[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 49 (Tuesday, March 14, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13629-13630]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-6241]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

36 CFR Part 7

RIN 1024-AC20


Grand Teton National Park, WY; Mountain Climbing and Winter 
Backcountry Trip Regulations

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS) is eliminating registration 
and check out requirements for climbing and off trail travel above 
7,000 ft., and for winter travel in Grand Teton National Park. Existing 
regulations requiring climbers, off trail hikers, and winter travel 
users to register and check out upon completion of their activity were 
intended primarily to provide information necessary to initiate search 
and rescue responses. Actual experience over the years has shown that 
the [[Page 13630]] intended purpose of these regulations has not been 
achieved. Nearly all search and rescue responses are generated by 
reports from sources other than the check out system. Instead of aiding 
rescuers, these regulations burden park rangers with the task of 
checking on countless cases of climbers and backpackers who failed to 
check out. These regulations have been enforced selectively for several 
years, where local climbers and guides have not been forced to register 
because of an assumed expertise and knowledge of the local area. The 
deletion of these regulations will not eliminate visitor protection 
services provided by park personnel.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The final rule becomes effective April 13, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to: Superintendent, Grand Teton 
National Park, P.O. Drawer 170, Moose, WY 83012.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colin W. Campbell, Law Enforcement 
Specialist, Grand Teton National Park, Telephone: 307-733-2880.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The existing National Park Service (NPS) special regulations that 
pertain to mountain climbing, off trail travel, and winter travel trips 
in Grand Teton National Park are codified at 36 CFR 7.22 (f) and (g). 
They require all technical climbers, off trail travel, and winter 
travel users to register or check in prior to undertaking these 
activities and to check out with a ranger upon completion of the 
activity. The original intent was primarily to provide park search and 
rescue personnel with the knowledge that a park user was in essence 
overdue from a potentially dangerous activity. In reality, almost all 
perceived overdue parties concerned climbers and backcountry users 
failing to properly check out. In addition, the vast majority of winter 
travelers either ignore or do not know of the requirement to register, 
and strict enforcement of this regulation has not been done for several 
years. The result has been a combination of non-compliance, failure to 
check out, failure to contact a ranger in a timely manner and wasted 
time and energy on the part of the park staff administering the system. 
After working with these restrictions since promulgation it has been 
determined that they are not achieving their original purpose of saving 
lives by alerting search and rescue personnel. In reality, almost all 
park search and rescue efforts are the result of initial reports by 
climbing partners, other park backcountry users, friends or relatives.
    The NPS believes the deletion of these rules will make the 
management of mountain climbing and winter backcountry trips more 
consistent with the practices of both State and Federal agencies whose 
lands are contiguous with Grand Teton National Park. Overnight 
backcountry trips will continue to be regulated by general camping 
regulations at 36 CFR 2.10.
    A voluntary registration system will be available to climbers and 
backcountry travelers who choose to use it. The exchange of information 
between climbers, off-trail hikers, winter travelers and park rangers 
will still be available and encouraged without mandating it through 
regulation. Furthermore, the park staff will be educating park users to 
leave trip information with family or friends, shifting responsibility 
for trip planning onto the park user.
    A proposed rule was published May 13, 1994 in the Federal Register 
(59 FR 25001). In addition to the Federal Register, a press release 
concerning the proposed change was released in the Jackson, Wyoming 
area, as well as local climbing shops and guides being notified of the 
proposed change. No responses were received during the following 30-day 
public review and comment period. Consequently, the rule promulgated 
here is the same as the one proposed.

Public Participation

    The policy of the National Park Service is, whenever practicable, 
to afford the public an opportunity to participate in the rulemaking 
process. Accordingly, interested persons may submit written comments 
regarding this final rule to the address noted at the beginning of this 
rulemaking. Grand Teton National Park staff will also be making public 
notices in local papers and contacting representatives of the local 
climbing community.

    Drafting Information: The primary authors of this proposed rule 
are Colin W. Campbell, Law Enforcement Specialist and Mark L. 
Magnuson, Jenny Lake Sub-District Ranger.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This rulemaking does not contain information collection 
requirements that require approval by the Office of Management and 
Budget under 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.

Compliance With Other Laws

    The Department of the Interior has determined that this document 
will not have a significant economic effect on a substantial number of 
small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et. 
seq.), because it deletes an existing requirement and gives more 
discretion to the park visitor.
    The NPS has determined that this proposed rulemaking will not have 
a significant effect on the quality of the human environment, health 
and safety because it is not expected to;
    (a) Increase public use to the extent of compromising the nature 
and character of the area causing physical damage to it:
    (b) Introduce noncompatible uses which might compromise the nature 
and characteristics of the area, or cause physical damage to it;
    (c) Conflict with adjacent ownerships or land uses; or
    (d) Cause a nuisance to adjacent owners or occupants.
    Based on this determination, this rulemaking is categorically 
excluded from the procedural requirements of the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) by Departmental Regulations in 516 DM 6, (49 FR 
21438). As such, neither an Environmental Assessment nor an 
Environmental Impact Statement has been prepared.
    This rule was not subject to Office of Management and Budget review 
under Executive Order 12866.

List of Subjects in 36 CFR Part 7

    National parks.

    In consideration of the foregoing, 36 CFR Chapter I is amended as 
follows:

PART 7--SPECIAL REGULATIONS, AREAS OF THE NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM

    1. The authority citation for part 7 continues to read as follows:


    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1, 3, 9a, 460(q), 462(k); Sec. 7.96 also 
issued under D.C. Code 8-137 (1981) and D.C. Code 40-721 (1981).


    2. In Sec. 7.22, paragraphs (f) and (g) are removed, and paragraphs 
(h) and (i) are redesignated paragraphs (f) and (g) respectively.


    Dated: January 24, 1995.

George T. Frampton, Jr.,

Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.

[FR Doc. 95-6241 Filed 3-13-95; 8:45 am]

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