|
March
6, 2006
Proposed regulations for more effectively managing vessel use in
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve have been published in the
Federal Register, and are currently open for public review through
May 2, 2006. This proposed rule revises 36 CFR 13.65(b) regarding
vessel quotas and operating requirements for five types of motor
vessels - cruise ships, tour vessels, charter vessels, private vessels,
and passenger ferries - within Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve.
This rule is proposed in conjunction with the Final Environmental
Impact Statement (FEIS) and the Record of Decision (ROD) for Vessel
Quotas and Operating Requirements in Glacier Bay National Park and
Preserve, completed in October and November 2003, respectively,
and implements decisions made in the ROD.
This proposal
is separate from a proposed decision to increase cruise ship entries
by 10 percent in 2007; public comment has closed on that proposal
and a decision is expected later this spring.
The newly proposed
regulations are online at the Federal Register. Use this link and
scroll down to National Park Service: http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fedreg/a060303c.html.
Copies may also be requested from Glacier Bay National Park &
Preserve. New elements and a number of adjustments to the current
regulations are in this proposed rule. They include:
" Establish two separate seasonal vessel quota periods for
cruise ships. First, for May and September establish an initial
quota of 92 cruise ships with potential to increase to 122. Second,
for June 1-- August 31 re-establish an initial quota of 139 cruise
ships with potential for incremental increases to 184 as under the
1996 regulations;
" Eliminate two private vessel seasonal categories (total entries
and total vessel use days), thus increasing the total number of
private vessels allowed in a season;
" Add a passenger ferry category to Bartlett Cove with a year-round
daily vessel quota of one, in accordance with section 127 of P.L.
105-83 (Nov. 14, 1997);
" Modifying the definitions for cruise ship, charter, and tour
vessels and add a definition for a passenger ferry;
" Close the waters at Beardslee Entrance and the entrance to
Adams Inlet in Glacier Bay to cruise ships and tour vessels;
" Eliminate the permit exemption for private vessels based
in Bartlett Cove;
" Relax existing private vessel orientation requirements;
The National Park Service is directed by the NPS Organic Act of
1916 to manage national parks and monuments to "conserve the
scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein
and to provide for the enjoyment of same in such manner and by such
means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future
generations." the jurisdiction of the United States . . . ."
16 U.S.C. § 1a-2(h). The Act furthermore delegated specific
authority to "[p]romulgate and enforce regulations concerning
boating and other activities on or relating to waters located within
areas of the National Park System, including waters subject to required
to be prepared prior to implementing vessel quota changes within
park waters.
ADDRESSES: You
may submit your comments, identified by Regulatory Information Number
(RIN), by any of the following methods:
" Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
" Mail: Superintendent, Proposed Vessel Management Plan Regulations
Comment, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, P.O. Box 140, Gustavus,
Alaska 99826.
" Hand Delivery/Courier: Superintendent, Glacier Bay National
Park and Preserve Headquarters Office at Bartlett Cove. Clearly
identify the delivery as Proposed Vessel Management Plan Regulations
Comments.
All submissions received must include the agency name and RIN.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chuck Young, Chief Ranger, Glacier
Bay National Park and Preserve, P.O. Box 140, Gustavus, Alaska 99826,
Telephone: (907) 697-2230.
Privacy
& Disclaimer
Author:Jane
Ahernl
www.nps.gov/akso
|
Related Links
|
