[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]
BILLING CODE 4310-10-P