Final Environmental Impact Statement; Wetland and Creek Restoration at Big Lagoon Golden Gate National Recreation Area; Marin County, California; Notice of Approval of Record of Decision, 10612-10613 [E9-5150]

Download as PDF rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES 10612 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 46 / Wednesday, March 11, 2009 / Notices most up-to-date information regarding the project, including project description, planning process updates, meeting notices, reports and documents, and useful links associated with the project. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Kalaupapa National Historical Park was established as a unit of the National Park System on December 22, 1980. The park is oriented toward patient privacy and maintaining the patients’ lifestyles, and the patients are guaranteed they may remain at Kalaupapa as long as they wish. These park purposes will continue for as long as there is a resident Hansen’s disease patient community at Kalaupapa. The park purpose also includes more ‘‘conventional’’ park purposes: to preserve and interpret the Kalaupapa Settlement for the education and inspiration of present and future generations; to research, preserve and maintain the historic structures and character of the community, as well as cultural values, Native Hawaiian remnants and natural features; and to provide limited visitation by the general public. Federally owned land at Kalaupapa NHP includes a lighthouse, 23 acres surrounding it, and 7 associated structures. The remainder of the park land is currently in non-Federal ownership, managed under a lease and a series of cooperative agreements mandated by legislation. The NPS currently has a fifty year lease agreement (with 35 years remaining) for the approximately 1300 acres of the Kalaupapa Settlement owned by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL). The remainder of the land is owned by the State of Hawaii. Formal 20-year cooperative agreements for management have been signed with the State of Hawaii Departments of Health (DOH), Transportation (DOT), and Land and Natural Resources (DLNR); the Roman Catholic Church; and the United Church of Christ. These mandated agreements allow for preservation of critical resources, but do not provide long-term rights and interests for the NPS. Fewer than twenty-five Hansen’s disease patients still reside at Kalaupapa, either in their own homes or at Kalaupapa’s hospital/care-home. Most of these patients are elderly and in poor health (youngest is presently in his late sixties). Thus, a very critical need is to engage the patients in dialog about the future that they envision when there no longer is a patient community residing in the park. Crafting this longrange future planning while the patients are yet able to participate and convey their ideas and vision of how they want VerDate Nov<24>2008 17:01 Mar 10, 2009 Jkt 217001 their story told in the future is a key element of the overall process. The current ‘‘Statement for Management’’ for Kalaupapa NHP was approved in August 1987. This document provides the primary guidance for management of the resources, operations and maintenance of the park. It was preceded by the ‘‘Proposal for the Establishment of Kalaupapa National Historical Preserve’’ (April 1980) which was labeled as the ‘‘General Management Plan’’ in December 1980. In addition, an approved 1984 Resource Management Plan which provided then-available resource management direction needs to be updated. The legislation establishing the park specifically directs a reevaluation of park management: ‘‘At such time when there is no longer a resident patient community at Kalaupapa, the Secretary shall reevaluate the policies governing the management, administration, and public use of the park in order to identify any changes deemed to be appropriate.’’ (Pub. L. 95–565, section 109). This is the time to begin that process. Kalaupapa NHP needs guidance for a dramatic and fundamental change in park management that will occur in the near future. As long as Hansen’s disease patients remain at Kalaupapa, park operations are subservient to services and health care for the patients, patient privacy, and maintaining patients’ lifestyles. The State Department of Health has substantial control over activities in Kalaupapa. Visitation is restricted to 100 people per day, no children are allowed, and the law gives patients the right of first refusal to provide visitor services. Once Kalaupapa is no longer a home and safe haven for the rapidly declining Hansen’s disease population, the fundamental management direction of the park will change, and the NPS needs to be in a position to influence these changes. A GMP is needed to establish the vision for what the park will be like when there no longer are patients residing there. The GMP will help the NPS set the agenda for discussions, negotiations and collaboration with Kalaupapa’s land owners and managers, funding agencies, local Hansen’s disease residents and other partners to ensure the long term protection of important resources at Kalaupapa. Decision Process: Following the scoping phase and consideration of public concerns and other agency comments, a Draft EIS for the GMP will be prepared and released for public review. Availability of the forthcoming Draft EIS for public review and PO 00000 Frm 00085 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 comment will be similarly announced through the Federal Register. Following due consideration of all agency and public comment, a Final EIS will be prepared. As a delegated EIS, the official responsible for the final decision on the proposed plan is the Regional Director, Pacific West Region, National Park Service. Subsequently, the official responsible for implementation of the approved plan is the Superintendent, Kalaupapa National Historical Park. It is anticipated that the final plan will be available in 2013. Dated: January 29, 2009. Cynthia L. Ip, Acting Regional Director. [FR Doc. E9–5146 Filed 3–10–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–70–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service Final Environmental Impact Statement; Wetland and Creek Restoration at Big Lagoon Golden Gate National Recreation Area; Marin County, California; 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 CFR1505.2), the Department of the Interior, National Park Service has prepared and approved a Record of Decision for the Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS) for Wetland and Creek Restoration at Big Lagoon, Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The requisite no-action ‘‘wait period’’ was initiated December 21, 2007, with the Environmental Protection Agency’s Federal Register notification of the filing of the Final EIS. Decision: As soon as practical Golden Gate National Recreation Area, in cooperation with the County of Marin, will begin to implement restoration strategies and park and area improvements identified and analyzed as the Preferred Alternative presented in the Final EIS (with minor modifications from the course of action as presented in the EIS, based upon final consultations with partner agencies). The full range of foreseeable environmental consequences was assessed, and appropriate mitigation measures identified. Both a No Action alternative and multiple ‘‘action’’ alternatives were identified and analyzed (three restoration alternatives, six public access alternatives, four bridge alternatives, and five fill disposal E:\FR\FM\11MRN1.SGM 11MRN1 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 46 / Wednesday, March 11, 2009 / Notices alternatives). The selected alternative was deemed to be the ‘‘environmentally preferred’’ course of action. Copies: Interested parties desiring to review the Record of Decision may obtain a copy by contacting the Superintendent, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Building 201, Fort Mason, San Francisco, CA 94123 or via telephone request at (415) 561–2841. Dated: November 25, 2008. Jonathan B. Jarvis, Regional Director, Pacific West Region. [FR Doc. E9–5150 Filed 3–10–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–70–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service Notice of Intent To Prepare a General Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement for Buffalo National River, Arkansas National Park Service, Interior. Notice of Intent to Prepare a General Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement for Buffalo National River, Arkansas. AGENCY: rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES ACTION: SUMMARY: Under the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the National Park Service (NPS) is preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the General Management Plan (GMP) for Buffalo National River, Arkansas. The GMP/EIS will establish the overall direction for Buffalo National River by setting broad management goals for managing the area over the next 15 to 20 years. DATES: Participation in the planning process will be encouraged and facilitated by various means, including newsletters and public meetings. The NPS will conduct public scoping meetings to explain the planning process and to solicit opinion about issues to address in the GMP/EIS. Notification of the specific dates, times, and locations of all such meetings will be announced in the local media, in NPS newsletters, on the park’s Web site at https://www.nps.gov/buff, and on the NPS’s Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) Web site at https://parkplanning.nps.gov. ADDRESSES: Additionally, anyone who wishes to comment on any issues associated with the GMP may submit comments by any one of several methods. One may mail or hand-deliver comments to Superintendent, Buffalo National River, 402 North Walnut, Harrison, Arkansas, 72601–1173. Comments also may be provided VerDate Nov<24>2008 17:01 Mar 10, 2009 Jkt 217001 electronically on the PEPC Web site at the address above. Additionally, information will be available for public review and comment from the Office of the Superintendent at the above address. Requests to be added to the project mailing list should be sent by mail to Superintendent—GMP, Buffalo National River, 402 North Walnut, Harrison, Arkansas, 72601–1173 or by email to BUFF_Superintendent@nps.gov (please put ‘‘GMP’’ in the subject line). Before including an address, telephone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in the comments, 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. We will make all submissions from organizations or businesses, or from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, available for public inspection in their entirety. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Superintendent Kevin Cheri, Buffalo National River, 402 North Walnut, Harrison, Arkansas, 72601–1173, telephone 870–365–2700. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Buffalo National River, located in northwestern Arkansas, was established as America’s first National River in 1972 to conserve and interpret an area containing unique scenic and scientific features, and to preserve as a free-flowing stream an important segment of the Buffalo River in Arkansas. Buffalo National River is currently operating under a 1977 Master Plan, which is seriously outdated, not only because of additions to the infrastructure, but because of current issues that were not addressed previously and that require new management direction. Buffalo National River also needs to identify major program areas and provide a context for activities and program planning. The GMP/EIS will prescribe the resource conditions and visitor experiences that are to be achieved and maintained, based on such factors as Buffalo National River’s purpose, significance, special mandates, the body of laws and policies directing its management, resource analysis, and the range of public expectations and concerns. The GMP/EIS will outline the kinds of resource management activities, visitor activities, and development that would be appropriate at Buffalo National River in the future. PO 00000 Frm 00086 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 10613 A range of reasonable management alternatives will be developed through this planning process and will include, at minimum, a No-Action Alternative and a Preferred Alternative. Major issues the document will address include protection and management of cultural and natural resources, management of expired use and occupancy tracts, effects of adjacent land uses on Buffalo National River’s resources, increased visitation and changing use patterns, commercial services, and future recreational opportunities. To facilitate sound planning and environmental analysis, the NPS intends to gather information necessary for the preparation of the EIS and obtain suggestions and information from other Agencies and the public on the scope of issues to be addressed in the EIS. Comments and participation in this scoping process are invited. All interested persons, organizations, agencies, and Tribes are encouraged to submit comments and suggestions on issues and concerns that should be addressed in the GMP/EIS and the range of appropriate alternatives that should be examined. Dated: February 4, 2009. David N. Given, Acting Regional Director, Midwest Region. [FR Doc. E9–5144 Filed 3–10–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–70–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service Notice of Intent to Repatriate a Cultural Item: San Diego Museum of Man, San Diego, CA National Park Service, Interior. Notice. AGENCY: ACTION: Notice is here given in accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), 25 U.S.C. 3005, of the intent to repatriate a cultural item in the possession of the San Diego Museum of Man, San Diego, CA, that meets the definition of ‘‘object of cultural patrimony’’ under 25 U.S.C. 3001. This notice is published as part of the National Park Service’s administrative responsibilities under NAGPRA, 25 U.S.C. 3003 (d)(3). The determinations in this notice are the sole responsibility of the museum, institution, or Federal agency that has control of the cultural item. The National Park Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice. E:\FR\FM\11MRN1.SGM 11MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 46 (Wednesday, March 11, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10612-10613]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-5150]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Final Environmental Impact Statement; Wetland and Creek 
Restoration at Big Lagoon Golden Gate National Recreation Area; Marin 
County, California; 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 CFR1505.2), the Department of 
the Interior, National Park Service has prepared and approved a Record 
of Decision for the Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS) 
for Wetland and Creek Restoration at Big Lagoon, Golden Gate National 
Recreation Area. The requisite no-action ``wait period'' was initiated 
December 21, 2007, with the Environmental Protection Agency's Federal 
Register notification of the filing of the Final EIS.
    Decision: As soon as practical Golden Gate National Recreation 
Area, in cooperation with the County of Marin, will begin to implement 
restoration strategies and park and area improvements identified and 
analyzed as the Preferred Alternative presented in the Final EIS (with 
minor modifications from the course of action as presented in the EIS, 
based upon final consultations with partner agencies). The full range 
of foreseeable environmental consequences was assessed, and appropriate 
mitigation measures identified. Both a No Action alternative and 
multiple ``action'' alternatives were identified and analyzed (three 
restoration alternatives, six public access alternatives, four bridge 
alternatives, and five fill disposal

[[Page 10613]]

alternatives). The selected alternative was deemed to be the 
``environmentally preferred'' course of action.
    Copies: Interested parties desiring to review the Record of 
Decision may obtain a copy by contacting the Superintendent, Golden 
Gate National Recreation Area, Building 201, Fort Mason, San Francisco, 
CA 94123 or via telephone request at (415) 561-2841.

    Dated: November 25, 2008.
Jonathan B. Jarvis,
Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
 [FR Doc. E9-5150 Filed 3-10-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P
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