Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 227 / Tuesday, November 25, 2014 / Proposed Rules 70137 

DATES: The comment period for the 

proposed rule published on September 

29, 2014 (79 FR 58601), is extended. 

Comments must be submitted not later 

than December 26, 2014. 

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, 

identified by docket number and/or 

Regulatory Information Number (RIN) 

and title, by any of the following 

methods; 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: http:// 

www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments. 

• Mail: Federal Docket Management 

System Office, 4800 Mark Center Drive, 

2nd Floor, East Tower, Suite 02G09, 

Alexandria, VA 22350–3100. 

Instructions: All submissions received 

must include the agency name and 

docket number or RIN for this Federal 

Register document. The general policy 

for comments and other submissions 

from members of the public is to make 

these submissions available for public 

viewing on the Internet at http://

www.regulations.gov as they are 

received without change, including any 

personal identifiers or contact 

information. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Marcus Beauregard, 571–372–5357. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 

Department is extending the comment 

period after receiving requests from 

several organizations. These 

organizations expressed that they would 

not have sufficient time to adequately 

cover their concerns. The Department 

believes this extension will allow the 

public the additional time they have 

requested to be able to review the 

proposal and provide feedback on the 

questions asked in the proposal. 

Dated: November 19, 2014. 

Aaron Siegel, 

Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison 

Officer, Department of Defense. 

[FR Doc. 2014–27716 Filed 11–24–14; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 5001–06–P 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

National Park Service 

36 CFR Part 7 

[NPS–BRCA–16897; PA.PD191235A.00.3] 

RIN 1024–AE23 

Special Regulations, Areas of the 

National Park System, Bryce Canyon 

National Park, Bicycling 

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior 

ACTION: Proposed rule. 

SUMMARY: The National Park Service is 

proposing to construct a paved, multiuse visitor path in Bryce Canyon 

National Park. The path would be 

approximately 6.2 miles long and be 

open to several uses, including running, 

walking, and bicycling. National Park 

Service regulations require 

promulgation of a special regulation to 

designate new routes for bicycle use off 

park roads and outside developed areas. 

DATES: Comments must be received by 

January 26, 2015. 

ADDRESSES: You may submit your 

comments, identified by Regulation 

Identifier Number (RIN) 1024–AE23, by 

any of the following methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: http:// 

www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments. 

• Mail: Bryce Canyon National Park, 

P.O. Box 640201, Bryce Canyon, UT 

84764–0201. 

• Hand Deliver to: Superintendent’s 

Office, Bryce Canyon National Park 

Visitor Center. 

Instructions: All submissions received 

must include the agency name and 

docket number or RIN for this 

rulemaking. 

Docket: For access to the docket to 

read background documents or 

comments received, go to http://

www.regulations.gov. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Daniel J. Cloud, Chief of Facility 

Management, Bryce Canyon National 

Park, at 435–834–4720 or at the address 

listed in the ADDRESSES section. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background 

Bryce Canyon National Park (BRCA or 

park) is in south-central Utah. The park 

encompasses approximately 35,835 

acres and ranges between 6,600 and 

9,100 feet in elevation. BRCA was 

originally established as a national 

monument by presidential proclamation 

in 1923. The park was renamed Utah 

National Park in 1924, and the name 

was changed to Bryce Canyon National 

Park in 1928. 

The park’s most noted feature is the 

eroded landscape below the east rim of 

the Paunsaugunt Plateau. The erosional 

force of frost-wedging and the 

dissolving power of rainwater have 

worn away the colorful and weak 

limestone rock into bizarre shapes, 

including slot canyons, windows, fins, 

and spires called ‘‘hoodoos.’’ Because 

the park transcends 2,500 feet of 

elevation, the park exists in three 

distinct climatic zones characterized by 

spruce/fir forest, ponderosa pine forest, 

and pinyon pine/juniper woodlands. 

The diversity of forest and meadow 

habitats provides a high degree of plant 

and animal diversity. BRCA is also one 

of the best places to experience a truly 

dark night sky. 

The park’s purpose statement, which 

provides the foundation for park 

management, administration, and use 

decisions, states that ‘‘Bryce Canyon 

National Park protects and conserves 

resources integral to a landscape of 

unusual scenic beauty exemplified by 

highly colored and fantastically eroded 

geological features, including rock fins 

and spires, for the benefit and 

enjoyment of the people.’’ (May 2014 

Foundation Document). The park’s 

Foundation Document identifies 

‘‘increased use of alternative 

transportation (e.g., biking, hiking) 

within and surrounding the park’’ as an 

opportunity to protect clean air—one of 

the fundamental resources of the park. 

The proposal to construct a multi-use 

path in the park would support the 

park’s purpose statement by providing a 

new opportunity for safe enjoyment and 

protection of the fundamental resources 

in the park. 

Purpose of the Multi-Use Path 

The primary purpose of the multi-use 

path is to relieve safety problems for 

visitors of all ages who choose to use 

non-motorized transportation to 

experience the park and adjacent United 

States Forest Service (USFS) areas near 

Bryce Canyon City. Increases in 

visitation of the park (30% increase 

between 2008 and 2012) are leading to 

transportation system capacity problems 

and traffic congestion. Cyclists and 

pedestrians need a way to travel to and 

within the park that is safer, provides a 

better visitor experience, and promotes 

non-motorized travel between nearby 

communities and the park as well as 

between key destinations in the park. 

The path would enhance the park’s 

transportation system by connecting the 

park’s gateway communities with high 

visitor use areas along the canyon rim 

in the Bryce Amphitheater and other 

key features of the park. The proposed 

path would also connect to the existing 

transportation system, including visitor 

shuttle buses, hiking trails and walking 

paths, parking lots, and roads. This 

would link major visitor attractions and 

facilities with both non-motorized and 

motorized transportation modes. Visitor 

safety would be improved by separating 

motor vehicles from bicyclists, 

pedestrians, and other non-motorized 

user groups where possible. 

The multi-use path would consist of 

two contiguous sections constructed in 

two phases. The first segment would be 

approximately 3.9 miles long. This 

segment would begin at the park 

boundary near the main park road to/

from Bryce Canyon City. The path 


wreier-aviles on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
70138 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 227 / Tuesday, November 25, 2014 / Proposed Rules 

would roughly parallel the main park 

road and continue to the visitor center 

and North Campground area. The path 

would then run southeast toward the 

canyon rim, behind the General Store 

and Lodge area, and to the Sunset Point 

parking lot where it would turn back to 

parallel the main park road. The path 

would then leave the main park road 

and branch toward Inspiration Point 

parking area. The NPS intends to 

complete construction of the first 

segment by the fall 2015. 

The second segment would be 

approximately 2.3 miles long and would 

mostly follow Bryce Point road to a 

terminus at a trailhead just below the 

Bryce Point parking area. The NPS 

would construct the second segment as 

resources become available. 

In total, the path would be 

approximately 6.2 miles long within the 

boundary of the park. No portion of the 

proposed path would be constructed 

below the canyon rim on park lands, nor 

in proposed wilderness areas inside the 

park. For most locations, the path would 

consist of a 10-foot wide paved asphalt 

surface. The path would generally 

parallel the main park road to provide 

separation between users and vehicles 

to reduce the likelihood of related safety 

problems. Spurs from the main path 

alignment would be designed to provide 

visitor access to key viewpoints and 

other landscape features. The path 

would continue outside of the boundary 

of the park through Bryce Canyon City 

and Dixie National Forest. This would 

provide a safe, efficient, and familyfriendly way to access these connected 

areas. 

Environmental Assessment 

In September 2014, the NPS 

published the Multi-use Visitor Path 

Environmental Assessment (EA). The 

proposed rule would implement the 

preferred alternative (Alternative 

Alignment A) as described in the EA. 

The EA, which contains a full 

description of the purpose and need for 

taking action, scoping, the alternatives 

considered, maps of the proposed multiuse path, and the environmental 

impacts associated with the project, may 

be viewed on the park’s planning Web 

site at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/brca, 

by clicking on the link entitled ‘‘Bryce 

Canyon National Park Multi-Use Path’’ 

and then clicking on the link entitled 

‘‘Document List.’’ 

Proposed Rule 

This proposed rule complies with the 

requirement of 36 CFR 4.30, which 

requires a special regulation to 

designate new bicycle routes off park 

roads and outside of developed areas. 

The EA addresses bicycle use on the 

multi-use path and evaluates (i) the 

suitability of the trail surface for bicycle 

use; and (ii) life cycle maintenance 

costs, safety considerations, methods to 

prevent or minimize user conflict, 

methods to protect natural and cultural 

resources and mitigate impacts, and 

integration with commercial services 

and alternative transportation systems 

in compliance with 36 CFR 4.30(d)(1)– 

(2). 

The proposed rule would add a new 

section 7.94 to 36 CFR part 7—Special 

Regulations, Areas of the National Park 

Service for Bryce Canyon National Park. 

The proposed rule would authorize the 

superintendent to designate all or a 

portion of two segments of the proposed 

6.2-mile-long multi-use path as a route 

for bicycle use. The Superintendent 

would notify the public of any such 

designation through one or more of the 

methods outlined in 36 CFR 1.7, and 

place the designation on maps that are 

available in the office of the 

Superintendent and other places 

convenient to the public. 

The proposed rule would also 

authorize the superintendent to 

establish closures or restrictions for 

bicycle use on designated routes after 

considering public health and safety, 

resource protection, and other 

management activities and objectives, 

provided public notice is given under 

36 CFR 1.7. 

Compliance With Other Laws, 

Executive Orders and Department 

Policy 

Regulatory Planning and Review 

(Executive Orders 12866 and 13563) 

Executive Order 12866 provides that 

the Office of Information and Regulatory 

Affairs in the Office of Management and 

Budget will review all significant rules. 

The Office of Information and 

Regulatory Affairs has determined that 

this rule is not significant. 

Executive Order 13563 reaffirms the 

principles of Executive Order 12866 

while calling for improvements in the 

nation’s regulatory system to promote 

predictability, to reduce uncertainty, 

and to use the best, most innovative, 

and least burdensome tools for 

achieving regulatory ends. The 

executive order directs agencies to 

consider regulatory approaches that 

reduce burdens and maintain flexibility 

and freedom of choice for the public 

where these approaches are relevant, 

feasible, and consistent with regulatory 

objectives. Executive Order 13563 

emphasizes further that regulations 

must be based on the best available 

science and that the rulemaking process 

must allow for public participation and 

an open exchange of ideas. We have 

developed this rule in a manner 

consistent with these requirements. 

Regulatory Flexibility Act 

This rule 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.). 

This certification is based on 

information contained in the economic 

analyses found in the report entitled 

‘‘Cost-Benefit Analysis: Proposed 

Regulations to Designate New Routes for 

Bicycle Use in Bryce Canyon National 

Park’’ which is available online at 

http://parkplanning.nps.gov/brca by 

clicking on the link entitled ‘‘Bryce 

Canyon National Park Multi-Use Path’’ 

and then clicking on the link entitled 

‘‘Document List.’’ 

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement 

Fairness Act 

This rule is not a major rule under 5 

U.S.C. 804(2), the Small Business 

Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act. 

This rule: 

(a) Does not have an annual effect on 

the economy of $100 million or more. 

(b) Will not cause a major increase in 

costs or prices for consumers, 

individual industries, Federal, State, or 

local government agencies, or 

geographic regions. 

(c) Does not have significant adverse 

effects on competition, employment, 

investment, productivity, innovation, or 

the ability of U.S.-based enterprises to 

compete with foreign-based enterprises. 

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act 

This rule does not impose an 

unfunded mandate on State, local, or 

tribal governments or the private sector 

of more than $100 million per year. The 

rule does not have a significant or 

unique effect on State, local or tribal 

governments or the private sector. It 

addresses public use of national park 

lands, and imposes no requirements on 

other agencies or governments. A 

statement containing the information 

required by the Unfunded Mandates 

Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) is not 

required. 

Takings (Executive Order 12630) 

This rule does not affect a taking of 

private property or otherwise have 

takings implications under Executive 

Order 12630. A takings implication 

assessment is not required. 

Federalism (Executive Order 13132) 

Under the criteria in section 1 of 

Executive Order 13132, the rule does 

not have sufficient federalism 


wreier-aviles on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 227 / Tuesday, November 25, 2014 / Proposed Rules 70139 

implications to warrant the preparation 

of a Federalism summary impact 

statement. This proposed rule only 

affects use of NPS administered lands 

and waters. It has no outside effects on 

other areas. A Federalism summary 

impact statement is not required. 

Civil Justice Reform (Executive Order 

12988) 

This rule complies with the 

requirements of Executive Order 12988. 

Specifically, this rule: 

(a) Meets the criteria of section 3(a) 

requiring that all regulations be 

reviewed to eliminate errors and 

ambiguity and be written to minimize 

litigation; and 

(b) Meets the criteria of section 3(b)(2) 

requiring that all regulations be written 

in clear language and contain clear legal 

standards. 

Consultation With Indian Tribes 

(Executive Order 13175 and 

Department Policy) 

The Department of the Interior strives 

to strengthen its government-togovernment relationship with Indian 

Tribes through a commitment to 

consultation with Indian Tribes and 

recognition of their right to selfgovernance and tribal sovereignty. We 

have evaluated this rule under the 

Department’s consultation policy and 

under the criteria in Executive Order 

13175. During the environmental 

assessment process, we consulted with 

the 10 Native American groups 

associated with BRCA and determined 

that there are no substantial direct 

effects on federally recognized Indian 

tribes. 

Paperwork Reduction Act 

This rule does not contain 

information collection requirements, 

and a submission to the Office of 

Management and Budget under the 

Paperwork Reduction Act is not 

required. We may not conduct or 

sponsor and you are not required to 

respond to a collection of information 

unless it displays a currently valid OMB 

control number. 

National Environmental Policy Act 

We have prepared the EA to 

determine whether this rule will have a 

significant impact on the quality of the 

human environment under the National 

Environmental Policy Act of 1969. A 

copy of the EA can be found online at 

http://parkplanning.nps.gov/brca by 

clicking on the link entitled ‘‘Bryce 

Canyon National Park Multi-Use Path’’ 

and then clicking on the link entitled 

‘‘Document List.’’ 

Effects on the Energy Supply (Executive 

Order 13211) 

This rule is not a significant energy 

action under the definition in Executive 

Order 13211. A Statement of Energy 

Effects is not required. 

Clarity of This Rule 

We are required by Executive Orders 

12866 (section 1(b)(12)) and 12988 

(section 3(b)(1)(B)), and 13563 (section 

1(a)), and by the Presidential 

Memorandum of June 1, 1998, to write 

all rules in plain language. This means 

that each rule we publish must: 

(a) Be logically organized; 

(b) Use the active voice to address 

readers directly; 

(c) Use common, everyday words and 

clear language rather than jargon; 

(d) Be divided into short sections and 

sentences; and 

(e) Use lists and tables wherever 

possible. 

If you feel that we have not met these 

requirements, send us comments by one 

of the methods listed in the ADDRESSES

section. To better help us revise the 

rule, your comments should be as 

specific as possible. For example, you 

should tell us the numbers of the 

sections or paragraphs that you find 

unclear, which sections or sentences are 

too long, the sections where you feel 

lists or tables would be useful, etc. 

Drafting Information: The primary 

author of this regulation is Jay P. 

Calhoun, Regulations Program 

Specialist, National Park Service. 

Public Participation 

It is the policy of the Department of 

the Interior, whenever practicable, to 

afford the public an opportunity to 

participate in the rulemaking process. 

Accordingly, interested persons may 

submit written comments regarding this 

proposed rule by one of the methods 

listed in the ADDRESSES section of this 

document. 

Public Availability of Comments 

Before including your address, phone 

number, email address, or other 

personal identifying information in your 

comment, you should be aware that 

your entire comment—including your 

personal identifying information—may 

be made publicly available at any time. 

While you can ask us in your comment 

to withhold your personal identifying 

information from public review, we 

cannot guarantee that we will be able to 

do so. 

List of Subjects in 36 CFR Part 7 

National parks, Reporting and 

Recordkeeping requirements. 

In consideration of the foregoing, the 

National Park Service proposes to 

amend 36 CFR part 7 as set forth below: 

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, 462(k); Sec. 

7.96 also issued under 36 U.S.C. 501–511, DC 

Code 10–137 (2001) and DC Code 50–2201 

(2001). 

■ 2. Add § 7.94 to read as follows: 

§ 7.94 Bryce Canyon National Park. 

(a) The Superintendent may designate 

for bicycle use routes or portions of 

routes on the following sections of the 

park’s multi-use recreational path: 

(1) A section between the park 

boundary near Bryce Canyon City and 

Inspiration Point parking area 

(approximately 3.9 miles). 

(2) A section between the intersection 

of Bryce Point road and Inspiration 

Point road and a trailhead near Bryce 

Point parking area (approximately 2.3 

miles). 

(b) The Superintendent will provide 

notice of all bicycle route designations 

through one or more of the methods 

listed in § 1.7 of this chapter, and place 

the designations on maps that are 

available in the office of the 

Superintendent and other places 

convenient to the public. 

(c) The Superintendent may open or 

close designated bicycle routes, or 

portions thereof, or establish conditions 

or restrictions for bicycle use after 

considering public health and safety, 

natural and cultural resource protection, 

carrying capacity, and other 

management activities and objectives. 

(1) The Superintendent will provide 

public notice of all such actions through 

one or more of the methods listed in 

§ 1.7 of this chapter. 

(2) Violating a closure, condition, or 

restriction is prohibited. 

Dated: November 17, 2014. 

Michael Bean, 

Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish 

and Wildlife and Parks. 

[FR Doc. 2014–27911 Filed 11–24–14; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4310–EJ–P 


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