36 CFR 7.59 - Grand Portage National Monument.

The National Park Service is proposing this rule to establish a management framework that allows the public to experience the unique winter resources and values at Yellowstone National Park. This rule includes provisions that allow greater flexibility for commercial tour operators, provide mechanisms to make the park cleaner and quieter than what has been authorized during the previous four winter seasons, reward oversnow vehicle innovations and technologies, and allow increases in visitation. It also would require snowmobiles and snowcoaches operating in the park to meet air and sound emission requirements and be accompanied by a guide.

We, the National Park Service, are amending the regulations on demonstrations and special events for the National Capital Region. This rule revises the definition of “demonstration,” lifts the prior regulatory ban on soliciting money or funds but requires a permit for the in-person solicitation of money or funds on Federal park land, and revises an introductory sentence prohibiting demonstrations or special events in designated memorial areas. This rule also changes the name of the permit office to the Division of Permits Management.

This rule designates certain multi-use pathways in Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area as routes for bicycle use. National Park Service general regulations require promulgation of a special regulation to designate new routes for bicycle use off park roads and outside developed areas. Several segments of multi-use pathways at Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area have been, or are planned to be, constructed to replace eroded social trails with a sustainable trail system. Allowing bicycling on the new trail system improves connectivity to regional trail networks, enhances opportunities for non-motorized enjoyment of the park, and encourages the use of alternate transportation by park visitors and staff.

This rule designates the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail currently under construction within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore as a route for bicycle use. The approximately 27-mile-long trail will generally parallel major state highways and offer visitors safe, non-motorized access to the park. National Park Service general regulations require promulgation of a special regulation to designate new routes for bicycle use outside developed areas or off park roads.

This rule implements the amended Record of Decision for the 2011 Winter Use Plan/Environmental Impact Statement and governs winter visitation and certain recreational activities in Yellowstone National Park for the 2012-2013 winter season. The rule retains, for one additional year, the regulation and management framework that have been in place for the past three winter seasons (2009-2010, 2010-2011, and 2011-2012). Specifically, the rule retains provisions that require most recreational snowmobiles operating in the park to meet certain National Park Service air and sound emissions requirements; requires snowmobiles and snowcoaches in Yellowstone to be accompanied by a commercial guide; sets daily entry limits on the numbers of snowmobiles (up to 318) and snowcoaches (up to 78) that may enter the park; and prohibits traveling off designated oversnow routes.

The National Park Service proposes to designate the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail currently under construction within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore as a route for bicycle use. The approximately 27-mile-long trail will generally parallel major state highways and offer visitors safe, non-motorized access to the park. National Park Service general regulations require promulgation of a special regulation to designate routes for bicycle use outside developed areas or off park roads.

This rule designates the Hope Camp Trail as a route for bicycle use and allows for management of bicycle use within Saguaro National Park. Further, the rule meets the provision of the National Park Service general regulation pertaining to bicycles requiring promulgation of a special regulation to designate bicycle routes outside of developed areas.

This rule designates four bicycle routes within Mammoth Cave National Park to address the interest and demand of the visiting public for bicycling opportunities without compromising the National Park Service's mandate “to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life” in the park. This rule will implement portions of the park's Comprehensive Trail Management Plan and satisfy the requirement of National Park Service general regulations that a special regulation be promulgated to allow off-road bicycle use on routes outside of developed areas. This rule allows bicycle use on a new Connector Trail in the vicinity of Maple Springs; a new Big Hollow Trail in the hilly country of the park north of the Green River; the Mammoth Cave Railroad Bike & Hike Trail; and the White Oak Trail.

This rule would implement an amended Record of Decision for the 2011 Winter Use Plan/Environmental Impact Statement and would govern winter visitation and certain recreational activities in Yellowstone National Park for the 2012-2013 winter season. The rule proposes to retain, for one additional year, the regulation and management framework that have been in place for the past three winter seasons (2009-2010, 2010-2011 and 2011-2012). Specifically, the rule would retain provisions that require most recreational snowmobiles operating in the park to meet certain National Park Service air and sound emissions requirements; require snowmobiles and snowcoaches in Yellowstone to be accompanied by a commercial guide; set daily entry limits on the numbers of snowmobiles (up to 318) and snowcoaches (up to 78) that may enter the park; and prohibit traveling off designated oversnow routes.

The National Park Service proposes to designate new and existing multi-use trails and administrative roads within the New River Gorge National River as bicycle routes. The rule is necessary because the National Park Service general regulation requires publication of a special regulation to designate routes for bicycle use when such use will be outside of developed areas and special use zones.

The National Park Service proposes to designate certain multi-use pathways in Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area as routes for bicycle use. National Park Service regulations require promulgation of a special regulation to designate routes for bicycle use off park roads and outside developed areas. Several segments of multi-use pathways at Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area have been, or are planned to be, constructed as part of an effort to replace eroded social trails with sustainable trail systems. Allowing bicycling on the new trail system will improve connectivity to regional trail networks, enhance opportunities for non-motorized enjoyment of the park, and encourage the use of alternate transportation by park visitors and staff.