks Committee of the National Park System Advisory Board will be held beginning at 1:00 p.m. on April 9, 2013, at the following location. Members of the public may attend the meeting in person in Washington, DC, or may participate via teleconference.

In accordance with Sec. 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Pub. L. 91-190) Olympic National Park is initiating the conservation planning and environmental impact analysis process required to inform consideration of alternative strategies for the future management of the Olympic Wilderness. In November 1988, Congress designated about 95% (876,669 acres) of park lands as the Olympic Wilderness. Through this planning process a Wilderness Stewardship Plan (WSP) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be developed to provide guidance and direction to meet the requirements of the Wilderness Act of 1964 and 2006 NPS Management Policies, as well as to implement actions identified in the park's 2008 General Management Plan (GMP). This process will include identifying and analyzing a range of alternatives for achieving wilderness stewardship objectives and conducting wilderness eligibility studies for areas identified in the GMP Record of Decision (2008). The WSP will identify standards, conditions, and thresholds to preserve wilderness character, protect cultural and natural resources, and adhere to legally mandated management and preservation requirements.

We (National Park Service, NPS) 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 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 IC. This IC is scheduled to expire on October 31, 2013. 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.

This notice sets forth the date of the first meeting of the Fort Hancock 21st Century Advisory Committee.

The Rochester Museum & Science Center, in consultation with the appropriate Indian tribe, has determined that the cultural items listed meet the definition of sacred objects and objects of cultural patrimony and repatriation to the Indian tribe stated below may occur if no additional claimants come forward. Representatives of any Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with the cultural items may contact the Rochester Museum & Science Center.

Binghamton University, in consultation with the appropriate Indian tribes, has determined that a cultural item meets the definition of sacred object and repatriation to the Indian tribe stated below may occur if no additional claimants come forward. Representatives of any Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with the cultural item may contact Binghamton University.

The Grand Rapids Public 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 a cultural affiliation between the human remains and associated funerary objects and a 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 Grand Rapids Public Museum. Repatriation of the human remains and associated funerary objects to the Indian tribe stated below may occur if no additional claimants come forward.

The University of Washington, Department of Anthropology, 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 Burke Museum acting on behalf of the University of Washington, Department of Anthropology. Disposition of the human remains and associated funerary objects to the Indian tribes stated below may occur if no additional requestors come forward.

This notice announces the annual meeting of the Boston Harbor Islands Advisory Council. The agenda includes a presentation by Sally Snowman, 70th keeper of Boston Light, the election of officers, and a park update. Date/Time: March 6, 2013, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Eastern). Location: WilmerHale, 60 State Street, 26th floor, Boston, MA 02109.

Notice is hereby given in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. Appendix, that the National Park System Advisory Board will conduct a teleconference meeting on February 28, 2013. Members of the public may attend the meeting in person in Washington, DC.

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.

The National Park Service announces the availability of a Final Environmental Impact Statement for Protecting and Restoring Native Ecosystems by Managing Non-Native Ungulates (final plan/EIS) at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii. The final plan/EIS will provide a park-wide framework to systematically guide non-native ungulate management activities in a manner that supports long-term ecosystem protection, supports natural ecosystem recovery and provides desirable conditions for active ecosystem restoration, and supports protection and preservation of cultural resources.

Pursuant to Sec. 102(2) (C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Pub. L. 91-190, as amended), and the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR part 1500-1508), the National Park Service has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the proposed Tuolumne Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan (TRPCMP). The TRPCMP/DEIS addresses requirements of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (Pub. L. 90-542, as amended) (WSRA), and will provide long-term guidance for management of the 54 miles of the Tuolumne River that flows through Yosemite National Park. The DEIS evaluates potential environmental consequences of implementing a range of alternatives, including a no-action (continue with current management) alternative and five action alternatives. Both the agency- preferred and environmentally preferred alternatives are identified. The purpose of the TRPCMP is to guide the park in protecting the river's free-flowing character and the values that make it worthy of designation by (1) reviewing and updating river corridor boundaries and segment classifications, (2) prescribing a process for the protection of the river's free-flowing condition, (3) identifying and documenting the condition of the river's outstandingly remarkable values, (4) establishing management objectives for river values and a monitoring program for ensuring the objectives are met, (5) identifying management actions needed to protect and enhance river values, and (6) defining visitor use and user capacity for the river corridor. Portions of the 1980 Yosemite General Management Plan (GMP) addressing management inside the Tuolumne Wild and Scenic River corridor also will be updated; specific GMP amendments are outlined in the DEIS. Proposal and Alternatives: Based on a thorough examination of the river's baseline conditions, the TRPCMP/DEIS presents a multi-faceted approach to river management and stewardship. Because of the WSRA mandate to ``protect and enhance'' river values, most of the plan's contents are common to all the action alternatives, including (1) all WSRA management elements (boundaries, classifications, Sec. 7 determination process), (2) an ecological restoration program and other management actions, (3) a monitoring program, and (3) a user capacity management program. As discussed in detail in the DEIS, Alternative 5 is deemed to be the environmentally preferred course of action. Since the conservation planning and environmental impact analysis process began in 2005, the TRPCMP/DEIS has been methodically developed by park subject-matter experts, with attention to information provided by culturally-associated American Indian tribes, gateway communities, nonprofit organizations, and interested members of the public. Throughout the early conservation planning and environmental impact analysis effort, information was sought at over 127 public meetings, workshops, and presentations. At these events, the public was invited to share ideas that could be used in the development of a range of alternatives that would achieve NPS goals, while ensuring accessibility, public safety, resource protection, and protection and enhancement of river values. As noted above, a no-action alternative and five action alternatives for managing the Tuolumne Wild and Scenic River are identified and analyzed. The five action alternatives represent the primary themes expressed during public scoping. Potential impacts are analyzed and appropriate mitigation measures are assessed for each alternative. Per WSRA direction, all of the action alternatives would protect and enhance the values for which the Tuolumne was designated, including its free-flowing condition, excellent water quality, and outstandingly remarkable values. In addition, all action alternatives would preserve and sustain wilderness character, including natural ecosystem function and opportunities for primitive recreation in the more than 90 percent of the river corridor that is classified wild per the WSRA (some portions are also located in designated wilderness). Differences among the alternatives revolve primarily around a range of desired visitor experiences, levels of facilities needed to protect and enhance river values in Tuolumne Meadows and Glen Aulin, and use levels throughout the river corridor. The scenic segment below O'Shaughnessy Dam and the Tioga Road corridor east of Tuolumne Meadows would be managed the same under all the action alternatives in a manner that is protective of river values. The guidance for those segments of the river classified as wild (which are also part of congressionally designated wilderness) are similar under all the alternatives, although differences in visitor use management are identified and assessed. All alternatives accommodate traditional cultural practices by American Indian tribes. Numeric user capacities differ among the alternatives, based on the types of visitor experiences, levels of facilities needed to protect river values, and actions taken to achieve the various objectives. Day and overnight capacities for the entire river corridorand the actions required to manage to proposed capacitiesare considered for all alternatives. No Action Alternative. Continuing current management and trends would result in additional localized impacts associated with roadside parking in Tuolumne Meadows and facilities located in sensitive riverine locations. Common to Action Alternatives. In response to public comments and in keeping with findings related to baseline conditions, all action alternatives call for an ecological restoration program, elimination of roadside parking in Tuolumne Meadows with slight expansion of existing parking areas, elimination of social trails in meadows and riparian areas, removal of concessioner housing from sensitive areas, relocation of the Cathedral Lakes trailhead to the current visitor center location, retention of the Tuolumne Meadows campground, and either no expansion or a reduction of overnight lodging. Alternative 1. Alternative 1 responds to those members of the public who advocated emphasis on primitive and self-reliant experiences in the river corridor while providing a wilderness staging area and a focal point for High Sierra interpretation and education at Tuolumne Meadows. Subalpine meadow and riparian areas would be protected from visitor-related impacts by restoring informal trails, mitigating the hydrologic impacts caused by historic trail segments, and eliminating all facilities except trails and roads from meadow and riparian areas. Most amenities and commercial services would be discontinued at Tuolumne Meadows, including the store and grill, gas station, Tuolumne Meadows Lodge, and trail rides. The Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp would be removed and the area restored to natural conditions. Overall, use levels in the river corridor would be the lowest in the range of alternatives considered. Alternative 2. Alternative 2 responds to those members of the public who voiced a desire for a greater diversity of day use opportunities (including limited kayaking, by permit) and a modest increase in campground capacity, while retaining the rustic lodges at Tuolumne Meadows and Glen Aulin. This alternative would facilitate resource enjoyment and stewardship by a broad spectrum of visitors, including people discovering the area for the first time, by encouraging short interpretive walks and picnicking. To facilitate these connections, a picnic and parking area would be located across from the Parsons Lodge trailhead on Tioga Road. The visitor center and other core visitor services would be co-located at the site of the existing Tuolumne Meadows store. Overall, use levels in the river corridor would be the highest in the range of alternatives considered, and river values would be protected by directing visitors to those areas most able to withstand use. Alternative 3. Alternative 3 responds to those members of the public who desired a Tuolumne experience largely the same as today, while facilitating the changes needed to protect and enhance river values. Alternative 3 would emphasize the historic character of Tuolumne, while providing opportunities for visitors to connect with the river through its historic landscape character and traditional, unconfined experiences. Wilderness-oriented recreational opportunities would be encouraged and river-related systems would be sustained by natural ecological processes. Most facilities at Tuolumne Meadows would remain in their dispersed locations, however some may be relocated to protect sensitive areas. Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp would remain at a slightly reduced capacity. Overall, use levels would fall within the middle of the range of alternatives considered. Alternative 4. Alternative 4 responds to those members of the public who wanted visitor activities and amenities to be secondary to protecting and enhancing the integrity and connectivity of river- related ecological communities, particularly at Tuolumne Meadows. The rustic lodge at Tuolumne Meadows would be reduced to half its current capacity and other commercial services would be eliminated, including the gas station and commercial day rides. Facilities and like functions at Tuolumne Meadows would be consolidated and visitor experiences would be facilitated in a manner that connects people with the river and emphasizes the importance of protecting meadow and riparian ecosystems. Capacity at the Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp would be reduced. Overall, use levels would fall within the middle of the range of alternatives considered, and management of visitor use would be intensive, including possible closures to facilitate ecological recovery. Alternative 5. Alternative 5 (agency-preferred and environmentally preferred) would combine elements from alternatives 2, 3 and 4, to balance greater protection of ecological communities while allowing for traditional wilderness-oriented visitor experiences. While most visitor services would remain, the gas station and concessioner trail rides would be eliminated. A small visitor contact station, picnic and parking area would be located across from the Parsons Lodge trailhead on Tioga Road. Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp would be reduced to nearly half its current capacity. Overall, use levels would fall within the middle of the range of alternatives considered, and management of visitor use would be intensive, including possible closures to facilitate ecological recovery. Since some portions of the DEIS planning area have historic structures or are located in designated wilderness, appendices are included which address (1) role of 1999 and 2008 programmatic agreements between Yosemite NP and the State Historic Preservation Office in protecting and managing historic structures, and (2) the extent to which commercial services are necessary in wilderness. Public Involvement. On July 10, 2006, the Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS was published in the Federal Register, formally initiating a 60-day public scoping period. At that time a letter from the Superintendent was sent to over 6,000 interested members of the public on the park's Planning Mailing list, soliciting ideas, issues, and concerns relating to the scope of this planning effort. Press releases were sent to local and regional newspapers announcing details of the 60-day public scoping period, including information about public meetings. In July and August 2006, a series of thirteen public scoping meetings were held; in addition, an on-site visit was hosted in Tuolumne Meadows on August 29, 2006. In addition to local and regional press media, public meetings were publicized on the park's Web site, through emailed notices on the park's electronic newsletter, and on various state-wide online bulletin boards. The scoping period was extended for an additional two weeks in deference to public requests. Overall there were 457 public responses (including letters, faxes, emails, comment forms, and public meeting flip-chart notes), and over 4,000 individual comments. From 2006-2010 over 127 public meetings, presentations, workshops, field visits, and open houses were conducted in support of preparation of the Tuolumne River Plan. These included all-tribes meetings, public work sessions to parallel planning team work sessions (known as ``Planner-for-a-Day'' workshops), socioeconomic workshops held in gateway communities, open houses and other public forums, meetings with park staff, and presentations to other land management agencies and stakeholder groups. The park's Web site served as a central repository for not only information about the plan's status, but various products for public commentincluding two separate workbooks devoted to release of preliminary concepts and early alternatives. How to Comment: All comments must be transmitted or postmarked not later than 60 days from the date the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency publishes their notice of filing of the DEIS in the Federal Register. Immediately upon confirmation of this date it will be announced via local and regional news media, through direct mailings, and posted on the project Web sites. Written comments should be mailed to: Superintendent, Yosemite National Park, Attn: Tuolumne River Plan DEIS, P.O. Box 577, Yosemite, California 95389. If preferred, comments also may be transmitted electronically through the https:// parkplanning.nps.gov/yosetrp Web site. Before including your address, phone number, email 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. During the public review period public meetings will be hosted in Yosemite gateway communities, as well as in Yosemite Valley and Tuolumne Meadows; Web-based meetings will also take place. Public site visits may be offered during the public review period, depending upon weather conditions. All meeting and site visit locations and dates will be announced similarly as noted above for the comment due date, and will be included in the Yosemite electronic newsletter and posted on the Yosemite National Park Web site https://www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/ trp.htm. Limited printed and CD copies of the TRPCMP/DEIS will be available, and may be requested by email (yose_planning@nps.gov) or telephone at (209) 379-1110. The document will be sent directly to congressional delegations, state and local elected officials, federal and state agencies, tribes, organizations, local businesses, public libraries, and the news media. Printed copies can be viewed at local and regional libraries (i.e., El Portal, Mariposa, Oakhurst, Sonora, San Francisco, and Los Angeles). Electronic versions will be available online at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/yosetrp, or may be accessed through the Yosemite National Park Web site https://www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/ trp.htm. Decision Process: All comments received on the TRPCMP/DEIS will be duly considered in preparing the Final EIS. The Final EIS is expected to be available in early 2013; availability of the document will be announced in a manner similar to that used for the DEIS, including publication of a notice of availability in the Federal Register. A Record of Decision would be prepared not sooner than 30 days after release of the Final EIS. Because this is a delegated EIS, the official responsible for approving the final plan is the Regional Director, Pacific West Region, National Park Service; subsequently the official responsible for implementation of the approved Tuolumne Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan will be the Superintendent, Yosemite National Park.

Pursuant to Sec. 102(2)(C) the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Service (NPS) is releasing a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Off- Road Vehicle Management Plan (Plan), Lake Meredith National Recreation Area (LAMR), Texas. The Plan/DEIS evaluates the impacts of four alternatives that address off-road vehicle (ORV) management in the national recreation area. It also assesses the impacts that could result from continuing the current management framework in the no action alternative. The selected alternative will guide ORV management at LAMR for the next 15 years.

The Arkansas State University Museum has completed an inventory of human remains, in consultation with the appropriate Indian tribes, and has determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001(2), there is a cultural affiliation between the human remains and a present-day Indian tribe. Representatives of any Indian tribe that believes itself to be culturally affiliated with the human remains may contact the Arkansas State University Museum. Repatriation of the human remains to the Indian tribe stated below may occur if no additional claimants come forward.

The University of Washington, Department of Anthropology, 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 Burke Museum acting on behalf of the University of Washington, Department of Anthropology. Disposition of the human remains and associated funerary objects to the Indian tribes stated below may occur if no additional requestors come forward.

As required by the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92- 463, 86 Stat. 770), the NPS is hereby giving notice that the Aniakchak National Monument SRC, Denali National Park SRC, and the Wrangell-St. Elias SRC will hold meetings to develop and continue work on NPS subsistence program recommendations and other related subsistence management issues. The NPS SRC program is authorized under Title VIII, Section 808 of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, Public Law 96-487. Public Availability of Comments: These meetings are open to the public and will have time allocated for public testimony. The public is welcome to present written or oral comments to the SRC. The meetings will be recorded and meeting minutes will be available upon request from the park superintendent for public inspection approximately six weeks after the meeting. Before including your address, telephone number, email 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. Aniakchak National Monument SRC Meeting Date and Location: The Aniakchak National Monument SRC will meet from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, February 11, 2013, at the Katmai National Park Office in the King Salmon Mall in King Salmon, AK. SRC meeting locations and dates may change based on inclement weather or exceptional circumstances. If the meeting date and location are changed, the Superintendent may issue a press release and use local newspapers and radio stations to announce the meeting. Aniakchak National Monument SRC Proposed Meeting Agenda: The proposed meeting agenda includes the following:

The University of Washington, Department of Anthropology, 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 may contact the Burke Museum acting on behalf of the University of Washington, Department of Anthropology. Disposition of the human remains to the Indian tribes stated below may occur if no additional requestors come forward.

This notice sets the date of February 1, 2013, meeting of the Kalaupapa Federal Advisory Commission.

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Service (NPS) announces the availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the General Management Plan (GMP) for Blue Ridge Parkway (parkway). Consistent with NPS laws, regulations, and policies and the purpose of the parkway, the FEIS/GMP will guide the management of the parkway over the next 20+ years.