80_FR_26173 80 FR 26086 - Draft General Management Plan/Wilderness Study/Environmental Impact Statement Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii

80 FR 26086 - Draft General Management Plan/Wilderness Study/Environmental Impact Statement Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 87 (May 6, 2015)

Page Range26086-26089
FR Document2015-10528

The National Park Service (NPS) has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the General Management Plan (GMP) for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (Hawaii Volcanoes NP) in the State of Hawaii. The proposed GMP also includes a wilderness study (WS) which analyzes wilderness suitability of park lands and includes a recommendation for wilderness designation. This DEIS describes and analyzes three GMP alternatives that respond to both NPS planning requirements and to public concerns and issues identified during the scoping and public involvement process. Each alternative presents management strategies for resource protection and preservation, education and interpretation, visitor use and facilities, land protection and boundaries, and long-term operations and management of Hawaii Volcanoes NP. The potential environmental consequences of all the alternatives, and mitigation strategies, are analyzed, and the ``environmentally preferred'' alternative is identified. The wilderness study recommends wilderness designation of lands found eligible in the Kahuku Unit. This GMP will replace the 1975 Master Plan for the park.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 87 (Wednesday, May 6, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 87 (Wednesday, May 6, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26086-26089]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-10528]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-PWR-PWRO-17596]; [PX.PR113509L.00.1]


Draft General Management Plan/Wilderness Study/Environmental 
Impact Statement Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS) has prepared a Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the General Management Plan 
(GMP) for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (Hawaii Volcanoes NP) in the 
State of Hawaii. The proposed GMP also includes a wilderness study (WS) 
which analyzes wilderness suitability of park lands and includes a 
recommendation for wilderness designation. This DEIS describes and 
analyzes three GMP alternatives that respond to both NPS planning 
requirements and to public concerns and issues identified during the 
scoping and public involvement process. Each alternative presents 
management strategies for resource protection and preservation, 
education and interpretation, visitor use and facilities, land 
protection and boundaries, and long-term operations and management of 
Hawaii Volcanoes NP. The potential environmental consequences of all 
the alternatives, and mitigation strategies, are analyzed, and the 
``environmentally preferred'' alternative is identified. The wilderness 
study recommends wilderness designation of lands found eligible in the 
Kahuku Unit. This GMP will replace the 1975 Master Plan for the park.

DATES: All written comments must be postmarked or transmitted not later 
than July 6, 2015 of the Environmental Protection Agency's notice of 
filing and release of the DEIS. Upon publication of this notice, the 
date will be immediately posted on the park's Web site (www.nps.gov/havo) and on the NPS Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) 
Web site (http://parkplanning.nps.gov/havo), and publicized via local 
and regional press media.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cindy Orlando, Superintendent, Hawaii 
Volcanoes National Park, P.O. Box 52, Hawaii National Park, HI 96718-
0052 or via telephone at (808) 985-6026.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    A Notice of Intent announcing preparation of the DEIS and GMP was

[[Page 26087]]

published in the Federal Register on April 13, 2009. The NPS also 
publicized the public scoping period and invited public comment through 
newsletters, correspondence, press releases, public workshops, informal 
meetings, and the PEPC Web site. During the spring of 2009 the NPS 
produced an initial newsletter describing the start of the planning 
process and soliciting feedback on issues to be addressed in the plan 
(approximately 8,500 newsletters were distributed overall). A 
comprehensive scoping outreach effort elicited early public comment 
regarding issues and concerns, the nature and extent of potential 
environmental impacts, and possible alternatives that should be 
addressed in the preparation of the GMP. Agencies, organizations, 
governmental representatives, and Native Hawaiian organizations were 
sent letters of invitation to attend the public workshops or individual 
meetings. Press releases were distributed to local and regional news 
media. The project was launched on the PEPC Web site, providing access 
to information about the GMP and a method for taking public comments. 
News articles featuring the public open house meetings were written in 
the West Hawaii Today, Hawaii Tribune Herald, and the Kau Calendar, as 
well as public service announcements on local radio stations.
    The NPS held seven public open house meetings on the islands of 
Hawaii, Oahu and Maui in April and May 2009 to provide the public with 
an opportunity to learn about the general management planning project 
and to offer comments. The meetings began with a brief welcome and 
introduction to the GMP planning process, and transitioned into an open 
house format where attendees could visit six stations featuring 
tabletop poster displays. A total of 95 people attended the meetings. 
The park also conducted several stakeholder meetings to obtain input 
from representatives of city, county, and federal agencies, business 
and community organizations, Native Hawaiian organizations, and 
research permit holders. Park staff also gave poster presentations at 
local meetings of the Kau Chamber of Commerce, Volcano Community 
Association, and Friends of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Altogether 
during the 2009 scoping phase, the park planning team spoke with 
approximately 400 people at public and stakeholder meetings and 
approximately 1,500 people at park and community tabling events. 
Correspondence received from over 130 individuals and organizations 
engendered approximately 1,250 specific comments. All comments were 
carefully reviewed and considered by the planning team to inform 
preparation of this GMP, and are preserved in the project 
administrative record.
    Expanding the scope of the EIS was announced in the Federal 
Register on December 2, 2011. The EIS was expanded to include a 
wilderness study needed to evaluate foreseeable effects associated with 
possible designation of wilderness within the park. This Notice of 
Intent also formally extended the GMP preliminary alternatives comment 
period through January 2, 2012, in order to gain additional comments 
about wilderness and the recently evaluated wilderness-eligible lands 
within the Kahuku Unit.
    The NPS conducted an additional round of public involvement at the 
draft alternatives phase of the planning process to ensure that the 
planning team fully comprehended the public's concerns and preferences 
with regard to the range of draft alternatives and to assist the 
planning team in refining the draft alternatives and identifying a 
preferred alternative. In addition, this engagement afforded 
opportunity for formal scoping for the wilderness study. During scoping 
for the wilderness study the NPS described the wilderness eligibility 
analysis that had been completed for the Kahuku Unit and elicited 
public comments specifically focused on the wilderness study.
    During August 2011 the NPS produced and mailed the Draft 
Alternatives Newsletter to approximately 955 contacts on the GMP 
mailing list. The newsletter fully outlined the concepts and actions in 
the draft alternatives and proposed management zones, and included 
information on the wilderness eligibility that was completed and the 
wilderness study that would be included in the DEIS/GMP. The newsletter 
also contained a business reply questionnaire to facilitate public 
comments on the four draft alternatives. In addition to the planning 
schedule included in the Newsletter, information was distributed to 
local media in advance of the public meetings and articles were printed 
in three local papers: West Hawaii Today, Hawaii Tribune Herald, and 
the Kau Calendar.
    The NPS held a public open house meeting and two stakeholder 
meetings in the park, and two additional public meetings were held in 
the towns of Pahoa and Naalehu. A total of 66 people participated. 
Overall the NPS received 72 written responses in the form of letters, 
emails, comment forms, and comments submitted on the PEPC Web site. A 
total of 709 individual comments were received. All comments received 
were again reviewed by the GMP planning team to inform preparation of 
the Draft GMP/WS. A summary of public comments on the preliminary 
alternatives and wilderness study was created and made available to the 
public in February, 2012, on the park's Web site, in PEPC, and through 
830 mailers sent to the GMP project mailing list.

Proposed Plan and Alternatives

    Alternative 1 (No Action Alternative)--Existing programming, 
facilities, staffing, and funding would generally continue at current 
levels to protect the values of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. There 
would be no major changes in current management or visitor use. 
Implementation of currently approved plans would continue as funding 
allows. This alternative provides the baseline for evaluating actions 
and impacts in other alternatives.
    Alternative 2 (Preferred Alternative)--Strengthens and expands 
opportunities to connect people with the volcanic world treasure, 
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and provide a wide range of high 
quality visitor experiences based on different geographic areas. 
K[imacr]lauea summit would continue to be the most actively visited 
area of the park with the greatest concentration of services and 
amenities for park visitors. Along Chain of Craters Road and Mauna Loa 
Road, the park would strive to provide visitors with improved 
opportunities to experience and connect with park resources and values, 
including new opportunities at places like Mauna Ulu and 
Kealakomowaena, while dispersing use to create a less congested and 
more tranquil experience. At Kahuku, although visitor access and 
recreation opportunities would be expanded from what is currently 
offered, infrastructure and development would be minimal, gradually 
phased in over time, and remain rustic in design to allow for a 
primitive visitor experience.
    Natural and cultural resources would continue to be managed and 
protected with a high degree of integrity, consistent with direction 
provided by existing laws and policies. The preferred alternative 
emphasizes the park's role as a refuge and haven for native biota, 
people, and cultures in a world constantly adapting to volcanic 
activity and island building processes. The preferred alternative would 
honor the Native Hawaiian people and culture by recognizing Native 
Hawaiian values such as malama aina (nourishing or taking care of the 
land) and kuleana (responsibility) and perspectives from

[[Page 26088]]

Native Hawaiian land management such as ahupuaa management (managing 
land from mauka (mountains) to makai (sea) as important concepts in 
park stewardship of resources. Native Hawaiian traditional ecological 
knowledge would be used to enhance current scientific understanding to 
protect park resources and provide additional interpretive and 
educational opportunities for visitors. Alternative 2 is also 
considered to be the ``environmentally preferred'' course of action.
    Alternative 3--Emphasizes building new connections with the park 
primarily through expanded education and hands-on stewardship 
opportunities. Traditional visitor opportunities would continue and 
capacity could be expanded at some existing sites to allow for 
increased visitation, but new development would be very limited and a 
suite of management tools would be used to disperse visitors and manage 
congestion throughout the park. A greater focus would be placed on 
science and learning opportunities for visitors from mauka (mountains) 
to makai (sea). The park would immerse visitors in the protection and 
restoration of native species and ecosystems by maximizing 
opportunities to participate in restoration activities and additional 
emphasis would be placed on providing opportunities for visitors to 
engage in research, scientific investigation, and projects associated 
with natural and cultural resources management, notably in Kahuku.
    Similar to Alternative 2, natural and cultural resources would 
continue to be managed and protected with a high degree of integrity, 
consistent with direction provided by existing laws and policies. This 
alternative also emphasizes the park's role as a refuge and haven for 
native biota, people, and cultures in a world constantly adapting to 
volcanic activity and island building processes. This alternative would 
honor the Native Hawaiian people and culture, by recognizing Native 
Hawaiian values such as malama aina and kuleana, and perspectives from 
Native Hawaiian land management such as ahupuaa management (managing 
land from mauka to makai) as important concepts in park stewardship of 
resources. Native Hawaiian traditional ecological knowledge would be 
used to enhance current scientific understanding to protect park 
resources and provide additional interpretive and educational 
opportunities for visitors.

Actions Common to All Alternatives

    Many aspects of natural and cultural resources management (such as 
an emphasis on restoring native ecosystems, preservation of wilderness 
character, and continued support for research), visitor use and 
experience (such as providing access to the iconic places and volcanic 
processes), and collaboration with partners on a variety of issues 
(including coastal and shoreline management) are common to all 
alternatives. The park would continue to operate Volcano House as a 
concession operation for lodging, retail, and food and beverage 
services in all alternatives. Guidance for Kilauea Military Camp (KMC) 
and use of the 1877 Volcano House should conditions change also applies 
to all alternatives. The park would continue to provide interpretation 
at the Jaggar Museum, with improved exhibits, and the Hawaiian Volcano 
Observatory would continue to operate adjacent to Jaggar Museum. The 
park would also continue to implement recently approved initiatives 
including: Fire Management Plan (2007), Crater Rim Drive Rehabilitation 
(2010), Archeological Preservation Plan for Kealakomo Ahupuaa (2011), 
and Protecting and Restoring Native Ecosystems by Managing Non-native 
Ungulates (2013).
    Flexibility in managing Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is necessary 
given the park is situated between two active volcanoes, and volcanic 
eruptions are possible at any time. Park management is influenced by 
the magnitude of individual events. Rather than provide specific 
recommendations in the GMP for how the park may respond to a given 
event, the planning team has developed some general ``adaptive 
management'' guidance for managers facing volcanic activity in the 
future, notably with respect to facilities and infrastructure in the 
park. This guidance is also common to all alternatives.
    Finally, in 1989 a 5.5 mile segment of the historic Chain of 
Craters Road through the park towards Kalapana and Pahoa was buried by 
lava flows. Due to a change in the direction of other lava flows above 
this area, in 2014 the remaining access to the Pahoa area became 
threatened. Consequently, an unpaved emergency access route was 
constructed following the historic road alignment. This route is for 
emergency access only, in the event of access to Pahoa being cut off. 
Under all of the alternatives, when this route is no longer needed for 
emergency access, it would be used as an equestrian, biking, and hiking 
trail (similar in character and functionality to the Escape Road from 
the summit to Mauna Ulu) to provide a quality non-motorized visitor use 
opportunity and future emergency route without compromising natural 
values and avoiding the management complexity of managing a new coastal 
entrance to the park.

Wilderness Study

    The NPS proposes wilderness designation of certain lands found 
eligible in the Kahuku Unit (121,015 acres) as a natural extension of 
the existing wilderness within the park. This proposed designation 
would further a conservation vision for high-elevation protection of 
natural and cultural resources and would create connectivity for park 
wilderness that would span from the summit of Mauna Loa Volcano all the 
way down its massive Southwest Rift. This rugged and remote environment 
offers outstanding opportunities for solitude and potential for high-
challenge recreational hiking. Nearly all of this mauka area of Kahuku 
is a place where the imprint of humans is scarcely noticeable, 
overpowered by the vast lava expanse and aura of wildness. Consistent 
with NPS policy, the park would continue to manage these proposed 
eligible lands for their wilderness qualities prior to formal 
designation.
    Public Review and Comment: A limited number of printed copies of 
the Draft GMP/WS/EIS are available for review at local public 
libraries, and by request to the park (address below). The document is 
also available on the GMP project Web site. Comments are encouraged to 
be submitted electronically at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/havo. The 
postage paid comment response form included in the Draft General 
Management Plan/Wilderness Study/EIS Newsletter #4 may be used 
(additional pages can be attached as necessary). Written comments can 
be mailed to: Superintendent, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, P.O. Box 
52, Hawaii National Park, HI 96718-0052. Comments may also be submitted 
at one of the open house meetings to be conducted by the NPS--complete 
details including dates, time, and locations will be posted on the GMP 
Web site (and announced via local and regional press media). In 
addition, a formal hearing on the wilderness study will also be held in 
conjunction with one of the open house meetings. The hearing will occur 
not later than two weeks before the conclusion of the 60 day public 
review and comment period.

[[Page 26089]]

    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.
    Decision Process: Following the 60 day opportunity for public 
review of the DEIS/WS/GMP, all comments received will be carefully 
considered in preparing the final document. The FEIS document is 
anticipated to be completed during the fall of 2015 and its 
availability will be announced in the Federal Register and via local 
and regional press media. As a delegated EIS, the official responsible 
for the final decision is the Regional Director, Pacific West Region; 
subsequently the official responsible for implementation will be the 
Superintendent, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

    Dated: February 2, 2015.
Christine S. Lehnertz,
Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 2015-10528 Filed 5-5-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-FF-P



                                              26086                         Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 87 / Wednesday, May 6, 2015 / Notices

                                              people with nature and wildlife. In this                Submitting Comments and Issues for                    DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
                                              alternative, the refuge would be made                   Comment
                                              more accessible to outlying                                                                                   National Park Service
                                                                                                         We welcome all comments on the
                                              communities with the opening of                         draft CCP and EIS, particularly on how                [NPS–PWR–PWRO–17596];
                                              additional access points and the                        we have addressed those issues                        [PX.PR113509L.00.1]
                                              development of enhanced transportation                  identified during the scoping process,
                                              system. We would work with                                                                                    Draft General Management Plan/
                                                                                                      such as (1) habitat and wildlife
                                              nontraditional users’ trusted avenues of                                                                      Wilderness Study/Environmental
                                                                                                      management, (2) reintroduction of the                 Impact Statement Hawaii Volcanoes
                                              communication to increase outreach                      black-footed ferret and other native
                                              success. We would expand our                                                                                  National Park, Hawaii
                                                                                                      species, (3) public uses and access, (4)
                                              conservation education in surrounding                   water resources and management, (5)                   AGENCY:   National Park Service, Interior.
                                              communities and schools, develop                        partnerships, outreach and                            ACTION:   Notice of availability.
                                              youth-specific outreach, and employ                     collaboration, and (6) cultural and
                                              social marketing to broaden our                         historic resources. We consider                       SUMMARY:     The National Park Service
                                              agency’s reach. We would manage the                     comments substantive if they question,                (NPS) has prepared a Draft
                                              refuge’s habitat and wildlife as in                     with reasonable basis, the accuracy of                Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)
                                              Alternative B, but the reintroduction of                the information in the document or the                for the General Management Plan (GMP)
                                              greater prairie-chicken and sharp-tailed                adequacy of the EIS; if they present                  for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
                                              grouse would be attempted regardless of                 reasonable alternatives other than those              (Hawaii Volcanoes NP) in the State of
                                              whether these species’ populations are                  presented in the draft CCP and EIS; or                Hawaii. The proposed GMP also
                                              likely to become self-sustaining.                       if they provide new or additional                     includes a wilderness study (WS) which
                                                                                                      information relevant to the EIS.                      analyzes wilderness suitability of park
                                              Alternative D: Gateway Refuge                                                                                 lands and includes a recommendation
                                                                                                      Next Steps                                            for wilderness designation. This DEIS
                                                The emphasis of this alternative is to                                                                      describes and analyzes three GMP
                                              work with partners to increase the                         After this comment period ends, we
                                                                                                      will analyze the comments and address                 alternatives that respond to both NPS
                                              visibility of the refuge, the Refuge                                                                          planning requirements and to public
                                              System, and other public lands in the                   them in the form of a final CCP and a
                                                                                                                                                            concerns and issues identified during
                                              area. There will be less visitor services               final EIS.
                                                                                                                                                            the scoping and public involvement
                                              programming at the refuge and efforts to                Public Comments                                       process. Each alternative presents
                                              engage with the public will be extended                                                                       management strategies for resource
                                              to off-site locations. We would work                      Before including your address, phone
                                                                                                                                                            protection and preservation, education
                                                                                                      number, email address, or other
                                              with Denver International Airport to                                                                          and interpretation, visitor use and
                                                                                                      personal identifying information in your
                                              improve physical connections between                                                                          facilities, land protection and
                                                                                                      comment, you should be aware that
                                              the refuge and the airport. The trail                                                                         boundaries, and long-term operations
                                                                                                      your entire comment—including your
                                              system within the refuge would be more                                                                        and management of Hawaii Volcanoes
                                                                                                      personal identifying information—may
                                              extensive than under Alternative C.                                                                           NP. The potential environmental
                                                                                                      be made publicly available at any time.
                                              Working with our partners, we would                                                                           consequences of all the alternatives, and
                                                                                                      While you can ask us in your comment
                                              manage access to the perimeter trail and                                                                      mitigation strategies, are analyzed, and
                                                                                                      to withhold your personal identifying
                                              promote trail linkages to the Rocky                                                                           the ‘‘environmentally preferred’’
                                                                                                      information from public review, we
                                              Mountain Greenway Trail and other                                                                             alternative is identified. The wilderness
                                                                                                      cannot guarantee that we will be able to
                                              regional trails. We would manage the                                                                          study recommends wilderness
                                                                                                      do so.
                                              refuge’s habitat and wildlife as in                                                                           designation of lands found eligible in
                                              Alternative B and we would work with                    Authority                                             the Kahuku Unit. This GMP will replace
                                              neighboring landowners and state                                                                              the 1975 Master Plan for the park.
                                                                                                        The environmental review of this
                                              agencies to extend the range of native                                                                        DATES: All written comments must be
                                                                                                      project will be conducted in accordance
                                              species.                                                with the requirements of the National                 postmarked or transmitted not later than
                                                                                                      Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of                    July 6, 2015 of the Environmental
                                              Public Meetings                                                                                               Protection Agency’s notice of filing and
                                                                                                      1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et
                                                Opportunity for public input will be                  seq.); NEPA Regulations (40 CFR parts                 release of the DEIS. Upon publication of
                                                                                                      1500–1508, 43 CFR part 46); other                     this notice, the date will be immediately
                                              provided at public meetings. The
                                                                                                      appropriate Federal laws and                          posted on the park’s Web site
                                              specific dates and times for the public
                                                                                                      regulations; Executive Order 12996; the               (www.nps.gov/havo) and on the NPS
                                              meetings are yet to be determined, but
                                                                                                      National Wildlife Refuge System                       Planning, Environment, and Public
                                              will be announced via local media and
                                                                                                      Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C.                 Comment (PEPC) Web site (http://
                                              a planning update.
                                                                                                      668dd–668ee) (Administration Act), as                 parkplanning.nps.gov/havo), and
                                              Reasonable Accommodations                               amended by the National Wildlife                      publicized via local and regional press
                                                                                                      Refuge System Improvement Act of                      media.
                                                The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is                                                                       FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                              committed to providing access for all                   1997; and Service policies and
                                                                                                      procedures for compliance with those                  Cindy Orlando, Superintendent, Hawaii
                                              participants to our public meetings.                                                                          Volcanoes National Park, P.O. Box 52,
                                                                                                      laws and regulations.
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                              Please direct all requests for sign                                                                           Hawaii National Park, HI 96718–0052 or
                                              language interpreting services, closed                   Dated: March 16, 2015.                               via telephone at (808) 985–6026.
                                              captioning, simultaneous translations,                  Matt Hogan,
                                                                                                                                                            SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                              or other accommodation needs to                         Acting Regional Director, U.S. Fish and
                                              Bernardo Garza, (303) 236–4377,                         Wildlife Service, Mountain-Prairie Region.            Background
                                              bernardo_garza@fws.gov, or 800–877–                     [FR Doc. 2015–10326 Filed 5–5–15; 8:45 am]              A Notice of Intent announcing
                                              8339 (TTY).                                             BILLING CODE 4310–55–P                                preparation of the DEIS and GMP was


                                         VerDate Sep<11>2014   18:43 May 05, 2015   Jkt 235001   PO 00000   Frm 00092   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\06MYN1.SGM   06MYN1


                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 87 / Wednesday, May 6, 2015 / Notices                                             26087

                                              published in the Federal Register on                    engendered approximately 1,250                        site. A total of 709 individual comments
                                              April 13, 2009. The NPS also publicized                 specific comments. All comments were                  were received. All comments received
                                              the public scoping period and invited                   carefully reviewed and considered by                  were again reviewed by the GMP
                                              public comment through newsletters,                     the planning team to inform preparation               planning team to inform preparation of
                                              correspondence, press releases, public                  of this GMP, and are preserved in the                 the Draft GMP/WS. A summary of
                                              workshops, informal meetings, and the                   project administrative record.                        public comments on the preliminary
                                              PEPC Web site. During the spring of                        Expanding the scope of the EIS was                 alternatives and wilderness study was
                                              2009 the NPS produced an initial                        announced in the Federal Register on                  created and made available to the public
                                              newsletter describing the start of the                  December 2, 2011. The EIS was                         in February, 2012, on the park’s Web
                                              planning process and soliciting                         expanded to include a wilderness study                site, in PEPC, and through 830 mailers
                                              feedback on issues to be addressed in                   needed to evaluate foreseeable effects                sent to the GMP project mailing list.
                                              the plan (approximately 8,500                           associated with possible designation of
                                                                                                      wilderness within the park. This Notice               Proposed Plan and Alternatives
                                              newsletters were distributed overall). A
                                              comprehensive scoping outreach effort                   of Intent also formally extended the                     Alternative 1 (No Action
                                              elicited early public comment regarding                 GMP preliminary alternatives comment                  Alternative)—Existing programming,
                                              issues and concerns, the nature and                     period through January 2, 2012, in order              facilities, staffing, and funding would
                                              extent of potential environmental                       to gain additional comments about                     generally continue at current levels to
                                              impacts, and possible alternatives that                 wilderness and the recently evaluated                 protect the values of Hawaii Volcanoes
                                              should be addressed in the preparation                  wilderness-eligible lands within the                  National Park. There would be no major
                                              of the GMP. Agencies, organizations,                    Kahuku Unit.                                          changes in current management or
                                              governmental representatives, and                          The NPS conducted an additional                    visitor use. Implementation of currently
                                              Native Hawaiian organizations were                      round of public involvement at the draft              approved plans would continue as
                                              sent letters of invitation to attend the                alternatives phase of the planning                    funding allows. This alternative
                                              public workshops or individual                          process to ensure that the planning team              provides the baseline for evaluating
                                              meetings. Press releases were                           fully comprehended the public’s                       actions and impacts in other
                                              distributed to local and regional news                  concerns and preferences with regard to               alternatives.
                                                                                                      the range of draft alternatives and to                   Alternative 2 (Preferred Alternative)—
                                              media. The project was launched on the
                                                                                                      assist the planning team in refining the              Strengthens and expands opportunities
                                              PEPC Web site, providing access to
                                                                                                      draft alternatives and identifying a                  to connect people with the volcanic
                                              information about the GMP and a
                                                                                                      preferred alternative. In addition, this              world treasure, Hawaii Volcanoes
                                              method for taking public comments.
                                                                                                      engagement afforded opportunity for                   National Park, and provide a wide range
                                              News articles featuring the public open                                                                       of high quality visitor experiences based
                                                                                                      formal scoping for the wilderness study.
                                              house meetings were written in the                                                                            on different geographic areas. Kı̄lauea
                                                                                                      During scoping for the wilderness study
                                              West Hawaii Today, Hawaii Tribune                                                                             summit would continue to be the most
                                                                                                      the NPS described the wilderness
                                              Herald, and the Kau Calendar, as well                                                                         actively visited area of the park with the
                                                                                                      eligibility analysis that had been
                                              as public service announcements on                                                                            greatest concentration of services and
                                                                                                      completed for the Kahuku Unit and
                                              local radio stations.                                                                                         amenities for park visitors. Along Chain
                                                                                                      elicited public comments specifically
                                                 The NPS held seven public open                       focused on the wilderness study.                      of Craters Road and Mauna Loa Road,
                                              house meetings on the islands of                           During August 2011 the NPS                         the park would strive to provide visitors
                                              Hawaii, Oahu and Maui in April and                      produced and mailed the Draft                         with improved opportunities to
                                              May 2009 to provide the public with an                  Alternatives Newsletter to                            experience and connect with park
                                              opportunity to learn about the general                  approximately 955 contacts on the GMP                 resources and values, including new
                                              management planning project and to                      mailing list. The newsletter fully                    opportunities at places like Mauna Ulu
                                              offer comments. The meetings began                      outlined the concepts and actions in the              and Kealakomowaena, while dispersing
                                              with a brief welcome and introduction                   draft alternatives and proposed                       use to create a less congested and more
                                              to the GMP planning process, and                        management zones, and included                        tranquil experience. At Kahuku,
                                              transitioned into an open house format                  information on the wilderness eligibility             although visitor access and recreation
                                              where attendees could visit six stations                that was completed and the wilderness                 opportunities would be expanded from
                                              featuring tabletop poster displays. A                   study that would be included in the                   what is currently offered, infrastructure
                                              total of 95 people attended the meetings.               DEIS/GMP. The newsletter also                         and development would be minimal,
                                              The park also conducted several                         contained a business reply                            gradually phased in over time, and
                                              stakeholder meetings to obtain input                    questionnaire to facilitate public                    remain rustic in design to allow for a
                                              from representatives of city, county, and               comments on the four draft alternatives.              primitive visitor experience.
                                              federal agencies, business and                          In addition to the planning schedule                     Natural and cultural resources would
                                              community organizations, Native                         included in the Newsletter, information               continue to be managed and protected
                                              Hawaiian organizations, and research                    was distributed to local media in                     with a high degree of integrity,
                                              permit holders. Park staff also gave                    advance of the public meetings and                    consistent with direction provided by
                                              poster presentations at local meetings of               articles were printed in three local                  existing laws and policies. The
                                              the Kau Chamber of Commerce, Volcano                    papers: West Hawaii Today, Hawaii                     preferred alternative emphasizes the
                                              Community Association, and Friends of                   Tribune Herald, and the Kau Calendar.                 park’s role as a refuge and haven for
                                              Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.                            The NPS held a public open house                   native biota, people, and cultures in a
                                              Altogether during the 2009 scoping                      meeting and two stakeholder meetings                  world constantly adapting to volcanic
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                                              phase, the park planning team spoke                     in the park, and two additional public                activity and island building processes.
                                              with approximately 400 people at                        meetings were held in the towns of                    The preferred alternative would honor
                                              public and stakeholder meetings and                     Pahoa and Naalehu. A total of 66 people               the Native Hawaiian people and culture
                                              approximately 1,500 people at park and                  participated. Overall the NPS received                by recognizing Native Hawaiian values
                                              community tabling events.                               72 written responses in the form of                   such as malama aina (nourishing or
                                              Correspondence received from over 130                   letters, emails, comment forms, and                   taking care of the land) and kuleana
                                              individuals and organizations                           comments submitted on the PEPC Web                    (responsibility) and perspectives from


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                                              26088                         Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 87 / Wednesday, May 6, 2015 / Notices

                                              Native Hawaiian land management such                    Actions Common to All Alternatives                    functionality to the Escape Road from
                                              as ahupuaa management (managing land                       Many aspects of natural and cultural               the summit to Mauna Ulu) to provide a
                                              from mauka (mountains) to makai (sea)                   resources management (such as an                      quality non-motorized visitor use
                                              as important concepts in park                           emphasis on restoring native                          opportunity and future emergency route
                                              stewardship of resources. Native                        ecosystems, preservation of wilderness                without compromising natural values
                                              Hawaiian traditional ecological                         character, and continued support for                  and avoiding the management
                                              knowledge would be used to enhance                      research), visitor use and experience                 complexity of managing a new coastal
                                              current scientific understanding to                     (such as providing access to the iconic               entrance to the park.
                                              protect park resources and provide                      places and volcanic processes), and                   Wilderness Study
                                              additional interpretive and educational                 collaboration with partners on a variety
                                              opportunities for visitors. Alternative 2               of issues (including coastal and                         The NPS proposes wilderness
                                              is also considered to be the                            shoreline management) are common to                   designation of certain lands found
                                              ‘‘environmentally preferred’’ course of                 all alternatives. The park would                      eligible in the Kahuku Unit (121,015
                                              action.                                                 continue to operate Volcano House as a                acres) as a natural extension of the
                                                                                                      concession operation for lodging, retail,             existing wilderness within the park.
                                                 Alternative 3—Emphasizes building                                                                          This proposed designation would
                                              new connections with the park                           and food and beverage services in all
                                                                                                      alternatives. Guidance for Kilauea                    further a conservation vision for high-
                                              primarily through expanded education                                                                          elevation protection of natural and
                                                                                                      Military Camp (KMC) and use of the
                                              and hands-on stewardship                                                                                      cultural resources and would create
                                                                                                      1877 Volcano House should conditions
                                              opportunities. Traditional visitor                                                                            connectivity for park wilderness that
                                                                                                      change also applies to all alternatives.
                                              opportunities would continue and                                                                              would span from the summit of Mauna
                                                                                                      The park would continue to provide
                                              capacity could be expanded at some                      interpretation at the Jaggar Museum,                  Loa Volcano all the way down its
                                              existing sites to allow for increased                   with improved exhibits, and the                       massive Southwest Rift. This rugged
                                              visitation, but new development would                   Hawaiian Volcano Observatory would                    and remote environment offers
                                              be very limited and a suite of                          continue to operate adjacent to Jaggar                outstanding opportunities for solitude
                                              management tools would be used to                       Museum. The park would also continue                  and potential for high-challenge
                                              disperse visitors and manage congestion                 to implement recently approved                        recreational hiking. Nearly all of this
                                              throughout the park. A greater focus                    initiatives including: Fire Management                mauka area of Kahuku is a place where
                                              would be placed on science and                          Plan (2007), Crater Rim Drive                         the imprint of humans is scarcely
                                              learning opportunities for visitors from                Rehabilitation (2010), Archeological                  noticeable, overpowered by the vast lava
                                              mauka (mountains) to makai (sea). The                   Preservation Plan for Kealakomo                       expanse and aura of wildness.
                                              park would immerse visitors in the                      Ahupuaa (2011), and Protecting and                    Consistent with NPS policy, the park
                                              protection and restoration of native                    Restoring Native Ecosystems by                        would continue to manage these
                                              species and ecosystems by maximizing                    Managing Non-native Ungulates (2013).                 proposed eligible lands for their
                                              opportunities to participate in                            Flexibility in managing Hawaii                     wilderness qualities prior to formal
                                              restoration activities and additional                   Volcanoes National Park is necessary                  designation.
                                              emphasis would be placed on providing                   given the park is situated between two                   Public Review and Comment: A
                                              opportunities for visitors to engage in                 active volcanoes, and volcanic eruptions              limited number of printed copies of the
                                              research, scientific investigation, and                 are possible at any time. Park                        Draft GMP/WS/EIS are available for
                                              projects associated with natural and                    management is influenced by the                       review at local public libraries, and by
                                              cultural resources management, notably                  magnitude of individual events. Rather                request to the park (address below). The
                                              in Kahuku.                                              than provide specific recommendations                 document is also available on the GMP
                                                                                                      in the GMP for how the park may                       project Web site. Comments are
                                                 Similar to Alternative 2, natural and
                                                                                                      respond to a given event, the planning                encouraged to be submitted
                                              cultural resources would continue to be                                                                       electronically at http://
                                                                                                      team has developed some general
                                              managed and protected with a high                                                                             parkplanning.nps.gov/havo. The
                                                                                                      ‘‘adaptive management’’ guidance for
                                              degree of integrity, consistent with                                                                          postage paid comment response form
                                                                                                      managers facing volcanic activity in the
                                              direction provided by existing laws and                 future, notably with respect to facilities            included in the Draft General
                                              policies. This alternative also                         and infrastructure in the park. This                  Management Plan/Wilderness Study/
                                              emphasizes the park’s role as a refuge                  guidance is also common to all                        EIS Newsletter #4 may be used
                                              and haven for native biota, people, and                 alternatives.                                         (additional pages can be attached as
                                              cultures in a world constantly adapting                    Finally, in 1989 a 5.5 mile segment of             necessary). Written comments can be
                                              to volcanic activity and island building                the historic Chain of Craters Road                    mailed to: Superintendent, Hawaii
                                              processes. This alternative would honor                 through the park towards Kalapana and                 Volcanoes National Park, P.O. Box 52,
                                              the Native Hawaiian people and culture,                 Pahoa was buried by lava flows. Due to                Hawaii National Park, HI 96718–0052.
                                              by recognizing Native Hawaiian values                   a change in the direction of other lava               Comments may also be submitted at one
                                              such as malama aina and kuleana, and                    flows above this area, in 2014 the                    of the open house meetings to be
                                              perspectives from Native Hawaiian land                  remaining access to the Pahoa area                    conducted by the NPS—complete
                                              management such as ahupuaa                              became threatened. Consequently, an                   details including dates, time, and
                                              management (managing land from                          unpaved emergency access route was                    locations will be posted on the GMP
                                              mauka to makai) as important concepts                   constructed following the historic road               Web site (and announced via local and
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                                              in park stewardship of resources. Native                alignment. This route is for emergency                regional press media). In addition, a
                                              Hawaiian traditional ecological                         access only, in the event of access to                formal hearing on the wilderness study
                                              knowledge would be used to enhance                      Pahoa being cut off. Under all of the                 will also be held in conjunction with
                                              current scientific understanding to                     alternatives, when this route is no                   one of the open house meetings. The
                                              protect park resources and provide                      longer needed for emergency access, it                hearing will occur not later than two
                                              additional interpretive and educational                 would be used as an equestrian, biking,               weeks before the conclusion of the 60
                                              opportunities for visitors.                             and hiking trail (similar in character and            day public review and comment period.


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                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 87 / Wednesday, May 6, 2015 / Notices                                                   26089

                                                 Before including your address, phone                 information in your comment, you                      OREGON
                                              number, email address, or other                         should be aware that your entire                      Douglas County
                                              personal identifying information in your                comment—including your personal
                                                                                                                                                            U.S. Army Fort Umpqua, Address Restricted,
                                              comment, you should be aware that                       identifying information—may be made                     Corvallis, 15000269
                                              your entire comment—including your                      publicly available at any time. While
                                              personal identifying information—may                    you can ask us in your comment to                     Jefferson County
                                              be made publicly available at any time.                 withhold your personal identifying                    Cyrus, Enoch and Mary, Homestead and
                                              While you can ask us in your comment                    information from public review, we                      Orchard Site, (Crooked River National
                                              to withhold your personal identifying                   cannot guarantee that we will be able to                Grassland MPS) Hagman Rd., Culver,
                                              information from public review, we                      do so.                                                  15000270
                                              cannot guarantee that we will be able to                                                                      McCoin, Julius and Sarah, Homestead and
                                                                                                         Dated: April 17, 2015.                               Orchard Site, (Crooked River National
                                              do so.
                                                                                                      J. Paul Loether,                                        Grassland MPS) FS Rd. 57, Culver,
                                                 Decision Process: Following the 60
                                                                                                      Chief, National Register of Historic Places/            15000271
                                              day opportunity for public review of the
                                                                                                      National Historic Landmarks Program.                  Marion County
                                              DEIS/WS/GMP, all comments received
                                              will be carefully considered in                         ARKANSAS                                              Olallie Meadows Guard Station, 595 NW.
                                              preparing the final document. The FEIS                  Conway County
                                                                                                                                                              Industrial Way, Estacada, 15000272
                                              document is anticipated to be                                                                                 Wallowa County
                                              completed during the fall of 2015 and                   Moose Addition Neighborhood Historic
                                                                                                       District (Boundary Increase), Roughly                Hoodoo Ridge Lookout, Umatilla NF, Walla
                                              its availability will be announced in the
                                                                                                       bounded by S. St. Joseph, E. Green, S.                Walla District, Troy, 15000273
                                              Federal Register and via local and
                                                                                                       Chestnut, E. Valley, S. Morrill & E. Church          PUERTO RICO
                                              regional press media. As a delegated
                                                                                                       Sts., Morrilton, 15000258
                                              EIS, the official responsible for the final                                                                   Adjuntas Municipality
                                              decision is the Regional Director, Pacific              West Church Street Historic District, Roughly
                                                                                                       bounded by S. Morrill, Valley, S. Cherokee           Washington Irving Graded School, (Early
                                              West Region; subsequently the official                                                                         20th Century Schools in Puerto Rico MPS)
                                                                                                       & W. Church Sts., Morrilton, 15000259
                                              responsible for implementation will be                                                                         Rodulfo Gonzalez St., Adjuntas, 15000274
                                              the Superintendent, Hawaii Volcanoes                    Poinsett County
                                              National Park.                                                                                                Guanica Municipality
                                                                                                      Tyronza Methodist Episcopal Church, South,
                                                                                                        161 Church St., Tyronza, 15000260                   James Garfield Graded School, (Early 20th
                                                Dated: February 2, 2015.
                                                                                                                                                              Century Schools in Puerto Rico MPS) Calle
                                              Christine S. Lehnertz,                                  Prairie County                                          65th de Infanteria, Guanica, 15000275
                                              Regional Director, Pacific West Region.                 Kocourek and Son Hardware, 110 E. Front               Sabana Grande Municipality
                                              [FR Doc. 2015–10528 Filed 5–5–15; 8:45 am]                St., Hazen, 15000257
                                                                                                                                                            James Fenimore Cooper Graded School,
                                              BILLING CODE 4312–FF–P
                                                                                                      MASSACHUSETTS                                           (Early 20th Century Schools in Puerto Rico
                                                                                                                                                              MPS) 20 San Isidro St., Sabana Grande,
                                                                                                      Plymouth County                                         15000277
                                              DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
                                                                                                      Myles Standish Burial Ground, Chestnut St.,           VIRGINIA
                                              National Park Service                                    Duxbury, 15000261
                                                                                                                                                            Caroline County
                                                                                                      NEW MEXICO
                                              [NPS–WASO–NRNHL–18161;                                                                                        Meadow, The, Historic District, 13111 Dawn
                                              PPWOCRADI0, PCU00RP14.R50000]                           Dona Ana County                                         Blvd., Doswell, 15000276
                                                                                                      Chope’s Town Cafe and Bar, 16145 NM 28,                 In the interest of preservation a three day
                                              National Register of Historic Places;                     La Mesa, 15000262                                   comment period has been requested for a
                                              Notification of Pending Nominations                                                                           proposed move of the following property:
                                              and Related Actions                                     Otero County
                                                                                                      Lee, Oliver, Dog Canyon Ranch, Address                MASSACHUSETTS
                                                Nominations for the following
                                                                                                        Restricted, Alamogordo, 15000263                    Dukes County
                                              properties being considered for listing
                                              or related actions in the National                      Santa Fe County                                       Gay Head Light, (Lighthouses of
                                              Register were received by the National                                                                          Massachusetts TR) Lighthouse Rd.,
                                                                                                      San Jose Hall, 5637 NM 41, Galisteo,                    Aquinnah, 87001464
                                              Park Service before April 10, 2015.                       15000264
                                              Pursuant to section 60.13 of 36 CFR part                                                                      [FR Doc. 2015–10530 Filed 5–5–15; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                      NEW YORK
                                              60, written comments are being                                                                                BILLING CODE 4312–51–P
                                              accepted concerning the significance of                 Cattaraugus County
                                              the nominated properties under the                      Union and State Streets Historic District,
                                              National Register criteria for evaluation.                                                                    DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
                                                                                                       Roughly 101–133 N. Union, 110–114, 116
                                              Comments may be forwarded by United                      W. State & 102, 116, 120 S. Union Sts.,              Office of Surface Mining Reclamation
                                              States Postal Service, to the National                   Olean, 15000265
                                                                                                                                                            and Enforcement
                                              Register of Historic Places, National
                                                                                                      Kings County
                                              Park Service, 1849 C St. NW., MS 2280,
                                              Washington, DC 20240; by all other                      Manhattan Beach Jewish Center, 60 West End            [S1D1S SS08011000 SX066A000 67F
                                              carriers, National Register of Historic                  Ave., Brooklyn, 15000266                             134S180110; S2D2S SS08011000 SX066A00
                                                                                                                                                            33F 13xs501520]
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                                              Places, National Park Service, 1201 Eye                 Onondaga County
                                              St. NW., 8th floor, Washington, DC                      Liverpool Cemetery, 225 6th St., Liverpool,           Notice of Proposed Information
                                              20005; or by fax, 202–371–6447. Written                   15000267                                            Collection; Request for Comments for
                                              or faxed comments should be submitted                                                                         1029–0129
                                              by May 21, 2015. Before including your                  Orleans County
                                              address, phone number, email address,                   Stevens—Sommerfeldt House, 5482 Holley-               AGENCY:Office of Surface Mining
                                              or other personal identifying                             Byron Rd., Clarendon, 15000268                      Reclamation and Enforcement, Interior.


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Document Created: 2015-12-16 07:40:55
Document Modified: 2015-12-16 07:40:55
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice of availability.
DatesAll written comments must be postmarked or transmitted not later than July 6, 2015 of the Environmental Protection Agency's notice of filing and release of the DEIS. Upon publication of this notice, the date will be immediately posted on the park's Web site (www.nps.gov/ havo) and on the NPS Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) Web site (http://parkplanning.nps.gov/havo), and publicized via local and regional press media.
ContactCindy Orlando, Superintendent, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, P.O. Box 52, Hawaii National Park, HI 96718- 0052 or via telephone at (808) 985-6026.
FR Citation80 FR 26086 

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