Date: May 19, 2017
Contact: Yvonne Menard, 805-658-5725
Channel Islands National Park Superintendent Russell Galipeau announced the release of the Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the replacement of the pier at Scorpion Anchorage on East Santa Cruz Island.
The park plans to replace the existing pier in order to provide safe, accessible, efficient, and sustainable access for visitors at Scorpion Anchorage. The new pier will provide more reliable access during low tide conditions for concessioner and National Park Service vessels.
The alternatives considered included taking no action, replacing the pier in its existing location, and replacing the pier at a location approximately 300 feet to the south of the existing location.
The preferred alternative is to construct a longer, wider pier to the south of the existing pier that will include a gangway for improved and safer visitor access.
A Record of Decision for this project will be prepared after conclusion of the 30 day no-action period commencing today with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announcement of release of the Final EIS published in the Federal Register.
Scorpion Anchorage is the most visited destination in the park, with about 65,000 people coming ashore each year to enjoy recreational activities such as hiking, picnicking, camping, kayaking, and swimming.
A Final EIS for this project has been published in the Federal Register and is available at the following sites and at local public libraries (phone the park for details):
www.parkplanning.nps.gov/ScorpionPier
www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2017-05-19/pdf/2017-10235.pdf
