80 FR 61233 - Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Scorpion Pier Replacement, Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands National Park, Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties, California

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 196 (October 9, 2015)

Page Range		61233-61234
FR Document		2015-25786

The National Park Service announces the availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Scorpion Pier Replacement on Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands National Park. The Draft EIS analyzes the potential consequences of three alternatives: The No Action Alternative; Alternative 1, which would replace the existing pier in the same location and make road improvements; and Alternative 2, which would construct the new replacement pier south of the existing location and make minor road improvements. The Draft EIS also proposes mitigation measures to minimize the adverse impacts from pier construction or utilization. Road improvements would be more extensive under Alternative 1.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 196 (Friday, October 9, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 196 (Friday, October 9, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61233-61234]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-25786]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-PWR-PWRO-18475; PX.P0127341D.00.4]


Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Scorpion Pier Replacement, 
Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands National Park, Ventura and Santa 
Barbara Counties, California

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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

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

DATES: All comments on the Draft EIS must be postmarked or transmitted 
not later than 60 days after the date the Environmental Protection 
Agency publishes notice of filing and release of the EIS in the Federal 
Register. The National Park Service will hold one public meeting during 
the comment period--the date, time, and location of the meeting will be 
announced on http://parkplanning.nps.gov/chis, via local and regional 
press media, and will also be available by contacting Channel Islands 
National Park.

ADDRESSES: Regularly updated project information will be available for 
public review and comment online through the NPS Planning, Environment 
& Public Comment Web site at http://parkplanning.nps.gov.chis, and in 
the office of the Superintendent, Channel Islands National Park, 1901 
Spinnaker Dr., Ventura, CA 93001. You may submit comments by one of two 
methods: Mail or hand-deliver comments to Channel Islands National 
Park, Attn: DEIS--Scorpion Pier Replacement (address above), or you may 
transmit comments electronically via the Web site noted above. 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Russell Galipeau, Superintendent, 
Channel Islands National Park, 1901 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura, CA 93001; 
russell_galipeau@nps.gov; (805) 658-5702.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Channel Islands National Park includes five 
remote islands spanning 2,228 square miles of land and sea. Santa Cruz 
Island, Scorpion Anchorage, is the most visited destination within the 
Park. The existing pier needs to be replaced in order to improve safety 
and accessibility, allowing all visitors to move safely from vessels to 
the pier, and providing easy access to the adjacent shoreline, the 
historic Scorpion Ranch and visitor center, restrooms, orientation 
displays, campground, and hiking trails.
    The need for the Project is driven by the following factors: (1) 
Scorpion Pier should provide safe access to Santa Cruz Island. The 
existing pier is deteriorating and does not meet NPS requirements for 
administrative use or safe visitor access. The access road to the 
current location also requires frequent rebuilding. The current height 
of the pier cannot sufficiently accommodate high and low tides; as 
such, vessel operators have difficulty docking without compromising 
risk to individuals, vessels, and the pier itself. The embarkation 
process requires passengers to climb--one person at a time, often while 
carrying a backpack--a single ladder that is not compliant with 
standards for accessibility.
    (2) Scorpion Pier should facilitate efficient access to Santa Cruz 
Island that accommodates visitor demand. The existing pier and access 
road significantly weaken the efficiency of NPS operations. The one-
person ladder needed for embarkation, for example, lengthens the entire 
boarding process and increases visitor exposure to adverse weather 
conditions. The narrow width of the pier also causes delays because it 
cannot simultaneously accommodate visitors and large cargo (i.e., 
maintenance vehicles); as such, passenger embarkation must occur 
separately from many maintenance activities. Additionally, the lack of 
adequate armoring in the area increases the need for regular and 
expensive repairs to the eroding access road. Improvement of the pier 
and access road is necessary to meet current and future visitor 
demands.
    (3) Scorpion Pier and the access roadway should be operated in a 
manner that protects sensitive resources. The access road is extremely 
susceptible to harsh weather conditions, and is often washed out by 
Scorpion Creek when it floods. Maintenance of the existing pier access 
road currently requires repairing and re-grading several times per year 
due to wave and storm erosion. As a result of these ground-disturbing 
activities, sensitive archaeological resources may be threatened. 
Ongoing re-construction can also impact the environment through air 
emissions, erosion, and possible pollutants to waterways and sensitive 
habitats.
    (4) Scorpion Pier should provide access to Santa Cruz Island in 
consideration of predicted sea level rise. The predicted rise in sea 
level must be considered in the new pier design. Current predictions 
range from 0.33 foot to 1.1 foot by the year 2050, and 0.74 foot to 3.2 
feet by 2100. Anticipated sea level rise has implications for the new 
pier design, as well as for the dynamics of Scorpion Creek during large 
storm events.
    Accordingly, the range of alternatives which have been developed 
will fulfill the following key project objectives:
     Improve visitor experience.
     Improve the pier while protecting marine and terrestrial 
environments and archeological resources.
     Improve access for NPS and concessioner boats.

[[Page 61234]]

     Improve passenger, cargo, and operations circulation.
     Preserve historic landscape qualities and visual character 
of Scorpion Ranch.
     Improve efficiency and sustainability.
    Decision Process: Following due consideration of all public and 
agency comments received, a Final EIS will be prepared and released for 
public inspection during a 30 day no-action period. The official 
responsible for approval of the pier replacement project is the 
Regional Director, Pacific West Region. Subsequently the official 
responsible for implementing the approved project and for monitoring 
results is the Superintendent, Channel Islands National Park.

    Dated: June 5, 2015.
Patricia L. Neubacher,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific West Region.

    Note:  The Office of the Federal Register received this document 
on October 6, 2015.
[FR Doc. 2015-25786 Filed 10-8-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-FF-P

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 196 / Friday, October 9, 2015 / Notices 61233

Individuals who are Federally period—the date, time, and location of vessels, and the pier itself. The
registered lobbyists are ineligible to the meeting will be announced on embarkation process requires passengers
serve on all FACA and non-FACA http://parkplanning.nps.gov/chis, via to climb—one person at a time, often
boards, committees, or councils in an local and regional press media, and will while carrying a backpack—a single
individual capacity. The term also be available by contacting Channel ladder that is not compliant with
‘‘individual capacity’’ refers to Islands National Park. standards for accessibility.
individuals who are appointed to ADDRESSES: Regularly updated project (2) Scorpion Pier should facilitate
exercise their own individual best information will be available for public efficient access to Santa Cruz Island that
judgment on behalf of the government, review and comment online through the accommodates visitor demand. The
such as when they are designated NPS Planning, Environment & Public existing pier and access road
Special Government Employees, rather Comment Web site at http:// significantly weaken the efficiency of
than being appointed to represent a parkplanning.nps.gov.chis, and in the NPS operations. The one-person ladder
particular interest. office of the Superintendent, Channel needed for embarkation, for example,
All nominations must be compiled Islands National Park, 1901 Spinnaker lengthens the entire boarding process
and submitted in one complete package. Dr., Ventura, CA 93001. You may and increases visitor exposure to
Incomplete submissions (missing one or submit comments by one of two adverse weather conditions. The narrow
more of the items described above) will methods: Mail or hand-deliver width of the pier also causes delays
not be considered. comments to Channel Islands National because it cannot simultaneously
Dated: September 22, 2015. Park, Attn: DEIS—Scorpion Pier accommodate visitors and large cargo
Replacement (address above), or you (i.e., maintenance vehicles); as such,
Alma Ripps,
may transmit comments electronically passenger embarkation must occur
Chief, Office of Policy.
via the Web site noted above. Before separately from many maintenance
[FR Doc. 2015–25732 Filed 10–8–15; 8:45 am] including your address, phone number, activities. Additionally, the lack of
BILLING CODE 4310–EE–P email address, or other personal adequate armoring in the area increases
identifying information in your the need for regular and expensive
comment, you should be aware that repairs to the eroding access road.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR your entire comment—including your Improvement of the pier and access road
personal identifying information—may is necessary to meet current and future
National Park Service
be made publicly available at any time. visitor demands.
[NPS–PWR–PWRO–18475; While you can ask us in your comment (3) Scorpion Pier and the access
PX.P0127341D.00.4] to withhold your personal identifying roadway should be operated in a
information from public review, we manner that protects sensitive
Draft Environmental Impact Statement, cannot guarantee that we will be able to
Scorpion Pier Replacement, Santa resources. The access road is extremely
do so. susceptible to harsh weather conditions,
Cruz Island, Channel Islands National
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. and is often washed out by Scorpion
Park, Ventura and Santa Barbara
Russell Galipeau, Superintendent, Creek when it floods. Maintenance of
Counties, California
Channel Islands National Park, 1901 the existing pier access road currently
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior. Spinnaker Dr., Ventura, CA 93001; requires repairing and re-grading several
ACTION: Notice of availability. russell_galipeau@nps.gov; (805) 658– times per year due to wave and storm
5702. erosion. As a result of these ground-
SUMMARY: The National Park Service SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Channel disturbing activities, sensitive
announces the availability of a Draft Islands National Park includes five archaeological resources may be
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) remote islands spanning 2,228 square threatened. Ongoing re-construction can
for the Scorpion Pier Replacement on miles of land and sea. Santa Cruz Island, also impact the environment through air
Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands Scorpion Anchorage, is the most visited emissions, erosion, and possible
National Park. The Draft EIS analyzes destination within the Park. The pollutants to waterways and sensitive
the potential consequences of three existing pier needs to be replaced in habitats.
alternatives: The No Action Alternative; order to improve safety and (4) Scorpion Pier should provide
Alternative 1, which would replace the accessibility, allowing all visitors to access to Santa Cruz Island in
existing pier in the same location and move safely from vessels to the pier, and consideration of predicted sea level rise.
make road improvements; and providing easy access to the adjacent The predicted rise in sea level must be
Alternative 2, which would construct shoreline, the historic Scorpion Ranch considered in the new pier design.
the new replacement pier south of the and visitor center, restrooms, Current predictions range from 0.33 foot
existing location and make minor road orientation displays, campground, and to 1.1 foot by the year 2050, and 0.74
improvements. The Draft EIS also hiking trails. foot to 3.2 feet by 2100. Anticipated sea
proposes mitigation measures to The need for the Project is driven by level rise has implications for the new
minimize the adverse impacts from pier the following factors: (1) Scorpion Pier pier design, as well as for the dynamics
construction or utilization. Road should provide safe access to Santa Cruz of Scorpion Creek during large storm
improvements would be more extensive Island. The existing pier is deteriorating events.
under Alternative 1. and does not meet NPS requirements for Accordingly, the range of alternatives
DATES: All comments on the Draft EIS administrative use or safe visitor access. which have been developed will fulfill
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

must be postmarked or transmitted not The access road to the current location the following key project objectives:
later than 60 days after the date the also requires frequent rebuilding. The • Improve visitor experience.
Environmental Protection Agency current height of the pier cannot • Improve the pier while protecting
publishes notice of filing and release of sufficiently accommodate high and low marine and terrestrial environments and
the EIS in the Federal Register. The tides; as such, vessel operators have archeological resources.
National Park Service will hold one difficulty docking without • Improve access for NPS and
public meeting during the comment compromising risk to individuals, concessioner boats.

VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:44 Oct 08, 2015 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00079 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\09OCN1.SGM 09OCN1

61234 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 196 / Friday, October 9, 2015 / Notices

• Improve passenger, cargo, and of visitor services and has taken all meeting may be obtained from George E.
operations circulation. reasonable and appropriate steps to Price, Jr., Superintendent, Cape Cod
• Preserve historic landscape consider alternatives to avoid an National Seashore, 99 Marconi Site,
qualities and visual character of interruption of visitor services. Wellfleet, Massachusetts 02667, or via
Scorpion Ranch. This action is being taken pursuant to telephone at (508) 771–2144.
• Improve efficiency and 36 CFR 51.24(a). This is not a request for SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
sustainability. proposals. Commission was reestablished pursuant
Decision Process: Following due
Dated: September 21, 2015. to Public Law 87–126, as amended by
consideration of all public and agency
Jonathan B. Jarvis, Public Law 105–280. The purpose of the
comments received, a Final EIS will be
Director, National Park Service. Commission is to consult with the
prepared and released for public
[FR Doc. 2015–25787 Filed 10–8–15; 8:45 am] Secretary of the Interior, or her
inspection during a 30 day no-action
designee, with respect to matters
period. The official responsible for BILLING CODE P
relating to the development of Cape Cod
approval of the pier replacement project
National Seashore, and with respect to
is the Regional Director, Pacific West
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR carrying out the provisions of sections 4
Region. Subsequently the official
and 5 of the Act establishing the
responsible for implementing the
National Park Service Seashore.
approved project and for monitoring
The meeting is open to the public. It
results is the Superintendent, Channel [NPS–NERO–CACO–19359; PPNECACOS0,
PPMPSD1Z.YM0000] is expected that 15 persons will be able
Islands National Park.
to attend the meeting in addition to
Dated: June 5, 2015. Notice of November 16, 2015, Meeting Commission members. Interested
Patricia L. Neubacher, for Cape Cod National Seashore persons may make oral/written
Acting Regional Director, Pacific West Region. Advisory Commission presentations to the Commission during
the business meeting or file written
Note: The Office of the Federal Register AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
received this document on October 6, 2015.
statements. Such requests should be
[FR Doc. 2015–25786 Filed 10–8–15; 8:45 am]
ACTION: Meeting notice. made to the park superintendent prior
to the meeting. Before including your
BILLING CODE 4312–FF–P SUMMARY: This notice sets forth the date address, telephone number, email
of the 300th Meeting of the Cape Cod address, or other personal identifying
National Seashore Advisory information in your comment, you
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Commission. should be aware that your entire
National Park Service DATES: The public meeting of the Cape comment—including your personal
Cod National Seashore Advisory identifying information—may be made
[NPS–WASO–CONC–ABSV–18183;
Commission will be held on Monday, publicly available at any time. While
PPWOBSADC0, PPMVSCS1Y.Y00000]
November 16, 2015, at 1:00 p.m. you may ask us in your comment to
Temporary Concession Contract for (Eastern). withhold your personal identifying
Point Reyes National Seashore ADDRESSES: The 300th meeting of the information from public review, we
Cape Cod National Seashore Advisory cannot guarantee that we will be able to
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior. do so.
Commission will take place on Monday,
ACTION: Notice of proposed award of November 16, 2015, at 1:00 p.m., in the Dated: September 29, 2015.
temporary concession contracts for conference room at park headquarters, Alma Ripps,
Point Reyes National Seashore, 99 Marconi Site Road, Wellfleet,
California. Chief, Office of Policy.
Massachusetts 02667 to discuss the [FR Doc. 2015–25731 Filed 10–8–15; 8:45 am]
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that following: BILLING CODE 4310–EE–P
the National Park Service (NPS) 1. Adoption of Agenda
proposes to award a temporary 2. Approval of Minutes of Previous
concession contract for the conduct of Meeting (September 14, 2015)
certain Visitor services within Point 3. Reports of Officers INTERNATIONAL TRADE
Reyes National Seashore, California, for 4. Reports of Subcommittees COMMISSION
a term not to exceed 11 months. The Update of Pilgrim Nuclear Plant
visitor services include horseback riding Emergency Planning Subcommittee Notice of Receipt of Complaint;
and horse boarding of the location 5. Superintendent’s Report Solicitation of Comments Relating to
commonly known as Five Brooks Shorebird Management Plan/ the Public Interest
Stables. This action is necessary to Environmental Assessment—
Review of Plan and Preferred AGENCY: U.S. International Trade
avoid interruption of visitor services.
Alternative Commission.
DATES: The term of the temporary
Outer Cape Bike and Pedestrian ACTION: Notice.
concession contracts will commence (if Master Plan—Review of Plan and
awarded) on or around December 1, Preferred Alternative SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that
2015. 6. Old Business the U.S. International Trade
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NPS Live Lightly Campaign Progress Commission has received a complaint
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

intends to award the temporary Report entitled Certain Height-Adjustable Desk
concession contract to Richard Vaughn, 7. New Business Platforms and Components Thereof, DN
who the NPS has determined is a 8. Date and Agenda for Next Meeting 3090; the Commission is soliciting
qualified person as defined in 36 CFR 9. Public Comment comments on any public interest issues
51.3. The NPS has determined this 10. Adjournment raised by the complaint or
temporary concession contract is FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: complainant’s filing under section
necessary in order to avoid interruption Further information concerning the 210.8(b) of the Commission’s Rules of

VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:44 Oct 08, 2015 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00080 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\09OCN1.SGM 09OCN1

Document Created: 2015-12-15 08:33:59
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 08:33:59

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice of availability.
Dates		All comments on the Draft EIS must be postmarked or transmitted not later than 60 days after the date the Environmental Protection Agency publishes notice of filing and release of the EIS in the Federal Register. The National Park Service will hold one public meeting during the comment period--the date, time, and location of the meeting will be announced on http://parkplanning.nps.gov/chis, via local and regional press media, and will also be available by contacting Channel Islands National Park.
Contact		Mr. Russell Galipeau, Superintendent, Channel Islands National Park, 1901 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura, CA 93001; [email protected]; (805) 658-5702.
FR Citation		80 FR 61233

80 FR 61233 - Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Scorpion Pier Replacement, Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands National Park, Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties, California

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORNational Park Service

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 196 (October 9, 2015)

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service