[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 97 (Monday, May 22, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23290-23291]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-10426]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-PWR-PWRO-21619; PX.XPWRATP16.00.1]


Final Environmental Impact Statement for Scorpion Pier 
Replacement, Channel Islands National Park, Ventura and Santa Barbara 
Counties, California

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS) announces the availability of 
the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Replacement of the 
Scorpion Pier on Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands National Park. The 
Final EIS identifies and analyzes the potential consequences of three 
alternatives: The No Action Alternative; Alternative 1, which would 
replace the existing pier in the current location and make extensive 
road improvements; and Alternative 2, which would construct a new 
replacement pier south of the existing location and make minor road 
improvements. It also proposes mitigation measures to minimize the 
adverse impacts from construction or operation of the alternatives 
where such impacts may occur.

DATES: The NPS will execute a Record of Decision no sooner than 30 days 
after the date of publication of the Notice of Availability published 
in the Federal Register by the Environmental Protection Agency.

ADDRESSES: The Final EIS is available for public inspection online at 
http://parkplanning.nps.gov.chis, in local public libraries, and in the 
office of the Superintendent, Channel Islands National Park, 1901 
Spinnaker Dr., Ventura, CA 93001 (805) 658-5702.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Russell Galipeau, Superintendent, 
Channel Islands National Park, 1901 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura, CA 93001; 
[email protected]; (805) 658-5702.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Santa Cruz Island is one of five remote 
islands spanning 2,228 square miles of land and sea comprising Channel 
Islands National Park. Given necessity for boat access to the island, 
need for the Project is driven by the following factors:
     Scorpion Pier should provide safe access to Santa Cruz 
Island. The existing pier is deteriorating and does not meet NPS 
requirements for administrative use or safe visitor access. The access 
road to the current location also requires frequent rebuilding. The 
current height of the pier cannot sufficiently accommodate high and low 
tides; as such, vessel operators have difficulty docking without 
compromising risk to individuals, vessels, and the pier itself. The 
embarkation process requires passengers to climb--one person at a time, 
often while carrying a backpack--a single unsteady ladder that is not 
compliant with standards for accessible design.
     Scorpion Pier should provide efficient access to Santa 
Cruz Island that accommodates visitor demand. The existing pier and 
access road significantly weaken the efficiency of NPS operations. The 
one-person ladder needed for embarkation, for example, lengthens the 
entire boarding process and increases visitor exposure to adverse 
weather conditions. The narrow width of the pier also causes delays 
because it cannot simultaneously accommodate visitors and large cargo 
(i.e., maintenance vehicles); as such, passenger embarkation must occur 
separately from many maintenance activities. Additionally, the lack of 
adequate armoring in the area increases the need for regular and 
expensive repairs to the eroding access road. Improvement of the pier 
and access road is necessary to meet current and future visitor 
demands.
     Scorpion Pier and the access roadway should be operated in 
a manner that protects sensitive resources. The access road is 
extremely susceptible to harsh weather conditions, and is often washed 
out by Scorpion Creek when it floods. Maintenance of the existing pier 
access road currently requires repairing and re-grading several times 
per year due to wave and storm erosion. As a result of these ground-
disturbing activities, sensitive archaeological resources may be 
threatened. Ongoing re-construction can also impact the environment 
through air emissions, erosion, and possible pollutants to waterways 
and sensitive habitats.
     Scorpion Pier should provide access to Santa Cruz Island 
in consideration of predicted sea level rise. The predicted rise in sea 
level due to global warming must also be considered in the new design 
for the pier. Current predictions range from 0.33 foot to 1.1 foot by 
the year 2050, and 0.74 foot to 3.2 feet by 2100. Anticipated sea level 
rise has implications for the new pier design, as well as for the 
dynamics of Scorpion Creek during large storm events.
    Accordingly, key project objectives include: (1) Improve the 
visitor experience; (2) Improve the pier while protecting marine and 
terrestrial environments; (3) Improve access for NPS and concessioner 
boats; (4) Improve passenger, cargo, and operations circulation; (5) 
Protect archaeological resources; (6) Preserve the historic landscape 
qualities and visual character of Scorpion Ranch; and (7) Improve 
efficiency and sustainability.
    The Draft EIS was made available for public review and comment from 
October 9, 2015, through December 18, 2015. The full text and graphics 
were also posted on the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment 
Web site (http://parkplanning.nps.gov/chis). During the review period, 
the NPS received only six separate pieces of correspondence--the 
majority of comments were in regards to the general planning process 
and project design, as well as concerns about protecting aquatic 
biological resources and air quality. There were no objections to the 
proposed actions. After considering all comments received, the NPS 
prepared the Final EIS. There are no substantive

[[Page 23291]]

changes to the range of alternatives considered. Alternative 2 is 
deemed to be the ``environmentally preferred'' course of action, and is 
identified as the agency-preferred alternative.

    Authority:  42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.

    Dated: February 27, 2017.
Laura E. Joss
Regional Director, Pacific West.
[FR Doc. 2017-10426 Filed 5-19-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4312-52-P