[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 6 (Friday, January 9, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1602-1603]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-412]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Going-to-the-Sun Road Rehabilitation Plan/Final Environmental 
Impact Statement, Glacier National Park, a Unit of Waterton-Glacier 
International Peace Park, Montana

AGENCY: National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability of a record of decision on the final 
environmental impact statement for the Going-to-the-Sun Road 
Rehabilitation Plan, Glacier National Park.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to Sec.  102(2) (C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969, Pub. L. 91-190, 83 Stat. 852, 853, codified as 
amended at 42 U.S.C. 4332 (2) (C), the National Park Service announces 
the availability of the Record of Decision for the Going-to-the-Sun 
Road Rehabilitation Plan, Glacier National Park, Montana. On September 
15, 2003, the Acting Director, Intermountain Region approved the Record 
of Decision for the project. As soon as practicable, the National Park 
Service will begin to implement the Preferred Alternative contained in 
the FEIS issued on June 6, 2003, and modified as described in the 
Record of Decision. The following course of action will occur under the 
preferred alternative. Rehabilitation of the Road will be completed 
over 7 to 8 years, if required funding is made available and unforeseen 
delays do not occur. The cost to implement proposed Road rehabilitation 
and visitor use improvements and mitigation is estimated to range from 
$140 million to $170 million. This alternative accomplishes road 
repairs while maintaining visitor use and access to the GTSR similar to 
current conditions.
    Rehabilitation will include improvements and upgrades to visitor 
use facilities located adjacent to the Road. Visitor use improvements 
include: improved vehicle parking and pedestrian circulation at 
existing pullouts; rehabilitation of existing toilets and the addition 
of new toilets; construction of five new short turnouts for slow-moving 
vehicles; construction of a few new short roadside trails and 
rehabilitation of social trails; designation of transit stops at 
popular locations along the Road; and improved information, orientation 
and interpretive information for visitors. Selective vegetation 
trimming and clearing to restore scenic vistas at specific locations 
along the road will occur in accordance with an approved Vista 
Management Plan that is currently being developed.
    To ensure that the Road remains in excellent condition following 
this rehabilitation effort, the Park is seeking increased funding for 
operations and maintenance of the Road. In the past, the annual 
operating budget for Road maintenance has not been adequate to keep up 
with necessary Road repairs. Sufficient annual funding is required to 
protect the investment in Road rehabilitation and visitor use 
improvements.
    Mitigation as described in the Final EIS and summarized under 
Measures to Minimize Environmental Harm is also incorporated into the 
preferred alternative and NPS decision. NPS biologists and other park 
staff will work with FHWA during project development to incorporate the 
mitigation into the construction contract documents.
    One concern raised by several members of the public on the Final 
EIS was the planned restrictions in traffic during the shoulder seasons 
prior to July 4 and after mid-September. The concern expressed was that 
delaying the opening of the road across Logan Pass until July 4th would 
be perceived as a Road closure and could result in more adverse affects 
on tourist visits and local businesses.
    In response to these comments, the NPS has decided that shoulder 
season work will occur prior to mid-June and after mid-September. This 
is a change from the Final EIS. The specific date in June for opening 
the road across Logan Pass will be determined by the Superintendent. It 
will be dependent on the construction underway, road conditions, 
safety, and the weather. Prior to mid-June and after mid-September, 
when visitation is typically lower, traffic will be suspended within 
discrete work zones, while Logan Pass and the remainder of the Road 
remain open, dependent on weather conditions, (at least 40 miles; 65 
kilometers). Between mid-June and mid-September, a maximum cumulative 
traffic delay of 30 minutes over the length of the Road will occur 
during peak visitor hours. Longer delays will be used during the early 
morning, evening, and at night. Glacier National Park will remain open 
throughout the year regardless of the various travel restrictions 
required during rehabilitation. This course of action and three other 
alternatives were analyzed in the Draft and Final Environmental Impact 
Statements. The full range of foreseeable environmental consequences 
was assessed, and appropriate mitigating measures were identified.
    The Record of Decision includes a statement of the decision made, 
synopses of other alternatives considered, the basis for the decision, 
a description of the environmentally preferred alternative, a finding 
on impairment of park resources and values, a listing of measures to 
minimize environmental harm, and an overview of public involvement in 
the decision-making process.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Riddle, Glacier National Park, 
West Glacier, MT 59936, 406-888-7898, [email protected]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Copies of the Record of Decision may be 
obtained from the contact listed above or online at http://www.nps.gov/glac/plans.htm


[[Page 1603]]


    Dated: September 23, 2003.
Michael D. Snyder,
Acting Regional Director, Intermountain Region, National Park Service.
[FR Doc. 04-412 Filed 1-8-04; 8:45 am]
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