Off-Road Vehicle Management Plan, Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Arizona and Utah

John Wessels
Department of the Interior
January 15, 2014

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 10 (Wednesday, January 15, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2686-2688]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-00078]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-IMR-GLCA; PPWONRADE2, PXXNRAD0553.00.1, PMP00EI05.YP000 ]


Off-Road Vehicle Management Plan, Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Arizona and Utah

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability of the Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Off-Road Vehicle Management Plan, Glen Canyon 
National Recreation Area.

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

SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 
U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Service (NPS) announces the 
availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Plan/DEIS) for 
the Off-Road Vehicle Management Plan, Glen Canyon National Recreation 
Area (GLCA), located in Arizona and Utah. The Plan/DEIS evaluates the 
impacts of four action alternatives that address off-road vehicle (ORV) 
management. It also assesses the impacts that could result from 
continuing the current management framework in the no-action 
alternative.

DATES: The NPS will accept comments on the Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement from the public for 60 days following publication by the U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the Notice of the Availability 
of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. After the EPA Notice of 
Availability is published, the NPS will schedule public meetings to be 
held during the comment period. Dates, time, and locations of these 
meetings will be announced in press releases, a newsletter, and on the 
NPS Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) Web site for the 
project at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/GLCA.

ADDRESSES: Information will be available for public review and comment 
online at: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/GLCA. Copies of the Plan/DEIS 
will also be available at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area 
Headquarters, 691 Scenic View Drive, Page, Arizona 86040.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Teri Tucker, Chief of Planning & 
Compliance, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, P.O. Box 1507, Page, 
Arizona 86040, by phone at 928-608-6207, or by email at teri_tucker@nps.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of this Plan/DEIS is to evaluate 
off-road use and on-road all-terrain vehicle (ATV) use and develop 
management actions that preserve Glen Canyon's scientific, scenic, and 
historic features; provide for the recreational use and enjoyment of 
the area; and promote the resources and values for which the area was 
established as a unit of the national park system. This Plan/DEIS does 
not adjudicate, analyze, or otherwise determine the validity of R.S. 
2477 (Rights-of-Way) claims.
    The Plan/DEIS evaluates five alternatives--a no-action alternative 
(A) and four action alternatives (B, C, D, and E), all of which are 
summarized below. Alternative E is the NPS preferred

[[Page 2687]]

alternative. Alternative B is the environmentally preferable 
alternative. Other alternatives were explored but dismissed from 
detailed analysis.
     Alternative A--No-Action. The no-action alternative 
represents the status quo and the continuation of existing management 
policies and actions related to off-road use in Glen Canyon. This 
alternative is consistent with the Glen Canyon 1979 General Management 
Plan (GMP) and other planning documents related to off-road travel in 
Glen Canyon. Under this alternative, conventional motor vehicles would 
continue to be allowed at 12 accessible shoreline areas including Blue 
Notch, Bullfrog North and South, Copper Canyon, Crosby Canyon, Dirty 
Devil, Farley Canyon, Neskahi, Piute Canyon, Red Canyon, Stanton Creek, 
Warm Creek and White Canyon, subject to water level closures. Lone Rock 
Beach and Lone Rock Play Area would remain open to conventional motor 
vehicles, street-legal ATVs and off highway vehicles (OHV) as defined 
by state law. Conventional motor vehicles and street legal ATVs would 
be allowed on GMP roads, with the exception of roads in the Orange 
Cliffs Management Unit, where ATVs would continue to be prohibited. 
Off-road use would continue on routes in the Ferry Swale area by all 
vehicle types. Alternative A does not include safety or noise 
restrictions and does not include a permit system.
     Alternative B--No Off-road Vehicle Use. Under alternative 
B, off-road use would be managed in a manner consistent with the 
remote, undeveloped, and lightly traveled nature which characterizes 
much of Glen Canyon. The isolated and primitive characteristics of the 
Glen Canyon backcountry would be maintained by limiting the operation 
of all types of motor vehicles to designated roads. There would be no 
designated ORV routes or areas. All existing off-road use areas, 
including the accessible shorelines currently open, Lone Rock Beach and 
Lone Rock Beach Play Area, would be closed and restored to natural 
conditions. Conventional motor vehicles and street legal ATVs would be 
allowed on GMP roads, with the exception of roads in the Orange Cliffs 
Management Unit, where ATVs would continue to be prohibited.
     Alternative C--Increased Motorized Access. Under this 
alternative, off-road use would be managed in a manner that would 
expand the recreational opportunities in Glen Canyon by increasing the 
number of ORV routes and areas. Under this alternative, conventional 
motor vehicles, street-legal ATVs and OHVs, as defined by state law, 
would be allowed at 15 accessible shorelines, including Blue Notch, 
Bullfrog North and South, Copper Canyon, Crosby Canyon, Dirty Devil, 
Farley Canyon, Hite Boat Ramp, Neskahi, Nokai Canyon, Piute Canyon, 
Paiute Farms, Red Canyon, Stanton Creek, Warm Creek and White Canyon, 
subject to water level closures. Lone Rock Beach and Lone Rock Play 
Area would be open to conventional motor vehicles, street-legal ATVs 
and OHVs. The speed limit at the accessible shorelines and Lone Rock 
Beach would be 15 mph and quiet hours after 10 p.m. would be enforced. 
A permit would be required for all off-road travel. A red or orange 
whip flag would be required at the Lone Rock Beach Play Area in 
accordance with Utah OHV regulations. ORV routes would be designated on 
12.1 miles of pre-existing routes in the Ferry Swale area. Under this 
alternative conventional motor vehicles, street legal ATVs and OHVs 
would be allowed on all GMP roads, including on roads in the Orange 
Cliffs Management Unit. The speed limit on unpaved GMP roads would be 
25 mph or as posted. All ORVs and on-road ATVs must not exceed a sound 
level of 96 decibels when operated.
     Alternative D--Decreased Motorized Access. This 
alternative protects natural and cultural resources by limiting off-
road use. Under this alternative, Lone Rock Beach Play Area, Blue 
Notch, Bullfrog North and South, Copper Canyon, Crosby Canyon, Neskahi, 
Nokai Canyon, Piute Canyon, Paiute Farms, Red Canyon, Warm Creek and 
White Canyon would be closed and restored to natural conditions. 
Conventional motor vehicles would be permitted at four designated 
accessible shoreline areas, Farley Canyon, Dirty Devil, Hite Boat Ramp 
and Stanton Creek. Lone Rock Beach would be open only to conventional 
vehicles. The speed limit at the accessible shorelines and Lone Rock 
Beach would be 15 mph and quiet hours after 10 p.m. would be enforced. 
A permit would be required for all off-road use. No ATVs or OHVs would 
be allowed in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. All ORVs must not 
exceed a sound level of 96 decibels when operated. ORV routes would not 
be designated in the Ferry Swale area.
     Alternative E--Mixed Use (NPS Preferred Alternative). 
Alternative E is designed to protect resources and enhance the visitor 
experience by identifying and designating specific areas capable of 
supporting on-road ATV use and off-road use while prohibiting such uses 
in areas where resources and values may be at risk. Under this 
alternative one vehicle-accessible shoreline area--Warm Creek--would be 
closed permanently. Fourteen areas--Blue Notch, Bullfrog North and 
South, Copper Canyon, Crosby Canyon, Dirty Devil, Farley Canyon, Hite 
Boat Ramp, Neskahi, Nokai Canyon, Piute Canyon, Paiute Farms, Red 
Canyon, Stanton Creek and White Canyon--would remain open to 
conventional motor vehicles and street-legal ATVs, subject to water-
level closures. Lone Rock Beach and Lone Rock Beach Play area would be 
open to conventional vehicles, street-legal ATVs and OHVs, as defined 
by state law. The speed limit at the accessible shorelines and Lone 
Rock Beach would be 15 mph and quiet hours after 10 p.m. would be 
enforced. Lone Rock Beach would include a no vehicle area. A red or 
orange whip flag would be required at the Lone Rock Beach Play Area in 
accordance with Utah OHV regulations. In addition, ORV routes would be 
designated on 12.1 miles of pre-existing routes in the Ferry Swale 
area. Under this alternative, conventional motor vehicles, street-legal 
ATVs and OHVs, as defined by state law, would be allowed on unpaved GMP 
roads, except ATVs and OHVs would not be allowed on roads in the Orange 
Cliffs Management Unit. The speed limit on unpaved GMP roads would be 
25 mph or as posted. Conventional motor vehicles and street-legal ATVs 
would be allowed on paved GMP roads. All ORVs and on-road ATVs must not 
exceed a sound level of 96 decibels when operated.
    If you wish to comment, you may submit your comments by any one of 
several methods. You may mail comments to Office of the Superintendent, 
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, P.O. Box 1507, Page, Arizona 
86040. You may also submit your comments online on the PEPC Web site at 
http://parkplanning.nps.gov/GLCA. Finally, you may hand-deliver 
comments to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, 691 Scenic View 
Drive, Page, Arizona 86040. Oral statements and written comments will 
also be accepted during the public meetings. Comments will not be 
accepted by fax, email, or in any other way than those specified above. 
Bulk comments in any format (hard copy or electronic) that are 
submitted on behalf of others will not be accepted. 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

[[Page 2688]]

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. We will make all 
submissions from organizations and businesses, and from individuals 
identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations 
or businesses, available for public inspection in their entirety.

    Dated: July 12, 2013.
John Wessels,
Regional Director, Intermountain Region, National Park Service,

    Editorial Note: This document was received at the Office of the 
Federal Register January 3, 2014.

[FR Doc. 2014-00078 Filed 1-14-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P