[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 230 (Thursday, December 1, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-29618]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: December 1, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Fishing Bridge Campsite Replacement, Draft Environmental Impact
Statement, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming/Montana/Idaho
AGENCY: National Park Service, Department of the Interior.
ACTION: Availability of draft environmental impact statement for
Fishing Bridge Campsite Replacement for Yellowstone National Park.
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Summary: Pursuant to section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969, the National Park Service (NPS) announces the
availability of a draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho.
DATES: The DEIS will remain available for public review through
February 17, 1995. If any public meetings are held concerning the DEIS,
they will be announced at a later date.
ADDRESSES: Comments on the DEIS should be sent to the Superintendent,
Yellowstone National Park, Attn: Planning and Compliance, P.O. Box 168,
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190. Public reading copies of the DEIS
will be available for review at the following locations:
Office of Public Affairs, Yellowstone National Park, Telephone: 307-
344-2013
Division of Public and Environmental Services, Rocky Mountain Regional
Office, National Park Service, 12795 W. Alameda Parkway, Lakewood, CO,
Telephone: (303) 969-2920
Office of Public Affairs, National Park Service, Department of
Interior, 18th and C Streets NW., Washington, DC 20240, Telephone:
(202) 208-6843
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This draft environmental impact statement
analyzes options for replacing the campsites removed from the Fishing
Bridge campground in Yellowstone National Park. The decision to close
the campground and replace the campsites was made in the 1988 Final
Environmental Impact Statement/Development Concept Plan (FEIS/DCP),
Fishing Bridge Developed Area. Although that document also presented
alternative locations for campsite replacement, resource conditions
have changed significantly since it was prepared. Consequently, a new
alternative for campsite replacement is proposed in this environmental
impact statement. All 310 campsites removed from the Fishing Bridge
campground would be replaced; 175 sites would be located near the
Norris campground, 100 sites would be located within the Canyon
campground area, and 35 sites would be located within an existing group
loop at Grant Village. Five group camping sites from that Grant Village
group loop would be relocated to Norris and, possibly, Canyon. All
other actions described in the 1988 Fishing Bridge FEIS/DCP for the
proposed action remain the same, except for the incomplete management
actions readdressed in this document.
Alternative 1 would replace all 310 campsites at Lodgepole.
Alternative 2 would replace the campsites by expanding other
campgrounds and constructing a new 140-site campground at Mesa Road,
south of Madison. The existing campgrounds to be expanded include
Canyon (50), Grant Village (50), and Norris (30). Although the Bridge
Bay and Lewis Lake areas were previously identified as potential sites
(40 and 30 sites, respectively), these areas are no longer available.
Many other potential relocation areas were considered but
eliminated from detailed analysis. The alternative of not replacing the
campsites fell into this category, as did re-opening the Fishing Bridge
campground.
The new campsite replacement proposal would locate sites where
there would be the least impact to all park resources. The campsites
would be either in presently disturbed areas or in lower quality bear
habitat. Because the addition of 175 new campsites in the Norris area
could change the character and human use of the area, the DEIS examines
the entire Norris area and the effects the proposal would have on all
resources, facilities, and services there.
Soils and vegetation would be impacted by the proposed action at
Norris and Canyon; however, at Canyon the majority of the impact would
be in an already disturbed area. The proposed action at Grant Village
would occur in the existing group camping loop; thus, no new
disturbance is expected. Water quality would not be affected at Canyon
or Grant Village, and water quality would be improved at Norris because
of a proposed new sewage treatment facility. Small, localized wetlands
at Norris and Canyon would be avoided; no wetlands were identified at
Grant Village. Wildlife would be temporarily displaced during
construction and some habitat would be permanently lost due to
facilities construction. The proposed action would have no effect on
whooping cranes, peregrine falcons, bald eagles, or gray wolves. The
proposed action is not likely to adversely affect grizzly bears. There
would be no effect on cultural resources at Canyon or Grant Village,
and cultural sites identified at Norris would be avoided or mitigated.
More visitors would have the opportunity to camp in Yellowstone if
the proposed action is approved, and there would be a better
distribution of campsites throughout the park. However, the proposed
action would change the character of the Norris area. Additional
ranger, interpretive, and maintenance staff would be necessary to
effectively address the increased visitor use at Norris, and additional
ranger and maintenance staff would be needed at Canyon.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Beth Kaeding, Planning and Compliance,
Yellowstone National Park at (307) 344-2021 (same address).
Dated: November 18, 1994.
Ronald E. Everhart,
Acting Regional Director, Rocky Mountain Region, National Park Service.
[FR Doc. 94-29618 Filed 11-30-94; 8:45 am]
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