[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 138 (Tuesday, July 18, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 44546]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-18112]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Golden Gate National Recreation Area; Notice of Proposed Year-
Round Closure at Fort Funston and Request for Comments

DATE: Friday, July 14, 2000.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with the resource protection mandate of the 
National Park Service (NPS), the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, 
NPS, is announcing its proposal to close year-round approximately 12 
acres of Fort Funston to off-trail recreational use by the public. The 
closure is located in the northwest portion of Fort Funston. This 
closure is necessary to protect habitat for the California threatened 
bank swallows (Riparia riparia), enhance significant native plant 
communities, improve public safety and reduce human-induced impacts to 
the coastal bluffs and dunes, a significant geological feature. NPS 
invites comments on this proposed year-round closure.
    Background: Section 1.5 of Title 36 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations authorizes the Superintendent to effect closures and public 
use limits within a national park unit when necessary for the 
maintenance of public health and safety, protection of environmental or 
scenic values, protection of natural or cultural resources, aid to 
scientific research, implementation of management responsibilities, 
equitable allocation and use of facilities, or the avoidance of 
conflict among visitor use activities. The proposed closure at Fort 
Funston is necessary to protect public safety, to protect environmental 
values and natural resources, and to implement management 
responsibilities. Because of a May 16, 2000, Federal District Court 
ordered preliminary injunction against the NPS, disallowing the closure 
until such time as appropriate public notice and opportunity for 
comment was provided, NPS is providing this notice and invites comments 
from the public on this proposed year-round closure.
    Reference: Public Law 92-589 of October 27, 1972, as amended, as 
codified in Title 16 United States Code Sections 460bb through 460bb-5. 
Title 16 United States Code Sections 1 and la-1. Title 36 Code of 
Federal Regulations Sections 1.5, 1.7, 2.1, and 2.15. Ft. Funston Dog 
Walkers v. Babbitt, No. C 00-00877 WHA, N.D. Cal., Preliminary 
Injunction, May 16, 2000.
    Comments: Public comments will be accepted for a period of 60 
calendar days from the date of this notice. Therefore, public comments 
on this notice must be received by September 12, 2000. Public comments 
should be submitted to NPS as early as possible in order to assure 
their maximum consideration. Comments will be considered and this 
proposal may be modified accordingly, and the final decision of the 
National Park Service will be published in the Federal Register.
    If individuals submitting comments request that their name and/or 
address be withheld from public disclosure, it will be honored to the 
extent allowable by law. Such requests must be stated prominently at 
the beginning of the comments. There also may be circumstances wherein 
the NPS will withhold a respondent's identity as allowable by law. As 
always, NPS will make available for public inspection all submissions 
from organizations or businesses and from persons identifying 
themselves as representatives or officials of organizations and 
businesses; and, anonymous comments may not be considered.
    Send Comments To: Superintendent, Golden Gate National Recreation 
Area, Bay and Franklin Streets, Building 201, Ft. Mason, San Francisco, 
94123.
    Further Information: Detailed information concerning this proposal, 
including a map depicting the closure area and open park trails, is 
available at the following locations:

 Fort Funston Visitor Center and Ranger Office, \1/4\ mile 
south of John Muir Drive, on the west side of Hwy 35, Golden Gate 
National Recreation Area, National Park Service, San Francisco
 Pacific West Information Center, National Park Service, 
Building 201, Fort Mason, Bay and Franklin Streets, San Francisco
 San Francisco Public Library, Marina Branch, 1890 Chestnut 
Street, San Francisco
 San Francisco Public Library, Sunset Branch, 1305 18th Avenue, 
San Francisco

    Contact: For further information, contact Scalla Sheen, Office of 
Public Affairs, GGNRA at 415-561-4730.

Brian O'Neill,
Superintendent, GGNRA.
[FR Doc. 00-18112 Filed 7-17-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P