[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 108 (Tuesday, June 4, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28231-28232]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-13830]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service


Notice of Availability of the Draft General Management Plan/
Environmental Impact Statement for the Klondike Gold Rush National 
Historical Park

AGENCIES: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability of the draft general management plan/
environmental impact statement for the Klondike Gold Rush National 
Historical Park.

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SUMMARY: The National Park Service announces the availability of the 
draft General Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement for the 
Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. The draft General 
Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement describes a proposed 
action for the three Alaska units and one Seattle unit of the park and 
three alternatives (two in Seattle) to provide additional opportunities 
for residents and visitors to enjoy the park units while protecting the 
park's cultural and natural resources. A no action alternative also is 
evaluated. This notice announces the dates and locations of public 
meetings to solicit comments on the draft GMP/EIS.

DATES: Public comment on the draft GMP/EIS is from May 31 to July 31, 
1996. Comments must be postmarked by July 31. Hearing dates, times, and 
locations are listed under Supplementary Information, below.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the draft GMP/EIS should be submitted to the 
General Management Plan, Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, 
2525 Gambell Street, Anchorage, AK 99508-2892. Comments may also be 
sent via electronic mail by July 31 to: KLGO/KLSE GMP C[email protected]. 
Copies of the draft GMP/EIS are available by request from the 
aforementioned address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jack Mosby, National Park Service, 
Alaska System Support Office. Telephone: (907) 257-2650 FAX: (907) 257-
2510.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (P.L. 91-190, as amended), 
the National Park Service, has prepared a draft GMP/EIS that describes 
a proposed action for the three Alaska units and one Seattle unit of 
the park and three alternatives (two in Seattle) to provide additional 
opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy the park units while 
protecting the park's cultural and natural resources. Public meetings 
are scheduled on the dates and at the times and locations indicated 
below.
     June 18--Seattle, Park Office, 117 South Main Street, 7:00 
p.m.
     July 8--Skagway, Public Library, 8th & State Streets, 7:00 
p.m.
     July 9--Whitehorse, Public Library, 2071 2nd Avenue, 7:00 
p.m.
    The proposed action (alternative C) in Alaska includes development 
concept plans for Dyea and the Chilkoot Trail and would expand park 
management, development, resource (cultural and natural) protection, 
and maintenance components to meet most, but not all, of the expected 
visitor-use increases and interests in the park. A Klondike History 
Research Center would be established, in cooperation with the city of 
Skagway and State of Alaska, to process, study, conserve, and store 
historical, ethnographic, and natural history artifacts. Part of the 
center's function would be to provide interpretive and

[[Page 28232]]

educational programs, as well as the opportunity for interagency 
training and academic research within Skagway. Specialized historic-
restoration skills would be made available to others on a cost-
reimbursable basis. Access to the Dyea area would be improved with a 
rerouted, wider gravel road, and parking, picnic, interpretive, and 
trail opportunities. Selected Dyea townsite streets would be cleared 
and signed. Archaeological inventory, surveys, and mapping; marking the 
historical segments; minor trail rerouting; and increased interpretive 
programs would occur along the Chilkoot Trail. White Pass 
archaeological inventory, surveying, mapping, and marking the historic 
trail route would be completed; but no facilities are proposed in the 
unit.
    In Seattle, the proposed action would lead eventually to acquiring 
a permanent location for the park visitor center, park offices, and 
historic collections. In the interim, expanded lease space at the 
present location would allow park offices to move to accessible space 
on the third floor; and park collections would be moved to the 
mezzanine level of the building. The interpretive focus would shift 
with more emphasis toward the role of the Pacific Northwest in the gold 
rush. Additional interpretive information (exhibits and walking tours) 
would be developed within the Pioneer Square area. Interpretive 
exhibits, in cooperation with the city of Seattle, would be added to 
the waterfront area at Washington Street Landing. Contacts with the 
Skagway office would be expanded with staff cross training. A Friends 
of the Park group would be organized.
    Under the No-Action Alternative (alternative A), the development of 
a new general management plan would not take place. Management actions 
would react to situations as needed. In Alaska, work toward a new 
crossing of Nelson Slough and beach area access would continue, and the 
existing park management and operations would continue. In Seattle, the 
basic operation would continue unchanged.
    Under alternative B (minimal alternative), some actions would take 
place in the park units. In Alaska, the park boundary in Dyea would be 
marked. Work toward a new crossing of Nelson Slough and beach area 
access would continue. The existing road along Nelson Slough would be 
graveled, but remain one lane. The campground, picnic area, and ranger 
station would be moved to be within the park boundary and the historic 
segments of the Chilkoot Trail would be marked. In Skagway interpretive 
programs would be slightly increased, as would the visitor center 
operation. Site bulletins would be developed for each restored 
building. There would be an increased emphasis on maintaining the 
restored historic buildings as that program is completed. In Seattle 
about 2,800 ft \2\ of additional lease space would be acquired and 
improvements would be made to storage capabilities and the mezzanine 
area. Collections would be moved out of the basement and minor 
improvements made to existing exhibits. Pioneer Square and Washington 
Street Landing and other appropriate waterfront locations interpretive 
exhibits would be developed and sited. A park friends group would be 
established.
    Under alternative D for Alaska, park management, development, 
resource protection, and maintenance needs would expand to meet all of 
the expected visitor use increases and interests in the park well into 
the next century. To accommodate the additional visitor use, there 
would be an increase in operational activities, maintenance, 
interpretation, and resources management, while protecting park 
resources from degradation. Park facilities would be upgraded with 
improvements to the visitor and administrative facilities in Skagway 
and the development of new facilities in Dyea and along the Chilkoot 
Trail. The day-use education center proposed in Alternative C would be 
expanded to provide for overnight use. This would provide visitors with 
additional activity options for a better understanding of park themes. 
Additional historic buildings would be acquired for restoration and 
lease for commercial activities, or retention for administrative 
purposes. Both an historical restoration center and a Klondike History 
Research Center would be established in Skagway.
    The park would work with the state of Alaska and city of Skagway to 
provide better access for the Dyea and Chilkoot Trail areas. The park 
would also initiate and maintain additional cooperation with the city 
of Skagway, Parks Canada, and state and federal land management 
agencies to assure compatible uses in areas adjacent to the park. 
Maximum protection of cultural and natural resources would be provided. 
Connections with the Brackett Wagon Road and Canadian trails would be 
examined, as would additional trail opportunities along the Chilkoot 
Trail.
    No alternative D (Substantial Change) was developed for Seattle 
unit.
    This document is a collaborative effort between two vastly 
separated National Park system support offices and two park locations 
along with input from the city of Skagway, state of Alaska, and 
international assistance from Parks Canada.

    Dated: May 16, 1996.
Judith Gottlieb,
Field Director, Alaska.
[FR Doc. 96-13830 Filed 6-3-96; 8:45 am]
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