FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                        CONTACT:   John Quinley

February 4, 2004                                                                                  907-644-3512

 

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT for SEISMIC STATION NETWORK

UPGRADE, INSTALLATION, AND MAINTENANCE

In 

KATMAI NATIONAL PARK AND PRESERVE,

LAKE CLARK NATIONAL PARK AND PRESERVE, and

ANIAKCHAK NATIONAL MONUMENT AND PRESERVE

 

The National Park Service (NPS) is considering a proposal by the U.S. Geological Survey -Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) to improve seismic monitoring networks in Katmai National Park and Preserve, Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, and Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve. These networks monitor volcanic activity and are used to warn local communities, park visitors and staff, state and federal emergency planners, the aviation community and the public of potentially hazardous eruptions. In Katmai National Park three new digital seismic stations would be installed and three existing analog seismometers would be upgraded to the new digital technology. In Lake Clark National Park, two analog seismometers on the flanks of Redoubt Volcano would be upgraded to the new digital technology. In Aniakchak National Monument a single station would be converted to the new digital technology. The new technology greatly improves the detection of seismic activity indicative of volcanic activity, and would lead to timely hazard forecasts to protect the general public. The NPS is considering issuance of a research permit for the proposed installations, upgrades, and maintenance.

 

An environmental assessment has been completed for this project in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, and the regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality. Public comment will be accepted for at least 30 days until March 5, 2004.

 

The three alternatives evaluated in the environmental assessment are:

 

No Action Alternative: Under this alternative the seismic networks would remain as they are in the subject three park units. AVO would continue to rely on the analog seismometers to detect earthquake activity indicative of volcanic activity.

 

Applicant’s Proposal (NPS Preferred): The NPS would issue a research permit authorizing the AVO to upgrade six seismic stations to the new digital technology, install three new digital seismometers, and maintain the seismic networks in the subject parks, as noted above.

 

Upgrade 9 Existing Seismic Stations: The NPS would issue a research permit authorizing the applicants to upgrade nine existing seismic stations to the new digital technology. No new sites would be permitted.

 

For further information about the project, or to request a printed copy of the assessment, contact: Joe Fowler, Superintendent, Katmai National Park and Preserve and Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve 907-246-3305; Joel Hard Superintendent, Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, 907-271-3751; or Bud Rice at NPS Alaska Support Office, 907-644-3530.

 

Written comments on the assessment should be addressed to Superintendent Joe Fowler at P.O. Box 7, King Salmon, AK 99613 (fax 907-246-2116) or Bud Rice at 240 West 5th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99501 (fax 907-644-3814.)

--END--