[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 80 (Wednesday, April 26, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20551-20552]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-10235]



=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard
[CGD13-95-015]


Notice of National Environmental Policy Act Activity

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice; Intent to prepare environmental assessment of Seattle 
Seafair Unlimited Hydroplane Races and Airshow, Lake Washington, 
Seattle, WA.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is preparing an Environmental Assessment (EA) 
to consider the environmental effects of granting a marine event permit 
to Seafair, Inc. for the Seattle Seafair Unlimited Hydroplane Races and 
Airshow. The Coast Guard is seeking public comment in order to assist 
in determining the relevant issues, possible environmental effects, and 
proper scope of this EA. This notice provides information about the 
event and explains how members of the public can submit their comments 
to the Coast Guard.

DATES: Persons wishing to submit written comments regarding the scope 
of the EA, including alternatives and environmental effects to be 
addressed, should do so on or before May 26, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to U.S. Coast Guard Group Seattle, 
1519 Alaskan Way So., Seattle, WA 98134. The comments and other 
materials referenced in this notice will be available for inspection 
and copying at the above address in Building One, Room 130, Operations 
Division. Normal office hours are between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday 
through Friday, except federal holidays. Comments may also be hand-
delivered to this address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
LTJG Ben White, U.S. Coast Guard Group Seattle, (206) 217-6138.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Proposed Action

    The Seattle Seafair Unlimited Hydroplane Race and Airshow is 
scheduled to be held on August 4, 5, and 6, 1995. Pursuant to the 
requirements of 33 CFR part 100, the sponsor of the event, Seafair, 
Inc., has applied for a Marine Event Permit from the U.S. Coast Guard. 
In accordance [[Page 20552]] with the National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA) and Commandant Instruction M16475.1B, the U.S. Coast Guard must 
conduct an Environmental Assessment (EA) before a Marine Event Permit 
can be issued. An EA is a brief report that provides sufficient 
evidence and analysis of the potential environmental effects of a 
proposed action and its alternatives. An EA is the document used for 
determining whether to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) 
or a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).

Background and Discussion

    The Seattle Seafair Unlimited Hydroplane Race and Airshow is an 
annual event held on the waters of Lake Washington in an area west of 
Mercer Island, south of the I-90 floating bridge, and north of Bailey 
Peninsula.
    Waterborne activities during the event will include two days of 
hydroplane time-trials and one day (Sunday, August 6, 1995) of 
hydroplane races. A log boom will separate the race course and the 
boaters' viewing area. Spectator craft will congregate in the area east 
of the log boom and will be present, in increasing numbers, on all 
three days. The number of spectator boats on Sunday, August 6, 1995, is 
estimated to be between 1700 and 2000.
    On the shores of Jefferson Park along the west side of the race 
course, vendors, spectators, race officials, and boat crews will 
conduct shoreside activities. First aid stations will also be set up 
close to the pit area and on Mercer Island. Increased traffic, both 
vehicular and pedestrian, is expected during the event. This may result 
in temporary road closures in residential areas to keep traffic on 
arterial streets.
    During the three day event, airshows will periodically be performed 
over Lake Washington. All flight demonstrations will be done over the 
hydroplane race track in a designated ``airbox.'' Acrobatic maneuvers 
and aerial stunts will be confined to the airbox and will be performed 
only when the area below the airbox is clear of waterborne craft. In 
addition to the marine event permit issued by the Coast Guard, the 
sponsors of this event must obtain a separate permit from the Federal 
Aviation Administration for the airshow.

Drafting Information

    The principal persons involved in drafting this notice are LTJG Ben 
White, U.S. Coast Guard Group Seattle, WA, Project Officer, and LCDR 
John C. Odell, Project Attorney, Thirteenth Coast Guard District Legal 
Office, Seattle, WA.

Request for Comments

    In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and the 
Coast Guard's policy encouraging all interested and effected parties to 
participate in the early consultation process, the Coast Guard requests 
scoping comments from the public. The Coast Guard is interested in 
receiving comments about possible environmental effects, alternative 
proposals, and other relevant issues related to the scope of its 
Environmental Assessment of this marine event.
    Persons submitting comments should include their names and 
addresses, identify this notice (CGD13-95-015) and the specific section 
of this notice to which each comment applies, and give the reason for 
each comment. Please submit two copies of all comments and attachments 
in an unbound format, no larger than 8\1/2\ by 11 inches, suitable for 
copying and filing. Persons wanting acknowledgment of receipt of their 
comments should enclose stamped, self-addressed postcards or envelopes.

    Dated: April 18, 1995.
G.O. Kinney,
Commander, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Coast Guard Group Seattle.
[FR Doc. 95-10235 Filed 4-25-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M