[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 12 (Thursday, January 19, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 3119]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-482]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Proposed Ten Percent Increase in Glacier Bay Cruise Ship Quota 
Beginning in Year 2007

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability; Proposed Ten Percent Increase in the 
Seasonal Cruise Ship Quota for Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve 
for Year 2007.

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SUMMARY: The Superintendent of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve 
proposes to increase the number of cruise ships allowed to enter 
Glacier Bay during the summer visitor season by ten percent beginning 
in 2007. The current cruise ship limit is a seasonal quota of 139 
visits during June, July and August. The proposal, if implemented, 
would increase the seasonal cruise ship quota to 153.

DATES: Comments on the proposal must be received no later than February 
21, 2006.

ADDRESSES: The proposal memorandum and related documents may be viewed 
online at http://www.nps.gov/glba/pphtml/documents.html. Please submit 
electronic comments on the proposal memorandum at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/parkHome.cfm?parkId=12. Written comments can be 
mailed to the Superintendent, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, 
P.O. Box 140, Gustavus, AK 99826 or faxed to (907) 697-2654.
    Comments may be hand delivered to the Superintendent at Glacier Bay 
National Park and Preserve, 1 Park Road, Room 204, Gustavus, AK 99826.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tomie Lee, Superintendent, Glacier Bay 
National Park and Preserve, P.O. Box 140, Gustavus, AK 99826; (907) 
697-2230.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Cruise ship use in Glacier Bay is currently 
limited to no more than two ships per day and a further seasonal quota 
of 139 total visits during June, July, and August of each year. The 
superintendent may adjust this seasonal quota upwards or downwards, but 
may not exceed two ships per day. The Glacier Bay National Park and 
Preserve Vessel Quota and Operating Requirements Environmental Impact 
Statement and Record of Decision (VQOR EIS and ROD) provide additional 
background information regarding vessel management within the park 
area.
    Federal regualations specific to Glacier Bay National Park and 
Preserve (36 CFR 13.65(b)(2)(v)(C)) provide that ``[b]y October 1 of 
each year (beginning in 1998), the superintendent will determine, with 
the director's approval, the number of cruise ship entries for the 
following summer season (June 1 through august 31). this determination 
will be based upon available scientific and other information and 
applicable authorities. The number will be subject to the maximum daily 
limit of two vessel use-days. The superintendent will publish a 
document of any revision in seasonal entries in the Federal Register 
with opportunity for public comment.''
    This proposal is the result of the VQOR EIS public planning 
process. In making the proposal the Superintendent considered reviews 
of the best available scientific information collected both by the 
National Park Service and by scientists independent of the agency, 
which were incorporated in the report and recommendations from the 
Glacier Bay National Park Science Advisory Board, and an assessment of 
that report provided by the NPS Alaska Regional Science Advisor.
    Following a review of public comments submitted in response to this 
notice, the Superintendent will submit the final decision for 
submission to the Director of the National Park Service for approval. 
If an increase is approved it will be announced in the Federal 
Register.

    Dated: December 22, 2005.
Marcia Blaxzak,
Regional Director, Alaska.
[FR Doc. 06-482 Filed 1-18-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-HX-M