Date: February 19, 2008
Contact: Melissa Wilson, 406 888-7895
Contact: Mary Riddle, 406 888-7898
WEST GLACIER, MONT. – Glacier National Park officials announce that the environmental review process has been completed for the proposed construction and maintenance staging and stockpiling site. The Finding of No Significant Impact, the decision document, was signed by National Park Service Intermountain Regional Director Mike Snyder on February 5, 2008. The decision was reached after reviewing the environmental impacts and considering public comments on the environmental assessment released in November.
The Going-to-the-Sun Road (Sun Road), which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is the primary public use roadway that provides access to viewpoints, trailheads, picnic areas, campgrounds and visitor centers. The Logan Pit site was identified in the May 2003 Going-to-the-Sun Road Rehabilitation Plan/Final Environmental Impact Statement as the primary staging and stockpiling site for rehabilitation on the west side of the Sun Road. The site also serves as a general maintenance staging site and as an administrative and emergency helicopter landing site.
Road rehabilitation contractors and general maintenance crews will continue utilizing the Logan Pit site except during high water times. Materials will then be moved until the water in McDonald Creek subsides. The size of Logan Pit will be reduced to lessen the impacts on the floodplain. A barrier will also be installed to protect the site during high water. The existing West Glacier Staging Area will also continue to be utilized for staging of construction material and will not be expanded.
The FONSI is available through the park’s planning Web site: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/parkHome.cfm?parkId=61.
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