[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 145 (Thursday, July 29, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45344-45345]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-17250]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Termination of the Environmental Impact Statement for 
the Exit Glacier Area Plan

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
SUMMARY: The NPS is terminating the Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS) for the Exit Glacier Area Plan because it has determined an 
Environmental Assessment (EA) will suffice. A Notice of Intent to 
prepare the EIS for the Exit Glacier Area Plan was published July 27, 
2001 (66 FR 39196). Preliminary analysis of alternatives showed there 
was no potential for significant impacts to park resources and values. 
Scoping

[[Page 45345]]

conducted for the draft EIS indicated less controversy than anticipated 
when the project was initiated. Furthermore, changes to the proposal, 
specifically, dropping the proposed alternative transportation system 
(shuttle bus), reduced the scope of this planning effort. For these 
reasons the NPS determined the proposal would not constitute a major 
federal action requiring an EIS.
    In place of the EIS, the NPS has issued an environmental assessment 
(EA) that considers the following four alternatives and related 
impacts:
    No-Action Alternative: Continue the present management direction as 
guided by the 1984 General Management Plan and the 1996 Development 
Concept Plan.
    Preferred Alternative: Enhance the experience of viewing Exit 
Glacier, which is the main attraction of the area, and provide for 
additional non-motorized recreational opportunities.
    Alternative A: Improve interpretation, education, and non-motorized 
recreation by increasing staff and developing programs rather than 
improving infrastructure.
    Alternative B: Improve the infrastructure of the Exit Glacier area 
to accommodate a greater number of visitors and recreational activities 
year-round.

DATES: The EA was distributed for public comment in May 2004, and a 
decision will be made in June 2004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anne Castellina, Superintendent, Kenai 
Fjords National Park, P.O. Box 1727, Seward, AK 99664. Telephone (907) 
224-7515.

    Dated: June 2, 2004.
Kayci Cook Collins,
Alaska Desk Officer.
[FR Doc. 04-17250 Filed 7-28-04; 8:45 am]
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