[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 136 (Friday, July 15, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 46114]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-16744]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-PWR-PWRO-21126; PX.PR113509M.00.1]


Record of Decision for the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park General 
Management Plan/Wilderness Study; Final Environmental Impact Statement, 
Hawaii County, Hawaii

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability.

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SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS) has prepared and approved a 
Record of Decision for the General Management Plan/Wilderness Study/
Final Environmental Impact Statement (GMP/WS/EIS) for Hawaii Volcanoes 
National Park. Approval of the GMP/WS/EIS culminates an extensive 
public engagement and environmental impact analysis effort that began 
in 2009.

ADDRESSES: Those wishing to review the Record of Decision may obtain a 
copy by submitting their request to the Superintendent, Hawaii 
Volcanoes National Park, P.O. Box 52, Hawaii National Park, HI 96718-
0052.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cindy Orlando, Superintendent, 
telephone (808) 985-6026 or email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This process was conducted pursuant to the 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and 
the implementing regulations promulgated by the Council on 
Environmental Quality (40 CFR part 1505.2). The original Notice of 
Intent (NOI) initiating the conservation planning and environmental 
impact analysis process appeared in the Federal Register on April 13, 
2009. A revised NOI expanding the scope of the GMP to include a 
wilderness study was published December 2, 2011. Based on information 
obtained from extensive public outreach, three alternatives were 
developed. The NPS consulted with park partners; Native Hawaiians; the 
State Historic Preservation Officer; and other federal and state 
agencies. The Draft EIS was released on May 1, 2015, for a 60-day 
review and comment period. In addition to the numerous public meetings 
held during public scoping and alternatives development, the NPS held 
one public meeting at the park's visitor center on June 10, 2015, to 
share information and gather feedback on the Draft EIS. This meeting 
also included a public hearing on the wilderness study. Overall, 32 
pieces of correspondence were received during the public review period. 
No new substantive comments were received. With due consideration for 
the minimal public and agency response, the NPS utilized an abbreviated 
format in preparing the Final EIS. The legally required 30-day ``wait 
period'' was initiated on March 11, 2016, with the Environmental 
Protection Agency's Federal Register publication of the notice of 
filing and release of the GMP/Final EIS. The NPS evaluated the 
environmental consequences of two action alternatives and a no-action 
alternative. These alternatives described varying means to provide 
appropriate types and levels of access for visitors and authorized 
users, preserve wilderness character, protect cultural and natural 
resources, and adhere to legally required management and preservation 
objectives.
    Alternative 2 (agency-preferred) has been selected for 
implementation. This is also the environmentally-preferred course of 
action, which emphasizes resource stewardship and preservation while 
strengthening and broadening opportunities to connect people with the 
volcanic world treasure, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and providing 
a wide range of high quality visitor experiences based on different 
geographic areas within the park. The GMP also proposes to seek 
legislation to include Olaa (9,679 acres) within the formal park 
boundary and to acquire several parcels totaling 21,381 acres, 
including the Great Crack and Pohue Bay. The Wilderness Study proposes 
wilderness designation of the lands found eligible in Kahuku (121,015 
acres) as a natural extension of the existing wilderness within the 
park.
    For a park that protects two of the most continuously active shield 
volcanoes in the world, the new Hawaii Volcanoes National Park GMP 
defines a clear direction for resource preservation and visitor 
experience over the next 20 years. The GMP provides a framework for 
proactive decision making, which will allow park managers to 
effectively address future opportunities and problems. The approved GMP 
will also serve as the basis for future detailed management documents, 
such as wilderness stewardship plans, trails management plans, and 
project implementation plans.

    Dated: May 24, 2016.
Patricia L. Neubacher,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 2016-16744 Filed 7-14-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4312-FF-P