[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1974; however, this plan is outdated and does not address current 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]
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