[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 40 (Monday, March 2, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10241-10242]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-5282]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Isle Royale National Park

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 the National Park Service announces the availability 
of the Draft General Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement 
(GMP/EIS) for Isle Royale National Park. This notice also announces 
public meetings for the purpose of receiving public comments on the 
Draft GMP/EIS.
    The purpose of the general management plan is to set forth the 
basic management philosophy and to provide the strategies for 
addressing issues and achieving management objectives over the next 15 
to 20 years. This Draft GMP/EIS describes and evaluates five 
alternatives for the management of Isle Royale National Park.
    Alternative A (No Action): Alternative A is the no-action, or 
status quo, alternative and provides a baseline for comparison of the 
other four alternatives.
    Proposed Action: The proposed action is the National Park Service's 
preferred alternative. It would emphasize separation of uses and 
improvement of visitor experiences. Rock Harbor and Windigo would 
continue to be the focus of visitor services. Some historic structures 
would be preserved. Use would be distributed fairly evenly across the 
island. Limits on use would be likely. Lodging and other services would 
be reduced at Rock Harbor.
    Alternative B: Alternative B would expand facilities and services 
at the ends of the island and create a more primitive experience toward 
the center. Cultural resources would be preserved only at the ends of 
the island. Use limits would be imposed in some zones. Some facilities 
in developed areas would be expanded to serve visitors preparing to 
enter the backcountry.
    Alternative C: Alternative C would scale back all development to 
create a more primitive park. No interpretive media or formal programs 
would be offered on the island. All cultural resources would be 
documented and allowed to deteriorate. A narrower range of experiences 
would be available. Visitor numbers would be lowered and use limits 
would be instituted islandwide. All concessions and related facilities 
would be removed.
    Alternative D: Alternative D was modified to become the proposed 
action, above.
    Alternative E: Alternative E would allow management of the park to 
continue as it is now, but visitor numbers would be controlled and 
would be low. Historic structures would be preserved according to 
significance. A variety of uses would continue and would take place 
across the island.
    The potential consequences of the actions in the alternatives on 
natural resources, cultural resources, visitor use and experiences, 
park operations, and the socioeconomic environment have been evaluated. 
In general, all alternatives would better protect the park's natural 
resources than the current management direction (alternative A). 
Alternative C would provide the greatest benefit to natural resources 
but would have the most negative effects on cultural resources and on 
visitor use. The proposed action and alternative E would best protect 
cultural resources. Impacts on park operations from the alternatives 
would be mixed; the

[[Page 10242]]

workload would remain roughly the same (except in alternative C, where 
it would be reduced), but the emphasis would change depending on the 
alternative. The alternatives would not appreciably affect the 
socioeconomic environment.

DATES: Public meetings to solicit comment on the Draft GMP/EIS will be 
held on the following dates: April 22, 1998 (St. Paul, Minnesota), 
April 23 (Duluth, Minnesota), April 24 (Houghton, Michigan), and April 
27 (Ann Arbor, Michigan). Times and locations for the meetings can be 
obtained by contacting Isle Royale National Park at 906-482-0986.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the Draft GMP/EIS should be submitted no later 
than May 15, 1998 to: Planning Team Leader, Isle Royale General 
Management Plan, National Park Service, Denver Service Center-RP, P.O. 
Box 25287, Denver, Colorado 80225.
    Public review copies of the Draft GMP/EIS will be available at the 
following locations: Office of Public Affairs, National Park Service, 
1849 C Street, NW, Washington, DC 20013; Department of the Interior 
Natural Resource Library, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, DC 20013; 
National Park Service, Midwest Regional Office, 1709 Jackson Street, 
Omaha, Nebraska 68102; Isle Royale National Park, 800 E. Lakeshore 
Drive, Houghton, Michigan 49931; and local public libraries. The Draft 
GMP/EIS can also be viewed via the Internet at http://www.nps.gov/
planning/current.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Superintendent Douglas A. Barnard or 
Chief Ranger Pete Armington 800 East Lakeshore Drive, Houghton, 
Michigan, or at telephone number 906-487-7140.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Isle Royale National Park was authorized by 
the Act of March 3, 1931 (46 Stat. 1514).

    Dated: February 23, 1998.
David N. Given,
Deputy Regional Director, Midwest Region.
[FR Doc. 98-5282 Filed 2-27-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P