[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 80 (Wednesday, April 26, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20551-20552]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-10235]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Coast Guard
[CGD13-95-015]
Notice of National Environmental Policy Act Activity
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.
ACTION: Notice; Intent to prepare environmental assessment of Seattle
Seafair Unlimited Hydroplane Races and Airshow, Lake Washington,
Seattle, WA.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is preparing an Environmental Assessment (EA)
to consider the environmental effects of granting a marine event permit
to Seafair, Inc. for the Seattle Seafair Unlimited Hydroplane Races and
Airshow. The Coast Guard is seeking public comment in order to assist
in determining the relevant issues, possible environmental effects, and
proper scope of this EA. This notice provides information about the
event and explains how members of the public can submit their comments
to the Coast Guard.
DATES: Persons wishing to submit written comments regarding the scope
of the EA, including alternatives and environmental effects to be
addressed, should do so on or before May 26, 1995.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to U.S. Coast Guard Group Seattle,
1519 Alaskan Way So., Seattle, WA 98134. The comments and other
materials referenced in this notice will be available for inspection
and copying at the above address in Building One, Room 130, Operations
Division. Normal office hours are between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday
through Friday, except federal holidays. Comments may also be hand-
delivered to this address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
LTJG Ben White, U.S. Coast Guard Group Seattle, (206) 217-6138.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Proposed Action
The Seattle Seafair Unlimited Hydroplane Race and Airshow is
scheduled to be held on August 4, 5, and 6, 1995. Pursuant to the
requirements of 33 CFR part 100, the sponsor of the event, Seafair,
Inc., has applied for a Marine Event Permit from the U.S. Coast Guard.
In accordance [[Page 20552]] with the National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) and Commandant Instruction M16475.1B, the U.S. Coast Guard must
conduct an Environmental Assessment (EA) before a Marine Event Permit
can be issued. An EA is a brief report that provides sufficient
evidence and analysis of the potential environmental effects of a
proposed action and its alternatives. An EA is the document used for
determining whether to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
or a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).
Background and Discussion
The Seattle Seafair Unlimited Hydroplane Race and Airshow is an
annual event held on the waters of Lake Washington in an area west of
Mercer Island, south of the I-90 floating bridge, and north of Bailey
Peninsula.
Waterborne activities during the event will include two days of
hydroplane time-trials and one day (Sunday, August 6, 1995) of
hydroplane races. A log boom will separate the race course and the
boaters' viewing area. Spectator craft will congregate in the area east
of the log boom and will be present, in increasing numbers, on all
three days. The number of spectator boats on Sunday, August 6, 1995, is
estimated to be between 1700 and 2000.
On the shores of Jefferson Park along the west side of the race
course, vendors, spectators, race officials, and boat crews will
conduct shoreside activities. First aid stations will also be set up
close to the pit area and on Mercer Island. Increased traffic, both
vehicular and pedestrian, is expected during the event. This may result
in temporary road closures in residential areas to keep traffic on
arterial streets.
During the three day event, airshows will periodically be performed
over Lake Washington. All flight demonstrations will be done over the
hydroplane race track in a designated ``airbox.'' Acrobatic maneuvers
and aerial stunts will be confined to the airbox and will be performed
only when the area below the airbox is clear of waterborne craft. In
addition to the marine event permit issued by the Coast Guard, the
sponsors of this event must obtain a separate permit from the Federal
Aviation Administration for the airshow.
Drafting Information
The principal persons involved in drafting this notice are LTJG Ben
White, U.S. Coast Guard Group Seattle, WA, Project Officer, and LCDR
John C. Odell, Project Attorney, Thirteenth Coast Guard District Legal
Office, Seattle, WA.
Request for Comments
In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and the
Coast Guard's policy encouraging all interested and effected parties to
participate in the early consultation process, the Coast Guard requests
scoping comments from the public. The Coast Guard is interested in
receiving comments about possible environmental effects, alternative
proposals, and other relevant issues related to the scope of its
Environmental Assessment of this marine event.
Persons submitting comments should include their names and
addresses, identify this notice (CGD13-95-015) and the specific section
of this notice to which each comment applies, and give the reason for
each comment. Please submit two copies of all comments and attachments
in an unbound format, no larger than 8\1/2\ by 11 inches, suitable for
copying and filing. Persons wanting acknowledgment of receipt of their
comments should enclose stamped, self-addressed postcards or envelopes.
Dated: April 18, 1995.
G.O. Kinney,
Commander, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Coast Guard Group Seattle.
[FR Doc. 95-10235 Filed 4-25-95; 8:45 am]
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