Final Environmental Impact Statement for the General Management Plan; Monocacy National Battlefield, 27812 [2010-11819]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
• National Park Service

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 95 (Tuesday, May 18, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 27812]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-11819]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Final Environmental Impact Statement for the General Management 
Plan; Monocacy National Battlefield

AGENCY: National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact 
Statement for the General Management Plan for Monocacy National 
Battlefield.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 
U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Service (NPS) announces the 
availability of a Final Environmental Impact Statement for the General 
Management Plan for Monocacy National Battlefield. The plan will 
provide guidance to park management for administration, development, 
and interpretation of park resources over the next 20 years. Impact 
topics addressed were cultural resources (cultural landscapes and 
historic structures); visitor use and interpretation, socioeconomic 
environment; transportation, access and circulation; and national 
battlefield operations.
    The document describes a No Action Alternative (continuation of 
existing management) and three Action Alternatives, one of which was 
identified as the selected alternative.
    Alternative 2 would move the administrative and maintenance staff 
into local leased space. An alternative transportation system would be 
implemented. New trails would be constructed to outlying features of 
the battlefield. Safety improvements would be implemented at the New 
Jersey Monument and a commemorative area developed at the Pennsylvania 
and Vermont Memorials. A deck crossing Interstate 270 (I-270) would be 
constructed.
    Alternative 3 would move NPS administration facilities into the 
Thomas House and expand the existing maintenance facility. There would 
be no alternative transportation system for visitors. New trails would 
be constructed to outlying features of the battlefield and safety 
improvements would be implemented at the New Jersey Monument. A 
commemorative area would be developed at the Pennsylvania and Vermont 
Memorials but no new monuments would be allowed.
    Alternative 4, the selected preferred alternative, would move NPS 
administrative facilities into the Thomas House and an expanded 
maintenance facility would be developed at the existing site. Visitors 
would transit the battlefield in their automobiles. All historic 
structures would be preserved with exhibits in the Worthington House 
and Thomas outbuilding. New trails would be constructed to outlying 
features of the battlefield and commemorative memorial locations would 
be upgraded. A pedestrian-only deck would be constructed over I-270 
between the Worthington Farm and Thomas Farm.
    The Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the General Management 
Plan was made available for public review from September 2008 to July 
1, 2009. The official review period following the Federal Register 
Notice of Availability was from May 2 to July 1, 2009. Approximately 
350 copies of the plan were mailed to agencies, organizations, and the 
national battlefield mailing list. In addition, the availability of the 
document and information about public meetings were announced in the 
local newspaper. Following initial distribution of the draft plan, 
three public meetings were held in 2009--June 9 during the review 
period, and two on September 24. The NPS received 34 comments during 
the review period. Because comments received did not meet the criteria 
for ``substantive comment,'' a request was granted by the Department of 
the Interior Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance to undertake 
this abbreviated format Final Environmental Impact Statement for the 
General Management Plan.

DATES: The NPS will execute a Record of Decision (ROD) no sooner than 
30 days following publication by the Environmental Protection Agency of 
the Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement 
for the General Management Plan.

ADDRESSES: Information will be available for public review online at 
https://parkplanning.nps.gov, or available on C-D. Hard copies may be 
obtained by contacting Superintendent Susan Trail, Monocacy National 
Battlefield, 4801 Urbana Pike, Frederick, Maryland, or by telephone at 
(301) 694-3147.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Hayes, Regional Planner and 
Transportation Liaison, National Capital Region, National Park Service, 
1100 Ohio Drive, SW., Washington, DC 20242, by telephone at (202) 619-
7277, or by e-mail at David_Hayes@nps.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NPS evaluated a No Action Alternative 
and three Action Alternatives for management, development, and 
interpretation in the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the 
General Management Plan. All Action Alternatives provide for the 
preservation of all park cultural and natural resources. However, the 
selected preferred alternative (Alternative 4) provides the best 
variety of visitor experiences, the widest access to all areas of 
Monocacy National Battlefield, and the most appropriate use of historic 
resources for interpretive and other park operational purposes. 
Overall, it best meets NPS purposes and goals for Monocacy National 
Battlefield while meeting National Environmental Policy Act goals. The 
selected preferred alternative will not result in the impairment of 
park resources and will allow the NPS to conserve park resources while 
providing for their enjoyment by visitors.

    Dated: April 28, 2010.
Margaret O'Dell,
Regional Director, National Capital Region.
[FR Doc. 2010-11819 Filed 5-17-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-57-P