Notice of Availability of a Record of Decision (ROD) on the Final Environmental Impact Statement/General Management Plan (FEIS/GMP) for Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Kentucky and Tennessee (National Area), 47854-47855 [05-16079]
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 156 / Monday, August 15, 2005 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Availability of a Record of
Decision (ROD) on the Final
Environmental Impact Statement/
General Management Plan (FEIS/GMP)
for Big South Fork National River and
Recreation Area, Kentucky and
Tennessee (National Area)
National Park Service, Interior.
Notice.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(C)
of the National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA) of 1969, 83 Stat. 852, 853,
codified as amended at 42 U.S.C. 4332
(2)(C), as well as National Park Service
(NPS) policy in Director’s Order 2 (Park
Planning) and Director’s Order 12
(Conservation Planning, Environmental
Impact Analysis, and Decision-making),
the NPS announces the availability of
the ROD for the FEIS/GMP for the
National Area. On May 26, 2005, the
Southeast Regional Director approved
the ROD for the project. As soon as
practicable, the NPS will begin to
implement the GMP, described as the
Preferred Alternative (Alternative D) in
the FEIS issued on February 24, 2005.
Under the preferred alternative, a total
of eight management zones will be
created for the National Area, each of
which will be attended with
particularized management
prescriptions. Overall, the level of
development and types of facilities
proposed over the planning horizon of
15 to 20 years will remain essentially
the same as currently exists.
The notable exceptions include new
sites in the southwest portion of the
National Area where NPS has been
actively acquiring land in recent years.
Under Alternative D, the NPS will
devote considerable effort and resources
to improving the National Area’s road
and trail system. A principal feature of
Alternative D is a roads and trails plan
that sets forth the official road and trail
system for the National Area.
Henceforth, public use of roads and
trails will only be allowed on the
official system; all trails not expressly
included as part of the official system
will be designated as administratively
closed. In addition, public use of a
particular road or trail will be limited to
the designated use set forth in
Alternative D, with certain limited
exceptions. Each road and trail in the
official system will be constructed and
maintained in accordance with a
standard that supports the designated
use(s) and also is consistent with
desired resource conditions in the
surrounding area, or zone.
VerDate jul<14>2003
13:17 Aug 12, 2005
Jkt 205001
Alternative D increases the trail miles
available to hikers, equestrians, and
bicyclists from the levels currently
maintained by the National Area. The
official trail system includes trails
specifically dedicated to each of these
user groups, plus a larger universe of
trails that are ‘‘shared use.’’ Generally
speaking, designated horse trails will
also be open to hikers and bicyclists,
while designated bike trails will be open
to both bicyclists and hikers. Specified
hiking trails will also be open to
bicyclists in order to provide more
opportunities for this increasingly
popular activity.
In implementing Alternative D, the
NPS will continue the use of a trail type
known as ‘‘multiple-use trail.’’ In the
National Area, this trail type is typically
known for allowing motor vehicles,
horses, hikers, and bicyclists on a single
route maintained to trail rather than
road standards. Under Alternative D,
persons driving motor vehicles that are
licensed and registered may use any
multiple-use trails that will
accommodate such use. All Terrain
Vehicles (ATVs) will generally not be
permitted on any multiple-use trail,
park road, or any other trail type.
However, visitors will be permitted to
use ATVs on multiple-use trails while
actively hunting, during big game
season only. Multiple-use trails will be
closed to ATVs at all other times of the
year. Big game season is defined for this
purpose as the legal season for whitetailed deer and, in jurisdictions where
they are regulated as ‘‘big game,’’ wild
boar. Alternative D also provides that
ATV routes for year-round general
recreational use may be designated
within ‘‘planning areas’’ identified for
consideration of such use. The plan
includes two such planning areas in the
Darrow Ridge area. These planning
areas will provide the opportunity to
design an experimental prototype
system.
Under Alternative D, the route of the
old O&W railroad will provide
continued passenger vehicle access to
the O&W bridge from the east. The route
will be improved to the extent of
providing safe passage. The NPS will
coordinate with Scott County on the
necessary improvements to achieve
desired use and resource conditions.
The O&W route west of North White
Oak Creek has been determined to be
abandoned. This portion of the route,
extending to trail connections near the
western boundary of the National Area,
will be a trail designated for foot, horse,
and bike use, as recommended by
previous studies. The route will be
brought to a standard suitable for the
intended trail uses.
PO 00000
Frm 00071
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Basis for Decision
In reaching the decision to select
Alternative D, the NPS considered the
purposes for which the National Area
was established and other laws and
policies that apply to lands in the
National Area, including the NPS
Organic Act, NEPA, NPS Director’s
Order 12, and the NPS Management
Policies 2001. Alternative D has the
greatest potential of all four alternatives
to preserve the unique resources of the
National Area while making available a
wide range of recreational opportunities
to the visiting public. With eight
management zones specifically tailored
to the diverse resources and facilities of
the National Area, Alternative D
provides National Area management
and the public with a higher degree of
information and guidance concerning
objectives, management, use, and
development than do the other action
alternatives. In so doing, it offers the
broadest level of resources protection,
interpretation, visitor services, and the
optimum opportunity for high quality
visitor experiences. Therefore the NPS
has opted to select this alternative.
Findings on Impairment
The NPS has determined that
implementation of Alternative D will
not constitute an impairment to the
National Area’s resources and values.
This conclusion is based on a thorough
analysis of the environmental impacts
described in the EIS, the public
comments received, relevant scientific
studies, and the professional judgment
of the decision-maker guided by the
direction in the NPS Management
Policies. Overall, the FEIS/GMP results
in benefits to National Area resources
and values and opportunities for their
enjoyment, and it does not result in
their impairment.
DATES: The Record of Decision was
signed by the Southeast Regional
Director on May 26, 2005. As soon as
practicable, the NPS will begin to
implement the Preferred Alternative,
listed as Alternative D in the Final
General Management Plan.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the ROD are
available from the Superintendent, Big
South Fork NRRA, 4564 Leatherwood
Ford Road, Oneida, TN 37841, or by
calling (423) 569–9778. An electronic
copy of the Record of Decision is
available on the Internet at https://
www.nps.gov/biso.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Reed Detring, Superintendent, Big
South Fork NRRA, 4564 Leatherwood
Ford Road, Oneida, TN 37841.
Telephone: (423) 569–9778.
E:\FR\FM\15AUN1.SGM
15AUN1
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 156 / Monday, August 15, 2005 / Notices
Copies of
the ROD may be obtained from the
contact listed above.
The responsible official for this FEIS/
GMP is Patricia A. Hooks, Regional
Director, Southeast Region, National
Park Service, 100 Alabama Street SW.,
1924 Building, Atlanta, Georgia 30303.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Dated: July 1, 2005.
Patricia A. Hooks,
Regional Director, Southeast Region.
[FR Doc. 05–16079 Filed 8–12–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–70–P
National Park Service
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Final Supplemental Environmental
Impact Statement and Revised
Comprehensive Management Plan,
Merced Wild and Scenic River,
Yosemite National Park, Madera,
Mariposa, Merced, Mono & Tuolumne
Counties, CA; Notice of Approval of
Record of Decision
Summary: Pursuant to § 102(2)(C) of
the National Environmental Policy Act
of 1969 (Pub. L. 91–190, as amended)
and the regulations promulgated by the
Council on Environmental Quality (40
CFR 1505.2)—and in accord with
instructions of the U.S. District Court—
the Department of the Interior, National
Park Service has prepared and approved
a Record of Decision for the Final
Supplemental Environmental Impact
Statement and Merced River Revised
Comprehensive Management Plan,
Yosemite National Park. This
programmatic Plan addresses NPS
stewardship of an 81 mile segment of
the 122 miles of the Merced River
designated as ‘‘Wild and Scenic’’ by
Congress in 1987. The requisite noaction period was initiated June 24,
2005, with the Environmental
Protection Agency’s Federal Register
notification of the filing of the Final
Supplemental Environmental Impact
Statement (FSEIS).
Decision: As soon as practical the
National Park Service will begin to
implement the Revised Comprehensive
Management Plan described as the
Preferred Alternative (Alternative 2)
contained in the FSEIS. This alternative
was deemed to be the ‘‘environmentally
preferred’’ alternative. This course of
action and three alternatives (including
no-action) were identified and analyzed
in the Final and Draft Supplemental
Environmental Impact Statements (the
opportunity for public review of the
latter was announced in the Federal
Register on January 14, 2005). The full
range of foreseeable environmental
13:17 Aug 12, 2005
Dated: July 25, 2005.
Jonathan B. Jarvis,
Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 05–16080 Filed 8–12–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312–F4–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
VerDate jul<14>2003
consequences were assessed, and
appropriate mitigation measures have
been identified.
Copies: Interested parties desiring to
review the Record of Decision may
obtain a copy by contacting the
Superintendent, Yosemite National
Park, P.O. Box 577, Yosemite, California
95389; or via telephone request at (209)
372–0201.
Jkt 205001
National Park Service
Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National
Historical Park Advisory Commission;
Notice of Meetings
National Park Service, Interior.
Notice.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given in
accordance with the Federal Advisory
Committee Act that meetings of the
Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National
Historical Park Advisory Commission
will be held to discuss the development
of the park’s general management plan.
DATES: September 15, 2005, at the
Strasburg Town Hall Council Chambers,
143 East King St., Strasburg, VA;
November 17, 2005, at the Middletown
Town Hall Council Chambers, 7875
Church St., Middletown, VA; January
19, 2006, at the Strasburg Town Hall;
March 16, 2006, at the Middletown
Town Hall; May 18, 2006, at the
Strasburg Town Hall; and July 20, 2006,
at the Middletown Town Hall. All
meetings will convene at 9 a.m.
All meetings are open to the public.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Diann Jacox, Superintendent, Cedar
Creek and Belle Grove National
Historical Park, (540) 868–9176.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Topics to
be discussed at the meetings include:
General management plan scoping
issues, public involvement strategy,
commission by-laws, election of a
commission chair, planning process and
schedule, commission sub-committees,
park boundaries, and land protection
planning.
Dated: August 5, 2005.
Diann Jacox,
Superintendent, Cedar Creek and Belle Grove
National Historical Park.
[FR Doc. 05–16084 Filed 8–12–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312–52–M
PO 00000
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47855
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
National Park System Advisory Board;
Meeting
National Park Service, Interior.
Notice of meeting.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
Notice is hereby given in accordance
with the Federal Advisory Committee
Act, 5 U.S.C. Appendix, that the
National Park System Advisory Board
will meet September 8–9, 2005, in New
York, New York. On September 8, the
Board will tour Liberty Island, Ellis
Island, and Manhattan Sites and will be
briefed regarding environmental,
education and partnership programs.
The Board will convene its business
meeting on September 9 at 8:30 a.m.,
e.s.t., in the Board Room of Thirteen/
WNET, 450 West 33rd Street, New York,
New York 10001, 202–356–5548. The
meeting will be adjourned at 5 p.m. The
Board will be addressed by National
Park Service Director Fran Mainella and
will receive the reports of its Education
Committee, Committee on Federal
Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit,
National Landmarks Committee,
Committee on Health and Recreation,
National Parks Science Committee,
Committee on Philanthropy, and
Partnerships Committee. The Board also
will be briefed concerning civic
engagement in the National Park
Service.
Other officials of the National Park
Service and the Department of the
Interior may address the Board, and
other miscellaneous topics and reports
may be covered. The order of the agenda
may be changed, if necessary, to
accommodate travel schedules or for
other reasons.
The Board meeting will be open to the
public. Space and facilities to
accommodate the public are limited and
attendees will be accommodated on a
first-come basis. Anyone may file with
the Board a written statement
concerning matters to be discussed. The
Board also may permit attendees to
address the Board, but may restrict the
length of the presentations, as necessary
to allow the Board to complete its
agenda within the allotted time.
Anyone who wishes further
information concerning the meeting, or
who wishes to submit a written
statement, may contact Mr. Loran
Fraser, Office of Policy, National Park
Service; 1849 C Street, NW., Room 7250;
Washington, DC 20240; telephone 202–
208–7456.
Draft minutes of the meeting will be
available for public inspection about 12
E:\FR\FM\15AUN1.SGM
15AUN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 156 (Monday, August 15, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47854-47855]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-16079]
[[Page 47854]]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Availability of a Record of Decision (ROD) on the Final
Environmental Impact Statement/General Management Plan (FEIS/GMP) for
Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Kentucky and
Tennessee (National Area)
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, 83 Stat. 852, 853, codified as amended at 42
U.S.C. 4332 (2)(C), as well as National Park Service (NPS) policy in
Director's Order 2 (Park Planning) and Director's Order 12
(Conservation Planning, Environmental Impact Analysis, and Decision-
making), the NPS announces the availability of the ROD for the FEIS/GMP
for the National Area. On May 26, 2005, the Southeast Regional Director
approved the ROD for the project. As soon as practicable, the NPS will
begin to implement the GMP, described as the Preferred Alternative
(Alternative D) in the FEIS issued on February 24, 2005.
Under the preferred alternative, a total of eight management zones
will be created for the National Area, each of which will be attended
with particularized management prescriptions. Overall, the level of
development and types of facilities proposed over the planning horizon
of 15 to 20 years will remain essentially the same as currently exists.
The notable exceptions include new sites in the southwest portion
of the National Area where NPS has been actively acquiring land in
recent years.
Under Alternative D, the NPS will devote considerable effort and
resources to improving the National Area's road and trail system. A
principal feature of Alternative D is a roads and trails plan that sets
forth the official road and trail system for the National Area.
Henceforth, public use of roads and trails will only be allowed on the
official system; all trails not expressly included as part of the
official system will be designated as administratively closed. In
addition, public use of a particular road or trail will be limited to
the designated use set forth in Alternative D, with certain limited
exceptions. Each road and trail in the official system will be
constructed and maintained in accordance with a standard that supports
the designated use(s) and also is consistent with desired resource
conditions in the surrounding area, or zone.
Alternative D increases the trail miles available to hikers,
equestrians, and bicyclists from the levels currently maintained by the
National Area. The official trail system includes trails specifically
dedicated to each of these user groups, plus a larger universe of
trails that are ``shared use.'' Generally speaking, designated horse
trails will also be open to hikers and bicyclists, while designated
bike trails will be open to both bicyclists and hikers. Specified
hiking trails will also be open to bicyclists in order to provide more
opportunities for this increasingly popular activity.
In implementing Alternative D, the NPS will continue the use of a
trail type known as ``multiple-use trail.'' In the National Area, this
trail type is typically known for allowing motor vehicles, horses,
hikers, and bicyclists on a single route maintained to trail rather
than road standards. Under Alternative D, persons driving motor
vehicles that are licensed and registered may use any multiple-use
trails that will accommodate such use. All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) will
generally not be permitted on any multiple-use trail, park road, or any
other trail type. However, visitors will be permitted to use ATVs on
multiple-use trails while actively hunting, during big game season
only. Multiple-use trails will be closed to ATVs at all other times of
the year. Big game season is defined for this purpose as the legal
season for white-tailed deer and, in jurisdictions where they are
regulated as ``big game,'' wild boar. Alternative D also provides that
ATV routes for year-round general recreational use may be designated
within ``planning areas'' identified for consideration of such use. The
plan includes two such planning areas in the Darrow Ridge area. These
planning areas will provide the opportunity to design an experimental
prototype system.
Under Alternative D, the route of the old O&W railroad will provide
continued passenger vehicle access to the O&W bridge from the east. The
route will be improved to the extent of providing safe passage. The NPS
will coordinate with Scott County on the necessary improvements to
achieve desired use and resource conditions. The O&W route west of
North White Oak Creek has been determined to be abandoned. This portion
of the route, extending to trail connections near the western boundary
of the National Area, will be a trail designated for foot, horse, and
bike use, as recommended by previous studies. The route will be brought
to a standard suitable for the intended trail uses.
Basis for Decision
In reaching the decision to select Alternative D, the NPS
considered the purposes for which the National Area was established and
other laws and policies that apply to lands in the National Area,
including the NPS Organic Act, NEPA, NPS Director's Order 12, and the
NPS Management Policies 2001. Alternative D has the greatest potential
of all four alternatives to preserve the unique resources of the
National Area while making available a wide range of recreational
opportunities to the visiting public. With eight management zones
specifically tailored to the diverse resources and facilities of the
National Area, Alternative D provides National Area management and the
public with a higher degree of information and guidance concerning
objectives, management, use, and development than do the other action
alternatives. In so doing, it offers the broadest level of resources
protection, interpretation, visitor services, and the optimum
opportunity for high quality visitor experiences. Therefore the NPS has
opted to select this alternative.
Findings on Impairment
The NPS has determined that implementation of Alternative D will
not constitute an impairment to the National Area's resources and
values. This conclusion is based on a thorough analysis of the
environmental impacts described in the EIS, the public comments
received, relevant scientific studies, and the professional judgment of
the decision-maker guided by the direction in the NPS Management
Policies. Overall, the FEIS/GMP results in benefits to National Area
resources and values and opportunities for their enjoyment, and it does
not result in their impairment.
DATES: The Record of Decision was signed by the Southeast Regional
Director on May 26, 2005. As soon as practicable, the NPS will begin to
implement the Preferred Alternative, listed as Alternative D in the
Final General Management Plan.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the ROD are available from the Superintendent, Big
South Fork NRRA, 4564 Leatherwood Ford Road, Oneida, TN 37841, or by
calling (423) 569-9778. An electronic copy of the Record of Decision is
available on the Internet at https://www.nps.gov/biso.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Reed Detring, Superintendent, Big
South Fork NRRA, 4564 Leatherwood Ford Road, Oneida, TN 37841.
Telephone: (423) 569-9778.
[[Page 47855]]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Copies of the ROD may be obtained from the
contact listed above.
The responsible official for this FEIS/GMP is Patricia A. Hooks,
Regional Director, Southeast Region, National Park Service, 100 Alabama
Street SW., 1924 Building, Atlanta, Georgia 30303.
Dated: July 1, 2005.
Patricia A. Hooks,
Regional Director, Southeast Region.
[FR Doc. 05-16079 Filed 8-12-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P
