Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the General Management Plan (GMP) for Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park in Tennessee and Georgia, 76054-76055 [E8-29520]

Download as PDF pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES 76054 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 241 / Monday, December 15, 2008 / Notices ability of the Park to effectively manage resources. The alternatives under consideration include a required ‘‘no-action’’ alternative plus five action alternatives. An alternative that addresses herd maintenance only is included as one of the action alternatives. These alternatives were developed by an interdisciplinary planning team and through feedback from the public, other Agencies, and the scientific community during the planning process. • Under alternative A (no action), existing management practices would be followed and no new management actions would be implemented beyond those available when the elk management planning process started. This would be limited to vegetation monitoring in elk use areas of the South Unit, as well as monitoring of the elk population. • Under alternative B, direct reduction with firearms would be used to reduce and maintain elk numbers consistent with the protection of the lightly-grazed system in the South Unit. • Under alternative C, the elk herd would be reduced and maintained using roundups and euthanasia at either offsite locations or the Park’s handling facility. • Under alternative D, the NPS would seek to reduce and maintain the elk population using translocation (roundup and relocation of animals to willing recipients outside the Park). • Under alternative E, the NPS would look to increase hunting opportunities outside the park, coordinated with State actions to reduce and maintain the elk population in the Park. • Under alternative F (maintenance only), the elk herd would initially be reduced using one of the other action alternatives, and then maintained by treating female elk with chemical fertility control agents to maintain the target elk population size. At this time, there are no fertility control agents that meet NPS criteria for use. However, ongoing research in other NPS units has indicated that use of such an agent at Theodore Roosevelt National Park could be feasible during the life of this plan. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Superintendent Naylor at the address above or by telephone at 701– 623–4466. Before including your address, telephone number, electronic mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comments, you should be aware that your entire comment (including your personal identifying information) may be made publicly available at any time. VerDate Aug<31>2005 20:00 Dec 12, 2008 Jkt 217001 While you can ask us in your comments to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Dated: December 4, 2008. Ernest Quintana, Regional Director, Midwest Region. [FR Doc. E8–29593 Filed 12–12–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–70–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the General Management Plan (GMP) for Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park in Tennessee and Georgia SUMMARY: Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and Director’s Order Number 12 (Conservation Planning, Environmental Impact Analysis, and Decision-Making) the NPS is preparing an EIS for a GMP for Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, located in Tennessee and Georgia. The GMP will prescribe the desired resource conditions and visitor experience opportunities that are to be achieved and maintained in the park over approximately the next 15 to 20 years. The park’s purpose, significance, special mandates, and relevant laws and policies directing park management will be reviewed and assessed to establish the foundation for the GMP. The GMP will build upon these foundation elements to determine the appropriate type, level and location for resource management activities, visitor use, and potential development. In consultation with the park’s stakeholders (i.e., government agencies, affiliated tribal representatives, partnership organizations, and other concerned members of the public), issues bearing on the long-term management of the park will be factored into the development of a reasonable range of management alternatives. The resource impacts and other anticipated consequences of implementing the planning alternatives will be assessed in the EIS. From initial discussions among NPS planners, park staff and partners, issues that are anticipated to be addressed by the GMP will include (but are not limited to) the following: Long-term management of the battlefield landscape to achieve objectives for restoring historic viewsheds and protecting PO 00000 Frm 00065 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 important cultural and natural resources; articulation of resource stewardship and visitor management prescriptions for the recently acquired Moccasin Bend National Archeological District; determination of a range of appropriate and compatible visitor activities in the park; and, identification of opportunities for collaboration and partnership with community leaders and other entities to ensure park values are understood and considered in local decision making (e.g., viewshed protection and adjacent land-use). DATES: Any comments on the scope of issues to be addressed in the GMP should be submitted no later than 30 days after public meetings. Public scoping meetings regarding the GMP will be held to allow an opportunity for stakeholders and other members of the public to bring issues and other concerns to the attention of the NPS planning team. Government-togovernment meetings with tribal representatives will also be held. Specific dates, times, and locations will be made available in the local media, on the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) Web site (https://parkplanning.nps.gov/chch), or by contacting the Superintendent of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. ADDRESSES: Information on the planning process and copies of newsletters will be available from the office of the Superintendent, Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, P.O. Box 2128, Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public and agency involvement will be solicited at several key steps in the planning process including initial scoping, alternatives development, and the draft plan. If you wish to comment on any issues associated with the GMP, you may submit your concerns to the planning team by any of several methods. You may mail comments to Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, P.O. Box 2128, Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia 30742. You may comment electronically at https:// parkplanning.nps.gov/chch. You may also hand-deliver comments to park headquarters located at 3370 LaFayette Road, Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia. Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, be advised 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 from public review your E:\FR\FM\15DEN1.SGM 15DEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 241 / Monday, December 15, 2008 / Notices personal identifying information, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Superintendent Shawn Benge, Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, P.O. Box 2128, Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742; phone: (423) 752–5213. The responsible official for this EIS is the Regional Director, Southeast Region, National Park Service, 100 Alabama Street, SW., 1924 Building, Atlanta, Georgia 30303. Authority: The authority for publishing this notice is contained in 40 CFR 1506.6. Dated: November 3, 2008. David Vela, Regional Director, Southeast Region, National Park Service. [FR Doc. E8–29520 Filed 12–12–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–70–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service Notice of Availability of Final General Management Plan/Wilderness Study/ Environmental Impact Statement for Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, MI National Park Service, Interior. Notice of Availability of Final General Management Plan/Wilderness Study/Environmental Impact Statement for Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, MI. AGENCY: ACTION: pwalker on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Service (NPS) announces the availability of the Final General Management Plan/Wilderness Study/ Environmental Impact Statement (GMP/ WS/EIS) for Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (Lakeshore), Michigan. DATES: The final GMP/WS/EIS will remain available for public review for 30 days following the publishing of the notice of availability in the Federal Register by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. ADDRESSES: Requests for copies of the Final GMP/WS/EIS should be sent to the Superintendent, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, 9922 Front Street, Empire, Michigan 49630–9797. You may also view the document via the Internet through the NPS Planning, Environment, and Public Comment Web site (https://parkplanning.nps.gov); simply click on the link to the Lakeshore. VerDate Aug<31>2005 20:00 Dec 12, 2008 Jkt 217001 The NPS prepared a draft GMP/WS/EIS for the Lakeshore, pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, combining the plan, wilderness study, and an environmental analysis of both. The GMP provides a framework for making decisions about and managing the national lakeshore’s resources and visitor use for the next 15–20 years. The WS produces a wilderness proposal that will be submitted to the NPS Director for approval and subsequently considered by the Department of the Interior, President, and Congress. The draft was made available for public review for 69 days, from April 7, 2008 to June 15, 2008. During that time, the NPS distributed over 700 copies of the draft. Sixteen presentations on the contents of the draft were made upon request to various groups during the comment period, with a total of 363 persons in attendance. The draft was also made available at the park offices, on the Internet, and at area libraries. Public hearings were held on June 3, 4, and 5, 2008, attended by a total of 196 persons. Comments were received from 292 persons on the document during the public review period. Comments from individuals, groups, and public agencies on the alternatives, the preferred alternative, and the environmentally preferred alternative were considered. The preferred alternative will provide for the preservation of natural resources, while offering opportunities for visitor enjoyment of natural, cultural, and recreational resources in a scenic outdoor setting. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Superintendent Shultz, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, at the address or telephone number above. Dated: September 26, 2008. Ernest Quintana, Director, Midwest Region. [FR Doc. E8–29514 Filed 12–12–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–HH–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service Final Environmental Impact Statement for the White-tailed Deer Management Plan, Catoctin Mountain Park, MD AGENCY: Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the White-tailed Deer Management ACTION: PO 00000 Frm 00066 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 76055 Plan, Catoctin Mountain Park, Maryland. SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Service (NPS) announces the availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the White-tailed Deer Management Plan (FEIS) for Catoctin Mountain Park in Thurmont, Maryland. The plan will support forest regeneration and provide for long-term protection, conservation, and restoration of native species and cultural landscapes at Catoctin Mountain Park. The document describes four management alternatives which include a no action alternative (continue existing management) and three action alternatives, one of which was identified as the preferred alternative. DATES: The Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the White-tailed Deer Management Plan was on public review from December 1, 2006, through February 2, 2007. Responses to public comments received during that review are addressed in the FEIS. A 30-day noaction period will follow the Environmental Protection Agency’s Notice of Availability of the FEIS. After the 30-day no-action period, a Record of Decision will be signed that will document NPS approval of the FEIS and identify the selected alternative for implementation. ADDRESSES: The FEIS will be available for public review online at the National Park Service Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) Web site at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/cato by selecting ‘‘Deer Management Plan for Catoctin Mountain Park.’’ Bound copies of the FEIS will also be available at the Catoctin Mountain Park Visitor Center which is located at the intersection of Maryland Route 77 and Park Central Road, and at Catoctin Mountain Park Headquarters which is located approximately two miles west of Thurmont on Maryland Route 77. Copies will also be available at the C. Burr Artz Public Library, 110 East Patrick Street, Frederick, Maryland 21701; the Thurmont Regional Library, 76 East Moser Road, Thurmont, Maryland 21788; the Washington County Free Library, 100 South Potomac Street, Hagerstown, Maryland 21740; and the Smithsburg Library, 66 West Water Street, Smithsburg, Maryland 21783. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Becky Loncosky, Park Biologist, at Catoctin Mountain Park, 6602 Foxville Road, Thurmont, Maryland 21788, by E:\FR\FM\15DEN1.SGM 15DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 241 (Monday, December 15, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76054-76055]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-29520]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS) for the General Management Plan (GMP) for Chickamauga and 
Chattanooga National Military Park in Tennessee and Georgia

SUMMARY: Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 and Director's Order Number 12 (Conservation 
Planning, Environmental Impact Analysis, and Decision-Making) the NPS 
is preparing an EIS for a GMP for Chickamauga and Chattanooga National 
Military Park, located in Tennessee and Georgia.
    The GMP will prescribe the desired resource conditions and visitor 
experience opportunities that are to be achieved and maintained in the 
park over approximately the next 15 to 20 years. The park's purpose, 
significance, special mandates, and relevant laws and policies 
directing park management will be reviewed and assessed to establish 
the foundation for the GMP. The GMP will build upon these foundation 
elements to determine the appropriate type, level and location for 
resource management activities, visitor use, and potential development. 
In consultation with the park's stakeholders (i.e., government 
agencies, affiliated tribal representatives, partnership organizations, 
and other concerned members of the public), issues bearing on the long-
term management of the park will be factored into the development of a 
reasonable range of management alternatives. The resource impacts and 
other anticipated consequences of implementing the planning 
alternatives will be assessed in the EIS.
    From initial discussions among NPS planners, park staff and 
partners, issues that are anticipated to be addressed by the GMP will 
include (but are not limited to) the following: Long-term management of 
the battlefield landscape to achieve objectives for restoring historic 
viewsheds and protecting important cultural and natural resources; 
articulation of resource stewardship and visitor management 
prescriptions for the recently acquired Moccasin Bend National 
Archeological District; determination of a range of appropriate and 
compatible visitor activities in the park; and, identification of 
opportunities for collaboration and partnership with community leaders 
and other entities to ensure park values are understood and considered 
in local decision making (e.g., viewshed protection and adjacent land-
use).

DATES: Any comments on the scope of issues to be addressed in the GMP 
should be submitted no later than 30 days after public meetings. Public 
scoping meetings regarding the GMP will be held to allow an opportunity 
for stakeholders and other members of the public to bring issues and 
other concerns to the attention of the NPS planning team. Government-
to-government meetings with tribal representatives will also be held. 
Specific dates, times, and locations will be made available in the 
local media, on the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) 
Web site (https://parkplanning.nps.gov/chch), or by contacting the 
Superintendent of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park.

ADDRESSES: Information on the planning process and copies of 
newsletters will be available from the office of the Superintendent, 
Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, P.O. Box 2128, Fort 
Oglethorpe, GA 30742.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public and agency involvement will be 
solicited at several key steps in the planning process including 
initial scoping, alternatives development, and the draft plan. If you 
wish to comment on any issues associated with the GMP, you may submit 
your concerns to the planning team by any of several methods. You may 
mail comments to Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, 
P.O. Box 2128, Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia 30742. You may comment 
electronically at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/chch. You may also hand-
deliver comments to park headquarters located at 3370 LaFayette Road, 
Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia. Before including your address, phone number, 
e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your 
comment, be advised 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 from public review 
your

[[Page 76055]]

personal identifying information, we cannot guarantee that we will be 
able to do so.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Superintendent Shawn Benge, 
Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, P.O. Box 2128, Fort 
Oglethorpe, GA 30742; phone: (423) 752-5213. The responsible official 
for this EIS is the Regional Director, Southeast Region, National Park 
Service, 100 Alabama Street, SW., 1924 Building, Atlanta, Georgia 
30303.

    Authority: The authority for publishing this notice is contained 
in 40 CFR 1506.6.

    Dated: November 3, 2008.
David Vela,
Regional Director, Southeast Region, National Park Service.
 [FR Doc. E8-29520 Filed 12-12-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P
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