Alcatraz Island Historic Structure Preservation-Construction Program; Golden Gate National Recreation Area, San Francisco County; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

Alcatraz Island Historic Structure Preservation-Construction

Program; Golden Gate National Recreation Area, San Francisco County;

Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement

SUMMARY: In accord with Sec. 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental

Policy Act, Golden Gate National Recreation Area is undertaking a

conservation planning and impact analysis process to identify

alternatives for (and assess potential impacts of) construction

activities necessary to rehabilitate and preserve structures and sites

which contribute to the island's National Historic Landmark status.

Enhancing visitor and employee safety is also an objective. Notice is

hereby given that the National Park Service will prepare an

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to aid planning for and

implementation of this program.

Background

Alcatraz Island is within the boundary of Golden Gate National

Recreation Area, a unit of the National Park System comprised of

coastal lands in Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo counties,

California. Alcatraz Island, prominently located in San Francisco Bay,

is a National Historic Landmark and an important breeding site for

several waterbird species and western gulls in San Francisco Bay.

Facilities and recreational opportunities on Alcatraz Island attract

more than 1.4 million visitors annually.

Recent management and use of Alcatraz Island has been guided by a

Development Concept Plan (DCP) which was completed in 1993. An

Environmental Assessment (EA) was prepared to evaluate forseeable

effects of carrying out the DCP (among other considerations, potential

impacts to historic resources, biological resources, human health and

safety, and park visitation were addressed). A Finding of No

Significant Impact was approved on August 3, 1993 by the Acting

Regional Director, Western Region. Prescribed mitigations to safeguard

breeding bird populations included timing and location restrictions for

proposed construction activities foreseen at that time.

Although originally many elements of construction addressed in the

DCP fit within the seasonal restrictions that were identified, several

historic rehabilitation and related projects have recently been deemed

necessary. These may require construction schedules which would extend

beyond the seasonal restrictions. Also, the breeding and nesting

seasons for Alcatraz avifauna have been found to fluctuate, sometimes

extending as much as 2 months beyond previously known periods.

Moreover, visitation has increased, and has the potential for further

growth. The constrained construction periods, recently identified

rehabilitation needs, possibility of undocumented archeological

resources and artifacts, new information about avifaunal activity, and

other factors necessitate undertaking a new conservation planning and

impact analysis effort.

Alternatives Identified to Date

Proposed construction that would be outside the scope of the

existing DCP will be detailed and evaluated. At this time its

anticipated that the impact analysis would focus primarily on the

effects of proposed construction activities on the island's breeding

bird populations. The construction required to rehabilitate National

Landmark contributing structures and features is envisioned to be

phased over a 3-5 year period. To date, 12 projects are foreseen that

could necessitate some degree of activity outside the currently

prescribed seasonal restrictions--these include rehabilitation of the

cellhouse, water tower and guard tower from the federal prison era, two

civil war era structures, and the dock. Installation of photovoltaic

electrical panels on the roof of a prison era building, stabilization

of a failing slope, and reconstruction of a former greenhouse are also

proposed.

In addition to the above construction needs, other alternatives

currently envisioned include: no action; and adherence to existing

mitigations and seasonal restrictions.

Scoping/Decision Process

The existing DCP/EA provides a useful baseline which must be

corroborated or updated. The NPS encourages local and regional

agencies, park partners, visitors, and other interested parties to

assist in this effort. Anyone wishing to be incorporated on a mailing

list may respond to: Alcatraz Preservation Construction Program EIS;

Attn: Olivia Shinomoto; Golden Gate National Recreation Area; Building

201 Fort Mason; San Francisco, CA 94123.

As already highlighted in local and regional news media, a public

scoping meeting will be held at park headquarters (Building 201 Fort

Mason) on December 11 at 8:00 am; also on that date an information open

house meeting will be held at the same location from 3-6 pm. For

details about these meetings, contact Olivia Shinomoto at (415) 561-

4821. Written comments conveying information or sharing issues and

concerns are welcomed; these should be addressed to the Superintendent

(address as above) and must be postmarked no later than January 9,

1999.

Availability of the Draft EIS (DEIS) for review and written comment

will be announced by Federal Register notice, as well as via local and

regional news media and direct mailing. At this time the DEIS is

anticipated to be available for public review during winter 1999. In

addition to written responses, a formal comment opportunity will be

provided via public hearing held under the auspices of the GGNRA

Advisory Commission (full details will be available after January 9,

1999 and may be obtained from the project contact noted above). If the

focus of the EIS is substantiated through the public involvement and

agency consultation process, then it is anticipated that a Final EIS

(FEIS) could be released during summer 1999. Subsequently, Notice of

any Record of Decision would be published in the Federal Register no

sooner than thirty (30) days after the FEIS is distributed. The

official responsible for the final decision is the Regional Director,

Pacific West Region, National Park Service.

[[Page 68296]]

Dated: December 3, 1998.

James R. Shevock,

Acting Regional Director, Pacific West.

[FR Doc. 98-32756 Filed 12-9-98; 8:45 am]

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