[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 213 (Monday, November 3, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65394-65395]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-26122]


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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, MT Final 
Environmental Impact Statement, Record of Decision, Glacier National 
Park, MT

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 Avalanche Hazard Reduction by 
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway in Glacier National Park and 
Flathead National Forest, Glacier National Park.

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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 the Record of Decision for the Avalanche Hazard Reduction by 
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) in Glacier National Park 
(GNP) and Flathead National Forest, Montana, Final Environmental Impact 
Statement. On September 12, 2008, the Regional Director, Intermountain 
Region approved the Record of Decision. As soon as practicable, the 
National Park Service will begin to implement the Preferred Alternative 
contained in the FEIS issued on August 2, 2008. Four alternatives were 
analyzed and Alternative B was identified as the preferred which will 
include the following actions: GNP will issue a special use permit to 
BNSF for non-explosive snow stability testing, installation of a 
weather station and other avalanche forecasting equipment and detection 
devices in the Middle Fork area within the park. All

[[Page 65395]]

installations will be painted to blend in and reduce their visibility. 
GNP will not permit the use of explosives for avalanche hazard 
reduction within the park except during emergency extenuating 
circumstances after all other options, including railroad delays, have 
been exercised. GNP recommends that BNSF build snowsheds in areas of 
the John Stevens Canyon that currently do not have them. GNP also 
recommends that BNSF lengthen existing snowsheds that do not provide 
sufficient protection from avalanche activity. In the event that BNSF 
constructs snowsheds, GNP recommends that wildlife crossings be 
incorporated into the structures where appropriate. Wildlife 
specialists from GNP, FNF and the USFWS will work closely with BNSF to 
assist with this effort. GNP also recommends that BNSF design 
historically compatible extensions on the existing historic snowsheds. 
Cultural Resource Specialists from both GNP and FNF will assist with 
this effort. Other alternatives analyzed were: (1) No Action--BNSF 
would continue to use avalanche forecasting, travel restrictions, and 
delays to protect employees, freight, equipment and Amtrak passengers; 
(2) Alternative C-GNP would permit explosive use for up to ten years 
for avalanche hazard reduction after a commitment from BNSF to build 
snowsheds and fund a 15 year resource monitoring program; and (3) 
Alternative D-GNP would permit BNSF to conduct a permanent explosive 
avalanche hazard reduction program using military artillery in the 
park. Construction of less than one mile of snowsheds offers the best 
avalanche protection for Amtrak passengers, BNSF employees, equipment, 
and freight. Explosive avalanche hazard reduction is an inappropriate 
use of park lands and may have unacceptable impacts on park resources 
and values, as defined in the 2006 NPS Management Policies. GNP along 
with Waterton Lakes National Park is the world's first International 
Peace Park, an International Biosphere Reserve, and a World Heritage 
Site. Three comments were received on the Final EIS supporting the 
preferred alternative. Over 13,000 comments were received on the Draft 
EIS in addition to 1,100 comments received during scoping.
    The public as well as other agencies and tribes were overwhelmingly 
in support of the preferred alternative. The Record of Decision 
includes a description of the decision, key actions and mitigation 
measures, a synopsis of other alternatives considered, the basis for 
the decision, findings on impairment, unacceptable impacts and 
appropriate use of park resources and values, a description of the 
environmentally preferable alternative, and an overview of public and 
agency involvement in the decision-making process.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Riddle, Glacier National Park, 
West Glacier, Montana 59936, [email protected].

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

    Dated: October 24, 2008.
Anthony J. Schetzsle,
Deputy Director, Intermountain Region, National Park Service.
 [FR Doc. E8-26122 Filed 10-31-08; 8:45 am]
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