Notice of Availability of a Record of Decision, White-tailed Deer Management Plan and Final Environmental Impact Statement Catoctin Mountain Park, MD, 33277-33278 [E9-16329]

Download as PDF sroberts on DSKD5P82C1PROD with NOTICES 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 PO 00000 Frm 00077 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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 10JYN1 33278 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 131 / Friday, July 10, 2009 / Notices environmental consequences was assessed and appropriate mitigating measures were identified. The Record of Decision includes a description of the project’s background, a statement of the decision made, synopses of other alternatives considered, the basis for the decision, findings on impairment of park resources and values, a description of the environmentally preferred alternative, a listing of measures to minimize environmental harm, and an overview of public involvement in the decision-making process. Dated: June 2, 2009. Margaret O’Dell, Regional Director, National Capital Region. [FR Doc. E9–16329 Filed 7–9–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4312–59–P DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE sroberts on DSKD5P82C1PROD with NOTICES Notice of Lodging of Consent Decree Under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act Notice is hereby given that on June 29, 2009, a proposed Consent Decree in United States of America v. AlcatelLucent USA Inc., et al., Civil Action No. 09–CV–2902, was lodged with the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. In this action the United States sought to recover from the defendants response costs incurred by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (‘‘EPA’’) in responding to releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances at or from the Heleva Landfill Site, located in North Whitehall Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania (the ‘‘Site’’). The Consent Decree memorializes the settlement that requires the settling parties, AlcatelLucent USA Inc. as successor in interest to AT&T Inc., Olin Corporation, and Pfizer Inc., to reimburse EPA’s past and future response costs related to the Site. The Consent Decree requires the settling parties to pay to the EPA Hazardous Substance Superfund the principal sum of $603,047.49 plus interest, in two installments. The first payment of $433,553.75 is due within forty-five (45) days of entry of the Consent Decree. The second payment of $169,493.74, plus interest, is due within two hundred and seventy (270) days of entry of the Consent Decree. The Consent Decree also requires that the settling parties pay future response costs incurred by EPA. The Department of Justice will receive for a period of thirty (30) days from the VerDate Nov<24>2008 22:16 Jul 09, 2009 Jkt 217001 date of this publication comments relating to the Decree. Comments should be addressed to the Assistant Attorney General, Environmental and Natural Resources Division, and either e-mailed to pubcomment-ees.enrd@usdoj.gov or mailed to P.O. Box 7611, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC 20044–7611, and should refer to United States of America v. Alcatel-Lucent USA Inc., et al., Civil Action No. 09–CV– 2902 (E.D. Pa.), D.J. Ref. 90–11–2–684/ 1. The Decree may be examined at the Office of the United States Attorney, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, 615 Chestnut Street, Suite 1250, Philadelphia, PA 19106, and at U.S. EPA Region III, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103. During the public comment period, the Decree, may also be examined on the following Department of Justice Web site, https:// www.usdoj.gov/enrd/ Consent_Decrees.html. A copy of the Decree may also be obtained by mail from the Consent Decree Library, P.O. Box 7611, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC 20044–7611 or by faxing or e-mailing a request to Tonia Fleetwood (tonia.fleetwood@usdoj.gov), fax no. (202) 514–0097, phone confirmation number (202) 514–1547. In requesting a copy from the Consent Decree Library, please enclose a check in the amount of $9.25 (25 cents per page reproduction cost) payable to the U.S. Treasury or, if by e-mail or fax, forward a check in that amount to the Consent Decree Library at the stated address. Maureen Katz, Assistant Chief, Environmental Enforcement Section, Environment and Natural Resources Division. [FR Doc. E9–16308 Filed 7–9–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4410–15–P DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Notice of Public Comment Period for Proposed Consent Decree and Settlement Agreement Under the Clean Air Act, RCRA and CERCLA Under 28 CFR 50.7, notice is hereby given that, for a period of 30 days, the United States will receive public comments on a proposed Consent Decree and Settlement Agreement (‘‘Decree’’) in In Re: G–I Holdings, Inc., et al., (Bankr. Case Nos. 01–30135 (RG) and 01–38790 (RG) and United States v. G–I Holdings, Inc. (Adversary Proceeding No. 08–2531 (RG), which was lodged with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey on July 2, 2009. The United States, on PO 00000 Frm 00078 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 behalf of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (‘‘EPA’’), U.S. Department of the Interior (‘‘DOI’’), the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (‘‘NOAA’’), the State of Vermont, and the debtor, G–I Holdings, Inc. (‘‘G–I’’) entered into the settlement under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (‘‘CERCLA’’), 42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.; the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (‘‘RCRA’’), 42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.; the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.; the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (‘‘FWPCA’’), 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.; and Title 10, Vermont Annotated Statutes §§ 1259, 1274, 6610a, 6615 and 6616. The proposed Decree would resolve the proofs of claim of the United States on behalf of EPA, DOI and NOAA, and the State of Vermont, and would also resolve the Adversary Proceeding United States v. G. Holdings, Inc., Adv. Pro. No. 08–2531 (RG), which seeks injunctive relief against G–I under section 303 of the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. 7603, and section 7003 of RCRA, 42. U.S.C. 6973. The Decree addresses 13 hazardous waste sites across the country, including the Vermont Asbestos Mine Group Site (‘‘the VAG Site’’), in Eden and Lowell, Vermont. Under the terms of the settlement, G–I will establish and fund a Custodial Trust which will take immediate steps to secure the VAG Site by constructing fencing, gates and road barriers, and posting security guards. In addition, the Custodial Trust will conduct air monitoring and dust suppression, if determined to be necessary, and will assist and/or contribute to the off-site investigative and abatement work undertaken by EPA and the State of Vermont, over eight years, at a cost of up to $7.75 million. The proposed settlement also requires G–I to reimburse EPA for remediation of the VAG Site and off-site locations where waste from the mine may be located up to $300 million paid at 8.6 cents on the dollar. The United States’ and Vermont’s claims for natural resource damages are resolved through a series of payments over nine years totaling $850,000. The settlement also resolves EPA’s claims for past and future response costs and NOAA’s claim for natural resource damages at nine Generator Sites for $104,615. Finally, under the terms of the settlement the United States has up to 10 years to file suit to collect on monetary claims related to three sites in New Jersey and New York, the GAF Chemicals Site, the LCP Chemicals Inc. Superfund Site, and the Diamond Alkali Superfund Site, referred to as the E:\FR\FM\10JYN1.SGM 10JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 131 (Friday, July 10, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33277-33278]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-16329]


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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 
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 non-lethal 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

[[Page 33278]]

environmental consequences was assessed and appropriate mitigating 
measures were identified.
    The Record of Decision includes a description of the project's 
background, a statement of the decision made, synopses of other 
alternatives considered, the basis for the decision, findings on 
impairment of park resources and values, a description of the 
environmentally preferred alternative, a listing of measures to 
minimize environmental harm, and an overview of public involvement in 
the decision-making process.

    Dated: June 2, 2009.
 Margaret O'Dell,
Regional Director, National Capital Region.
[FR Doc. E9-16329 Filed 7-9-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-59-P
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