[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 173 (Tuesday, September 8, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53886-53887]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-22560]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-NER-FIIS-18494; PX.P0201786A.00.1]


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
a Breach Management Plan for Fire Island National Seashore, New York

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS) will prepare an Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) for a Breach Management Plan at Fire Island 
National Seashore (Seashore), New York. The purpose of the Breach 
Management Plan is to address issues associated with a breach that 
developed within the Otis Pike Fire Island High Dune Wilderness at the 
Seashore. The Breach Management Plan and EIS process is needed to 
analyze all the feasible alternatives and to make a decision on whether 
or not to close the breach.

DATES: The public scoping period will commence on the date this notice 
is published in the Federal Register and last for 30 days.

ADDRESSES: Information will be available for public review online at 
http://parkplanning.nps.gov/fiis, at Seashore Headquarters, the Fire 
Island Lighthouse, and the Wilderness Visitor Center. Comments can be 
submitted via the Internet at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/fiis and by 
mailing or hand-delivering comments to Fire Island National Seashore, 
Attn: Breach Management Plan, 120 Laurel St, Patchogue, NY 11772.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Rogers (631-687-4766) or 
Michael Bilecki (631-687-4760)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the NPS is preparing a Breach 
Management Plan and EIS to address issues associated with a breach that 
developed within the Otis Pike Fire Island High Dune Wilderness at the 
Seashore.
    In October 2012, Hurricane Sandy caused two breaches on Fire Island 
within the boundaries of Fire Island National Seashore (FIIS): (1) 
within Smith Point County Park (which was subsequently closed by 
Suffolk County); and (2) within the vicinity of Old Inlet in the only 
federally designated wilderness in the State of New York.
    Since Hurricane Sandy, and in accordance with the 1997 Breach 
Contingency Plan (BCP) prepared by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 
(USACE), the NPS, US Geological Survey (USGS), USACE, and other coastal 
experts have been monitoring the breach at Old Inlet and associated 
water levels and water quality in Great South Bay and breach channel 
conditions.
    The Breach Management Plan and EIS process is needed to analyze all 
the feasible alternatives and to make a

[[Page 53887]]

decision on whether or not to close the breach. Actions addressing 
these issues will be designed and undertaken in support of the long-
term protection, preservation, and restoration of Seashore resources. 
Information collected as part of the breach monitoring program will be 
utilized in the analysis of alternatives for the Draft Environmental 
Impact Statement. A scoping newsletter will be prepared which 
identifies the issues and statements of purpose, need, and objectives 
identified to date during internal scoping meetings. Copies of that 
information and other updates may be obtained online at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/fiis or at the address and phone numbers listed 
below.
    If you wish to comment on the purpose, need, objectives, or on any 
other issues associated with the plan, you may submit your comments via 
the Internet at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/fiis and by mailing or 
hand-delivering comments to Fire Island National Seashore, Attn: Breach 
Management Plan, 120 Laurel St, Patchogue, NY 11772. 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.
    The responsible official for this Draft Breach Management Plan/EIS 
is the Regional Director, NPS Northeast Region, U.S. Custom House, 200 
Chestnut Street, Fifth Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19106.

    Dated: August 31, 2015.
Michael A. Caldwell,
Regional Director, Northeast Region, National Park Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-22560 Filed 9-4-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-WV-P