[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 55 (Wednesday, March 20, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11428-11429]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-6649]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service


Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Alaska: Vessel Management 
Plan

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of a Finding of No Significant Impact.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 (P.L. 91-190, as amended), the National Park Service 
(NPS) has prepared a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the 
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve Vessel Management Plan/
Environmental Assessment (VMP/EA). The NPS finds that the modified 
alternative does not constitute a major federal action significantly 
affecting the quality of the human environment. Therefore, in 
accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the 
regulations of the Council of Environmental Quality (40 CFR 1508.9), an 
environmental impact statement will not be prepared for this action.

DATES: The FONSI will be made available for a 30-day public review 
period. The review period will close April 19, 1996. Depending on the 
public review of the FONSI, the NPS expects to publish a final rule in 
the Federal Register to implement the vessel management plan. The NPS 
is considering the possibility of seeking a good cause exemption, under 
Section 553(d)(3) of the Administrative Procedures Act, to the 30-day 
delayed effective date to make the rule effective immediately following 
publication in the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the FONSI and supporting environmental analysis 
are available on request from the Chief, Division of Environmental 
Quality, National Park Service, Alaska Systems Support Office, 2525 
Gambell Street, Room 404, Anchorage, Alaska 99503.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Glen Yankus, Alaska System Support 
Office, (907) 257-2645.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Six alternatives were considered in the 
original VMP/EA (May 1995). The alternatives included an array of 
vessel management options and provided

[[Page 11429]]

varying levels of protection for sensitive resources. The original 
proposed action (Alternative 5) would have raised seasonal cruise ship 
entry quotas by 72 percent. Daily limits of two cruise ships, three 
tour boats, six charter boats and 25 private boats would have 
continued. Seasonal entries and use-days for tour boats, charter boats, 
and private boats would not have changed from existing levels.
    Six open houses/public hearings were held on the VMP/EA and 
proposed regulations. Hearings were held in Anchorage, Juneau, 
Gustavus, Hoonah, Pelican, and Elfin Cove. The NPS received 427 timely 
comments on the VMP/EA. The public comment period closed August 25, 
1995. The majority of commenters (about 85%) were opposed to the 
original proposed action (Alternative 5). Commenters were concerned 
that air quality, water quality, biological resources, and visitor 
experience would be compromised by cruise ship increases. This same 
majority of commenters favored Alternative 4 which proposed increased 
resource protection and wilderness recreation, and fewer vessel entries 
for all vessels categories.
    Based on public comments received on the VMP/EA and proposed rule, 
the NPS has modified the proposed alternative with respect to vessel 
quotas, vessel operating requirements and special-use area closures and 
restrictions. The modified alternative, under consideration for the 
final rule, responds to the public's concern for the Glacier Bay 
environment by reducing proposed cruise ship quota increases and 
increasing resource protection, yet still providing for the continued 
growing demand for park visitation. The modified alternative also 
responds to comments about smaller vessels by allowing modest seasonal 
increases for charter boats and private boats.
    The modified alternative integrates moderate vessel quota increases 
with mitigation measures, imposed by regulatory and other approaches, 
to offset vessel impacts and provide additional protection for 
sensitive park resources (humpback whales, other marine mammals, 
nesting birds, and air quality). Under the modified alternative, 
seasonal entry quotas for cruise ships would increase by 30 percent 
during the 1996 and 1997 summer seasons (June 1 through August 31), 
however, the daily limit of two ships per day would continue. 
Additionally, but contingent upon the completion of studies 
demonstrating that a further increase in cruise ship traffic would be 
consistent with protection of the values and purposes of Glacier Bay 
National Park and Preserve, the regulations could allow up to an 
additional 42-percent increase (from existing 1995 levels) in cruise 
ship traffic beginning with the 1998 summer season. For each summer 
season thereafter, the regulations would authorize the NPS to adjust 
the number of cruise ship entries, subject to the maximum daily limit 
of two vessels, based on available scientific and other information and 
applicable authorities. The Superintendent would retain the authority 
to take any actions necessary to protect the values and purposes of 
Glacier Bay National Park. Any future adjustment to cruise ship traffic 
within the scope of the regulations would be published in the 
``Notice'' section of the Federal Register, with an opportunity for 
public comment. The daily limit of three tour boats per day would not 
be changed. Daily limits of 6 charter boats and 25 private boats would 
continue. Current restrictions on seasonal entries and use-days for 
charter and private boats would be modified to provide an 8-percent 
increase in charter boats and a 15-percent increase for private 
vessels. Six specified areas would be closed to motor vessels for 
varying periods, from June 1 through September 15, to provide enhanced 
resource protection and a broader spectrum of visitor experiences. 
Additional mitigating measures include vessel operating requirements, 
special-use area closures and restrictions, vessel oil-spill response 
planning requirements, air pollution and underwater noise minimization 
strategies, and a boater Orientation/Educational Program.
    The NPS has determined that the modified alternative, under 
consideration for the final rule, can be implemented with no 
significant adverse effect to natural and cultural resources as 
documented by the environmental assessment. Key environmental issues 
associated with the modified alternative include effects on marine 
mammals and birds from vessel disturbance and air quality degradation 
from cruise ship stack emissions. Although some disturbance to these 
resources would be expected, the mitigation strategies included in this 
action are intended to offset significantly the environmental effects 
resulting from vessel entries. In addition, the NPS intends to 
institute a comprehensive research and monitoring program to fill 
informational needs and quantify the effects of vessel traffic on air 
quality, marine mammals, birds and visitor-use enjoyment. The 
monitoring program, developed within one year of the record of 
decision, will stipulate research and protection actions the NPS will 
undertake to ensure that environmental effects do not exceed acceptable 
levels. An annual report, detailing efforts, funding levels and 
personnel allocated to VMP actions will be made available to the 
public. This program will enhance the scientific basis for future 
adjustments in vessel quotas. Future vessel quotas will continue to be 
subject to the existing daily limits, and future vessel increases in 
seasonal cruise ship entries will have to be justified by an 
affirmative demonstration of compatibility with the protection of park 
resources and values.
    The modified alternative under consideration for the final rule 
will not have an effect on any Natural Register Properties, or other 
unique geographical or cultural features; does not have effects to the 
human environment that involve unique or unknown risks or establish a 
precedent for future actions with significant effects; and complies 
with Executive Orders 11988 and 11990. In 1993 the National Marine 
Fisheries Service (NMFS) issued a nonjeopardy opinion for the humpback 
whale. The NMFS recommended that the NPS implement a humpback whale 
feeding ecology research program that would provide information on 
movement, distribution, and abundance of humpback whales in Glacier Bay 
and northern southeastern Alaska. The park research and monitoring 
program incorporates this recommendation. Based on the implementation 
of the recommendations by the NMFS, previous consultation under the 
Endangered Species Act, and subsequent consultations with NMFS, no 
further action is required at this time by the NPS under the Endangered 
Species Act in implementing the modified alternative.

    Dated: March 6, 1996.
George T. Frampton, Jr.,
Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
[FR Doc. 96-6649 Filed 3-19-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P