Boston Harbor Islands General Management Plan EIS

An environmental impact statement (EIS) was prepared for the park general management plan. On October 17, 2005, the NPS Northeast Regional Director concluded the general management planning and environmental analysis by signing a record of decision. The Notice of Availability of the record of decision for the final EIS for the Boston Harbor Islands General Management Plan was published in the Federal Register on November 14, 2005 (Vol. 70, No. 218).

Because public and agency comments did not substantially modify any of the alternatives or the environmental analysis in the draft EIS, the full text of the draft has not been reprinted. Rather, an abbreviated format was used for the final EIS. The final EIS consists of the draft plus the errata.

ABSTRACT
The proposals presented and analyzed establish concepts for possible future management directions for Boston Harbor Islands national park area, consistent with National Park Service policies. The alternatives make clear that adoption of the plan will not result in changes to the resources so much as it will set policy-level direction for future decisions to be made by the diverse agencies that cooperatively manage the park. The primary action of the general management plan is to designate specific “management areas” for each area of the park. These geographic areas prescribe broad direction for resource management, visitor use, and development of park facilities. The approach taken is general; the plan is not detailed, specific, or technical in nature, nor are there detailed or site-specific proposals to analyze. The plan calls for additional environmental analysis when specific actions are proposed in the park. Public and agency review and comment did not result in substantial modifications to any of the alternatives or the environmental analysis presented in the draft environmental impact statement, so an abbreviated format is used for the final.

 

General Management Plan Final Environmental Impact Statement Because public and agency comments did not substantially modify any of the alternatives or the environmental analysis in the draft EIS, the full text of the draft has not been reprinted. Rather, an abbreviated format was used for the final EIS. The final EIS consists of the draft plus the errata.

» How to Use This Document [194k] Background EIS Distribution Errata Sheet Attachments to Draft Environmental Impact Statement » Public Comment: Part 1 [832k] Federal Organizations, Agencies, or Officials Boston Harbor Islands Advisory Council Environmental Protection Agency Massachusetts State Historic Preservation Officer Federally Recognized American Indian Tribes Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) (E. Andrews) Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) (C. Andews-Maltais) Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) Historic Preservation Officer Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) Historic Preservation Officer & Deputy Tribal Preservation Officer » Public Comment: Part 2 [1200k] Other American Indian Tribes and Organizations Nipmuck Indian Council of Chaubunagungamaugg Muhheconneuk Intertribal Committee on Deer Island » Public Comment: Part 3 [611k] Massachusetts Agencies and Officials Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, Division of Energy Resources Commission on Indian Affairs Historical Commission Senator Robert A. DeLeo: Massachusetts State Senate Municipalities Town of Hingham Planning Board Town of Hingham Office of Selectmen City of Quincy » Public Comment: Part 4 [1340k] Organizations Appalachian Mountain Club Boston Sea Kayak Club Columbia/Savin Hill Civic Association Volunteers and Friends of the Boston Harbor Islands: Re-Vegetation Project Volunteers and Friends of the Boston Harbor Islands Independent Living Center of the North Shore & Cape Ann Jones Hill Civic Association Massachusetts Audubon Society Mystic View Task Force: (J. C. Beckmann) Mystic View Task Force (J. Sauer) National Parks Conservation Association Save the Harbor/Save the Bay The Boston Harbor Association » Public Comment: Part 5 [608k] Individuals Blumsack, Rick Bok, John Brown, Joshua Burke, Regina Clark, Liz Comeau, Deborah Comeau, Joseph Derwin, Francis J. Fich, Esther Fish, Richard and Nancy May Fittante, Caesar Goldberg, Al Green, F. William Hidell III, Henry R. and Cynthia E. Toth Hidell Horn, Roberta Hyman III, Sylvalia Kaps, Jeff and Jane Kay, Elizabeth Kushmerek, Frank Lyons, Joseph W. MacLennan, Maria » Public Comment: Part 6 [1700k] Marcus, Steven Margerum, Terry Markley, John Martin, Anita L. “Tink” Martin, Maureen McDermott, Paul Merrill III, Roger and Maggie Milowe, Indra Morrison, Richard Morss, Jr., Sherman "Pat" Nyren, Paul Parchment, L.W. Penzo, Vincent M. Sangree, Katharine Shaner, Richard C. Spang, Anne and William Cowen Strahm, Michael and Melanie Brothers Vandermark, Stewart White, Sarah

» Introduction [76k] » Affected Environment [76k] Natural Environment Cultural Environment Socioeconomic Environment » Environmental Consequences [90k] Summary of Management Alternatives Environmental Impacts » Consultation and Coordination [52k] Summary of Planning Compliance with Federal and State Laws and Regulations List of Draft EIS Recipients List of Draft EIS Preparers »EIS Maps [1263k] Boston Harbor Islands Land Cover Historic Structures and Landscapes Land Ownership and Current Transportation Systems Potential Infrastructure Changes Boston Harbor Islands Proposed Boundary Key Features: - Alternative A - Alternative B - Alternative C