[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 237 (Thursday, December 10, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68295-68296]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-32756]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Alcatraz Island Historic Structure Preservation-Construction 
Program; Golden Gate National Recreation Area, San Francisco County; 
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement

SUMMARY: In accord with Sec. 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act, Golden Gate National Recreation Area is undertaking a 
conservation planning and impact analysis process to identify 
alternatives for (and assess potential impacts of) construction 
activities necessary to rehabilitate and preserve structures and sites 
which contribute to the island's National Historic Landmark status. 
Enhancing visitor and employee safety is also an objective. Notice is 
hereby given that the National Park Service will prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to aid planning for and 
implementation of this program.

Background

    Alcatraz Island is within the boundary of Golden Gate National 
Recreation Area, a unit of the National Park System comprised of 
coastal lands in Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo counties, 
California. Alcatraz Island, prominently located in San Francisco Bay, 
is a National Historic Landmark and an important breeding site for 
several waterbird species and western gulls in San Francisco Bay. 
Facilities and recreational opportunities on Alcatraz Island attract 
more than 1.4 million visitors annually.
    Recent management and use of Alcatraz Island has been guided by a 
Development Concept Plan (DCP) which was completed in 1993. An 
Environmental Assessment (EA) was prepared to evaluate forseeable 
effects of carrying out the DCP (among other considerations, potential 
impacts to historic resources, biological resources, human health and 
safety, and park visitation were addressed). A Finding of No 
Significant Impact was approved on August 3, 1993 by the Acting 
Regional Director, Western Region. Prescribed mitigations to safeguard 
breeding bird populations included timing and location restrictions for 
proposed construction activities foreseen at that time.
    Although originally many elements of construction addressed in the 
DCP fit within the seasonal restrictions that were identified, several 
historic rehabilitation and related projects have recently been deemed 
necessary. These may require construction schedules which would extend 
beyond the seasonal restrictions. Also, the breeding and nesting 
seasons for Alcatraz avifauna have been found to fluctuate, sometimes 
extending as much as 2 months beyond previously known periods. 
Moreover, visitation has increased, and has the potential for further 
growth. The constrained construction periods, recently identified 
rehabilitation needs, possibility of undocumented archeological 
resources and artifacts, new information about avifaunal activity, and 
other factors necessitate undertaking a new conservation planning and 
impact analysis effort.

Alternatives Identified to Date

    Proposed construction that would be outside the scope of the 
existing DCP will be detailed and evaluated. At this time its 
anticipated that the impact analysis would focus primarily on the 
effects of proposed construction activities on the island's breeding 
bird populations. The construction required to rehabilitate National 
Landmark contributing structures and features is envisioned to be 
phased over a 3-5 year period. To date, 12 projects are foreseen that 
could necessitate some degree of activity outside the currently 
prescribed seasonal restrictions--these include rehabilitation of the 
cellhouse, water tower and guard tower from the federal prison era, two 
civil war era structures, and the dock. Installation of photovoltaic 
electrical panels on the roof of a prison era building, stabilization 
of a failing slope, and reconstruction of a former greenhouse are also 
proposed.
    In addition to the above construction needs, other alternatives 
currently envisioned include: no action; and adherence to existing 
mitigations and seasonal restrictions.

Scoping/Decision Process

    The existing DCP/EA provides a useful baseline which must be 
corroborated or updated. The NPS encourages local and regional 
agencies, park partners, visitors, and other interested parties to 
assist in this effort. Anyone wishing to be incorporated on a mailing 
list may respond to: Alcatraz Preservation Construction Program EIS; 
Attn: Olivia Shinomoto; Golden Gate National Recreation Area; Building 
201 Fort Mason; San Francisco, CA 94123.
    As already highlighted in local and regional news media, a public 
scoping meeting will be held at park headquarters (Building 201 Fort 
Mason) on December 11 at 8:00 am; also on that date an information open 
house meeting will be held at the same location from 3-6 pm. For 
details about these meetings, contact Olivia Shinomoto at (415) 561-
4821. Written comments conveying information or sharing issues and 
concerns are welcomed; these should be addressed to the Superintendent 
(address as above) and must be postmarked no later than January 9, 
1999.
    Availability of the Draft EIS (DEIS) for review and written comment 
will be announced by Federal Register notice, as well as via local and 
regional news media and direct mailing. At this time the DEIS is 
anticipated to be available for public review during winter 1999. In 
addition to written responses, a formal comment opportunity will be 
provided via public hearing held under the auspices of the GGNRA 
Advisory Commission (full details will be available after January 9, 
1999 and may be obtained from the project contact noted above). If the 
focus of the EIS is substantiated through the public involvement and 
agency consultation process, then it is anticipated that a Final EIS 
(FEIS) could be released during summer 1999. Subsequently, Notice of 
any Record of Decision would be published in the Federal Register no 
sooner than thirty (30) days after the FEIS is distributed. The 
official responsible for the final decision is the Regional Director, 
Pacific West Region, National Park Service.


[[Page 68296]]


    Dated: December 3, 1998.
James R. Shevock,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific West.
[FR Doc. 98-32756 Filed 12-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P