[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 225 (Wednesday, November 21, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58516-58517]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-29094]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Alcatraz Island Historic Preservation and Safety Construction 
Program, Final Environmental Impact Statement, Golden Gate National 
Recreation Area, San Francisco County, CA; Notice of Availability

SUMMARY: Pursuant to Sec. 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 (Pub. L. 91-190, as amended), the National Park 
Service, Department of the Interior, announces the availability of the 
Final Environmental Impact Statement identifying and evaluating the 
environmental effects of the proposed historic preservation and safety 
construction program on Alcatraz Island, a site within the Golden Gate 
National Recreation Area (GGNRA).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Final EIS presents and analyzes two 
``action'' alternatives, the Proposed Action and the Reduced Project 
Alternative, and a ``no-action'' alternative. Based on principles of 
``101(b) of the National Environmental Policy Act, the Proposed Action 
is identified as the environmentally preferred alternative. The 
Proposed Action is a construction program designed to address serious 
public health and safety threats and stabilize important historic 
structures that contribute to the Island's National Historic Landmark 
Status. The Proposed Action includes ten individual repair projects 
that would require, in total, approximately 5 years to complete. The 
repairs include replacement of badly deteriorated piles supporting the 
dock, the only visitor access point to the Island, seismic retrofit of 
the Cellhouse, and repair/stabilization of other historic structures, 
some dating from the Civil War era, to provide for public safety and 
historic preservation. The projects would be implemented in two phases, 
Phase One (dock repair and Cellhouse seismic retrofit) and a Subsequent 
Phase. Using an adaptive management approach, Phase One projects would 
be implemented and monitored, and information gained through this 
monitoring will be used to refine and improve implementation for both 
ongoing and subsequent projects considered in the Final EIS to minimize 
potential impacts to wildlife. The use of mitigation measures during 
construction activity, such as staging and lighting restrictions and 
habitat restoration, would reduce potential impacts to biological 
resources. No changes in land use or long-term operation of the Island 
would occur as a result of the Proposed Action. The Proposed Action 
would not

[[Page 58517]]

result in impairment of resources on Alcatraz Island.
    The Reduced Project Alternative includes many of the safety and 
historic preservation actions identified under the Proposed Action. 
Implementation of mitigation measures during construction activity, as 
in the Proposed Action, would reduce impacts to biological resources. 
However, the repair and stabilization of three structures (the Water 
Tower, New Industries ``Laundry'' Building, and Quartermaster Building) 
located on the north end of the Island in or near a biologically 
sensitive area would be minimal. Over the long-term, this alternative 
would allow continued access to the Island and would meet human health 
and safety needs in areas currently open to the public. However, the 
loss of three important historic structures under this alternative 
would have an indirect effect on the interpretive and recreational 
values provided on the Island. In addition, the three structures are 
contributing features of the Alcatraz Island Historic Landmark District 
and without a more complete rehabilitation these structures will 
eventually fail. Loss of these cultural resources and others in the 
same area would cause the loss of the National Historic Landmark 
District status, which would be considered impairment of the cultural 
resource values on Alcatraz Island.
    The No Action Alternative does not include any of the proposed 
construction or repair projects. Under this alternative only routine 
maintenance or other current repair projects would be implemented. As a 
result, potential construction related impacts to biological resources 
would be avoided. This alternative would continue the neglect of the 
Island's significant cultural resources resulting in deterioration of 
buildings and structures and the eventual loss of the Alcatraz Island 
Historic Landmark District status. Serious public health and safety 
threats would result in closure of individual buildings or areas, 
leading to the closure of the Island to visitors. The irreparable 
damage to the historic structures associated with this alternative and 
the eventual closure of the Island would constitute impairment of the 
cultural resource values and recreational use values, respectively, on 
Alcatraz Island.

Public Comment

    During the scoping process leading to preparation of the Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), the National Park Service 
received comments from the individuals, groups, and agencies. NPS staff 
consulted with Native Americans who participated in the Indian 
Occupation of Alcatraz Island from 1969 through 1971 to obtain 
information about the cultural importance of the Indian Occupation. 
Scoping also included consultation with regulatory agencies, including 
the State Office of Historic Preservation, the United States Army Corps 
of Engineers, and the National Marine Fisheries Service. The 
information gathered was reviewed and used during the preparation of 
the DEIS.
    The DEIS was available for public review from March 27, 2001 to 
June 11, 2001. The National Park Service (NPS) received 9 letters and 
verbal comments at the public meetings. Responses were submitted from 
five organizations, two from individuals, and two public agencies 
during the comment period. Comments include written letters and oral-
testimony given during two meetings of the Advisory Commission for the 
Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Point Reyes National Seashore 
on March 27, 2001 and April 24, 2001. The public comments received 
regarding natural resources focused on the potential impacts to nesting 
waterbirds from construction activities particularly those associated 
with the New Industries ``Laundry'' Building and the Water Tower and 
the potential for phasing these projects. Concerns were also raised 
regarding implementation of the adaptive management program and the 
future of public input into the implementation process. Comments were 
also received supporting the Proposed Action noting that it would have 
a beneficial effect on cultural resources by providing for the 
stabilization of historic structures. The Environmental Protection 
Agency (EPA) supplied comments requesting that additional information 
be provided in the Final EIS on the removal of hazardous substances 
encountered during project activities. No comments were received from 
Native American Tribes or the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. 
Responses to public comments are addressed in the Final EIS.
    Additionally, NPS staff consulted with regulating agencies 
concerning the rehabilitation of the dock. The National Marine 
Fisheries Service concurred with the DEIS determination that the 
proposed project along with mitigation measures would not likely 
adversely affect listed species or essential fish habitat. In addition, 
the NPS obtained authorization from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, a 
consistency determination from the San Francisco Bay Conservation and 
Development Commission, and authorization from the Regional Water 
Quality Control Board.

Copies

    Printed copies of the Final EIS are available at park headquarters, 
Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Building 201, Fort Mason, San 
Francisco, 94123 or by calling (415) 561-4936. Public copies of the 
FEIS will be available for review as well as at libraries in the nine-
county San Francisco Bay Area. The document can also be retrieved via 
internet at http://www.nps.gov/goga/admin/planning.
    During the ``no action'' period following release of the Final EIS, 
if any individuals submit comments and request that their name or/and 
address be withheld from public disclosure, it will be honored to the 
extent allowable by law. Such requests must be stated prominently in 
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 to 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.

Decision

    A Record of Decision may be approved by the Regional Director, 
Pacific West Region, no sooner than 30 days after publication of a 
Notice of Availability of this Final EIS by the Environmental 
Protection Agency. The official responsible for the final decision is 
the Regional Director, Pacific West Region; subsequently the official 
responsible for implementation will be the Superintendent, Golden Gate 
National Recreation Area.

    Dated: October 12, 2001.
Patricia L. Neubacher,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 01-29094 Filed 11-20-01; 8:45 am]
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