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Historic, Archive Document Do not assume content reflects current scientific knowledge, policies, or practices. 3 Jf as/)// a a United States Department of Mendenhall Glacier Agriculture Forest Service Recreation Area Alaska Region Management Plan Revision Tongass National Forest R10-MB-306 Draft Environmental October 1995 Impact Statement © Alaska Region Tongass National Forest Chatham Area t Juneau Ranger s District r. Cover photo credit: USDA Forest Service Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area, early 1980’s. TheUnitedStates DepartmentofAgriculture(USDA)prohibitsdiscriminationinitsprogramsonthebasisofrace,color,nationalorigin,sex,religion, age,disability,politicalbeliefs, andmaritalorfamilialstatus. (Notallprohibitedbasesapplytoallprograms.) Personswithdisabilitieswhorequire alternative meansofcommunicationofprogram information(braille, largeprint,audiotape,etc.)shouldcontacttheUSDAOfficeofCommunicationsat (202)720-2791. Tofileacomplaint, writetheSecretaryofAgriculture, U.S. DepartmentofAgriculture,Washington,DC20250,orcall(202)720-7327(voice)or(202) 720-1127 (TDD). USDAisanequalemploymentopportunityemployer. United States Forest Alaska Region Juneau Ranger District Department Service Tongass National Forest 8465 Old Dairy Road of Agriculture Juneau, Alaska 99801 907 586-8800 Reply To: 1900/2300 Date: October 2, 1995 Dear Reviewer: Enclosed for your review is the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area Management Plan Revision Draft Environmental Impact Statement. This DEIS waswrittento analyzethe effects of revisingthe 1975 Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area Management Plan. The DEIS presents the alternatives that have been developed to resolve issues identified during scoping, the environment potentially affected by implementation of the Management Plan Revision, and the environmental consequences of each alternative. The preferred alternative, as identified by the Forest Service, is Alternative 4. Comments on this DEIS are due by November 17, 1995 and should be sent to: Karen Mollander District Ranger Juneau Ranger District 8465 Old Dairy Road Juneau, AK 99801 Reviewers have an obligation to structure their participation in the National Environmental Policy Act process so that it is meaningful and alerts the agency to the reviewers’ position and contentions. Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp. v. NRDC, 435 U.S. 519, 553 (1978). Environmental objections that could have been raised at the draft stage may be waived if not raised until after completion ofthe final environmental impact statement. City ofAngoon v. Hodel (9th Circuit, 1986)and Wisconsin Heritages, Inc. v. Harris, 490 F. Supp. 1334, 1338 (E.D. Wis. 1980). Comments on the draft environmental impact statement should be specific and should address the adequacy of the statement and the merits of the alternatives discussed (40 CFR 1503.3). I urgeyouto give usyourcomments. Yourparticipation inthis processwill bean important partofmy decision making process. If you have any questions, or would like more information, you may contact Joni Packard, IDTTeam Leader, at this office. Sincerely, /ANIS S. BURNS BUYARSI Acting District Ranger Enclosure: Draft E1S: Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area Management Plan Revision 950914 1458 RN 1900 RB DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT MENDENHALL GLACIER RECREATION AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN REVISION October, 1995 Lead Agency: USDA Forest Service Responsible Official: Gary Morrison Forest Supervisor, Chatham Area For Further Information Contact: Joni Packard, Team Leader Juneau Ranger District Chatham Area Tongass National Forest 8465 Old Dairy Road Juneau, Alaska 99801 (907) 586-8800 1 1 Table of Contents SUMMARY PAGE Purpose and Need S-1 Purpose S-1 Need S-1 Alternatives S-1 Alternative 1 - No Action S-2 Alternative 2 - Proposed Action S-2 Alternative 3 S-2 Alternative 4 S-2 Alternative 5 S-2 Affected Environment S-5 Environmental Consequences S-5 Issue 1: Motorized Recreational Vehicle Use S-5 Issue 2: Firearm Use S-6 Issue 3: Commercial Use S-7 Issue 4: Access S-9 Issue 5: Fish and Wildlife S-10 PREFERED ALTERNATIVE - Mendenhall Glacier Recreation PAGE Area Management Plan Table of Contents Introduction 1 Area Establishment and Purpose 1 Area Description 2 Existing Facilities 2 Public Use in the Recreation Area 4 Management Strategy of the 1995 Recreation Area Management Plan 5 Management Unit Designation 6 Overall Management Direction 7 Overall Direction 7 Desired Future Condition 7 Area Management Objectives 7 Visitor Center Unit 1 West Lakeshore Unit 16 Dredge Lakes Unit 19 McGinnis Mountain Unit 24 Mendenhall Lake Unit 26 Appendix 1: Comparison of Overall Management Direction between 1975 Recreation Area Management Plan and Draft 1995 Recreation Area Management Plan 29 Appendix 2: Comparison of Specific Direction to Preliminary Issues 31 Appendix 3: Proposed Projects for the Recreation Area 34 Appendix 4: References 36 TOC - Table of Contents CHAPTER 1 - PURPOSE AND NEED FOR ACTION PAGE A. Introduction 1-1 Background 1-1 Area Location Desired Future Condition 1-2 B. Purpose and Need 1-2 C. Proposed Action 1-3 D. Decision To Be Made 1-4 E. Public Involvement 1-4 F. Significant Issues 1-4 Issue 1 - Motorized Recreational Vehicle Use 1-5 Issue 2 - Firearm Use 1-5 Issue 3 - Commercial Use 1-5 Issue 4 - Access 1-6 Issue 5 - Fish and Wildlife 1-6 G. Non-Significant Issues 1-6 1. Horse Use 1-6 2. Dogs 1-6 3. Garbage Dumping 1-7 4. Mendenhall River Bridge 1-7 5. Juneau District Administrative site 1-7 6. Mendenhall Lake Campground 1-7 7. Trails 1-7 8. Visitor Center 1-7 9. Mendenhall Lake and River Use 1-7 H. Existing Management Direction 1-8 Other Laws and Regulations 1-8 1. U.S Army Corp of Engineers 1-8 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1-8 National Historic Preservation Act (1986) 1-8 Alaska Division of Governmental Coordination 1-8 Alaska Department of Fish and Game 1-9 Alaska State Hunting Regulations 1-9 City and Borough of Juneau 1-9 CHAPTER 2 - ALTERNATIVES PAGE A. Introduction 2-1 B. Formulation of Alternative 2-1 C. Alternative Considered in Detail 2-1 Common to All Alternatives 2-1 Alternative 1 - No Action 2-2 Alternative 2 - Proposed Action 2-3 Alternative 3 2-5 Alternative 4 2-6 Alternative 5 2-7 D. Comparison of Alternatives 2-8 By Component 2-9 E. Comparison of Impacts 2-12 Issue 1: Motorized Recreational Vehicle Use 2-12 TOC -2