Notice of Availability Draft Environmental Impact Statement and White-Tailed Deer Management Plan; Rock Creek Park, Washington, DC, 33276-33277 [E9-16328]
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 131 / Friday, July 10, 2009 / Notices
Dated: June 29, 2009.
Michael J. Ryan,
Regional Director, Great Plains Region.
[FR Doc. E9–16043 Filed 7–9–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–MN–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
General Management Plan,
Environmental Impact Statement,
Assateague Island National Seashore,
Maryland and Virginia
sroberts on DSKD5P82C1PROD with NOTICES
AGENCY: National Park Service,
Department of the Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Intent To Prepare a
General Management Plan and
Environmental Impact Statement,
Assateague Island National Seashore.
22:16 Jul 09, 2009
Jkt 217001
Information related to the
GMP/EIS planning process and ongoing
public involvement opportunities will
be provided online at the AINS Web site
(https://www.nps.gov/asis) and on the
NPS PEPC Web site (https://
parkplanning.nps.gov/asis). Requests to
be added to the project mailing list may
be made electronically through the NPS
PEPC Web site or by directing requests
to the contacts listed below.
ADDRESSES:
SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(C)
of the National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA) of 1969, the National Park
Service is preparing a General
Management Plan and Environmental
Impact Statement (GMP/EIS) for the
Assateague Island National Seashore
(AINS). The park comprises
approximately 39,727 acres, located
along the Atlantic coasts of Maryland
and Virginia.
Prepared by park staff and planners in
the NPS Northeast Region, with
assistance from advisors and
consultants, the GMP/EIS will propose
a long-term approach to managing the
AINS. Consistent with the park’s
purpose, NPS policy, and other laws
and regulations, alternatives will be
developed to guide the management of
the park over the next 15 to 20 years.
The GMP/EIS will address a range of
management alternatives for natural and
cultural resource protection, visitor use
and interpretation, park carrying
capacity, facilities development and
operations. A ‘‘no action’’ alternative
will also be considered and an agency
preferred management alternative
identified. The alternatives will
incorporate various zoning and
management prescriptions to ensure
resource preservation and public
appreciation of the park. The
environmental consequences that could
result from implementing the various
alternatives will be evaluated for
cultural and natural resources, visitor
experience, park operations, and the
socioeconomic environment. Major
issues to be explored include: measures
for the preservation of resources;
indications of the types and general
intensities of development;
identification of, and implementation
commitments for, visitor carrying
VerDate Nov<24>2008
capacities; and indications of potential
boundary modifications.
Meeting Notices: The public is invited
to express views, issues and concerns
about the long-term management of the
AINS early in the process through
public meetings and other media; and
will have an opportunity to review and
comment on a draft GMP/EIS. Public
scoping meetings will be announced by
the NPS and noticed in local
newspapers serving the area. Scoping
and other periodic public meeting
notices and information regarding the
GMP/EIS will also be placed on the NPS
Planning, Environment and Public
Comment (PEPC) Web site (https://
parkplanning.nps.gov/asis) for
continuing public review and comment.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Trish Kicklighter, Superintendent,
Assateague Island National Seashore,
7206 National Seashore Lane, Berlin,
MD 21811, Telephone: 410–641–1443.
Megan Lang, Community Planner/
Project Manager, National Park
Service, Park Planning and Special
Studies, 200 Chestnut Street,
Philadelphia, PA 19106, Telephone:
215 597–8875.
If you
wish to comment on the GMP/EIS, you
may submit your comments by any one
of several methods. You may mail
comments to contacts listed above or
you may submit comments
electronically through the NPS PEPC
Web site (https://parkplanning.nps.gov/
asis). 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.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Dennis R. Reidenbach,
Regional Director, Northeast Region, National
Park Service.
[FR Doc. E9–16327 Filed 7–9–09; 8:45 am]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Availability Draft
Environmental Impact Statement and
White-Tailed Deer Management Plan;
Rock Creek Park, Washington, DC
AGENCY: National Park Service,
Department of the Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Availability of a Draft
Environmental Impact Statement and
White-Tailed Deer Management Plan for
Rock Creek Park, Washington, DC.
SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42
U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park
Service announces the availability of a
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
(DEIS) and White-tailed Deer
Management Plan for Rock Creek Park,
Washington, District of Columbia. The
White-tailed Deer Management Plan
will support long-term protection,
preservation, and restoration of native
vegetation and other natural and
cultural resources in Rock Creek Park.
The DEIS describes four management
alternatives, including the No Action
Alternative (continue existing
management) and three Action
Alternatives, one of which is identified
as the preferred alternative.
DATES: A Notice of Intent (NOI) was
published in the Federal Register on
September 20, 2006 (71 FR 182). A 60day comment period was begun when
the NOI was published. Public scoping
meetings were held at the Rock Creek
Park Nature Center November 1–2,
2006. Responses to public comment are
addressed in the DEIS. The NPS will
accept public comments on the DEIS
until September 8, 2009. In addition,
public meetings will be conducted at
the Rock Creek Park Nature Center.
Details on these public meetings will be
available in local newspapers, on the
NPS Web site https://www.nps.gov/rocr,
or by contacting staff at Rock Creek Park
by telephone at (202) 895–6000.
ADDRESSES: The DEIS and White-tailed
Deer Management Plan will be available
for public review on the NPS Planning,
Environment and Public Comment
(PEPC) Web site at https://
parkplanning.nps.gov/rocr by selecting
the link ‘‘Deer Management Plan for
Rock Creek Park.’’ Bound copies of the
DEIS and White-tailed Deer
Management Plan will also be available
at the Rock Creek Park Nature Center,
5200 Glover Road, NW., Washington,
DC; at Rock Creek Park Headquarters,
3545 Williamsburg Lane, NW.,
Washington, DC; and at public libraries
adjacent to Rock Creek Park.
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 131 / Friday, July 10, 2009 / Notices
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Adrienne A. Coleman, Superintendent,
Rock Creek Park, 3545 Williamsburg
Lane, NW., Washington, DC 20008,
(202) 895–6000.
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.
Although 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,
businesses, or individuals identifying
themselves as representatives or
officials of organizations or businesses,
available for public inspection in their
entirety.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The DEIS
evaluates four alternatives for managing
white-tailed deer in the park. The
document describes and analyzes the
environmental impacts of the No-Action
Alternative and three Action
Alternatives. When approved, the plan
will guide deer management actions in
Rock Creek Park over the next 15 years.
Alternative A (No Action) would
continue the existing deer management
actions and policies of monitoring
vegetation, deer density and relative
numbers, using limited protection
fencing and deer repellents to protect
rare plants in natural areas and small
areas in landscaped and cultural areas,
data management, continuing current
educational and interpretive measures,
as well as inter-jurisdictional
communication; no new deer
management actions would be
implemented.
Alternative B would include all
actions described under Alternative A,
but would incorporate several nonlethal actions to protect forest seedlings,
promote forest regeneration, and
gradually reduce the deer numbers in
the park. Additional actions under
Alternative B would include large-scale
exclosures (fencing) and reproductive
control of does via sterilization and
immunocontraceptives when feasible.
Alternative C would include all
actions described under Alternative A,
but would also incorporate two lethal
deer management actions to reduce the
herd size. Additional actions under
Alternative C would include reduction
of the deer herd by either sharpshooting
or capture and euthanasia of individual
deer. Capture and euthanasia of
individual deer would be an approach
used in limited circumstances where
sharpshooting may not be appropriate.
VerDate Nov<24>2008
22:16 Jul 09, 2009
Jkt 217001
Alternative D (the NPS Preferred
Alternative) would include all actions
described under Alternative A, but
would also include a combination of
certain additional lethal and non-lethal
actions from Alternatives B and C to
reduce deer herd numbers. The lethal
actions would include both
sharpshooting and capture/euthanasia
and would be taken initially to quickly
reduce the deer herd numbers.
Population maintenance would be
conducted via reproductive control
methods if these are available and
feasible. Sharpshooting would be used
as a default option for maintenance if
reproductive control methods would
prove to be unavailable and infeasible.
Alternative D would fully meet the plan
objectives and has more certainty of
success than the other alternatives
analyzed. The relatively rapid reduction
in both deer density and browsing
pressure on native plant communities
and species of special concern would
provide beneficial impacts to the natural
and cultural resources of the park.
Dated: May 1, 2009.
Margaret O’Dell,
Regional Director, National Capital Region.
[FR Doc. E9–16328 Filed 7–9–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312–34–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Availability of a Record of
Decision, White-tailed Deer
Management Plan and Final
Environmental Impact Statement
Catoctin Mountain Park, MD
AGENCY: National Park Service,
Department of the Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Availability of a
Record of Decision on the White-tailed
Deer Management Plan/Final
Environmental Impact Statement for
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 announces the availability of the
Record of Decision for the White-tailed
Deer Management Plan/Final
Environmental Impact Statement (Plan/
FEIS) for Catoctin Mountain Park,
Maryland. The Plan/FEIS analyzed four
alternatives. Alternative C, the selected
alternative, includes two lethal actions
that will be used in combination to
reduce and control deer herd numbers.
Qualified federal employees or
contractors will conduct sharpshooting
to reduce the deer population, and
individual deer will be captured and
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33277
euthanized in certain circumstances
where sharpshooting is not appropriate.
DATES: The Record of Decision for the
project was approved on April 17, 2009,
by the Regional Director, National
Capital Region, National Park Service.
As soon as practicable, the National
Park Service will begin to implement
the Preferred Alternative contained in
the Final Environmental Impact
Statement issued on December 12, 2008.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Copies of the Record of Decision may be
obtained from Becky Loncosky, Park
Biologist, Catoctin Mountain Park, 6602
Foxville Road, Thurmont, Maryland
21788, (301) 416–0135, or Online at
https://parkplanning.nps.gov/cato.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Alternative A was the No Action
Alternative studied by the Plan/EIS. The
three Action Alternatives each used
different combinations of non-lethal and
lethal management tools to reduce the
deer population and thus address
declining forest regeneration and ensure
that natural processes (including the
presence of deer) support native
vegetation, wildlife, and the cultural
landscape of the park.
All Action Alternatives included
limited fencing, use of repellents around
landscaped areas, deer and vegetation
monitoring, data management, and
research, as currently implemented
under the No Action Alternative. Action
Alternatives also utilize an adaptive
management strategy in order to better
manage based on uncertainty
concerning the impacts that the change
in deer population densities will have
on vegetation recovery. By using an
adaptive management approach, park
managers will be able to change the
timing or intensity of management
treatments to better meet the goals of the
plan as new information is obtained.
Alternative B combined several nonlethal actions including large-scale
exclosures (fencing), additional use of
repellents in limited areas, and
reproductive control of does to
gradually reduce the deer population in
the park.
Alternative C will utilize two lethal
actions in combination to reduce and
control deer herd numbers. Qualified
federal employees or contractors will
conduct sharpshooting to reduce the
deer population, and individual deer
will be captured and euthanized in
circumstances where sharpshooting is
determined to be inappropriate.
Alternative D combined elements
from alternatives B and C to include
sharpshooting, capture and euthanasia,
and reproductive control of does. For all
alternatives, the full range of foreseeable
E:\FR\FM\10JYN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 131 (Friday, July 10, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33276-33277]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-16328]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Availability Draft Environmental Impact Statement and
White-Tailed Deer Management Plan; Rock Creek Park, Washington, DC
AGENCY: National Park Service, Department of the Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Availability of a Draft Environmental Impact
Statement and White-Tailed Deer Management Plan for Rock Creek Park,
Washington, DC.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42
U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Service announces the availability
of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) and White-tailed Deer
Management Plan for Rock Creek Park, Washington, District of Columbia.
The White-tailed Deer Management Plan will support long-term
protection, preservation, and restoration of native vegetation and
other natural and cultural resources in Rock Creek Park. The DEIS
describes four management alternatives, including the No Action
Alternative (continue existing management) and three Action
Alternatives, one of which is identified as the preferred alternative.
DATES: A Notice of Intent (NOI) was published in the Federal Register
on September 20, 2006 (71 FR 182). A 60-day comment period was begun
when the NOI was published. Public scoping meetings were held at the
Rock Creek Park Nature Center November 1-2, 2006. Responses to public
comment are addressed in the DEIS. The NPS will accept public comments
on the DEIS until September 8, 2009. In addition, public meetings will
be conducted at the Rock Creek Park Nature Center. Details on these
public meetings will be available in local newspapers, on the NPS Web
site https://www.nps.gov/rocr, or by contacting staff at Rock Creek Park
by telephone at (202) 895-6000.
ADDRESSES: The DEIS and White-tailed Deer Management Plan will be
available for public review on the NPS Planning, Environment and Public
Comment (PEPC) Web site at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/rocr by
selecting the link ``Deer Management Plan for Rock Creek Park.'' Bound
copies of the DEIS and White-tailed Deer Management Plan will also be
available at the Rock Creek Park Nature Center, 5200 Glover Road, NW.,
Washington, DC; at Rock Creek Park Headquarters, 3545 Williamsburg
Lane, NW., Washington, DC; and at public libraries adjacent to Rock
Creek Park.
[[Page 33277]]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Adrienne A. Coleman, Superintendent,
Rock Creek Park, 3545 Williamsburg Lane, NW., Washington, DC 20008,
(202) 895-6000.
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. Although 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,
businesses, or individuals identifying themselves as representatives or
officials of organizations or businesses, available for public
inspection in their entirety.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The DEIS evaluates four alternatives for
managing white-tailed deer in the park. The document describes and
analyzes the environmental impacts of the No-Action Alternative and
three Action Alternatives. When approved, the plan will guide deer
management actions in Rock Creek Park over the next 15 years.
Alternative A (No Action) would continue the existing deer
management actions and policies of monitoring vegetation, deer density
and relative numbers, using limited protection fencing and deer
repellents to protect rare plants in natural areas and small areas in
landscaped and cultural areas, data management, continuing current
educational and interpretive measures, as well as inter-jurisdictional
communication; no new deer management actions would be implemented.
Alternative B would include all actions described under Alternative
A, but would incorporate several non-lethal actions to protect forest
seedlings, promote forest regeneration, and gradually reduce the deer
numbers in the park. Additional actions under Alternative B would
include large-scale exclosures (fencing) and reproductive control of
does via sterilization and immunocontraceptives when feasible.
Alternative C would include all actions described under Alternative
A, but would also incorporate two lethal deer management actions to
reduce the herd size. Additional actions under Alternative C would
include reduction of the deer herd by either sharpshooting or capture
and euthanasia of individual deer. Capture and euthanasia of individual
deer would be an approach used in limited circumstances where
sharpshooting may not be appropriate.
Alternative D (the NPS Preferred Alternative) would include all
actions described under Alternative A, but would also include a
combination of certain additional lethal and non-lethal actions from
Alternatives B and C to reduce deer herd numbers. The lethal actions
would include both sharpshooting and capture/euthanasia and would be
taken initially to quickly reduce the deer herd numbers. Population
maintenance would be conducted via reproductive control methods if
these are available and feasible. Sharpshooting would be used as a
default option for maintenance if reproductive control methods would
prove to be unavailable and infeasible. Alternative D would fully meet
the plan objectives and has more certainty of success than the other
alternatives analyzed. The relatively rapid reduction in both deer
density and browsing pressure on native plant communities and species
of special concern would provide beneficial impacts to the natural and
cultural resources of the park.
Dated: May 1, 2009.
Margaret O'Dell,
Regional Director, National Capital Region.
[FR Doc. E9-16328 Filed 7-9-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-34-P
