[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 178 (Tuesday, September 15, 1998)] [Notices] [Pages 49367-49368] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-24646] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Final Lake Crescent Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement, Olympic National Park, Washington AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of Availability of Final Environmental Impact Statement. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of the final Lake Crescent management plan/environmental impact statement (FEIS), Olympic National Park, Washington. The FEIS presents the proposed action and alternatives for management of the Lake Crescent area for the next 10 to 15 years. The proposed action best satisfies the park and NPS mission, as well as the park's management objectives and long-term vision for Lake Crescent. It recognizes both the need to protect natural and cultural resources and to provide appropriate recreational opportunities for visitors and area residents. The draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) for this action was released for public review on October 18, 1996, (Federal Register, Vol. 61, No. 203) and the public comment period closed on March 19, 1997. The FEIS contains five alternative strategies for management of the Lake Crescent area. The range of alternatives includes the four alternatives presented in the draft plan, with modifications based on public comment received and further impact analysis. In addition, another alternative has been added since publication of the draft plan. This alternative, depicted in the final plan as Alternative E, was submitted for consideration during the public comment period by the Friends of Lake Crescent. The FEIS contains letters received from agencies and organizations during the public comment period, and responses to all substantive comments are included. A summary of comments received during public meetings on the DEIS is also contained in the FEIS, as is a representative sample of comment letters received from individuals during the public comment period. During the public comment period, controversy arose over recreational use [[Page 49368]] of personal watercraft (PWC) on Lake Crescent. This Plan/FEIS announces the decision of the Superintendent to close Olympic National Park to the use of PWCs, beginning October 1, 1998. The justification for this action is explained in the document's Appendix A, ``Administrative Record Detailing the NPS Decision to Ban the Use of Personal Watercraft on Lake Crescent.'' SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The no-action period on this FEIS will expire 30 days after the Environmental Protection Agency has published a notice of availability of the FEIS in the Federal Register. All who submitted substantive comments on the DEIS will receive a copy of the FEIS. In addition, the document has been placed on the National Park Service website at http://www.nps.gov/olym, and public reading copies of the FEIS will be available for review at the following locations: Office of Public Affairs, National Park Service, Department of the Interior, 1849 C St., NW., Washington, DC 20240, phone: 202-208-6843; Olympic National Park, National Park Service, 600 E. Park Ave., Port Angeles, WA 98362, phone: 360-452-4501; North Olympic Library System, Port Angeles Branch, 207 S. Lincoln St., Port Angeles, WA 98362, phone: 360-452-9253; Government Documents, Seattle Public Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., Seattle, WA 98104-1193, phone: 206-386-4686; Government Publications, Suzzallo Library, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, phone: 206-543-1937; Columbia Cascades Support Office, National Park Service, 909 First Ave., Seattle, WA 98104-1060, phone: 206-220- 4154. For further information contact Superintendent, Olympic National Park, 600 E. Park Ave., Port Angeles, WA 98362, phone: 360-452-4501. Dated: August 21, 1998. David Morris, Superintendent Olympic National Park [FR Doc. 98-24646 Filed 9-14-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-70-P