New Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan; Yosemite National Park; Madera and Mariposa Counties, CA; Notice of Extension of Public Scoping Period for Environmental Impact Statement, 42917-42918 [E9-20435]

Download as PDF pwalker on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 163 / Tuesday, August 25, 2009 / Notices meet needs of the Reserve, the adjacent Castle Rocks State Park, and neighboring land managing agencies. Also, there are insufficient employee housing options on either Reserve administered land or in the local community. The GMP will guide planning for these facilities. Visitor Experience: Visitors come to the Reserve to enjoy the scenery, and to climb, hike, and recreate in other ways. Visitation to the Reserve is increasing, and the demographics of visitors are trending to younger adult visitors (25– 35 years) and smaller group sizes. As the visiting population shifts, their interests and preferred activities may also change. The GMP will use current visitor survey data to comprehensively address available visitor facilities, activities, and programs. Day use and camping will be evaluated taking into consideration camping opportunities on adjacent public and private lands. A comprehensive look at the trail system with associated parking, picnicking, and trailheads will be completed as part of the GMP. The GMP will also provide guidance on other recreational uses, such as hunting and equestrian use, including locating staging areas and any related facilities. Evaluation of Boundaries: The National Parks and Recreation Act of 1978, as amended, requires that GMPs consider adequacy of existing boundaries. When the Reserve was established, it was assumed that the private lands and associated ranching within the boundary would remain part of the Reserve. Since then, many of the landowners have opted to sell their land to the NPS. Planning for these acquired lands will be addressed in the GMP. The GMP will also determine if any changes to the boundary are appropriate based on resource protection, visitor use, and land management needs. National Historic Landmark and National Natural Landmark boundaries that overlay the Reserve are configured differently from each other and neither covers the entire Reserve. Also, the Cassia County Historic Preservation Zone does not cover the entire Reserve, and therefore may not fully protect the cultural and natural resources and presents some management challenges. The GMP will consider recommendations for these boundaries so that they might be consistent with the extent of the Reserve boundary. Transportation/Circulation: Access and transportation within and through the Reserve includes motorized use and people on foot, horses, and bicycles. Parking is available in both day use and overnight camping areas, but overflow parking often takes place on roadsides, VerDate Nov<24>2008 22:52 Aug 24, 2009 Jkt 217001 creating safety concerns and causing erosion. Staging areas for equestrian use have similar issues. Some visitors merely pass through the Reserve on scenic drives along the City of Rocks road. City of Rocks Backcountry Byway is an unpaved road that runs through the Reserve; this route also has erosion issues, due to seasonal weather conditions and alignment on disintegrating granite soils. The road is currently managed by Cassia County, which poses some challenges for Reserve staff when maintenance is needed. The GMP will recommend appropriate road maintenance standards, including identifying appropriate practices for drainage and erosion control along the Byway. The GMP will also examine an array of potential management options for the City of Rocks Backcountry Byway, and consider all forms of motorized and non-motorized transportation and evaluate circulation patterns, parking, and other transportation options. Decision Process: Upon conclusion of the scoping phase and following due consideration of public concerns and comments from other agencies, a Draft EIS\GMP will be prepared and released for public review. Availability of the forthcoming Draft EIS for public review and written comment will be formally announced in the Federal Register, as well as through local and regional news media, direct mailing to the project mailing list, and via the Internet. Following careful consideration of all agency and public comment as may be received, a Final EIS will be prepared; at this time it is anticipated that the final plan will be available in 2013. 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 GMP would be the Superintendent, City of Rocks National Reserve. Dated: July 13, 2009. Patricia L. Neubacher, Acting Regional Director, Pacific West Region. [FR Doc. E9–20438 Filed 8–24–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4312–DB–P PO 00000 Frm 00076 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 42917 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service New Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan; Yosemite National Park; Madera and Mariposa Counties, CA; Notice of Extension of Public Scoping Period for Environmental Impact Statement SUMMARY: Pursuant to § 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Pub. L. 91–190 as amended), the National Park Service, Department of the Interior, will prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for a Comprehensive Management Plan which will guide future management of the Merced River corridor in Yosemite National Park during the next 10–15 years. The Notice of Intent to prepare the EIS was published in the Federal Register on June 30, 2009 (with a 60-day public scoping period originally set to conclude on August 29, 2009). In deference to general public interest expressed to date by interested individuals, local entities, and concerned organizations, the scoping period has been extended. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Any individual, organization, agency, or other interested parties are encouraged to provide written comments—any further responses must now be postmarked or transmitted no later than December 4, 2009. Comments already provided in response to the June 30, 2009 Notice of Intent need not be resubmitted. All written responses should be addressed to the Superintendent, Attn: Merced River Plan, P.O. Box 577, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389, or may be sent via the Internet to yose_planning@nps.gov or submitted via FAX to (209) 379–1294. Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information, 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. Public meetings originally planned to be hosted during late July and August will be rescheduled for September– October. To request meeting details (pending confirmation) or to be included on the Comprehensive Management Plan mailing list, contact the park at the address or e-mail noted above, or via telephone at (209) 379– 1365. E:\FR\FM\25AUN1.SGM 25AUN1 42918 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 163 / Tuesday, August 25, 2009 / Notices Dated: July 22, 2009. George J. Turnbull, Acting Regional Director, Pacific West Region. [FR Doc. E9–20435 Filed 8–24–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [LLMT926000–09–L19100000–BJ0000– LRCM08RS3469] Dated: August 18, 2009. Michael T. Birtles, Chief Cadastral Surveyor, Division of Resources. [FR Doc. E9–20375 Filed 8–24–09; 8:45 am] Filing of Plat of Survey—Montana AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Montana State Office, Interior. ACTION: Notice of Filing of Plat of Survey. BILLING CODE 4310–$$–P SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will file the plat of survey of the lands described below in the BLM Montana State Office, Billings, Montana, (30) days from the date of publication in the Federal Register. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marvin Montoya, Cadastral Surveyor, Branch of Cadastral Survey, Bureau of Land Management, 5001 Southgate Drive, Billings, Montana 59101–4669, telephone (406) 896–5124 or (406) 896– 5009. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This survey was executed at the request of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Rocky Mountain Region, Billings, Montana, and was necessary to determine Individual and Tribal Trust lands. The lands we surveyed are: pwalker on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with NOTICES Principal Meridian, Montana T. 27 N., R. 47 E. The plat, in 1 sheet, representing the dependent resurvey of a portion of the 11th Guide Meridian East, the adjusted original meanders of the former left bank of the Missouri River, downstream, through section 31, the corrective dependent resurvey of the E–W center line of section 31, the dependent resurvey of a portion of the subdivision of section 31, a certain division of accretion line, and the subdivision of section 31, and the survey of the meanders of the present left bank of the Missouri River, downstream, through a portion of section 31, the meanders of the left bank of a relicted channel of the Missouri River, downstream, through section 31, the medial line of a relicted channel of the Missouri River, downstream, through section 31, and a certain division of accretion and partition line, Township 27 North, Range 47 East, Principal Meridian, Montana, was accepted August 13, 2009.We will place a copy of the plat, in 1 sheet, and related field notes we VerDate Nov<24>2008 22:52 Aug 24, 2009 Jkt 217001 described in the open files. They will be available to the public as a matter of information. If BLM receives a protest against this survey, as shown on this plat, in 1 sheet, prior to the date of the official filing, we will stay the filing pending our consideration of the protest. We will not officially file this plat, in 1 sheet, until the day after we have accepted or dismissed all protests and they have become final, including decisions or appeals. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service Notice of Intent To Repatriate Cultural Items: Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee, WI 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 cultural items in the possession of the Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee, WI, that meets the definitions of ‘‘sacred object’’ or ‘‘objects 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 items. The National Park Service is not responsible for the determinations in this notice. The three cultural items are one catlinite tube pipe (MPM A14350/ 3639), one woven bag with water serpent motif (MPM E3170/14), and one wooden bowl with handles (MPM E56211/17617). The three cultural items are affiliated with the Ottawa tribe (also known as the Odawa) of Michigan. All cultural items were acquired in Michigan in an area long associated with the Odawa. It would be unlikely that other tribes may claim these cultural items since the associated geographical area makes a strong case for affiliation. The three items are associated with the categories in which they are claimed by the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians, Michigan. PO 00000 Frm 00077 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 The pipe is claimed as a sacred object. In 1913, the pipe was donated to the museum by George West, collector and Milwaukee Public Museum trustee. It was collected by Walter P. Wyman who obtained it in Emmet County, MI. It was found ‘‘by an Indian in 1900 in the field on the lake bank of L’Arbor Croche.’’ Pipes are considered to be sacred objects by Odawa religious leaders. The bag is claimed as an object of cultural patrimony. In 1905, the museum purchased the cultural item from Mrs. Wilkinson of Beloit, WI. In August 1889, the cultural item was collected by George Wilkinson at Cross Village, MI, from Mrs. Shartleff. The museum documentation states that the bag was given to Mrs. Shartleff’s father by an Indian princess in 1770. The bag is considered to be an object of cultural patrimony since it would have been used in ceremonies to protect the Odawa tribe, as a whole. Furthermore, this bag could not have been alienated by a single individual since its particular use was for the benefit of the entire tribe. The bowl is claimed as an object of cultural patrimony. In 1956, the bowl was purchased by the museum from the Logan Museum of Anthropology, Beloit College, WI. It was originally part of the Albert Green Heath Collection. Heath was an avid collector of Native American material. According to the Logan Museum records, the bowl was collected from Aniquam at Cross Village, MI. The Odawa traditionally had three types of wooden bowls: personal bowls, community bowls, and ceremonial bowls. This bowl is considered to be a communal bowl that is owned by the entire tribe. The bowl is used for special ceremonies and is believed by the Odawa to contain manidok (spirits) that are members of the community that help the Odawa maintain their cultural beliefs and traditions. Officials of the Milwaukee Public Museum have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(C), the one cultural item described above is a specific ceremonial object needed by traditional Native American religious leaders for the practice of traditional Native American religions by their present-day adherents. Officials of the Milwaukee Public Museum also have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 3001 (3)(D), the two cultural items described above have ongoing historical, traditional, or cultural importance central to the Native American group or culture itself, rather than property owned by an individual. Lastly, officials of the Milwaukee Public Museum have determined that, pursuant to 25 U.S.C. E:\FR\FM\25AUN1.SGM 25AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 163 (Tuesday, August 25, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42917-42918]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-20435]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


New Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan; 
Yosemite National Park; Madera and Mariposa Counties, CA; Notice of 
Extension of Public Scoping Period for Environmental Impact Statement

SUMMARY: Pursuant to Sec.  102(2)(c) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 (Pub. L. 91-190 as amended), the National Park 
Service, Department of the Interior, will prepare a Draft Environmental 
Impact Statement (DEIS) for a Comprehensive Management Plan which will 
guide future management of the Merced River corridor in Yosemite 
National Park during the next 10-15 years. The Notice of Intent to 
prepare the EIS was published in the Federal Register on June 30, 2009 
(with a 60-day public scoping period originally set to conclude on 
August 29, 2009). In deference to general public interest expressed to 
date by interested individuals, local entities, and concerned 
organizations, the scoping period has been extended.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Any individual, organization, agency, or 
other interested parties are encouraged to provide written comments--
any further responses must now be postmarked or transmitted no later 
than December 4, 2009. Comments already provided in response to the 
June 30, 2009 Notice of Intent need not be resubmitted. All written 
responses should be addressed to the Superintendent, Attn: Merced River 
Plan, P.O. Box 577, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389, or may be sent 
via the Internet to yose_planning@nps.gov or submitted via FAX to 
(209) 379-1294. Before including your address, phone number, e-mail 
address, or other personal identifying information, 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.
    Public meetings originally planned to be hosted during late July 
and August will be rescheduled for September-October. To request 
meeting details (pending confirmation) or to be included on the 
Comprehensive Management Plan mailing list, contact the park at the 
address or e-mail noted above, or via telephone at (209) 379-1365.


[[Page 42918]]


    Dated: July 22, 2009.
George J. Turnbull,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. E9-20435 Filed 8-24-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P

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