[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 23 (Thursday, February 3, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-2360]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: February 3, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Department of the Interior
National Park Service
Grand Canyon Railway, Inc., Passenger Railway Service Grand
Canyon Airport to Grand Canyon Village; Availability of Final
Environmental Impact Statement
Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy
Act of 1969, Public Law 91-190, the Department of Agriculture, Forest
Service, and the Department of the Interior, National Park Service,
joint lead agencies, have prepared a final environmental impact
statement (FEIS) and Record of Decision (ROD) on the provision of
initiating passenger rail service form Grand Canyon Airport, Tusayan,
Arizona, to the Maswick Transportation Area in Grand Canyon Village,
Grand Canyon National Park.
The draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) was circulated for
public review between July 31, 1992 and September 30, 1992 (57 FR
33168) and the comment period extended to November 14, 1992. Both the
DEIS and FEIS describe and analyze a proposal and five alternatives.
The proposal, Alternative A, provides for the construction of 5.4 miles
of new railway line on the national forest, with 1.1 miles on an old
rail line alignment, and use of existing rail line within the national
park. One wash would need to be crossed within the airport property.
Additional features are the construction of two depots, 75 acres of
parking, a road for maintenance, and the addition of storage tanks for
fuel, water and wastewater. A maximum of eight (8) trips per day would
be generated between the airport and Maswick. Interpretive activities
and visitor orientation to the park and national forest would be
integrated into the service. Alternatives B, C and D, all provide for
the proposed passenger service but vary in the track alignment and
length to be constructed, the amount of national forest lands needed
and generally increase the number of washes that would be crossed. In
addition, Alternative D provides for a single depot. Alternative E is a
non-rail alternative, utilizing a shuttle bus system in conjunction
with a parking area outside the park. Alternative F is the no action
alternative. Alternative A, the proposal, is the environmentally
preferred alternative.
The 30 day no action period on the FEIS and ROD will end March 7,
1994. The ROD, as it affects National Forest System Lands, is subject
to appeal in accordance with 36 CFR part 217. A notice of appeal must
be in writing and clearly state that it is a Notice of Appeal being
filed pursuant to 36 CFR part 217. Appeals must be filed with the
Regional Forester, Southwestern Region, 517 Gold Avenue SW.,
Albuquerque, NM 87102-0094 within 45 days of legal notice of this
decision in the Arizona Daily Sun. While The National Park Service has
no formal appeal process, no implementation of the proposal within
Grand Canyon National Park will occur before expiration of the 30 day
no action period and contingent on any appeals received pertaining to
National Forest System lands.
Requests for additional information and/or copies of the FEIS and
ROD should be directed to the Forest Supervisor, Kaibab National
Forest, 800 South State Street, Williams, AZ 86048, telephone number
602-635-2681, or to the Superintendent, Grand Canyon National Park,
P.O. Box 129, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ 86023, telephone number
602-638-7701.
Copies of the FEIS and ROD are available for inspection at the park
headquarters, Forest Supervisor's office, and libraries at Flagstaff,
Williams, Northern Arizona University, and Arizona State University.
Copies are also available at the following addresses: Western Regional
Office, National Park Service, Attn: Division of Planning, Grants and
Environmental Quality, 600 Harrison Street, suite 600, San Francisco,
CA 94107-1372, and at the Regional Office, Southwestern Region, USDA
Forest Service, 517 Gold Ave. SW., Albuquerque, NM 87102.
Dated: December 1, 1993.
Lew Albert,
Deputy Regional Director, Western Region.
Dated: January 18, 1994.
Larry Henson,
Regional Forester, Southwestern Region.
[FR Doc. 94-2360 Filed 2-2-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-M
