[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 186 (Tuesday, September 27, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-23787]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: September 27, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
General Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement for Mount
Rainier National Park, WA
agency: National Park Service, Interior.
action: Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement
for the General Management Plan for Mount Rainier National Park,
Washington.
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summary: The National Park Service will prepare a General Management
Plan/Environmental Impact Statement (GMP/EIS) for Mount Rainier
National Park, Washington. The GMP/EIS will describe and analyze a
proposal and alternatives for the future management of the park for
approximately 15 years past approval of the plan.
A Master Plan was completed for Mount Rainier National Park in
1974; however, this plan is outdated and does not address current
issues. In recent years, visitor use in the park has increased
substantially, resulting in traffic circulation and parking problems,
as well as degradation of vegetation and erosion of soil from off-trail
use. External encroachments and adverse impacts along the park
boundaries are also increasing. Current projects and plans that are
addressing some immediate needs of the park include a gateway community
assistance initiative, a transportation study and a Natural Resource
Management Plan. The results of these projects will provide vital
information for the GMP.
Issues to be addressed in the GMP/EIS include, but are not limited
to: Traffic and circulation patterns, impacts of land uses outside the
park, geological and hydrologic hazards and natural resources and
visitor use management. Visitor density and distribution in the park
and methods to mitigate impact on park resources while ensuring a
quality visitor experience will also be considered. Alternatives to
address these issues will be developed in cooperation with the public
and will include a no-action alternative. Additionally, the EIS will
provide a comprehensive analysis of impacts, taking into account
cumulative effects.
Representatives of federal, state and local agencies, private
organizations and individuals from the general public who may be
interested in or affected by the proposed GMP/EIS are invited to
participate in the scoping process by responding to this Notice with
written comments. The scoping process will help define issues,
concerns, and potential impacts related to the plan. Public scoping
meetings are expected to be held in November 1994. The time and
location of these meetings will be announced prior to that time through
the local media and the park's mailing list.
The draft GMP/EIS is expected to be available for public review in
1997 and the final GMP/EIS and Record of Decision completed one year
later.
The responsible official is Charles H. Odegaard, Regional Director,
Pacific Northwest Region, National Park Service.
dates: Written comments about the scope of issues and impact topics to
be analyzed in the GMP/EIS should be received no later than 60 days
from the date of publication of this Notice.
addresses: Written comments concerning the GMP/EIS should be sent to
the Superintendent, Mount Rainier National Park, Ashford, Washington
98304-9751.
for further information contact: Eric Walkinshaw, Chief of Planning and
Professional Services, Mount Rainier National Park at the above address
or at telephone number (206) 569-2211, extension 3362.
Dated: September 15, 1994.
William C. Walters,
Deputy Regional Director, Pacific Northwest Region, National Park
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-23787 Filed 9-26-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-M
