[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 143 (Thursday, July 24, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 43258]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-16894]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Avalanche Hazard Reduction by Burlington Northern Santa Fe 
Railway in Glacier National Park and Flathead National Forest, Montana 
Final Environmental Impact Statement, Glacier National Park, MT

AGENCY: National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Avalanche Hazard Reduction by Burlington Northern 
Santa Fe Railway in Glacier National Park and Flathead National Forest, 
Montana.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 
U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Service announces the availability 
of a Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Avalanche Hazard 
Reduction by Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway in Glacier National 
Park and Flathead National Forest, Montana. Four alternatives were 
analyzed: (A) No Action, (B-Preferred) No Explosive Use Permitted 
except under emergency extenuating circumstances, (C) Explosive Use 
Permitted for up to 10 Years, provided that BNSF agrees to construct 
snowsheds, and (D) Permanent ongoing explosive use in the park for up 
to 3 snow events each year, under a special use permit. The preferred 
alternative would permit BNSF to install weather forecasting equipment 
in the park for more accurate forecasting. It would permit BNSF to 
install new avalanche detection technology along the southern boundary 
of the park to detect avalanche activity. The alternative also provides 
for the emergency use of explosives when all other avalanche hazard 
reduction methods including train delays have been employed.

DATES: The National Park Service will execute a Record of Decision 
(ROD) no sooner than 30 days following publication by the Environmental 
Protection Agency of the Notice of Availability of the Final 
Environmental Impact Statement.

ADDRESSES: Information will be available for public inspection online 
at http://parkplanning.nps.gov, in the office of the Superintendent, 
Glacier National Park Headquarters, West Glacier, Montana 59936, 406-
888-7901.

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

    Dated: July 1, 2008.
Michael D. Snyder,
Director, Intermountain Region, National Park Service.
 [FR Doc. E8-16894 Filed 7-23-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-94-M