[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 209 (Friday, October 29, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 58440]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-28404]



[[Page 58440]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Final Environmental Impact Statement/Fort Baker Plan Golden Gate 
National Recreation Area, Marin County, CA; Notice of Availability

SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102 (2)(C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 (Pub. L. 91-190, as amended), the National Park 
Service (NPS), Department of the Interior, has prepared a Final 
Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Fort Baker Plan (FEIS/
Plan), Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The FEIS/Plan details and 
analyzes proposed implementation of future building use, site 
improvements, visitor services, and cultural and natural resource 
management actions related to converting Fort Baker from a military 
installation to a unit of the National Park System.
    Alternatives and Proposed Action: Four alternatives were 
considered--a No Action Alternative, the 1980 General Management Plan 
Alternative, the Office and Cultural Center Alternative, and the 
Proposed Action. Each alternative is briefly described below.
    Under the No Action Alternative, the buildings along the historic 
parade ground area would be occupied as residences. Non-residential 
structures would be stabilized for preservation with no new use. There 
would be minimal changes to the waterfront to provide for visitor 
safety, and no there would be no expansion by existing tenant U.S. 
Coast Guard (USCG) or Bay Area Discovery Museum (BADM) uses. The marina 
would be closed, the slips and docks removed, and the boat shop would 
be stabilized for preservation with no new use. Minimal preservation 
treatment of natural and cultural resources would be carried out to 
meet legislative requirements and to complete currently under way 
restoration efforts.
    The 1980 General Management Plan Alternative would result in a 350-
person conference center, artist-in-residence program and a hostel with 
no new construction. Non-historic buildings would be removed and 
replaced with a 700-car shuttle staging parking lot and NPS maintenance 
facility. The marina would be converted to a public facility with 
visitor services and short-term boat mooring. Urban landscape treatment 
would be applied to the waterfront area, and a ferry landing would be 
developed at the historic fishing pier. Roads and trails would be 
improved.
    The Office and Cultural Center Alternative would use the historic 
buildings for meeting, program, restaurant, performance and program 
space needs for private and non-profit groups. Non-historic residences 
would be retained and some removed to provide parking for the center. 
The marina would continue to provide long-term boat mooring and some 
public boat mooring and visitor services. Other treatments would be the 
same as the Proposed Action.
    The Proposed Action would create a retreat and conference center in 
a combination of historic buildings, non-historic buildings and new 
construction containing meeting space, dining facilities and overnight 
accommodations. The existing BADM and USCG tenants and their facilities 
would be retained and expanded under the Proposed Action. Public 
services and short-term boat moorings/slips would be provided in the 
historic boat shop and marina area; the maximum number of boats 
accommodated is set at 60. Recreational and interpretive trails and 
programs would be provided. The waterfront landscape would be improved, 
the beach restored, and natural and cultural resources of the site 
preserved and maintained. Approximately 40 acres of natural habitat 
would be restored, including habitat for the federally threatened 
mission blue butterfly.
    Background: Public scoping activities were conducted during July 
16-23, 1997. In addition, Advisory Commission workshops and 
presentations were held September 2 and November 12, 1997. The Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) was released for a 60-day public 
review period on October 6, 1998 which ended on December 6, 1998. A 
public hearing was held during the review period to receive oral 
comments from the public on November 18, 1998. A total of 127 written 
letters, e-mails, and oral comments were received. Both the DEIS and 
the FEIS/Plan evaluate the same Proposed Action and alternatives.
    The FEIS/Plan is comprised of two volumes; Volume I: DEIS, as 
amended; and Volume II: Response to Comments. Changes made to the DEIS 
include typographical corrections or points of clarification, 
refinement of existing mitigation, and new mitigation. Traffic effects, 
environmental consequences associated with potential ferry service at 
Fort Baker, and projected demand for wastewater services were the 
primary areas of additional analysis. Based on a correction to the 
assumptions used (and mathematical errors occurring in) the DEIS, the 
maximum total square footage of net new construction is reduced to 
85,000sf (from 119,891sf). All text changes made in response to a 
comment are clearly indicated in Volume II (with citation to relevant 
sections in Volume I).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Requests for information or copies of the 
FEIS/Plan should be directed to the Fort Baker Planning Team, Golden 
Gate National Recreation Area Headquarters, Fort Mason, Building 201, 
San Francisco, California, 94123; telephone (415) 561-3030 x2246. The 
FEIS/Plan will also be available for review at area libraries, and via 
the Internet at www.nps.gov/goga/. The no-action period for the FEIS/
Plan will extend for thirty (30) days after the Environmental 
Protection Agency's notification of the filing of the document is 
published in the Federal Register. Subsequently, the National Park 
Service will publish a notice of the Record of Decision in the Federal 
Register. The official responsible for the decision is the Regional 
director, pacific West Region; the official responsible for 
implementation is the superintendent, Golden Gate National Recreation 
Area.

    Dated: October 22, 1999.
Cynthia Ip,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 99-28404 Filed 10-28-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P