Notice of Public Scoping Meeting: Sir Francis Drake Boulevard Improvements in Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County

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Date: July 8, 2014
Contact: John Dell'Osso, 415-464-5135

Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin CountyMarin County was awarded $15 million in federal funds through the Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) for improvements to approximately 12 miles of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard in Point Reyes National Seashore (the Seashore) in Marin County. [Map - 108 PDF] As part of the FLAP requirements, the County of Marin is also contributing approximately $2 million in additional local funds. The FLAP is administered by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). FHWA, in cooperation with Marin County and the National Park Service (NPS), is initiating a planning and environmental review process in conformance with both the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). As the first step in outreach for this planning process, the FHWA will conduct public scoping to determine issues and alternatives that should be addressed in the Environmental Assessment (EA)/Initial Study (IS) to be prepared for the proposed improvements.

The purpose of the proposed improvements is to restore the structural integrity of the road and enhance safety for all users while reducing ongoing maintenance requirements. Pavement along Sir Francis Drake Boulevard in the Seashore is deteriorating and badly oxidized, heavily patched, lacks shoulder support, and some sections have significant cracking and edge damage. Seasonal flooding of the creek near Schooner Bay can close the road to traffic for several days. Raising and realigning this short segment of the road has been proposed to help prevent annual flooding and minimize wetland impacts in the area where the adjacent tributary channel has aggraded and is now nearly at the same elevation as the road. The proposed improvements would address these issues through new asphalt pavement, new striping and signs, replacement of two cattle under-crossings, replacement of cross culverts, and implementation of other safety features to meet current design standards.

A public scoping meeting to discuss the proposed improvements will be held on Tuesday, July 22, 2014, from 6 pm to 8 pm in the Red Barn Classroom at Point Reyes National Seashore headquarters located at 1 Bear Valley Road, Point Reyes Station (directions). The meeting will have an open-house format, so the public may arrive at any time to review project information displays and converse one-on-one with project staff. Representatives from FHWA, NPS, and Marin County will be present to provide information and answer questions about the proposed improvements. Project staff would like to hear the public’s perspective on specific problems along the road, ideas for alternatives that should be considered, as well as concerns or questions about the project that should be addressed in the forthcoming EA/IS.

This roadway improvement proposal for Sir Francis Drake within the Seashore is a separate planning process from another concurrent FHWA roadway improvement project also underway within the Seashore, targeting improvements to park roads including Limantour Road, Chimney Rock Road, and Lighthouse Road. An EA addressing potential environmental impacts for this Road Maintenance and Improvement Project will be released later this month.

Requests for American sign language interpreters, assistive listening devices, or other accommodations, may be made by calling 415-473-3232 (TDD/TTY), 415-473-4381 (voice), or by email at least 4 work days in advance. Copies of documents are available in accessible formats upon request.

Scoping comments will be received though August 30, 2014, through the NPS Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) website: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/sfdrakescoping. Written comments may be mailed to:

SFD Scoping c/o Superintendent
Point Reyes National Seashore
1 Bear Valley Road
Point Reyes Station, CA 94956

Comments may also be hand delivered to the Seashore Headquarters at 1 Bear Valley Road, Point Reyes Station, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:30 pm. Comments should be received before the end of the scoping period on August 30, 2014. Only written comments or comments submitted through the PEPC website can be accepted.

Comments will not be accepted by FAX, email, or in any manner other than the three methods previously specified. Bulk comments in any format (hard copy or electronic) submitted on behalf of others will not be accepted. Before including a personal address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in written comments, anyone providing written comment should be aware their entire comment—including their personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While anyone wishing to comment may ask the National Park Service in their comment to withhold their personal identifying information from public review, the National Park Service cannot guarantee it will be able to do so.

-NPS-



Last updated: February 28, 2015

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

1 Bear Valley Road
Point Reyes Station, CA 94956

Phone:

415-464-5100
This number will initially be answered by an automated attendant, from which one can opt to access a name directory, listen to recorded information about the park (e.g., directions to the park; visitor center hours of operation; fire danger information; wildlife updates; ranger-led programs; seasonal events; etc.), or speak with a ranger. Please note that if you are calling between 4:30 pm and 10 am, park staff may not be available to answer your call.

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