[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 244 (Wednesday, December 21, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-31177]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: December 21, 1994]


                                                   VOL. 59, NO. 244

                                       Wednesday, December 21, 1994

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service

 

Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area Management Plan Update, 
Tongass National Forest, Chatham Area, Juneau Ranger District, Juneau, 
AK

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Agriculture, Forest Service will prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to disclose the environmental 
impacts of updating the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area (MGRA) 
Management Plan. The MGRA is located in the City and Borough of Juneau, 
Alaska. The proposed action is to update the 1975 MGRA Management Plan, 
which will result in a non-significant amendment to the Tongass Land 
Management Plan. No site specific projects or other activities are 
proposed as part of this action. The proposed action provides an 
updated management strategy for one of Juneau's most popular recreation 
areas. The revised plan also would provide clarification and more 
specific guidelines for Management Units within the recreation area.
    The Forest Service is seeking information and comments from 
Federal, State and local agencies as well as individuals and 
organizations who may be interested in, or affected by, the proposed 
action.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis should be received 
in writing by January 21, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments or requests for additional information 
to Joni Packard, Interpretive Specialist Planner, Juneau Ranger 
District, 8465 Old Dairy Road, Juneau, Alaska 99801 (907) 586-8800.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose and need for the proposed action 
is to provide a management strategy which provides more specific 
management direction for the MGRA, reduces conflicts between 
recreational user groups, and protects the natural resources of this 
special area. There is a need to resolve public concerns related to 
discharge of firearms and use of off road vehicles (ORVs) within the 
MGRA, which appear to create threats to the health and safety of 
recreational users and to residents living adjacent to the MGRA 
property boundary. Additionally, chronic vandalism, illegal dumping of 
garbage, late night partying, and excessive noise continue to be on-
going problems that need to be resolved. There is also a need to 
address concerns about resource damage resulting from certain 
recreational uses.
    Gary Morrison, Chatham Area Forest Supervisor, Tongass National 
Forest, Chatham Area, is the deciding official. The decision to be made 
is whether or not to update the MGRA Plan as proposed or an alternative 
to the update. A decision must also be made whether the update is a 
non-significant amendment to the Tongass Land Management Plan.
    The no action and proposed action alternatives will be considered 
in the EIS as well as other alternatives which address significant 
issues and satisfy the purpose and need for the action. Alternatives 
may consider eliminating or reducing ORV and firearm use within the 
MRGA.
    Preliminary issues that have been identified include:
    1. Off-road vehicles (ORVs), bicycles (and other non-motorized 
uses), pedestrian, and horse use often conflict in the MGRA, resulting 
in deterioration of the recreational visitor experience, safety 
concerns, and resource damage.
    2. Firearm use in the recreation area results in safety hazards to 
other recreationists and adjacent residents.
    3. Users of the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area do not have 
adequate parking and access to portions of the recreation area. At 
times this causes conflicts with local residents, such as along the 
Dredge Lake Road.
    4. Vandalism is resulting in property and resource damage, causing 
increased maintenance costs, and public health and safety concerns.
    5. Dogs not under voice control, or not on a leash, are causing 
conflicts and safety concerns with other recreationists.
    6. Recreational use may result in negative impacts to fish and 
wildlife habitat and viewing opportunities.
    7. Local people consider current MGRA management to be biased 
toward tourism rather than toward local resident use. People feel that 
continued development and growth of the tourism industry at the Visitor 
Center and in the MGRA will adversely affect local use of the 
recreation area.
    8. Agency response to Special Use requests are resulting in 
inconsistent decisions and permits. A letter was mailed in May, 1993 to 
the public and organizations, and a series of public meetings were 
hosted to solicit public comments to help determine preliminary issues. 
Presentations were made to local groups interested in the recreation 
area. The Juneau Empire published an article on the plan update 
process, and KJNO carried a radio interview. The Juneau Ranger District 
received 79 written comments and one petition plus numerous comments 
during the public meetings. Comments will be accepted throughout the 
EIS process but, to be most useful, should be received by January 21, 
1995.
    The draft environmental impact statement should be available for 
review by spring, 1995. The final environmental impact statement is 
scheduled to be completed by late summer, 1995.
    The comment period on the draft environmental impact statement will 
be 45 days from the date the Environmental Protection Agency publishes 
the notice of availability in the Federal Register.
    The Forest Service believes, at this early stage, it is important 
to give reviewers notice of several court rulings related to public 
participation in the environmental review process. First, reviewers of 
draft environmental impact statements must structure their 
participation in the environmental review of the proposal so that it is 
meaningful and alerts an agency to the reviewer's position and 
contentions. Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp. v. NRDC, 435 U.S. 519, 
553 (1978). Also, environmental objections that could be raised at the 
draft environmental impact statement stage but that are not raised 
until after the completion of the final environmental impact statement 
may be waived or dismissed by the courts. City of Angoon v. Hodel, 803 
F.2d. 1016, 1022 (9th Cir. 1986) and Wisconsin Heritages, Inc. v. 
Harris, 490 F. Supp. 1334, 1338 (E.D. Wis. 1980). Because of these 
court rulings, it is very important that those interested in this 
proposed action participate by the close of the 45 day comment period 
so that substantive comments and objections are made available to the 
Forest Service at a time when it can meaningfully consider them and 
respond to them in the final environmental impact statement. To assist 
the Forest Service in identifying and considering issues and concerns 
on the proposed action, comments on the draft environmental impact 
statement should be as specific as possible. It is also helpful if 
comments refer to specific pages or chapters of the draft statement. 
Comments may also address the adequacy of the draft environmental 
impact statement or the merits of the alternatives formulated and 
discussed in the statement. Reviewers may wish to refer to the Council 
on Environmental Quality Regulations for implementing the procedural 
provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act at 40 CFR 1503.3 in 
addressing these points.
    The Final EIS and Record of Decision is expected to be released in 
late summer, 1995. The Chatham Area Forest Supervisor, Chatham Area, 
Tongass National Forest will, as the responsible official for the EIS, 
make a decision regarding this proposal considering the comments, 
responses, and environmental consequences discussed in the Final EIS, 
and applicable laws, regulations, and policies. The decision and 
supporting reasons will be documented in the Record of Decision.

    Dated: November 22, 1994.
Gary A. Morrison,
Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 94-31177 Filed 12-20-94; 8:45 am]
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