[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 123 (Friday, June 26, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34925-34926]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-17084]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Availability of the Draft General Management Plan/
Environmental Impact Statement for Sitka National Historical Park
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Availability of the Draft General Management Plan/
Environmental Impact Statement for Sitka National Historical Park.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The National Park Service announces the availability of a
draft General Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement (GMP/EIS)
for Sitka National Historical Park, in the City and Borough of Sitka,
Alaska. The document describes and analyzes the environmental impacts
of a proposed action and two action alternatives for the future
management of the park. A no action alternative also is evaluated. This
notice announces that public meetings will be held to solicit comments
on the draft GMP/EIS.
DATES: There will be a 60-day public review period for comments on this
document. Comments on the draft GMP/EIS must be received no later than
August 24, 1998. Public meetings will be held in Sitka, Alaska, on July
20, 1998, at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at the Shee Atika Hotel.
ADDRESSES: Comments on the draft GMP/EIS should be submitted to the
Superintendent, Sitka National Historical Park, 106 Metlakatla Street,
P.O. Box 738, Sitka, Alaska 99835. A limited number of copies of the
draft GMP/EIS are available by request from the aforementioned address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ron Johnson, Job Captain, National
Park Service, Denver Service Center. Telephone: (303) 969-2342 FAX:
(303) 987-6679.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Pub. L. 91-190, as amended),
the National Park Service has prepared a GMP/EIS with proposed guidance
for management of Sitka National Historical Park for the next 15-20
years. This document was developed in consultation with The Sitka Tribe
of Alaska and the Southeast Alaska Indian Cultural Center.
The draft GMP/EIS describes and analyzes the environmental impacts
of a proposed action, two other action alternatives, and a no action
alternative. The proposed action, alternative 1, would balance resource
management and visitor use. It would improve visitor
[[Page 34926]]
access and safety and the accuracy of information available to
potential park and city visitors. It also would better protect cultural
resources and enhance existing park partnerships. Alternative 2, the
no-action alternative, would continue current management direction.
Benefits would continue for visitors in information and interpretation,
but crowding in the visitor center unit would result in adverse visitor
safety conditions. In addition, the uses of adjacent lands would
continue to have adverse effects on visual resources and land use.
Alternative 3 would emphasize resource preservation. This alternative
would increase protection of cultural and natural resources, moderately
benefit visual resources and the visitor experience, and improve park
administration and operation. Alternative 4 would accommodate more
visitors during peak visitation times. It would lead to some
improvement in visitor access and circulation in and near the park,
improvements in opportunities for information about Sitka attractions,
and a better visitor experience.
Dated: June 18, 1998.
Paul R. Anderson,
Regional Director, Alaska.
[FR Doc. 98-17084 Filed 6-25-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P
