Potomac-Appalachian Transmission Highline (PATH) Environmental Impact Statement, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, and Monongahela National Forest, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia, 34477-34479 [2010-14581]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 116 / Thursday, June 17, 2010 / Notices during normal business hours at the Regional Office, 1875 Century Boulevard, Suite 200, Atlanta, GA 30345 (Attn: David Dell), or at the Fish and Wildlife Service Field Office, 1208–B Main Street, Daphne, AL 36526 (Attn: Field Supervisor). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. David Dell, Regional HCP Coordinator (see ADDRESSES), telephone: 404/679– 4144, or Mr. Carl Couret, Field Office Project Manager, at the Alabama Field Office (see ADDRESSES), telephone: 251/441–5868. mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We announce the availability of applications for two ITPs, a joint HCP, and the availability of a dSEIS. The dSEIS is a combined assessment addressing the environmental impacts associated with these projects both individually and cumulatively. The applicants request 30-year ITPs under section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and also request permits from the Corps under section 404 of the Clean Water Act to place fill in jurisdictional wetlands. The Corps is a cooperating agency in the development of the dSEIS. We specifically request information, views, and opinions from the public via this notice on our proposed Federal action, including identification of any other aspects of the human environment not already identified in the dSEIS under NEPA regulations (40 CFR 1506.6). Further, we specifically request information regarding the adequacy of the HCP per 50 CFR parts 13 and 17. The dSEIS analyzes the preferred alternative, as well as a full range of reasonable alternatives and the associated impacts of each. Alternative 3 (Preferred Alternative) is located 1,100 to 1,300 feet from the Gulf of Mexico and north of tertiary dune habitat. This alternative mitigates for the unavoidable loss of 1.36 acres of wetlands and dedicates 135.2 acres of applicantowned lands into conservation status via covenants, conditions and restrictions attached to the property, and conditions of any ITP that may be issued. The Service previously issued ITPs in 2007 for one of the BCWGH alternatives that was preferred at that time. Following legal challenges and resultant court rulings, those ITPs were abandoned by the applicants. The Environmental Impact Statement for those previous ITPs has been revised to evaluate a new preferred alternative and now serves as the dSEIS for the new ITP applications. VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:13 Jun 16, 2010 Jkt 220001 Public Comments If you wish to comment, you may submit comments by any one of several methods. Please reference application numbers TE08894A–0 and TE08896A–0 in such comments. You may mail comments to our Regional Office or the Alabama Field Office (see ADDRESSES). You may also comment via the Internet to david_dell@fws.gov or carl_couret@fws.gov. Please include your name and return mailing address in your e-mail message. If you do not receive a confirmation from us that we have received your e-mail, contact us directly at either telephone number listed (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). Finally, you may hand-deliver comments to either of our offices listed under ADDRESSES. 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. Covered Area The proposed BCWGH developments would be located on approximately 181.9 acres on the Fort Morgan peninsula, Baldwin County, Alabama, between State Highway 180 and the Gulf of Mexico (Section 28, Township 9 South, Range 2 East) about 12 miles west of Highway 59 in Gulf Shores, Alabama, on the Fort Morgan Peninsula. The ITPs would be for development of two condominium complexes totaling 38.7 acres. Under the preferred alternative, project development would result in the permanent and temporary loss of 48.1 acres of Alabama beach mouse habitat. Next Steps We will evaluate these ITP applications, including the HCP and any comments we receive, to determine whether these applications meet the requirements of section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Act. We will also evaluate whether issuance of the section 10(a)(1)(B) ITP complies with section 7 of the Act by conducting an intra-Service section 7 consultation. We will use the results of this consultation, in combination with the above findings, in our final analysis to determine whether or not to issue the ITP. If we determine that the requirements are met, we will issue the PO 00000 Frm 00060 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 34477 ITP for the incidental take of the Alabama beach mouse. Authority: We provide this notice under section 10 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and NEPA regulations (40 CFR 1506.6). Dated: May 10, 2010. Jacquelyn B. Parrish, Acting Regional Director, Southeast Region. [FR Doc. 2010–14617 Filed 6–16–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE U.S. Forest Service Potomac-Appalachian Transmission Highline (PATH) Environmental Impact Statement, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, and Monongahela National Forest, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior and U.S. Forest Service, Agriculture. ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for construction and right-of-way permits requested from Harpers Ferry National Historical Park (NHP), Appalachian National Scenic Trail (NST), Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, and Monongahela National Forest, in connection with the proposed PotomacAppalachian Transmission Highline (PATH) project. SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Service (NPS), lead agency, along with cooperating agencies, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, are preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and conducting public scoping meetings for construction and right-of-way permits requested from the agencies by PATH Allegheny Transmission Company, LLC; PATH Allegheny Virginia Transmission Corporation; Potomac Edison Company; and PATH West Virginia Transmission Company, LLC, collectively referred to herein as Applicants. The Applicants are seeking permits for proposed construction of a new 765kV electric transmission line that would cross federal lands within Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia. In May 2009, the Applicants submitted E:\FR\FM\17JNN1.SGM 17JNN1 mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES 34478 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 116 / Thursday, June 17, 2010 / Notices right-of-way applications (Form 299) for those portions of the PATH project proposed to traverse Harpers Ferry NHP, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal NHP, Appalachian NST, Potomac Heritage NST, all managed by the National Park Service; and Monongahela National Forest managed by the U.S. Forest Service. These applications also serve as the application for Special Use Permits for construction of the proposed project. The Applicants’ proposed project would modify and expand existing rights-of-way across Harpers Ferry NHP and Appalachian NST. In particular, the Applicants propose modification and expansion of existing right-of-way agreements held by Potomac Edison Company over Harpers Ferry NHP and Appalachian NST to allow for placement of the 138 kV Millville-Doubs transmission line as an underbuild on the PATH transmission structures; and also the grant of a new 200-feet-wide right-of-way for the PATH transmission line. While the PATH Project would require a 200-feet right-of-way, it would only require an expansion of the existing right-of-way corridor across Harpers Ferry NHP and Appalachian NST by approximately 105 feet. The Applicants seek a new right-ofway authorization across Chesapeake and Ohio Canal NHP and Potomac Heritage NST. The requested right-ofway would be approximately 200 feet wide, with a distance over the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal NHP and Potomac Heritage NST properties of approximately 400 feet. The proposed crossing route will be adjacent to (on the north side) existing transmission rightsof-way for the 138 kV Millville-Doubs transmission facility operated by Potomac Edison Company and the 500 kV Mt. Storm-Doubs transmission facility operated by Dominion Virginia Power. The Applicants’ proposed crossing of the Monongahela National Forest would require USFS authorization for a new 200-feet-wide right-of-way. The Applicants’ stated purpose for the PATH project is to strengthen the electrical transmission grid for reliability purposes at the direction of PJM Interconnection, LLC (PJM), the regional transmission organization. PJM oversees the overall movement of wholesale electricity throughout a region comprising all or parts of 13 states and the District of Columbia. PJM has a duty to maintain reliability of the transmission grid according to standards set by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation and approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. PJM’s Regional Transmission Expansion Plan has VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:13 Jun 16, 2010 Jkt 220001 identified numerous projected reliability criteria violations that the proposed PATH project is designed to alleviate and has directed construction of a line of sufficient capacity to address these violations by connecting the existing Amos Substation in Putnam County, West Virginia, with two existing 500 kV transmission lines that are in close proximity to each other at a point approximately three miles southeast of New Market, Maryland. The federal action under consideration in this EIS is the Applicants’ proposal that the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service grant the requested permits. The agencies’ purpose in taking action is to respond to the application for permits in consideration of the needs expressed therein and the public interest, and in light of the missions, purposes and resource management of the affected NPS and USFS units, as expressed in statutes, regulations, and policies. Federal action is needed because the Applicants have submitted the required applications to the National Park Service in accordance with 36 CFR part 14 and applicable NPS management policies and to the U.S. Forest Service in accordance with 36 CFR part 251.54 and Special Uses Handbook (FSH 2709.11). The National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service therefore have a responsibility to consider whether, and with what conditions, if any, to issue the requested permits. The National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service will analyze no-action and proposed action alternatives and possibly other alternatives or mitigation strategies that respond to the purpose, need, and objectives of this proposal. The goal of the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service is to identify issues and concerns with the proposed action, additional alternatives, and alternative mitigation strategies through the public scoping process. This notice initiates the public participation and scoping process for the EIS. The public is invited to comment on the purpose, need and objectives for federal action, the proposed action and alternatives to the proposed action to be analyzed in the EIS, the appropriate scope of analysis, or any issues associated with the proposal. More information about the purpose of and need for federal action, and issues identified to date is available from the NPS planning Web site at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/appa/. It is important that reviewers provide their comments at such times and in such a manner that they are useful to the agency’s preparation of the EIS. Therefore, comments should be PO 00000 Frm 00061 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 provided prior to the close of the comment period and should clearly articulate the reviewers concerns and comments. The submission of timely and specific comments can affect a reviewer’s ability to participate in subsequent administrative appeal or judicial review. DATES AND MEETING NOTICES: The public scoping period will commence on the date this notice is published in the Federal Register and last for at least 30 days or until 15 days after the last public scoping meeting. The National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service will hold public meetings near the parks and forest to provide the public an opportunity to review the proposal and project information, and provide comments. All public meetings will be announced through local media, mailings, and the NPS planning Web site at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/ appa/, at least 15 days prior to each meeting. The meetings will be concluded at least 15 days prior to the close of comment. ADDRESSES: Comments on issues, potential impacts, or suggestions for additional alternatives can be submitted using any one of the following methods. You may submit comments through the NPS planning Web site at https:// parkplanning.nps.gov/appa/, which is the preferred method. You may mail your comments to the National Park Service, Attention: PATH EIS Planning Team, Denver Service Center— Planning, P.O. Box 25287, Denver, CO 80225. Comments may also be submitted at any of the three public meetings to be announced. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Morgan Elmer, Project Manager, Denver Service Center—Planning, P.O. Box 25287, Denver, Co 80225, telephone 303–969–2317. Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware 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 identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. All submissions from organizations and businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, will be available for public inspection in their entirety. The National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service will not consider anonymous comments. All others will be included in the administrative record E:\FR\FM\17JNN1.SGM 17JNN1 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 116 / Thursday, June 17, 2010 / Notices upon which the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service will ultimately reach a decision. Margaret O’Dell, Regional Director, National Capital Region, National Park Service. Pam Underhill, Superintendent, Appalachian National Scenic Trail, National Park Service. Jason Reed, District Ranger, Monongahela National Forest, U.S. Forest Service. [FR Doc. 2010–14581 Filed 6–16–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–70–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service Cape Cod National Seashore; South Wellfleet, MA; Cape Cod National Seashore Advisory Commission National Park Service, Interior. Two hundredth seventy-fourth notice of meeting. AGENCY: mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES ACTION: SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92–463, 86 Stat. 770, 5 U.S.C. App 1, Section 10) of a meeting of the Cape Cod National Seashore Advisory Commission. DATES: The meeting of the Cape Cod National Seashore Advisory Commission will be held on July 19, 2010 at 1 p.m. ADDRESSES: The Commission members will meet in the meeting room at Headquarters, 99 Marconi Station, Wellfleet, Massachusetts. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Commission was reestablished pursuant to Public Law 87–126 as amended by Public Law 105–280. The purpose of the Commission is to consult with the Secretary of the Interior, or his designee, with respect to matters relating to the development of Cape Cod National Seashore, and with respect to carrying out the provisions of sections 4 and 5 of the Act establishing the Seashore. The regular business meeting is being held to discuss the following: 1. Adoption of Agenda. 2. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting (May 24, 2010). 3. Reports of Officers. 4. Reports of Subcommittees. Dune Shack Subcommittee– presentation of draft Preservation and Use Plan. *Action requested: to endorse plan as Advisory Commission recommendation to the Superintendent. 5. Superintendent’s Report. • Climate Friendly Parks. VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:13 Jun 16, 2010 Jkt 220001 • Overview of climate indicators by Seashore Natural Resources Management. 6. Old Business. 7. New Business. 8. Date and agenda for next meeting. 9. Public comment and 10. Adjournment. The meeting is open to the public. It is expected that 15 persons will be able to attend the meeting in addition to Commission members. Interested persons may make oral/ written presentations to the Commission during the business meeting or file written statements. Such requests should be made to the park superintendent prior to the meeting. 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. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Further information concerning the meeting may be obtained from the Superintendent, Cape Cod National Seashore, 99 Marconi Site Road, Wellfleet, MA 02667. Dated: June 2, 2010. George E. Price, Jr., Superintendent. [FR Doc. 2010–14580 Filed 6–16–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P 34479 presenting information at this public meeting, contact the Council Coordinator no later than June 21, 2010. ADDRESSES: The Council meeting will be held at The Hotel Fort Garry, 222 Broadway, Winnipeg, MB R3C 0R3, Canada. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael J. Johnson, Council Coordinator, by phone at (703) 358– 1784; by e-mail at dbhc@fws.gov; or by U.S. mail at U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Mail Stop MBSP 4075, Arlington, VA 22203. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with NAWCA (Pub. L. 101– 233, 103 Stat. 1968, December 13, 1989, as amended), the State-private-Federal Council meets to consider wetland acquisition, restoration, enhancement, and management projects for recommendation to, and final funding approval by, the Commission. Project proposal due dates, application instructions, and eligibility requirements are available on the NAWCA Web site at https:// www.fws.gov/birdhabitat/Grants/ NAWCA/Standard/US/Overview.shtm. Proposals require a minimum of 50 percent non-Federal matching funds. The Council will consider Canadian and U.S. small grant proposals at the meeting. The Commission will consider the Council’s recommendation at its meeting tentatively scheduled for September 8, 2010. If you are interested in presenting information at this public meeting, contact the Council Coordinator no later than the date under DATES. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service Dated: June 11, 2010. Paul R. Schmidt, Assistant Director, Migratory Birds. [FR Doc. 2010–14615 Filed 6–16–10; 8:45 am] [FWS–R9–MB–2010–N120; 91100–3740– GRNT 7C] BILLING CODE 4310–55–P Meeting Announcement: North American Wetlands Conservation Council DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of meeting. [LLCOF00000–L18200000–XX0000] SUMMARY: The North American Wetlands Conservation Council (Council) will meet to select North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grant proposals for recommendation to the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission (Commission). This meeting is open to the public and interested persons may present oral or written statements. DATES: Council Meeting: July 7, 2010, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you are interested in AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of public meetings. PO 00000 Frm 00062 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Bureau of Land Management Notice of Meetings, Front Range Resource Advisory Council SUMMARY: In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (FACA), the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Front Range Resource Advisory Council (RAC), will meet as indicated below. E:\FR\FM\17JNN1.SGM 17JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 116 (Thursday, June 17, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34477-34479]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-14581]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

U.S. Forest Service


Potomac-Appalachian Transmission Highline (PATH) Environmental 
Impact Statement, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, Appalachian 
National Scenic Trail, Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, 
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, and Monongahela 
National Forest, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior and U.S. Forest Service, 
Agriculture.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS) for construction and right-of-way permits requested from Harpers 
Ferry National Historical Park (NHP), Appalachian National Scenic Trail 
(NST), Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, Chesapeake and Ohio 
Canal National Historical Park, and Monongahela National Forest, in 
connection with the proposed Potomac-Appalachian Transmission Highline 
(PATH) project.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 
U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Service (NPS), lead agency, along 
with cooperating agencies, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers, are preparing an Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS) and conducting public scoping meetings for construction and 
right-of-way permits requested from the agencies by PATH Allegheny 
Transmission Company, LLC; PATH Allegheny Virginia Transmission 
Corporation; Potomac Edison Company; and PATH West Virginia 
Transmission Company, LLC, collectively referred to herein as 
Applicants. The Applicants are seeking permits for proposed 
construction of a new 765kV electric transmission line that would cross 
federal lands within Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia. In May 
2009, the Applicants submitted

[[Page 34478]]

right-of-way applications (Form 299) for those portions of the PATH 
project proposed to traverse Harpers Ferry NHP, Chesapeake and Ohio 
Canal NHP, Appalachian NST, Potomac Heritage NST, all managed by the 
National Park Service; and Monongahela National Forest managed by the 
U.S. Forest Service. These applications also serve as the application 
for Special Use Permits for construction of the proposed project.
    The Applicants' proposed project would modify and expand existing 
rights-of-way across Harpers Ferry NHP and Appalachian NST. In 
particular, the Applicants propose modification and expansion of 
existing right-of-way agreements held by Potomac Edison Company over 
Harpers Ferry NHP and Appalachian NST to allow for placement of the 138 
kV Millville-Doubs transmission line as an underbuild on the PATH 
transmission structures; and also the grant of a new 200-feet-wide 
right-of-way for the PATH transmission line. While the PATH Project 
would require a 200-feet right-of-way, it would only require an 
expansion of the existing right-of-way corridor across Harpers Ferry 
NHP and Appalachian NST by approximately 105 feet.
    The Applicants seek a new right-of-way authorization across 
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal NHP and Potomac Heritage NST. The requested 
right-of-way would be approximately 200 feet wide, with a distance over 
the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal NHP and Potomac Heritage NST properties 
of approximately 400 feet. The proposed crossing route will be adjacent 
to (on the north side) existing transmission rights-of-way for the 138 
kV Millville-Doubs transmission facility operated by Potomac Edison 
Company and the 500 kV Mt. Storm-Doubs transmission facility operated 
by Dominion Virginia Power. The Applicants' proposed crossing of the 
Monongahela National Forest would require USFS authorization for a new 
200-feet-wide right-of-way.
    The Applicants' stated purpose for the PATH project is to 
strengthen the electrical transmission grid for reliability purposes at 
the direction of PJM Interconnection, LLC (PJM), the regional 
transmission organization. PJM oversees the overall movement of 
wholesale electricity throughout a region comprising all or parts of 13 
states and the District of Columbia. PJM has a duty to maintain 
reliability of the transmission grid according to standards set by the 
North American Electric Reliability Corporation and approved by the 
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. PJM's Regional Transmission 
Expansion Plan has identified numerous projected reliability criteria 
violations that the proposed PATH project is designed to alleviate and 
has directed construction of a line of sufficient capacity to address 
these violations by connecting the existing Amos Substation in Putnam 
County, West Virginia, with two existing 500 kV transmission lines that 
are in close proximity to each other at a point approximately three 
miles southeast of New Market, Maryland.
    The federal action under consideration in this EIS is the 
Applicants' proposal that the National Park Service and U.S. Forest 
Service grant the requested permits. The agencies' purpose in taking 
action is to respond to the application for permits in consideration of 
the needs expressed therein and the public interest, and in light of 
the missions, purposes and resource management of the affected NPS and 
USFS units, as expressed in statutes, regulations, and policies.
    Federal action is needed because the Applicants have submitted the 
required applications to the National Park Service in accordance with 
36 CFR part 14 and applicable NPS management policies and to the U.S. 
Forest Service in accordance with 36 CFR part 251.54 and Special Uses 
Handbook (FSH 2709.11). The National Park Service and U.S. Forest 
Service therefore have a responsibility to consider whether, and with 
what conditions, if any, to issue the requested permits.
    The National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service will analyze no-
action and proposed action alternatives and possibly other alternatives 
or mitigation strategies that respond to the purpose, need, and 
objectives of this proposal. The goal of the National Park Service and 
U.S. Forest Service is to identify issues and concerns with the 
proposed action, additional alternatives, and alternative mitigation 
strategies through the public scoping process.
    This notice initiates the public participation and scoping process 
for the EIS. The public is invited to comment on the purpose, need and 
objectives for federal action, the proposed action and alternatives to 
the proposed action to be analyzed in the EIS, the appropriate scope of 
analysis, or any issues associated with the proposal. More information 
about the purpose of and need for federal action, and issues identified 
to date is available from the NPS planning Web site at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/appa/. It is important that reviewers provide 
their comments at such times and in such a manner that they are useful 
to the agency's preparation of the EIS. Therefore, comments should be 
provided prior to the close of the comment period and should clearly 
articulate the reviewers concerns and comments. The submission of 
timely and specific comments can affect a reviewer's ability to 
participate in subsequent administrative appeal or judicial review.

Dates and Meeting Notices: The public scoping period will commence on 
the date this notice is published in the Federal Register and last for 
at least 30 days or until 15 days after the last public scoping 
meeting. The National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service will hold 
public meetings near the parks and forest to provide the public an 
opportunity to review the proposal and project information, and provide 
comments. All public meetings will be announced through local media, 
mailings, and the NPS planning Web site at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/appa/, at least 15 days prior to each meeting. The meetings will be 
concluded at least 15 days prior to the close of comment.

ADDRESSES: Comments on issues, potential impacts, or suggestions for 
additional alternatives can be submitted using any one of the following 
methods. You may submit comments through the NPS planning Web site at 
https://parkplanning.nps.gov/appa/, which is the preferred method. You 
may mail your comments to the National Park Service, Attention: PATH 
EIS Planning Team, Denver Service Center--Planning, P.O. Box 25287, 
Denver, CO 80225. Comments may also be submitted at any of the three 
public meetings to be announced.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Morgan Elmer, Project Manager, Denver 
Service Center--Planning, P.O. Box 25287, Denver, Co 80225, telephone 
303-969-2317.
    Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address or 
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be 
aware 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 identifying information from public 
review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. All 
submissions from organizations and businesses, and from individuals 
identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations 
or businesses, will be available for public inspection in their 
entirety. The National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service will not 
consider anonymous comments. All others will be included in the 
administrative record

[[Page 34479]]

upon which the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service will 
ultimately reach a decision.

Margaret O'Dell,
Regional Director, National Capital Region, National Park Service.

Pam Underhill,
Superintendent, Appalachian National Scenic Trail, National Park 
Service.

Jason Reed,
District Ranger, Monongahela National Forest, U.S. Forest Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-14581 Filed 6-16-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P
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