[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 36 (Friday, February 22, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8313-8314]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-4323]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Environmental Impact Statement on Vessel Quotas and Operating 
Requirements for Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.

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SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS) is preparing an environmental 
impact statement (EIS) on vessel quotas and operating requirements for 
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, under the provisions of the 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The purpose of the EIS is to 
evaluate a range of alternatives for establishing vessel quotas and 
operating requirements in Glacier Bay proper, Dundas Bay and Taylor 
Bay.
    A reasonable range of alternatives will be developed for 
consideration in the EIS that are responsive to significant issues 
raised through public involvement and comment. The proposed action 
would continue vessel quotas and operating requirements in accordance 
with the 1996 regulations. Those regulations, 36 CFR 13.65(b), 
established a daily limit of two cruise ships, three tour boats, six 
charter boats and 25 private boats in Glacier Bay proper. Seasonal 
entries (June 1 through August 31) were established as follows: cruise 
ships (139), tour boats (276), charter boats (312), and private boats 
(468). The regulations further provide that the number of cruise ships 
could be increased to 184 if scientific and other information indicated 
such an increase would assure protection of the values and purposes of 
the park. Any increase under the regulations is subject to the maximum 
daily limit of two cruise ships per day.
    Alternatives will consider raising motorized vessel entry quotas 
above those established by the 1996 regulations and reducing motorized 
vessel entry quotas. Companion operating requirements will be 
identified for each alternative. The range of alternatives will 
consider the following preliminary issues:
     The impact of motorized vessels on park resources and 
values, including federally endangered humpback whales and threatened 
Steller sea lions.
     The level and type of motorized vessel use, in all 
seasons, consistent with the purposes and values of Glacier Bay 
National Park.
     The use of vessel quotas and operating requirements 
consistent with providing a range of visitor experiences including 
opportunities for solitude.
    Scoping: The NPS requests input from federal and state agencies, 
local government, private organizations, recreational users, and the 
public. Written scoping comments are being solicited. Further 
information on this planning process will be available through public 
scoping meetings, press releases, and newsletters. Scoping meetings 
will be held in Anchorage, Juneau, Gustavus, Hoonah, Elfin Cove, and 
Pelican, Alaska and in Seattle, Washington. Specific dates, times, and 
locations of scoping meetings will be announced.
    If individuals submitting comments 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. The 
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.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of this project should be received 
within 60 days of publication of this notice. The draft EIS is 
projected to be available in early 2003. Comments may be mailed to the 
address provided below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joan B. Darnell, Environmental 
Resources Team Manager, National Park Service, Alaska Support Office, 
2525 Gambell Street, Anchorage, Alaska 99503. Telephone (907) 257-2648, 
Fax (907) 257-2517.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 3.3 million acre Glacier Bay National 
Park and Preserve encompasses 940 square miles of marine waters and is 
home to the endangered humpback whale. Glacier Bay is a major tourist 
destination where watercraft provides primary access to features of 
interest. Regulations modifying earlier vessel quotas, operating 
requirements, special use areas and mitigative measures were finalized 
in May 1996 (36 CFR 13.65) based on a May 1995 VMP/Environmental 
Assessment. The plan was approved by a March 1996 Finding of No 
Significant Impact, and included a National Marine Fishery Service 
Biological Opinion on the humpback whale, Steller sea lion and gray 
whale. NPS has developed a research program based on the conservation

[[Page 8314]]

recommendations of the Biological Opinion.
    Vessel numbers and operating requirements for cruise ships, tour 
boats, charter boats, and private boats have been in place for Glacier 
Bay National Park since 1979. Regulations implementing the 1996 Vessel 
Management Plan increased vessel entries above 1985 levels for cruise 
ships (30 percent increase initially; up to 72 percent increase) 
charter boats (8 percent increase) and private vessels (15 percent 
increase). Vessel operating requirements were also set for all vessel 
types, including tour boats.
    On February 23, 2001, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals determined 
that the portion of the 1996 VMP and the implementing regulations that 
authorized an increase in vessels into Glacier Bay violated NEPA 
because an EIS was not prepared. Accordingly, further increases in 
vessel traffic were prohibited and current traffic levels were returned 
to their pre-1996 levels. On November 5, 2001, Pub. L. 107-63 (155 
Stat. 414) was signed into law. Section 130 of the act requires 
preparation of an EIS to identify and analyze the possible effects of 
the 1996 increases in the number of vessel entries issued for Glacier 
Bay National Park and Preserve. Section 130 further provides that the 
EIS is to be completed by January 1, 2004.

    Dated: February 7, 2002.
Robert L. Arnberger,
Regional Director, Alaska.
[FR Doc. 02-4323 Filed 2-21-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P