96-25031. Final Environmental Impact Statement on the Development Concept Plan for the Brooks River Area, Katmai National Park and Preserve, Alaska

[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 190 (Monday, September 30, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51127-51128]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-25031]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service


Final Environmental Impact Statement on the Development Concept 
Plan for the Brooks River Area, Katmai National Park and Preserve, 
Alaska

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of a final 
environmental impact statement (EIS) on the development concept plan 
for the Brooks River Area of Katmai National Park and Preserve.

DATES: A Record of Decision will be made no sooner than October 30, 
1996.

ADDRESSES: Public reading copies of the final EIS will be available for 
review in the following locations:

Office of Public Affairs, National Park Service, Department of the 
Interior, 1849 C Street NW., Room 3424, Washington DC 20240, (telephone 
202-208-6843).
Alaska System Support Office, National Park Service, 2525 Gambell 
Street, Room 404, Anchorage, Alaska 99503-2892, (telephone 907-257-
2647).
Superintendent, Katmai National Park and Preserve, 4230 University 
Drive, Suite 311, Anchorage, Alaska 99613, (telephone [phone]).
Katmai National Park and Preserve, King Salmon, Alaska (telephone 907-
246-3305).

    A limited number of copies of the statement are available on 
request from: Bill Pierce, Superintendent, Katmai National Park and 
Preserve, 4230 University Drive, Suite 311, Anchorage, Alaska 99613, 
phone [phone] or Alaska System Support Office, National Park 
Service, 2525 Gambell Street, Room 404, Anchorage, Alaska 99503-2892, 
phone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The development concept plan proposes to 
reorient management, use and development of the Brooks River Area in 
Katmai National Park and Preserve to more adequately preserve and 
interpret the area's critical brown bear habitat and globally 
significant brown bear viewing opportunities, nationally significant 
cultural resources and scenic values, and world-class sport fishing 
opportunities. Major features of the proposal (alternative 5) include 
removal of all NPS and concessions' facilities north of the river and 
relocating them about \3/4\ mile south of the river, away from the 
prime resource area. The immediate area of Brooks River would become a 
day use area only; overnight facilities would be above the Beaver Pond 
Terrace and along the Valley Road. By removing facilities north of the 
river, the local bear population would experience less disturbance from 
humans, and incremental impacts on cultural resources would cease. All 
new structures would be sited to avoid impacts on cultural resources at 
the Beaver Pond Terrace site. The river would be managed for quality 
bear viewing, wildlife photography, and sportfishing. Improvements 
would be made to support these activities, including a lodge and 
campground. A management support facility would be built along the 
Valley Road near the new public facilities to provide employee housing 
that includes bathrooms and cooking facilities for NPS and concession 
staff and an expanded maintenance area. All facilities would be 
designed and built to minimize costs as reasonable. Day-use limits 
would be established at levels somewhat higher than the July 1992 
average to allow more people to access the area. Access to the area 
would be by float plane and boat, and would be east of the Beaver Pond 
away from critical bear habitat. Partnerships would be emphasized to 
implement DCP recommendations. Efforts would be made to plan for 
dispersed visitor use throughout the park.
    Alternatives to the proposal include the no-action alternative, 
alternative 1 (minimum requirements), alternative 2 (the former NPS 
Proposal in the Draft DCP/EIS for the Beaver Pond Terrace), alternative 
3 (Iliuk Moraine Terrace), and alternative 4 (day use only). The no 
action alternative would continue the status quo visitation and 
management of the Brooks River Area. Alternative 1 would retain the 
present Brooks Camp facilities while upgrading existing resource 
protection programs, add four significant structures north of Brooks

[[Page 51128]]

River, and establish day use limits slightly below the 1992 average. 
Alternative 2 would remove all facilities north of Brooks River and 
locate a new lodge, campground and support facilities above the Beaver 
Pond Terrace, about \3/4\ mile from Brooks River. Brooks River would 
become a day-use area only, with day-use limits significantly below the 
July 1992 average. Alternative 3 would remove all facilities north of 
Brooks River and relocate Brooks Camp on a larger scale to the terrace 
above Iliuk Moraine, two miles south of Brooks River. Brooks River 
would become a day use area only. Alternative 4 would remove all 
facilities north of the river, and no overnight facilities would be 
available at Brooks River. Brooks River would become a day use area 
only.
    The responsible official for a Record of Decision on the proposed 
action is the Alaska Field Director, National Park Service, 2525 
Gambell Street, Room 401, Anchorage, Alaska 99503 (telephone 907-257-
2690).
Robert D. Barbee,
Alaska Field Area Director.
[FR Doc. 96-25031 Filed 9-27-96; 8:45 am]
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