[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 167 (Monday, August 28, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 52130]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-21838]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Lake McDonald/Park Headquarters Wastewater Treatment System 
Rehabilitation Final Environmental Impact Statement, Glacier National 
Park, MT

AGENCY: National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Availability of the Lake McDonald/Park Headquarters Wastewater 
Treatment System Rehabilitation Final Environmental Impact Statement.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102 (2) C. of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969, the National Park Service announces the 
availability of a final Environmental Impact Statement on the Lake 
McDonald/Park Headquarters Wastewater Treatment System Rehabilitation 
for Glacier National Park, Montana.

DATES: The Draft EIS was on public review from January 31, 2000 through 
March 31, 2000. Responses to public comment are addressed in the Final 
EIS. A 30-day no-action period will follow the Environmental Protection 
Agency's Notice of Availability of the Final EIS.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Final EIS are available from the 
Superintendent, Glacier National Park, PO Box 128, West Glacier, 
Montana 59936. It is also available on the Internet at www.nps.gov/glac. Public reading copies of the Final EIS will be available for 
review at the following locations:

Office of the Superintendent, Glacier National Park, West Glacier, MT 
59936, Telephone: (406) 888-7901
Glacier National Park, Hudson Bay District Office, St. Mary, MT 59417
Planning and Environmental Quality, Intermountain Support Office--
Denver, National Park Service, P.O. Box 25287, Denver, CO 80225-0287, 
Telephone: (303) 969-2851 or (303) 969-2377
Office of Public Affairs, National Park Service, Department of 
Interior, 18th and C Streets NW, Washington D.C. 20240, Telephone: 
(202) 208-6843.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    The Final EIS analyzes five alternatives to address the 
rehabilitation of the wastewater treatment system that currently serves 
the west side of Glacier National Park. The service area for the 
existing wastewater treatment plant includes park headquarters and 
residences, campgrounds, Lake McDonald Lodge, and concession businesses 
and employee housing. The existing wastewater treatment plant is no 
longer meeting its original treatment objective or operating at design 
capacity. The preferred alternative (alternative 3) is to construct an 
advanced wastewater treatment plant with an exfiltration gallery land 
discharge site. This alternative would provide the greatest level of 
treatment and the highest water quality of the alternatives considered. 
Minimal new site disturbance would be necessary to implement the 
preferred alternative. Based on public concerns, the discharge method 
for the treated effluent was selected that best protected the 
environment. Alternative 1A includes construction of an additional 
storage lagoon and anew spray field to discharge treated effluent. This 
would require clearing 6.5 hectares of undisturbed land and the 
existing spray field, located in the floodplain, would continue to be 
used. Alternative 1B includes construction of two new storage lagoons 
and an additional aerated lagoon (3.6 hectares). The existing spray 
field would continue to be used. Alternative 2 includes construction of 
an advanced wastewater treatment plant and a series of three rapid 
infiltration basins (3.6 hectares) to discharge treated effluent to the 
groundwater. The existing spray field would no longer be used. The No 
Action alternative (alternative 4) would continue operation of the 
existing wastewater treatment system and spray field. Occasional raw 
sewage spills are possible when storage capacity is exceeded and the 
spray field cannot be operated because of wet conditions.
    The Final EIS in particular evaluates the environmental 
consequences of the preferred alternative and the other alternatives on 
wildlife, vegetation, threatened and endangered species, water quality 
and park and concession operations.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Superintendent, Glacier 
National Park at the above address and telephone number.

    Dated: August 15, 2000.
William Ladd,
Director, Intermountain Region, National Park Service.
[FR Doc. 00-21838 Filed 8-25-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P