[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 200 (Friday, October 16, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55637-55638]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-27779]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Availability of the Abbreviated Final General 
Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement for Sitka National 
Historical Park

AGENCIES: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of the Abbreviated Final General 
Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement for Sitka National 
Historical Park.

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SUMMARY: The National Park Service announces the availability of a 
Abbreviated Final General Management Plan/Environmental Impact 
Statement (GMP/EIS) for Sitka National Historical Park, in the City and 
Borough of Sitka, Alaska. This document in conjunction with the Draft 
GMP/EIS describes and analyzes the environmental impacts of a proposed 
action and two action alternatives for the future management of the 
park. A no action alternative also is evaluated.

DATES: A Record of Decision will be made no sooner than November 16, 
1998.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the abbreviated final GMP/EIS are available by 
request from Ron Johnson, National Park Service, Denver Service Center, 
12795 West Alameda Parkway, Box 25287, Denver , CO 80225-0287. 
Telephone: (303) 969-2342 FAX: (303) 987-6679.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Superintendent, Sitka National 
Historical Park, 106 Metlakatla Street, P.O. Box 738, Sitka, Alaska 
99835.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Pub. L. 91-190, as amended), 
the National Park Service has prepared an abbreviated final GMP/EIS 
with proposed guidance for management of Sitka National Historical Park 
for the next 15-20 years.
    The abbreviated final GMP/EIS in conjunction with the draft 
document describes and analyzes the environmental impacts of a proposed 
action, two other action alternatives, and a no action alternative. The 
proposed action, alternative 1, would balance resource management and 
visitor use. It would improve visitor access and safety and the 
accuracy of information available to potential park and city visitors. 
It also would better protect cultural resources and enhance existing 
park partnerships. Alternative 2, the no-action alternative, would 
continue current management direction. Benefits would continue for 
visitors in information and interpretation, but crowding in the visitor 
center unit would result in adverse visitor safety conditions. In 
addition, the uses of adjacent lands would continue to have adverse 
effects on visual resources and land use. Alternative 3 would emphasize 
resource preservation. This alternative would increase protection of 
cultural and natural resources, moderately benefit visual resources and 
the visitor experience, and improve park administration and operation. 
Alternative 4 would accommodate more visitors during peak visitation 
times. It would lead to some improvement in visitor access and 
circulation in and near the park, improvements in opportunities for 
information about Sitka attractions, and a better visitor experience.
    The responsible official for a Record of Decision on the proposed 
action is the NPS Alaska Regional Director.


[[Page 55638]]


    Dated: September 18, 1998.
Paul R. Anderson,
Acting Regional Director, Alaska.
[FR Doc. 98-27779 Filed 10-15-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P