[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 190 (Monday, September 30, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51127-51128]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-25031]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Final Environmental Impact Statement on the Development Concept
Plan for the Brooks River Area, Katmai National Park and Preserve,
Alaska
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of a final
environmental impact statement (EIS) on the development concept plan
for the Brooks River Area of Katmai National Park and Preserve.
DATES: A Record of Decision will be made no sooner than October 30,
1996.
ADDRESSES: Public reading copies of the final EIS will be available for
review in the following locations:
Office of Public Affairs, National Park Service, Department of the
Interior, 1849 C Street NW., Room 3424, Washington DC 20240, (telephone
202-208-6843).
Alaska System Support Office, National Park Service, 2525 Gambell
Street, Room 404, Anchorage, Alaska 99503-2892, (telephone 907-257-
2647).
Superintendent, Katmai National Park and Preserve, 4230 University
Drive, Suite 311, Anchorage, Alaska 99613, (telephone 907-271-3751).
Katmai National Park and Preserve, King Salmon, Alaska (telephone 907-
246-3305).
A limited number of copies of the statement are available on
request from: Bill Pierce, Superintendent, Katmai National Park and
Preserve, 4230 University Drive, Suite 311, Anchorage, Alaska 99613,
phone (907) 271-3751 or Alaska System Support Office, National Park
Service, 2525 Gambell Street, Room 404, Anchorage, Alaska 99503-2892,
phone (907) 257-2647.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The development concept plan proposes to
reorient management, use and development of the Brooks River Area in
Katmai National Park and Preserve to more adequately preserve and
interpret the area's critical brown bear habitat and globally
significant brown bear viewing opportunities, nationally significant
cultural resources and scenic values, and world-class sport fishing
opportunities. Major features of the proposal (alternative 5) include
removal of all NPS and concessions' facilities north of the river and
relocating them about \3/4\ mile south of the river, away from the
prime resource area. The immediate area of Brooks River would become a
day use area only; overnight facilities would be above the Beaver Pond
Terrace and along the Valley Road. By removing facilities north of the
river, the local bear population would experience less disturbance from
humans, and incremental impacts on cultural resources would cease. All
new structures would be sited to avoid impacts on cultural resources at
the Beaver Pond Terrace site. The river would be managed for quality
bear viewing, wildlife photography, and sportfishing. Improvements
would be made to support these activities, including a lodge and
campground. A management support facility would be built along the
Valley Road near the new public facilities to provide employee housing
that includes bathrooms and cooking facilities for NPS and concession
staff and an expanded maintenance area. All facilities would be
designed and built to minimize costs as reasonable. Day-use limits
would be established at levels somewhat higher than the July 1992
average to allow more people to access the area. Access to the area
would be by float plane and boat, and would be east of the Beaver Pond
away from critical bear habitat. Partnerships would be emphasized to
implement DCP recommendations. Efforts would be made to plan for
dispersed visitor use throughout the park.
Alternatives to the proposal include the no-action alternative,
alternative 1 (minimum requirements), alternative 2 (the former NPS
Proposal in the Draft DCP/EIS for the Beaver Pond Terrace), alternative
3 (Iliuk Moraine Terrace), and alternative 4 (day use only). The no
action alternative would continue the status quo visitation and
management of the Brooks River Area. Alternative 1 would retain the
present Brooks Camp facilities while upgrading existing resource
protection programs, add four significant structures north of Brooks
[[Page 51128]]
River, and establish day use limits slightly below the 1992 average.
Alternative 2 would remove all facilities north of Brooks River and
locate a new lodge, campground and support facilities above the Beaver
Pond Terrace, about \3/4\ mile from Brooks River. Brooks River would
become a day-use area only, with day-use limits significantly below the
July 1992 average. Alternative 3 would remove all facilities north of
Brooks River and relocate Brooks Camp on a larger scale to the terrace
above Iliuk Moraine, two miles south of Brooks River. Brooks River
would become a day use area only. Alternative 4 would remove all
facilities north of the river, and no overnight facilities would be
available at Brooks River. Brooks River would become a day use area
only.
The responsible official for a Record of Decision on the proposed
action is the Alaska Field Director, National Park Service, 2525
Gambell Street, Room 401, Anchorage, Alaska 99503 (telephone 907-257-
2690).
Robert D. Barbee,
Alaska Field Area Director.
[FR Doc. 96-25031 Filed 9-27-96; 8:45 am]
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