General Management Plan Amendment, Environmental Impact Statement, Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona, 19248-19249 [E8-7409]

Download as PDF mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES 19248 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 69 / Wednesday, April 9, 2008 / Notices of Congressional intent, aircraft noise levels, and national airspace safety and efficiency, this clarification of the restoration definition is necessary to address the noise of all aircraft while distinguishing how the substantial restoration of natural quiet will be achieved at and below 17,999 feet MSL within the Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA) and above the SFRA. The NPS recognizes that due to the impacts of aviation noise on park resources and the visitor experience, even with implementation of quiet technology aircraft, restoration of the natural quiet as defined in the 1995 Report to Congress will not be achieved without reduction of the sounds produced by jet traffic above 17,999. The 1995 Report to Congress concluded that SFAR 50–2 had not resulted in substantial restoration of natural quiet in Grand Canyon National Park and continued growth in air traffic may diminish or negate progress to date. The report looked at air tour, military, general aviation and high altitude commercial overflights and found that the major aircraft noise impacts on natural quiet came from air tour activity and high flying commercial jet traffic. Low flying general aviation and military overflights were thought to contribute little to the overall aircraft noise impacts. As discussed in the Report to Congress, high altitude jets were known to be a noise issue that the FAA needed to address. In particular it was recommended in the report that (1) FAA not authorize any deviations from normal high altitude routes for sightseeing purposes; (2) FAA not authorize deviations from normal flight plans and cruising altitudes over the Grand Canyon for other than safety reasons; and (3) that FAA conduct a study on high altitude commercial jet routes that may also have impacts on natural quiet in the park. Consequently, subsequent regulations focused on the regulation of air tour and related operations. In 2005 and 2006, the GCNP initiated a soundscape monitoring and data collection effort to verify the accuracy of the earlier acoustic science and methodologies used since the early 1980’s (see discussion in 64 FR 38006– 38007) and to determine the natural ambient conditions for most of the park area. NPS noise modeling results predicted that over 96% of the park area had aircraft noise audible for over 25% of the 12-hour day; however, there were notable differences between air tour aircraft flying at lower altitudes within the SFRA and high altitude (primarily commercial) aircraft flying above the SFRA. Low flying air tour aircraft generated more noise at ground level, VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:06 Apr 08, 2008 Jkt 214001 but could meet the threshold of the substantial restoration goal. Higher altitude aircraft generated lower levels of noise at ground level, but produced broader areas of audibility. The broader geographic coverage of audibility of high altitude aircraft noise made achieving the NPS percentage goals of substantially restoring natural quiet to the Grand Canyon unattainable from a practical standpoint, no matter how few air tour and general aviation operations occurred within the SFAR and over the park. GCNP noise monitoring results in 2005 supported the model predictions. The time jet aircraft (above 17,999 feet MSL) were audible ranged between 22% and 35% of the day at four sites in remote backcountry locations.4 These results are similar to those reported by Harris Miller Miller and Hanson, Inc. in 2004 where the average percentages of time high altitude jet traffic were audible was 34.4%.5 In 2006, the FAA retained MITRE Corporation CAASD to conduct a study on the feasibility of implementing a flight free zone over the heart of GCNP for flights above 17,999 feet MSL, and adjusting traffic routes that would avoid a large and very important portion of the Grand Canyon. The unpublished study titled ‘‘Impact from Restricting Flights From Grand Canyon Airspace’’ 6 determined that ‘‘routing of commercial aviation would have a significant impact on the users of the airspace, would add thousands of extra miles and flying minutes to the routes, and safety of the airspace and operation would be negatively impacted through increased complexity and risks.’’ From the results of the MITRE study, the FAA determined that a flight free zone for high altitude aircraft over the Grand Canyon would adversely affect the safety and efficiency of the national airspace system. Based on the data provided through the various NPS studies and the MITRE report, the NPS acknowledges that the definition of substantial restoration of natural quiet needs clarification to distinguish the goals within and above the SFRA, while at the same time considering the noise from all aircraft in 4 National Park Service (2007) Report on Winter Ambient Sound Levels in Grand Canyon National Park, Report No.GRCA–07–02. 5 Ross, J., Menge, C., and Miller. N.P. (2004) Percentage of time jet aircraft are audible in Grand Canyon National Park. Harris Miller Miller and Hanson, Inc., For NPS–HMMH Job No. 295860.044). 6 Abrahamsen, T.R., Marani. G.F., and Bearer, R., (2006) Impact on Restricting Flights From Grand Canyon Airspace. The MITRE Corporation CAASD for the Federal Aviation Administration and National Park Service, Report No. F063–B06–050, Presented to the Grand Canyon Working Group, September 2006. PO 00000 Frm 00063 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 order to comply with the Overflights Act and the 2002 D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals decision. This notice clarifies that through the application of law and policy, the NPS is clarifying that ‘‘(a) Substantial restoration of natural quiet at GCNP is achieved when the reduction of noise from aircraft operations at or below 17,999 feet MSL results in 50% or more of the park achieving restoration of the natural quiet (i.e., no aircraft audible) for 75% to 100% of the day, each and every day; and (b) the NPS defines the substantial restoration of natural quiet, from all aircraft above 17,999 feet MSL, to mean that there will be an overall reduction in aviation noise generated above 17,999 feet MSL above the park over time through the implementation of specific measures in accordance with commitments made by FAA to the NPS. The NPS also clarifies that 50% of the park is a minimum in the restoration goal. Dated: January 16, 2008. Hal J. Grovert, Acting Regional Director, Intermountain Region, National Park Service. [FR Doc. E8–7410 Filed 4–8–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4312–ED–M DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service General Management Plan Amendment, Environmental Impact Statement, Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona National Park Service, Department of the Interior. ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for a General Management Plan amendment, Petrified Forest National Park. AGENCY: SUMMARY: Under the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Service is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a General Management Plan (GMP) amendment for Petrified Forest National Park. The park is currently managed under a GMP that was completed in 1993. This plan describes a proposed boundary expansion for the park of approximately 93,000 acres. However, the 1993 GMP does not prescribe management for the proposed addition lands. The GMP was revised in 2004 to address specific aspects of the park’s management; this GMP Revision also does not address management activities for proposed addition lands. E:\FR\FM\09APN1.SGM 09APN1 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 69 / Wednesday, April 9, 2008 / Notices Public Law 108–430 was passed by Congress and signed by the President in December 2004. This Act expanded Petrified Forest National Park boundaries by approximately 125,000 acres, and directed the NPS to prepare a management plan for the new park lands within three years. Planning for the new lands is the focus of this GMP amendment and associated EIS. The GMP amendment will establish the overall direction for park addition lands, setting broad management goals for the area for the next 15 to 20 years. Among the topics that will be addressed are protection of natural and cultural resources, protection of riparian resources, appropriate range of visitor uses, impacts of visitor uses, adequacy of park infrastructure, visitor access to the park additions area, education and interpretive efforts, and external pressures on the park. Management zones that were established in the current GMP will be applied to addition lands. These zones outline the kinds of resource management activities, visitor activities, and developments that would be appropriate in the addition lands. A range of reasonable alternatives for managing the park, including a noaction alternative and a preferred alternative, will be developed through the planning process and included in the EIS. The EIS will evaluate the potential environmental impacts of the alternatives. As the first phase of the planning and EIS process, the National Park Service is beginning to scope the issues to be addressed in the GMP amendment. All interested persons, organizations, and agencies are encouraged to submit comments and suggestions regarding the issues or concerns the GMP amendment should address, including a suitable range of alternatives and appropriate mitigating measures, and the nature and extent of potential environmental impacts. Written comments on the scope of the GMP amendment/EIS will be accepted for 60 days beyond the publication of this Notice of Intent. In addition, a public scoping session will be held in Holbrook, Arizona in the Spring of 2008. The location, date, and time of this meeting will be provided in local and regional newspapers, and on the Internet at https://parkplanning/ nps.gov/pefo. ADDRESSES: Written comments or requests to be added to the project mailing list should be directed to: Cliff Spencer, Superintendent, Petrified Forest National Park, P.O. Box 2217, Petrified Forest, AZ 86028; telephone mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES DATES: VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:06 Apr 08, 2008 Jkt 214001 (928) 524–6228; e-mail: https:// parkplanning/nps.gov/pefo. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Cliff Spencer, Superintendent, Petrified Forest National Park, P.O. Box 2217, Petrified Forest, AZ 86028; telephone (928) 524–6228. General information about Petrified Forest National Park is available on the Internet at https://www.nps.gov/pefo. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Please submit Internet comments as a text file, avoiding the use of special characters and any form of encryption. Before including your address, phone number, e-mail 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. Dated: March 21, 2008. Michael D. Snyder, Regional Director, Intermountain Region, National Park Service. [FR Doc. E8–7409 Filed 4–8–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–7V–M INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION [Investigation Nos. 701–TA–448 and 731– TA–1117 (Final)] Certain Off-the-Road Tires From China United States International Trade Commission. ACTION: Revised schedule for the subject investigations. AGENCY: DATES: Effective Date: April 3, 2008. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Haines (202–205–3200), Office of Investigations, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20436. Hearingimpaired persons can obtain information on this matter by contacting the Commission’s TDD terminal on 202– 205–1810. Persons with mobility impairments who will need special assistance in gaining access to the Commission should contact the Office of the Secretary at 202–205–2000. General information concerning the Commission may also be obtained by accessing its Internet server (https:// www.usitc.gov). The public record for these investigations may be viewed on the Commission’s electronic docket (EDIS) at https://edis.usitc.gov. PO 00000 Frm 00064 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 19249 Effective February 20, 2008, the Commission established a schedule for the conduct of the final phase of the subject investigations (73 FR 11437, March 3, 2008). One party to these investigations has identified a substantial conflict with respect to its ability to participate in the hearing. Accordingly, at the request of that party and after consideration of the positions of the other parties to the investigations, the Commission is revising its schedule. The Commission’s new schedule for the investigations is as follows: requests to appear at the hearing must be filed with the Secretary to the Commission not later than June 27, 2008; the prehearing conference will be held at the U.S. International Trade Commission Building at 9:30 a.m. on July 3, 2008; the prehearing staff report will be placed in the nonpublic record on June 20, 2008; the deadline for filing prehearing briefs is June 27, 2008; the hearing will be held at the U.S. International Trade Commission Building at 9:30 a.m. on July 8, 2008; the deadline for filing posthearing briefs is July 15, 2008; the Commission will make its final release of information on August 5, 2008; and final party comments are due on August 7, 2008. For further information concerning these investigations see the Commission’s notice cited above and the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure, part 201, subparts A through E (19 CFR part 201), and part 207, subparts A and C (19 CFR part 207). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Authority: These investigations are being conducted under authority of title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930; this notice is published pursuant to section 207.21 of the Commission’s rules. By order of the Commission. Dated: April 3, 2008. Marilyn R. Abbott, Secretary to the Commission. [FR Doc. E8–7426 Filed 4–8–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7020–02–P DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Notice of Lodging Proposed Consent Decree In accordance with Departmental Policy, 28 CFR 50.7, notice is hereby given that a proposed Consent Decree in United States v. Freeway Land Co., Civ. No. 07–1819–JO (D. Or.) was lodged with the United States District Court for the District of Oregon on March 27, 2008. This proposed Consent Decree concerns a complaint filed by the E:\FR\FM\09APN1.SGM 09APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 69 (Wednesday, April 9, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19248-19249]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-7409]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


General Management Plan Amendment, Environmental Impact 
Statement, Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona

AGENCY: National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
for a General Management Plan amendment, Petrified Forest National 
Park.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Under the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act 
of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Service is preparing 
an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a General Management Plan 
(GMP) amendment for Petrified Forest National Park.
    The park is currently managed under a GMP that was completed in 
1993. This plan describes a proposed boundary expansion for the park of 
approximately 93,000 acres. However, the 1993 GMP does not prescribe 
management for the proposed addition lands. The GMP was revised in 2004 
to address specific aspects of the park's management; this GMP Revision 
also does not address management activities for proposed addition 
lands.

[[Page 19249]]

    Public Law 108-430 was passed by Congress and signed by the 
President in December 2004. This Act expanded Petrified Forest National 
Park boundaries by approximately 125,000 acres, and directed the NPS to 
prepare a management plan for the new park lands within three years. 
Planning for the new lands is the focus of this GMP amendment and 
associated EIS.
    The GMP amendment will establish the overall direction for park 
addition lands, setting broad management goals for the area for the 
next 15 to 20 years. Among the topics that will be addressed are 
protection of natural and cultural resources, protection of riparian 
resources, appropriate range of visitor uses, impacts of visitor uses, 
adequacy of park infrastructure, visitor access to the park additions 
area, education and interpretive efforts, and external pressures on the 
park. Management zones that were established in the current GMP will be 
applied to addition lands. These zones outline the kinds of resource 
management activities, visitor activities, and developments that would 
be appropriate in the addition lands.
    A range of reasonable alternatives for managing the park, including 
a no-action alternative and a preferred alternative, will be developed 
through the planning process and included in the EIS. The EIS will 
evaluate the potential environmental impacts of the alternatives.
    As the first phase of the planning and EIS process, the National 
Park Service is beginning to scope the issues to be addressed in the 
GMP amendment. All interested persons, organizations, and agencies are 
encouraged to submit comments and suggestions regarding the issues or 
concerns the GMP amendment should address, including a suitable range 
of alternatives and appropriate mitigating measures, and the nature and 
extent of potential environmental impacts.

DATES: Written comments on the scope of the GMP amendment/EIS will be 
accepted for 60 days beyond the publication of this Notice of Intent. 
In addition, a public scoping session will be held in Holbrook, Arizona 
in the Spring of 2008. The location, date, and time of this meeting 
will be provided in local and regional newspapers, and on the Internet 
at https://parkplanning/nps.gov/pefo.

ADDRESSES: Written comments or requests to be added to the project 
mailing list should be directed to: Cliff Spencer, Superintendent, 
Petrified Forest National Park, P.O. Box 2217, Petrified Forest, AZ 
86028; telephone (928) 524-6228; e-mail: https://parkplanning/nps.gov/
pefo.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Cliff Spencer, Superintendent, 
Petrified Forest National Park, P.O. Box 2217, Petrified Forest, AZ 
86028; telephone (928) 524-6228. General information about Petrified 
Forest National Park is available on the Internet at https://
www.nps.gov/pefo.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Please submit Internet comments as a text 
file, avoiding the use of special characters and any form of 
encryption. Before including your address, phone number, e-mail 
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.

    Dated: March 21, 2008.
Michael D. Snyder,
Regional Director, Intermountain Region, National Park Service.
 [FR Doc. E8-7409 Filed 4-8-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-7V-M

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