81 FR 60743 - Moose-Wilson Corridor Comprehensive Management Plan, Final Environmental Impact Statement, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 171 (September 2, 2016)

The National Park Service announces the availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Moose-Wilson Corridor Comprehensive Management Plan, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming. The FEIS analyzes four alternatives for future management of the corridor. Alternative C has been identified as the NPS preferred alternative.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 171 (Friday, September 2, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60743-60744]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-21184]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-IMR-GRTE-21184; PX.PD202594I.00.1]


Moose-Wilson Corridor Comprehensive Management Plan, Final 
Environmental Impact Statement, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The National Park Service announces the availability of the 
Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Moose-Wilson 
Corridor Comprehensive Management Plan, Grand Teton National Park, 
Wyoming. The FEIS analyzes four alternatives for future management of 
the corridor. Alternative C has been identified as the NPS preferred 
alternative.

DATES: The National Park Service will execute a Record of Decision 
(ROD) no sooner than 30 days following publication by the Environmental 
Protection Agency of the Notice of Availability of the Final 
Environmental Impact Statement.

ADDRESSES: The FEIS is available to the public online at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/MooseWilson, and at the Grand Teton National Park 
Headquarters Building, 1 Teton Park Road, Moose, Wyoming, and at the 
Reference Desk of the Teton County Library, 125 Virginian Lane, 
Jackson, Wyoming.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Vela, Superintendent, Grand 
Teton National Park, P.O. Drawer 170, Moose, Wyoming 83012-0170, (307) 
739-3411, [email protected], or Daniel Noon, Chief of 
Planning and Environmental Compliance, P.O. Drawer 170, Moose, Wyoming 
83012-0170, (307) 739-3465, [email protected]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In recent years, the Moose-Wilson corridor 
in Grand Teton National Park has experienced changes in ecological 
conditions, development patterns, and use by visitors and local 
residents. As a result, the National Park Service is conducting a 
comprehensive planning and environmental impact process to determine 
how best to protect park resources and values while providing 
appropriate opportunities for visitor use, experience, and enjoyment of 
the corridor. The final plan: (1) Identifies management strategies to 
address natural and cultural resource protection; (2) identifies 
management strategies to address visitor safety concerns and conflicts 
with wildlife; (3) addresses vehicle/bicycle management related to road 
use, trailhead parking areas and pullouts; (4) identifies management 
strategies related to the operation of facilities within the corridor; 
(5) considers if a multi-use pathway should be provided along Moose-
Wilson Road; and (6) examines specific road realignment and paving 
options for the Moose-Wilson and Death Canyon Roads.
    Four management alternatives, Alternatives A through D, are 
analyzed in the FEIS. Alternative A, the no-action alternative, would 
continue current management practices related to resources, visitor 
use, park operations, and maintenance of facilities within the Moose-
Wilson corridor. Alternatives B through D address increases in traffic 
and volume-related congestion on the Moose-Wilson Road during peak use 
periods by either restricting its use as a through-travel route or 
limiting the number of vehicles entering the corridor at any one time.
    Alternative B emphasizes managing the corridor as a visitor 
destination. Reduced crowding on Moose-Wilson Road and at destinations 
within the corridor would provide visitors an opportunity for self-
discovery. This would be accomplished by restricting through-traffic in 
either direction during peak use periods through the management of a 
gate system on Moose-Wilson Road within the Laurance S. Rockefeller 
Preserve. Existing developed areas and facilities would be maintained 
where appropriate and removed or

[[Page 60744]]

relocated in some areas to protect natural and cultural resources.
    Alternative C, the NPS preferred alternative, emphasizes the 
conservation legacy stories within the corridor. The intensity and 
timing of visitor use would be managed to effectively provide high 
quality visitor opportunities by reducing high traffic volumes and 
congestion. This would be accomplished using time sequencing techniques 
and the establishment of vehicle queuing lanes on the north and south 
ends of the corridor during peak visitation periods. Development within 
the corridor would generally be maintained within the existing 
development footprint.
    Alternative D would enhance recreational opportunities with 
additional amenities, including the construction of a separated multi-
use pathway parallel to Moose-Wilson Road. This alternative would 
integrate the Moose-Wilson corridor with the region's larger 
recreational network, and would enhance the recreational scenic driving 
experience by reducing high traffic volumes and congestion by 
establishing a reservation system during peak use periods.
    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.

    Authority:  The authority for publishing this notice is 
contained in 40 CFR 1506.6.

    Dated: July 13, 2016.
Sue E. Masica,
Regional Director, Intermountain Region, National Park Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-21184 Filed 9-1-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4312-CB-P