Final General Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement, Governors Island National Monument, New York, NY, 36251-36253 [E9-17376]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 139 / Wednesday, July 22, 2009 / Notices
Next Steps
We will consider the comments we
receive during the current comment
period and the comments we received
during the earlier stages of the planning
process, and address them in the final
CCP and decision document.
Public Availability of Comments
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: June 8, 2009.
David J. Wesley,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland,
Oregon.
[FR Doc. E9–17145 Filed 7–21–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–55–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
General Management Plan,
Environmental Impact Statement,
Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania
National Military Park, Virginia
jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with NOTICES
AGENCY: National Park Service,
Department of the Interior.
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a
General Management Plan and
Environmental Impact Statement,
Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania
National Military Park.
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
Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania
National Military Park (FSNMP). The
park comprises approximately 8,382
acres, in the commonwealth of Virginia,
in the city of Fredericksburg, and in the
counties of Spotsylvania, Stafford,
Orange, and Caroline.
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
FSNMP. 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.
VerDate Nov<24>2008
16:04 Jul 21, 2009
Jkt 217001
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
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
FSNMP 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 scheduled and
consist of a discussion of the GMP/EIS
process including ways that the public
can be involved in providing and
receiving information, and reviewing
and commenting upon the draft GMP/
EIS. The place and time of 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/frsp) for
continuing public review and comment.
ADDRESSES: Information related to
ongoing public involvement
opportunities will be provided online at
the FSNMP Web site (https://
www.nps.gov/frsp) and on the NPS
PEPC Web site (https://
parkplanning.nps.gov/frsp). 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Russ
Smith, Superintendent, Fredericksburg
and Spotsylvania National Military
Park, 120 Chatham Lane,
Fredericksburg, VA 22405–2508,
Telephone: 540–371–0802.
PO 00000
Frm 00089
Fmt 4703
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36251
Megan Lang, Community Planner/
Project Manager, National Park Service,
Park Planning and Special Studies, 200
Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
19106, Telephone: 215–597–8875.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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/
frsp). 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.
Michael T. Reynolds,
Deputy Regional Director, Northeast Region,
National Park Service.
[FR Doc. E9–17375 Filed 7–21–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–77–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Final General Management Plan and
Environmental Impact Statement,
Governors Island National Monument,
New York, NY
AGENCY: National Park Service,
Department of the Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability of a
Record of Decision on the Final General
Management Plan and Environmental
Impact Statement for Governors Island
National Monument.
SUMMARY: Pursuant to § 102(2)(C) of the
National Environmental Policy Act of
1969, as amended, the National Park
Service (NPS) announces the
availability of the Record of Decision for
the Final General Management Plan and
Environmental Impact Statement (GMP/
EIS) for Governors Island National
Monument, New York. On June 1, 2009,
the Regional Director, Northeast Region,
approved the Record of Decision for the
GMP/EIS, selecting Alternative D, The
Harbor Center, which was described as
the preferred alternative in the Final
GMP/EIS issued on April 26, 2009. As
soon as practicable, the NPS will begin
to implement the selected alternative.
The National Monument will be
developed as a Harbor Center with
partners as a hub of activities and a
E:\FR\FM\22JYN1.SGM
22JYN1
jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with NOTICES
36252
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 139 / Wednesday, July 22, 2009 / Notices
jumping-off point for visitors exploring
New York Harbor. This course of action
and three other alternatives were
presented and analyzed in the Draft and
Final Environmental Impact Statements.
The full range of foreseeable
environmental consequences was
assessed, and appropriate mitigating
measures were identified.
Copies of the Record of Decision may
be obtained from the contact listed
below or online at the NPS Planning,
Environment and Public Comment
(PEPC) Web site (https://
parkplanning.nps.gov/gois).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patti
Reilly, Superintendent, Governors
Island National Monument, Battery
Maritime Building, Slip 7, 10 South
Street, New York, NY 10004, 212–825–
3040.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NPS
selected alternative develops Governors
Island National Monument as the
Harbor Center—a hub of activities and
jumping-off point for visitors wanting to
explore New York Harbor.
Working with other harbor-related
organizations—national parks and local,
regional, national and international
civic, educational and research
organizations—the NPS would develop
a range of activities in Fort Jay and
Castle Williams that interpret the key
themes of the island and greater harbor.
The park would collaborate and
coordinate on harbor–related programs
on and off Governors Island that would
help visitors understand the forts’
military significance, the island’s
strategic location, and the ongoing
ecological conservation efforts for the
harbor and the re-visioning and
redevelopment of the waterfront.
Governors Island National Monument
would become a primary stop on harbor
ferry tours. Programs would include
specialized boat tours of the harbor,
educational programs that explore the
harbor’s history and ecology.
A variety of programs, exhibits, and
special events would be available in
both forts. These activities would use
the harbor to describe the island’s
history and significance, and the
interplay over time between the harbor
and the city’s health and economy.
Fort Jay would house harbor research,
offices and temporary lodging for NPS
sponsored fellowship and residency
programs; and be the setting for harbor
related seminars and workshops.
Castle Williams would be the island’s
main exhibit and interpretive center,
showcasing multimedia programs and
interactive exhibits that explore local,
national, and global topics associated
with Governors Island and New York
Harbor.
VerDate Nov<24>2008
16:04 Jul 21, 2009
Jkt 217001
The selected alternative would seek to
accomplish the following broad goals:
• Preserve the National Monument’s
historic resources for the enjoyment of
present and future generations.
Management would make historic
preservation of Fort Jay and Castle
Williams its highest priority.
• Offer visitors multiple and varied
opportunities to explore and understand
the National Monument. Public access
to the National Monument would be
convenient and affordable. Dock 102
would have a new contact station which
would serve as an information and
orientation center; Building 140 would
continue to be another welcoming
center with a bookstore.
• Operate the National Monument as
part of the larger island. The NPS would
cooperate with organizations, including
Governor’s Island Education and
Preservation Corporation (GIPEC), to
make Governors Island an educational
and civic resource of special historic
character, and a recreational and open–
space resource for the people of New
York and the United States.
The combination of preservation and
programming activities would make the
National Monument a major New York
City and Harbor attraction, drawing
local visitors back repeatedly and
drawing national and international
audiences.
The planning team has completed the
evaluation and found that an adjustment
to include the remainder of the glacis
(approximately 10 acres) would meet
the official criteria and would be
justifiable under certain circumstances.
In addition to the selected alternative,
three other alternatives, including a noaction alternative, were presented and
analyzed in the Draft and Final
Environmental Impact Statements. To
help guide and structure the
formulation and analysis of the
alternatives, a set of criteria and goals
were established by the planning team;
each alternative had to meet these goals
in its own way:
Resource Preservation Goals
• The uses of Fort Jay, Castle
Williams, and other resources managed
by the NPS are compatible with the
purpose and significance of the National
Monument.
• The island’s other important
resources and values that provide the
context and add to the significance to
the National Monument, including
archeological resources, historic
structures, and cultural landscapes, are
preserved.
PO 00000
Frm 00090
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Visitor Experience Goals
• Visitors are well oriented,
comfortable and safe throughout their
trip, including time at off-island
departure points, on ferries, and while
visiting the National Monument.
• A variety of communications tools
convey necessary information to visitors
before, during, and after their visit,
about the National Monument’s
resources and programs, and
opportunities to enjoy other NPS sites in
the New York region.
• Visitors understand the history of
the island and the people who lived and
worked there, and appreciate the
island’s place in the history of New
York Harbor and the nation.
• Regular feedback from visitors
enables National Monument staff to
improve and enhance public
programming and services.
• Facilities and services within the
National Monument and on the greater
island meet visitors’ basic needs and
enrich the overall experience, drawing
visitors back to the island.
Transportation Goals
• Access to the National Monument is
convenient, reliable, and available to
visitors at a reasonable cost. Access is
coordinated with the extensive public
transportation network of the New York
metropolitan area.
• Ferries and on-island transportation
systems employ sustainable
technologies and are accessible to all
National Monument visitors, staff, and
contractors. When feasible, on-island
transportation systems are shared and
coordinated with other island
organizations.
Park Administration Goals
• Administrative, interpretive,
maintenance, and other staff, as well as
facilities and other infrastructure,
sustain the programs and operations of
the National Monument and accomplish
the NPS mission.
• National Monument staff enjoy
healthy and safe working conditions.
Collaboration and Partnership Goal
• Formal partnerships and informal
associations with other agencies and
organizations assist with the
preservation and public enjoyment of
the National Monument. These
partnerships and other collaborative
projects support the NPS and National
Monument missions.
After careful consideration and
review of the purpose and significance
of Governors Island National Monument
and its establishing Presidential
Proclamations, other laws and policies
including the Organic Act, National
E:\FR\FM\22JYN1.SGM
22JYN1
jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 139 / Wednesday, July 22, 2009 / Notices
Environmental Policy Act, National
Historic Preservation Act and the 2006
NPS Management Policies, and input
received from the public during the
planning process, Alternative D was
chosen by NPS as the alternative to be
implemented. Compared to all the
alternatives considered, the selected
alternative best fulfills the mandates of
the Presidential Proclamations, the
purpose and significance, and the other
laws and policies guiding the NPS and
the Monument. By partnering with
others to help protect, interpret and
educate visitors about the Monument,
the island and New York Harbor, the
Monument’s long-term future, viability
and relevance is assured.
The selected alternative best protects
park resources while also providing
high-quality visitor experiences
including effective educational and
interpretive programs focused on
Governors Island National Monument’s
purpose, significance and goals.
Implementation of the selected
alternative will not result in the
impairment of park resources and
values. Provisions in the selected
alternative are incorporated to protect
and enhance the park’s cultural and
natural resources, and provide for highquality visitor experiences. Negative
impacts are minor or moderate in
intensity. Overall, the selected
alternative will have beneficial effects
on cultural and natural resources, the
visitor experience and park operations.
The Record of Decision includes a
statement of the decision made,
synopses of other alternatives
considered, the basis for the decision, a
description of the environmentally
preferable alternative, a finding on
impairment of park resources and
values, a list of measures to minimize
environmental harm, and an overview
of public involvement in the decisionmaking process. This decision is the
result of a public planning process that
began in 2003. Between 2003 and 2007,
prior to the release of the Draft GMP/
EIS, NPS staff met with and briefed
representatives from numerous agencies
and organizations about the GMP and
NPS’s future plans on Governors Island.
Additional public involvement
activities followed the release of the
Draft GMP/EIS and a detailed analysis
of public comment with NPS responses
was provided in the Final GMP/EIS. The
official responsible for this decision is
the NPS Regional Director, Northeast
Region.
VerDate Nov<24>2008
16:04 Jul 21, 2009
Jkt 217001
Dated: June 11, 2009.
Dennis R. Reidenbach,
Regional Director, Northeast Region, National
Park Service.
[FR Doc. E9–17376 Filed 7–21–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312–14–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[Docket Number FWS–R9–MB–2009–N0097;
91200–1231–9BPP]
and allow a take of 36 first-year migrant
peregrine falcons between 20 September
and 20 October from anywhere in the
United States east of 100 degrees W
longitude.
Allocation of the 36 fall migrant
peregrine falcons to be taken from the
United States east of 100 degrees W
longitude was agreed upon by the
Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central
Flyways. We expect the allowed take of
the fall migrants in 2009 to be as
follows:
Migratory Birds; Take of Peregrine
Falcons for Use in Falconry
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service,
Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
SUMMARY: In December 2008 we
completed an Environmental
Assessment on take of peregrine falcons
for use in falconry. This notice is to
inform the public of the allocation of
take of nestling and migrant peregrine
falcons in 2009 agreed on by the States.
It also will inform interested individuals
about which States will allow take of
nestling or migrant peregrine falcons.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr.
George Allen, Division of Migratory Bird
Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, at 703–358–1825.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Our
authority to govern take of raptors is
derived from the Migratory Bird Treaty
Act (16 U.S.C. 703–712), which
prohibits any person from taking,
possessing, purchasing, bartering,
selling, or offering to purchase, barter,
or sell, among other things, raptors
(birds of prey) listed in 50 CFR 10.13
unless the activities are allowed under
Federal regulations. Take and
possession of raptors for use in falconry
is governed by regulations at 50 CFR
21.29.
In 2007, we completed an
Environmental Assessment (EA) on
falconry and raptor propagation take (72
FR 31268; June 6, 2007), in which we
selected an alternative that will ensure
that take of raptors for these purposes
will be well below levels that will affect
their populations. However, that EA did
not consider of take of fall migrant
peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus),
which may originate outside the United
States.
We completed an EA on take of
migrant peregrine falcons in 2008 (73
FR 74508; December 8, 2008). Our
preferred alternative was to allow take
of 116 nestling and postfledging firstyear peregrine falcons from the nesting
period through 31 August west of 100
degrees W longitude (including Alaska),
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Frm 00091
Fmt 4703
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36253
State
Allowed
take
Maryland .......................................
Virginia ..........................................
North Carolina ..............................
South Carolina ..............................
Georgia .........................................
Arkansas .......................................
Mississippi ....................................
Oklahoma .....................................
Texas ............................................
4
4
3
2
5
3
3
2
10
Total ..........................................
36
In the western United States, the
Central and Pacific Flyways allocation
complies with the provisions of our
2008 Final Environmental Assessment,
to total no more than 41 nestlings in
Alaska and 75 in the remaining western
States. We expect take of nestling
peregrines to be allowed in 2009 in 9
States, as follows:
State
Allowed
take
Alaska ...........................................
Washington ...................................
Idaho .............................................
Montana ........................................
Oregon ..........................................
Utah ..............................................
Wyoming .......................................
California .......................................
Nevada .........................................
Colorado .......................................
Arizona ..........................................
New Mexico ..................................
6
9
0
5
7
11
5
0
0
4
8
2
Total ..........................................
57
Western States continue to have the
authority to determine allocation of take
of nestlings. Take in previous years has
been much less than we allowed, and
has been consistent with other take of
raptors for falconry. Therefore, after this
year we will not publish information
about allocation of nestling take.
We expect the Flyways to review the
allocation of the take of passage
peregrines each year. We will continue
to work with them on the issue, and
may publish notices about it in the
future. As noted in the Final EA on take
of migrant peregrines, we will review
E:\FR\FM\22JYN1.SGM
22JYN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 139 (Wednesday, July 22, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36251-36253]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-17376]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Final General Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement,
Governors Island National Monument, New York, NY
AGENCY: National Park Service, Department of the Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability of a Record of Decision on the Final
General Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement for
Governors Island National Monument.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Pursuant to Sec. 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969, as amended, the National Park Service (NPS)
announces the availability of the Record of Decision for the Final
General Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (GMP/EIS)
for Governors Island National Monument, New York. On June 1, 2009, the
Regional Director, Northeast Region, approved the Record of Decision
for the GMP/EIS, selecting Alternative D, The Harbor Center, which was
described as the preferred alternative in the Final GMP/EIS issued on
April 26, 2009. As soon as practicable, the NPS will begin to implement
the selected alternative. The National Monument will be developed as a
Harbor Center with partners as a hub of activities and a
[[Page 36252]]
jumping-off point for visitors exploring New York Harbor. This course
of action and three other alternatives were presented and analyzed in
the Draft and Final Environmental Impact Statements. The full range of
foreseeable environmental consequences was assessed, and appropriate
mitigating measures were identified.
Copies of the Record of Decision may be obtained from the contact
listed below or online at the NPS Planning, Environment and Public
Comment (PEPC) Web site (https://parkplanning.nps.gov/gois).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patti Reilly, Superintendent,
Governors Island National Monument, Battery Maritime Building, Slip 7,
10 South Street, New York, NY 10004, 212-825-3040.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NPS selected alternative develops
Governors Island National Monument as the Harbor Center--a hub of
activities and jumping-off point for visitors wanting to explore New
York Harbor.
Working with other harbor-related organizations--national parks and
local, regional, national and international civic, educational and
research organizations--the NPS would develop a range of activities in
Fort Jay and Castle Williams that interpret the key themes of the
island and greater harbor. The park would collaborate and coordinate on
harbor-related programs on and off Governors Island that would help
visitors understand the forts' military significance, the island's
strategic location, and the ongoing ecological conservation efforts for
the harbor and the re-visioning and redevelopment of the waterfront.
Governors Island National Monument would become a primary stop on
harbor ferry tours. Programs would include specialized boat tours of
the harbor, educational programs that explore the harbor's history and
ecology.
A variety of programs, exhibits, and special events would be
available in both forts. These activities would use the harbor to
describe the island's history and significance, and the interplay over
time between the harbor and the city's health and economy.
Fort Jay would house harbor research, offices and temporary lodging
for NPS sponsored fellowship and residency programs; and be the setting
for harbor related seminars and workshops.
Castle Williams would be the island's main exhibit and interpretive
center, showcasing multimedia programs and interactive exhibits that
explore local, national, and global topics associated with Governors
Island and New York Harbor.
The selected alternative would seek to accomplish the following
broad goals:
Preserve the National Monument's historic resources for
the enjoyment of present and future generations. Management would make
historic preservation of Fort Jay and Castle Williams its highest
priority.
Offer visitors multiple and varied opportunities to
explore and understand the National Monument. Public access to the
National Monument would be convenient and affordable. Dock 102 would
have a new contact station which would serve as an information and
orientation center; Building 140 would continue to be another welcoming
center with a bookstore.
Operate the National Monument as part of the larger
island. The NPS would cooperate with organizations, including
Governor's Island Education and Preservation Corporation (GIPEC), to
make Governors Island an educational and civic resource of special
historic character, and a recreational and open-space resource for the
people of New York and the United States.
The combination of preservation and programming activities would
make the National Monument a major New York City and Harbor attraction,
drawing local visitors back repeatedly and drawing national and
international audiences.
The planning team has completed the evaluation and found that an
adjustment to include the remainder of the glacis (approximately 10
acres) would meet the official criteria and would be justifiable under
certain circumstances.
In addition to the selected alternative, three other alternatives,
including a no-action alternative, were presented and analyzed in the
Draft and Final Environmental Impact Statements. To help guide and
structure the formulation and analysis of the alternatives, a set of
criteria and goals were established by the planning team; each
alternative had to meet these goals in its own way:
Resource Preservation Goals
The uses of Fort Jay, Castle Williams, and other resources
managed by the NPS are compatible with the purpose and significance of
the National Monument.
The island's other important resources and values that
provide the context and add to the significance to the National
Monument, including archeological resources, historic structures, and
cultural landscapes, are preserved.
Visitor Experience Goals
Visitors are well oriented, comfortable and safe
throughout their trip, including time at off-island departure points,
on ferries, and while visiting the National Monument.
A variety of communications tools convey necessary
information to visitors before, during, and after their visit, about
the National Monument's resources and programs, and opportunities to
enjoy other NPS sites in the New York region.
Visitors understand the history of the island and the
people who lived and worked there, and appreciate the island's place in
the history of New York Harbor and the nation.
Regular feedback from visitors enables National Monument
staff to improve and enhance public programming and services.
Facilities and services within the National Monument and
on the greater island meet visitors' basic needs and enrich the overall
experience, drawing visitors back to the island.
Transportation Goals
Access to the National Monument is convenient, reliable,
and available to visitors at a reasonable cost. Access is coordinated
with the extensive public transportation network of the New York
metropolitan area.
Ferries and on-island transportation systems employ
sustainable technologies and are accessible to all National Monument
visitors, staff, and contractors. When feasible, on-island
transportation systems are shared and coordinated with other island
organizations.
Park Administration Goals
Administrative, interpretive, maintenance, and other
staff, as well as facilities and other infrastructure, sustain the
programs and operations of the National Monument and accomplish the NPS
mission.
National Monument staff enjoy healthy and safe working
conditions.
Collaboration and Partnership Goal
Formal partnerships and informal associations with other
agencies and organizations assist with the preservation and public
enjoyment of the National Monument. These partnerships and other
collaborative projects support the NPS and National Monument missions.
After careful consideration and review of the purpose and
significance of Governors Island National Monument and its establishing
Presidential Proclamations, other laws and policies including the
Organic Act, National
[[Page 36253]]
Environmental Policy Act, National Historic Preservation Act and the
2006 NPS Management Policies, and input received from the public during
the planning process, Alternative D was chosen by NPS as the
alternative to be implemented. Compared to all the alternatives
considered, the selected alternative best fulfills the mandates of the
Presidential Proclamations, the purpose and significance, and the other
laws and policies guiding the NPS and the Monument. By partnering with
others to help protect, interpret and educate visitors about the
Monument, the island and New York Harbor, the Monument's long-term
future, viability and relevance is assured.
The selected alternative best protects park resources while also
providing high-quality visitor experiences including effective
educational and interpretive programs focused on Governors Island
National Monument's purpose, significance and goals. Implementation of
the selected alternative will not result in the impairment of park
resources and values. Provisions in the selected alternative are
incorporated to protect and enhance the park's cultural and natural
resources, and provide for high-quality visitor experiences. Negative
impacts are minor or moderate in intensity. Overall, the selected
alternative will have beneficial effects on cultural and natural
resources, the visitor experience and park operations.
The Record of Decision includes a statement of the decision made,
synopses of other alternatives considered, the basis for the decision,
a description of the environmentally preferable alternative, a finding
on impairment of park resources and values, a list of measures to
minimize environmental harm, and an overview of public involvement in
the decision-making process. This decision is the result of a public
planning process that began in 2003. Between 2003 and 2007, prior to
the release of the Draft GMP/EIS, NPS staff met with and briefed
representatives from numerous agencies and organizations about the GMP
and NPS's future plans on Governors Island. Additional public
involvement activities followed the release of the Draft GMP/EIS and a
detailed analysis of public comment with NPS responses was provided in
the Final GMP/EIS. The official responsible for this decision is the
NPS Regional Director, Northeast Region.
Dated: June 11, 2009.
Dennis R. Reidenbach,
Regional Director, Northeast Region, National Park Service.
[FR Doc. E9-17376 Filed 7-21-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-14-P