[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 92 (Friday, May 13, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-11626]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: May 13, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service

36 CFR Part 7

RIN 1024-AC20

 

Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming Mountain Climbing and Winter 
Backcountry Trip Regulations

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS) proposes to eliminate 
registration and check out requirements for climbing and off trail 
travel above 7,000 ft., and for winter travel in Grand Teton National 
Park. Existing regulations requiring climbers, off trail hikers, and 
winter travel users to register and check out upon completion of their 
activity were intended primarily to provide information necessary to 
initiate search and rescue responses. Actual experience over the years 
has shown that the intended purpose of these regulations has not been 
achieved. Nearly all search and rescue responses are generated by 
reports from sources other than the check out system. Instead of aiding 
rescuers, these regulations burden park rangers with the task of 
checking on countless cases of climbers and backpackers who failed to 
check out. These regulations have been enforced selectively for several 
years, where local climbers and guides have not been forced to register 
because of an assumed expertise and knowledge of the local area. The 
deletion of these regulations will not eliminate visitor protection 
services provided by park personnel.

DATES: Written comments will be accepted through June 13, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to: Superintendent, Grand Teton 
National Park, P.O. Drawer 170, Moose, Wy. 83012.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colin W. Campbell, Law Enforcement 
Specialist, Grand Teton National Park, Telephone: 307-733-2880.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The existing National Park Service (NPS) special regulations that 
pertain to mountain climbing, off trail travel, and winter travel trips 
are codified at 36 CFR 7.22 (f) and (g). They require all technical 
climbers, off trail travel, and winter travel users to register or 
check in prior to undertaking these activities and to check out with a 
ranger upon completion of the activity. The original intent was 
primarily to provide park search and rescue personnel with the 
knowledge that a park user was in essence overdue from a potentially 
dangerous activity. In reality, almost all perceived overdue parties 
concerned climbers and backcountry users failing to properly check out. 
In addition, the vast majority of winter travelers either ignore or do 
not know of the requirement to register, and strict enforcement of this 
regulation has not been done for several years. The result has been a 
combination of non-compliance, failure to check out, failure to contact 
a ranger in a timely manner and wasted time and energy on the part of 
the park staff administering the system. After working with these 
restrictions since promulgation it has been determined that they are 
not achieving their original purpose of saving lives by alerting search 
and rescue personnel. In reality, almost all park search and rescue 
efforts are the result of initial reports by climbing partners, other 
park backcountry users, friends or relatives.
    The NPS believes the deletion of these rules will make the 
management of mountain climbing and winter backcountry trips more 
consistent with the practices of both state and federal agencies whose 
lands are contiguous with Grand Teton National Park. Overnight 
backcountry trips will continue to be regulated by general camping 
regulations at 36 CFR 2.10.
    A voluntary registration system will be available to climbers and 
backcountry travelers who choose to use it. The exchange of information 
between climbers, off trail hikers, winter travelers and park rangers 
will still be available and encouraged without mandating it through 
regulation. Furthermore the park staff will be educating park users to 
leave trip information with family or friends, shifting responsibility 
for trip planning onto the park user.

Public Participation

    The policy of the National Park Service is, whenever practicable, 
to afford the public an opportunity to participate in the rulemaking 
process. Accordingly, interested persons may submit written comments 
regarding this proposed rule to the address noted at the beginning of 
this rulemaking. The Grand Teton National Park staff will also be 
making public notices in local papers and contacting representatives of 
the local climbing community.

Drafting Information

    The primary authors of this proposed rule are Colin W. Campbell, 
Law Enforcement Specialist, and Mark L. Magnuson, Jenny Lake Sub-
District Ranger.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This rulemaking does not contain information collection 
requirements that require approval by the Office of Management and 
Budget under 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.

Compliance With Other Laws

    The Department of the Interior has determined that this document 
will not have a significant economic effect on a substantial number of 
small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et 
seq.), because it deletes an existing requirement and gives more 
discretion to the park visitor.
    The NPS has determined that this proposed rulemaking will not have 
a significant effect on the quality of the human environment, health 
and safety because it is not expected to:
    (a) Increase public use to the extent of compromising the nature 
and character of the area causing physical damage to it;
    (b) Introduce noncompatible uses which might compromise the nature 
and characteristics of the area, or cause physical damage to it;
    (c) Conflict with adjacent ownerships or land uses; or
    (d) Cause a nuisance to adjacent owners or occupants.
    Based on this determination, this proposed rulemaking is 
categorically excluded from the procedural requirements of the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) by Departmental Regulations in 516 DM 
6, (49 FR 21438). As such, neither an Environmental Assessment nor an 
Environmental Impact Statement has been prepared.
    This rule was not subject to Office of Management and Budget review 
under Executive Order 12866.

List of Subjects in 36 CFR Part 7

    National parks.

    In consideration of the foregoing, it is proposed to amend 36 CFR 
chapter I as follows:

PART 7--SPECIAL REGULATIONS, AREAS OF THE NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM

    1. The authority citation continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1, 3, 9a, 460(q), 462(k); Sec. 7.96 also 
issued under D.C. Code 8-137 (1981) and D.C. Code 40-721 (1981).


Sec. 7.22  [Amended]

    2. In Sec. 7.22, paragraphs (f) and (g) are removed, and paragraphs 
(h) and (i) are redesignated paragraphs (f) and (g) respectively.

    Dated: May 23, 1994.
George T. Frampton, Jr.,
Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
[FR Doc. 94-11626 Filed 5-12-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-M