[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 50 (Friday, March 14, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 12366]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-6206]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


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

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability of the Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement on Vessel Quotas and Operating Requirements.

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SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS) announces the availability of 
the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on Vessel Quotas and 
Operating Requirements for Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. The 
document describes and analyzes the environmental impacts of four 
action alternatives, including a preferred alternative, for managing 
vessels in Glacier Bay and Dundas Bay. A no action alternative also is 
evaluated. This notice announces the public comment period, the 
locations of public hearings, and solicits comments on the EIS.

DATES: Comments on the draft plan and EIS must be received no later 
than May 13, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Written comments on the EIS should be submitted to Nancy 
Swanton, EIS Project Manager, 2525 Gambell Street, Anchorage, Alaska 
99503. Submit written comments electronically through the park's Web 
site at http://www.nps.gov/glba. The draft EIS may be viewed at this 
Web site as well. Hard copies and CDs of the Draft EIS are available by 
request from the aforementioned address. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION 
for the locations of public hearings.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nancy Swanton, EIS Project Manager, 
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. Telephone: (907) 257-2651.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Park Service (NPS) proposes to 
establish new or keep existing quotas (limits) and operating 
requirements for four types of waterborne motorized vessels--cruise 
ships and tour, charter, and private vessels--within Glacier Bay and 
Dundas Bay in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. The purpose for 
the action is to address the continuing demand for vessel access into 
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve in a manner that assures 
continuing protection of park resources and values while providing for 
a range of high-quality recreational opportunities for visitors. The 
need for action stems from legislation enacted in 2001, wherein the 
U.S. Congress directed the NPS to set the maximum level of vessel 
entries based on the analysis in this EIS.
    The EIS considers a reasonable range of alternatives that include:
    [sbull] Alternative 1 (no action) would maintain the current vessel 
quotas, quota season, and operating requirements for Glacier Bay.
    [sbull] Alternative 2 would set vessel quotas in accordance with 
the 1985-authorized levels and maintain the current quota season and 
operating requirements for Glacier Bay.
    [sbull] Alternative 3 (NPS preferred alternative) would maintain 
the current vessel quotas for Glacier Bay, with a provision to increase 
the number of cruise ships. It would maintain the current quota season 
and operating requirements for Glacier Bay.
    [sbull] Alternative 4 (environmentally preferred alternative) would 
maintain the daily quotas for cruise ships and reduce slightly the 
daily quotas for the other three vessel classes. It would reduce 
seasonal use days for cruise ships, tour vessels and charter vessels, 
and would increase slightly the number of seasonal use days for private 
vessels for Glacier Bay. The quota season would be lengthened to 
include May and September for all vessel classes. Seasonal entry quotas 
would be eliminated. Vessel quotas would be initiated for Dundas Bay. 
Operating requirements would be modified, including limited closure of 
certain waters to cruise ships and tour vessels.
    [sbull] Alternative 5 would maintain the current daily vessel 
quotas and lengthen the quota season to include May and September for 
cruise ships. It would maintain the number of seasonal use days for 
cruise ships, tour vessels, and charter vessels during the current 
quota season but decrease the number of seasonal use days for cruise 
ships during May and September. It would increase the number of 
seasonal use days for private vessels. Seasonal entry quotas would be 
eliminated. Vessel quotas would be initiated for tour and charter 
vessels in Dundas Bay. Operating requirements would be modified, 
including limited closures of certain waters to cruise ships and tour 
vessels.
    Public hearings will take place in April 2003 at the following 
locations: Anchorage, Juneau, Gustavus, Hoonah, Elfin Cove, and 
Pelican, Alaska, and Seattle, Washington. The specific dates and times 
of the public hearings will be announced in local media.

    Dated: February 12, 2003.
Marcia Blaszak,
Acting Regional Director, Alaska.
[FR Doc. 03-6206 Filed 3-13-03; 8:45 am]
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