Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Alaska: Vessel Management Plan

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Alaska: Vessel Management

Plan

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of a Finding of No Significant Impact.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental

Policy Act of 1969 (P.L. 91-190, as amended), the National Park Service

(NPS) has prepared a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the

Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve Vessel Management Plan/

Environmental Assessment (VMP/EA). The NPS finds that the modified

alternative does not constitute a major federal action significantly

affecting the quality of the human environment. Therefore, in

accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the

regulations of the Council of Environmental Quality (40 CFR 1508.9), an

environmental impact statement will not be prepared for this action.

DATES: The FONSI will be made available for a 30-day public review

period. The review period will close April 19, 1996. Depending on the

public review of the FONSI, the NPS expects to publish a final rule in

the Federal Register to implement the vessel management plan. The NPS

is considering the possibility of seeking a good cause exemption, under

Section 553(d)(3) of the Administrative Procedures Act, to the 30-day

delayed effective date to make the rule effective immediately following

publication in the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the FONSI and supporting environmental analysis

are available on request from the Chief, Division of Environmental

Quality, National Park Service, Alaska Systems Support Office, 2525

Gambell Street, Room 404, Anchorage, Alaska 99503.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Glen Yankus, Alaska System Support

Office, (907) 257-2645.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Six alternatives were considered in the

original VMP/EA (May 1995). The alternatives included an array of

vessel management options and provided

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varying levels of protection for sensitive resources. The original

proposed action (Alternative 5) would have raised seasonal cruise ship

entry quotas by 72 percent. Daily limits of two cruise ships, three

tour boats, six charter boats and 25 private boats would have

continued. Seasonal entries and use-days for tour boats, charter boats,

and private boats would not have changed from existing levels.

Six open houses/public hearings were held on the VMP/EA and

proposed regulations. Hearings were held in Anchorage, Juneau,

Gustavus, Hoonah, Pelican, and Elfin Cove. The NPS received 427 timely

comments on the VMP/EA. The public comment period closed August 25,

1995. The majority of commenters (about 85%) were opposed to the

original proposed action (Alternative 5). Commenters were concerned

that air quality, water quality, biological resources, and visitor

experience would be compromised by cruise ship increases. This same

majority of commenters favored Alternative 4 which proposed increased

resource protection and wilderness recreation, and fewer vessel entries

for all vessels categories.

Based on public comments received on the VMP/EA and proposed rule,

the NPS has modified the proposed alternative with respect to vessel

quotas, vessel operating requirements and special-use area closures and

restrictions. The modified alternative, under consideration for the

final rule, responds to the public's concern for the Glacier Bay

environment by reducing proposed cruise ship quota increases and

increasing resource protection, yet still providing for the continued

growing demand for park visitation. The modified alternative also

responds to comments about smaller vessels by allowing modest seasonal

increases for charter boats and private boats.

The modified alternative integrates moderate vessel quota increases

with mitigation measures, imposed by regulatory and other approaches,

to offset vessel impacts and provide additional protection for

sensitive park resources (humpback whales, other marine mammals,

nesting birds, and air quality). Under the modified alternative,

seasonal entry quotas for cruise ships would increase by 30 percent

during the 1996 and 1997 summer seasons (June 1 through August 31),

however, the daily limit of two ships per day would continue.

Additionally, but contingent upon the completion of studies

demonstrating that a further increase in cruise ship traffic would be

consistent with protection of the values and purposes of Glacier Bay

National Park and Preserve, the regulations could allow up to an

additional 42-percent increase (from existing 1995 levels) in cruise

ship traffic beginning with the 1998 summer season. For each summer

season thereafter, the regulations would authorize the NPS to adjust

the number of cruise ship entries, subject to the maximum daily limit

of two vessels, based on available scientific and other information and

applicable authorities. The Superintendent would retain the authority

to take any actions necessary to protect the values and purposes of

Glacier Bay National Park. Any future adjustment to cruise ship traffic

within the scope of the regulations would be published in the

``Notice'' section of the Federal Register, with an opportunity for

public comment. The daily limit of three tour boats per day would not

be changed. Daily limits of 6 charter boats and 25 private boats would

continue. Current restrictions on seasonal entries and use-days for

charter and private boats would be modified to provide an 8-percent

increase in charter boats and a 15-percent increase for private

vessels. Six specified areas would be closed to motor vessels for

varying periods, from June 1 through September 15, to provide enhanced

resource protection and a broader spectrum of visitor experiences.

Additional mitigating measures include vessel operating requirements,

special-use area closures and restrictions, vessel oil-spill response

planning requirements, air pollution and underwater noise minimization

strategies, and a boater Orientation/Educational Program.

The NPS has determined that the modified alternative, under

consideration for the final rule, can be implemented with no

significant adverse effect to natural and cultural resources as

documented by the environmental assessment. Key environmental issues

associated with the modified alternative include effects on marine

mammals and birds from vessel disturbance and air quality degradation

from cruise ship stack emissions. Although some disturbance to these

resources would be expected, the mitigation strategies included in this

action are intended to offset significantly the environmental effects

resulting from vessel entries. In addition, the NPS intends to

institute a comprehensive research and monitoring program to fill

informational needs and quantify the effects of vessel traffic on air

quality, marine mammals, birds and visitor-use enjoyment. The

monitoring program, developed within one year of the record of

decision, will stipulate research and protection actions the NPS will

undertake to ensure that environmental effects do not exceed acceptable

levels. An annual report, detailing efforts, funding levels and

personnel allocated to VMP actions will be made available to the

public. This program will enhance the scientific basis for future

adjustments in vessel quotas. Future vessel quotas will continue to be

subject to the existing daily limits, and future vessel increases in

seasonal cruise ship entries will have to be justified by an

affirmative demonstration of compatibility with the protection of park

resources and values.

The modified alternative under consideration for the final rule

will not have an effect on any Natural Register Properties, or other

unique geographical or cultural features; does not have effects to the

human environment that involve unique or unknown risks or establish a

precedent for future actions with significant effects; and complies

with Executive Orders 11988 and 11990. In 1993 the National Marine

Fisheries Service (NMFS) issued a nonjeopardy opinion for the humpback

whale. The NMFS recommended that the NPS implement a humpback whale

feeding ecology research program that would provide information on

movement, distribution, and abundance of humpback whales in Glacier Bay

and northern southeastern Alaska. The park research and monitoring

program incorporates this recommendation. Based on the implementation

of the recommendations by the NMFS, previous consultation under the

Endangered Species Act, and subsequent consultations with NMFS, no

further action is required at this time by the NPS under the Endangered

Species Act in implementing the modified alternative.

Dated: March 6, 1996.

George T. Frampton, Jr.,

Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.

[FR Doc. 96-6649 Filed 3-19-96; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310-70-P