[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 103 (Wednesday, May 29, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32274-32275]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-12745]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-PWR-PWRO-12639; PPPWCHISM0.PPMOMFM1Z.Y00000]


Scorpion Pier Replacement Project, Channel Islands National Park, 
Santa Barbara County, California

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to Sec.  102(2)(C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), and pursuant to the Council on Environmental 
Quality Regulations (40 CFR part 1500-08), the National Park Service 
(NPS) is initiating the conservation planning and environmental impact 
analysis process for the proposed replacement and potential relocation 
of the existing Scorpion Pier at Santa Cruz Island's eastern 
waterfront. The NPS is the lead federal agency for environmental review 
under NEPA. The lead state agency for environmental review under the 
California Environmental Quality Act is currently being determined. As 
described in 36 CFR 800.8(c), the NPS is also using the NEPA process to 
fulfill certain provisions of Sec.  106 of the National Historic 
Preservation Act related to consultation and public involvement.

DATES: All written comments must be postmarked or transmitted no later 
than July 29, 2013.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments by mail to Superintendent, Channel Islands 
National Park, Attn: Scorpion Pier Project, 1901 Spinnaker Drive, 
Ventura, CA 93001 or electronically to http://parkplanning.nps.gov/parkHome.cfm?parkID=292).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karl Bachman, Facility Manager, 
Channel Island National Park, at (805) 658-5710.
    Background: Santa Cruz Island and the surrounding one nautical mile 
of marine waters are located in Channel Islands National Park. The NPS 
owns and manages the eastern 24% of the island, including the Scorpion 
Valley area. Santa Cruz Island is surrounded by the Channel Islands 
National Marine Sanctuary which extends six nautical miles from the 
island. The Scorpion Pier is also within the Scorpion State Marine 
Reserve designated by the State of California. Over 55,000 people come 
ashore at the Scorpion pier annually for recreational activities 
including hiking, picnicking, camping, kayaking, and swimming. Many 
people also visit the island's historic Scorpion Ranch.
    The existing Scorpion Pier is a flatbed railcar that was installed 
as a temporary facility in 2000. The pier is rapidly deteriorating due 
to wave action and saltwater. It has been closed numerous times due to 
weather hazards and to perform required repair and maintenance 
activities. The pier sometimes cannot be used by park or concession 
boats, such as during low tides, because of inadequate water depth. The 
existing pier access road undergoes reconstruction several times per 
year due to wave erosion.
    Purpose and Need and Preliminary Alternatives: The NPS seeks to 
construct a permanent replacement pier that provides a safe, 
accessible, efficient, and sustainable access point for visitors and 
Park staff to Santa Cruz Island. Additionally, the NPS intends that 
this replacement pier, along with proposed improvements to the access 
road, will decrease future impacts to the island's sensitive 
archaeological resources. Permanent replacement of the pier is required 
due to the following current conditions:
     Shallow water depths at the pier, especially during low 
tide;
     Difficult vessel navigation and mooring during moderate to 
extreme wind and wave conditions;
     Challenging and limited access for visitors embarking from 
ferries onto the pier and from the pier onto the ferries;

[[Page 32275]]

     Narrow width of the existing pier inhibits efficient 
visitor and cargo circulation;
     Frequent maintenance required to the pier access road, 
which threatens to expose or damage sensitive resources;
     The existing temporary pier is reaching the end of its 
anticipated lifespan.
    The objectives of the proposed pier replacement project include:
     Improving navigational access;
     Improving access and circulation for passengers, cargo, 
and park operations;
     Protecting marine and terrestrial environments;
     Preserving archaeological resources;
     Preserving and enhancing the historic character of the 
area.
    To meet the purpose, need, and objectives, two preliminary 
alternatives identified thus far include replacing the pier in its 
existing location, and replacing the pier at a location approximately 
150 feet to the south. If the pier is replaced in its present location, 
this would include some shoreline armoring to protect the pier access 
road. If a new pier is constructed to the south, the pier would span 
the beach and shoreline, and it would require only a short access road 
with a small amount of scour protection. In either location, the new 
pier will need to be longer and higher than the existing pier to 
facilitate safer vessel mooring in deeper water.
    Comments and Public Scoping: The purpose of the scoping phase is to 
elicit comments from interested individuals, organizations, and 
agencies about issues and concerns about the proposed project in order 
to inform the development of the Draft EIS. Public scoping meetings are 
tentatively scheduled for late Spring or Summer 2013 in Ventura and 
Santa Barbara counties. Concurrent with the publishing of this Notice 
of Intent in the Federal Register, the confirmed dates, times, and 
locations of the scoping meetings will be publicized through local and 
regional news media and via the project Web site http://www.nps.gov/chis/parkmgmt/scorpion-pier-replacement.htm. The project Web site will 
be periodically updated, and provides relevant information, including 
the project description, current information about the EIS process, 
meeting notices, reports and documents, and useful links associated 
with the project.
    Before including your address, phone number, email address, or 
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be 
aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying 
information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can 
ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying 
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be 
able to do so.
    Decision Process: At this time, it is anticipated that the Draft 
EIS will be available for public review during Winter 2013. 
Availability of the Draft EIS for review will be formally announced in 
the Federal Register, through local and regional news media, and via 
the project Web site. Public meetings will be held after the Draft EIS 
is distributed to provide further opportunities to comment on the 
document. The Final EIS is anticipated to be completed in 2014. Because 
this is a delegated EIS, the official responsible for the final 
decision regarding the proposed pier replacement is the Regional 
Director, Pacific West Region. Subsequently, the official responsible 
for implementation of the approved project will be the Channel Islands 
National Park.

    Dated: March 15, 2013.
Christine S. Lehnertz,
Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 2013-12745 Filed 5-28-13; 8:45 am]
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