[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 244 (Wednesday, December 21, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-31177]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: December 21, 1994]
VOL. 59, NO. 244
Wednesday, December 21, 1994
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area Management Plan Update,
Tongass National Forest, Chatham Area, Juneau Ranger District, Juneau,
AK
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Agriculture, Forest Service will prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to disclose the environmental
impacts of updating the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area (MGRA)
Management Plan. The MGRA is located in the City and Borough of Juneau,
Alaska. The proposed action is to update the 1975 MGRA Management Plan,
which will result in a non-significant amendment to the Tongass Land
Management Plan. No site specific projects or other activities are
proposed as part of this action. The proposed action provides an
updated management strategy for one of Juneau's most popular recreation
areas. The revised plan also would provide clarification and more
specific guidelines for Management Units within the recreation area.
The Forest Service is seeking information and comments from
Federal, State and local agencies as well as individuals and
organizations who may be interested in, or affected by, the proposed
action.
DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis should be received
in writing by January 21, 1995.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments or requests for additional information
to Joni Packard, Interpretive Specialist Planner, Juneau Ranger
District, 8465 Old Dairy Road, Juneau, Alaska 99801 (907) 586-8800.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose and need for the proposed action
is to provide a management strategy which provides more specific
management direction for the MGRA, reduces conflicts between
recreational user groups, and protects the natural resources of this
special area. There is a need to resolve public concerns related to
discharge of firearms and use of off road vehicles (ORVs) within the
MGRA, which appear to create threats to the health and safety of
recreational users and to residents living adjacent to the MGRA
property boundary. Additionally, chronic vandalism, illegal dumping of
garbage, late night partying, and excessive noise continue to be on-
going problems that need to be resolved. There is also a need to
address concerns about resource damage resulting from certain
recreational uses.
Gary Morrison, Chatham Area Forest Supervisor, Tongass National
Forest, Chatham Area, is the deciding official. The decision to be made
is whether or not to update the MGRA Plan as proposed or an alternative
to the update. A decision must also be made whether the update is a
non-significant amendment to the Tongass Land Management Plan.
The no action and proposed action alternatives will be considered
in the EIS as well as other alternatives which address significant
issues and satisfy the purpose and need for the action. Alternatives
may consider eliminating or reducing ORV and firearm use within the
MRGA.
Preliminary issues that have been identified include:
1. Off-road vehicles (ORVs), bicycles (and other non-motorized
uses), pedestrian, and horse use often conflict in the MGRA, resulting
in deterioration of the recreational visitor experience, safety
concerns, and resource damage.
2. Firearm use in the recreation area results in safety hazards to
other recreationists and adjacent residents.
3. Users of the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area do not have
adequate parking and access to portions of the recreation area. At
times this causes conflicts with local residents, such as along the
Dredge Lake Road.
4. Vandalism is resulting in property and resource damage, causing
increased maintenance costs, and public health and safety concerns.
5. Dogs not under voice control, or not on a leash, are causing
conflicts and safety concerns with other recreationists.
6. Recreational use may result in negative impacts to fish and
wildlife habitat and viewing opportunities.
7. Local people consider current MGRA management to be biased
toward tourism rather than toward local resident use. People feel that
continued development and growth of the tourism industry at the Visitor
Center and in the MGRA will adversely affect local use of the
recreation area.
8. Agency response to Special Use requests are resulting in
inconsistent decisions and permits. A letter was mailed in May, 1993 to
the public and organizations, and a series of public meetings were
hosted to solicit public comments to help determine preliminary issues.
Presentations were made to local groups interested in the recreation
area. The Juneau Empire published an article on the plan update
process, and KJNO carried a radio interview. The Juneau Ranger District
received 79 written comments and one petition plus numerous comments
during the public meetings. Comments will be accepted throughout the
EIS process but, to be most useful, should be received by January 21,
1995.
The draft environmental impact statement should be available for
review by spring, 1995. The final environmental impact statement is
scheduled to be completed by late summer, 1995.
The comment period on the draft environmental impact statement will
be 45 days from the date the Environmental Protection Agency publishes
the notice of availability in the Federal Register.
The Forest Service believes, at this early stage, it is important
to give reviewers notice of several court rulings related to public
participation in the environmental review process. First, reviewers of
draft environmental impact statements must structure their
participation in the environmental review of the proposal so that it is
meaningful and alerts an agency to the reviewer's position and
contentions. Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp. v. NRDC, 435 U.S. 519,
553 (1978). Also, environmental objections that could be raised at the
draft environmental impact statement stage but that are not raised
until after the completion of the final environmental impact statement
may be waived or dismissed by the courts. City of Angoon v. Hodel, 803
F.2d. 1016, 1022 (9th Cir. 1986) and Wisconsin Heritages, Inc. v.
Harris, 490 F. Supp. 1334, 1338 (E.D. Wis. 1980). Because of these
court rulings, it is very important that those interested in this
proposed action participate by the close of the 45 day comment period
so that substantive comments and objections are made available to the
Forest Service at a time when it can meaningfully consider them and
respond to them in the final environmental impact statement. To assist
the Forest Service in identifying and considering issues and concerns
on the proposed action, comments on the draft environmental impact
statement should be as specific as possible. It is also helpful if
comments refer to specific pages or chapters of the draft statement.
Comments may also address the adequacy of the draft environmental
impact statement or the merits of the alternatives formulated and
discussed in the statement. Reviewers may wish to refer to the Council
on Environmental Quality Regulations for implementing the procedural
provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act at 40 CFR 1503.3 in
addressing these points.
The Final EIS and Record of Decision is expected to be released in
late summer, 1995. The Chatham Area Forest Supervisor, Chatham Area,
Tongass National Forest will, as the responsible official for the EIS,
make a decision regarding this proposal considering the comments,
responses, and environmental consequences discussed in the Final EIS,
and applicable laws, regulations, and policies. The decision and
supporting reasons will be documented in the Record of Decision.
Dated: November 22, 1994.
Gary A. Morrison,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 94-31177 Filed 12-20-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M
