General Management Plan, Final Environmental Impact Statement, Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historic Park, VA, 9596-9597 [2011-3266]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
• National Park Service

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 34 (Friday, February 18, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9596-9597]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-3266]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


General Management Plan, Final Environmental Impact Statement, 
Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historic Park, VA

AGENCY: National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact 
Statement for General Management Plan, Cedar Creek and Belle Grove 
National Historical Park.

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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 the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the 
General Management Plan (Final GMP/EIS) for Cedar Creek and Belle Grove 
National Historical Park, Virginia. When approved, the plan will 
provide guidance to park management for administration, development, 
and interpretation of park resources over the next 20 years.
    The Final GMP/EIS responds to, and incorporates, agency and public 
comments received on the Draft GMP/EIS, which was available for public 
and agency review from November 28, 2008 through February 26, 2009. 
Copies of the Draft EIS/GMP were available at the park office, by 
request, and on the NPS Planning, Environment, and Public Comment Web 
site (https://parkplanning.nps.gov/cebegmp). Public meetings were held 
on January 28 and 29 and February 4, 2009. Agency and public comments 
with NPS responses are provided as Appendix E and F, respectively of 
the Final GMP/EIS.

DATES: The NPS will prepare 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 GMP/EIS in the Federal 
Register.

ADDRESSES: The document will be available for public review and comment 
online at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/cebegmp. Requests for a hard copy 
or an electronic copy on CD may be made by contacting the park at (540) 
868-9176.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Diann Jacox, Superintendent, Cedar 
Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park, 7718\1/2\; Main Street, 
Middletown, Virginia 22645, (540) 868-9176.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Consistent with Federal laws, regulations, 
and National Park Service policies, the Final GMP/EIS describes and 
analyzes the environmental impact of four alternatives (A-D) to guide 
the development and future management of the National Historical Park. 
Alternative A (Continuation of Current Management) focuses on sites 
owned, managed, and interpreted by Key Partners, with the NPS providing 
technical assistance and national visibility. This alternative provides 
a baseline evaluation of the existing resource conditions, facilities, 
and management at Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park.
    Under Alternative B, visitors would experience the park at sites 
owned by the Key Partners and through electronic media and NPS ranger 
led tours and programs. Visitors would access the park via auto-touring 
routes, and a few non-motorized trails located primarily on Key Partner 
properties. The primary role NPS would be to provide interpretive 
programs and technical assistance. The Key Partners would have the 
primary responsibility for land and resource protection. There would be 
increased coordination among the NPS and Key Partners, with the NPS 
serving as a coordinator for land and resource protection.
    Under Alternative C, visitors would experience the park at a NPS-
developed and managed visitor center and at visitor focal areas owned 
and managed by the NPS and the Key Partners. The NPS and the Key 
Partners would coordinate interpretive programs at these sites. 
Visitors would access the

[[Page 9597]]

park via auto-touring routes and a system of non-motorized trails that 
provides opportunities for interpretation. The NPS and the Key Partners 
would develop a coordinated land protection plan focused on protection 
of key historic sites that would become focal areas. The NPS and the 
Key Partners would develop formal agreements to undertake special 
projects and general park management.
    Alternative D is the NPS preferred alternative. Under this 
alternative, visitors would experience the park at a NPS-developed and 
managed visitor center and at visitor focal areas owned and managed by 
the NPS and the Key Partners. The NPS and the Key Partners would 
coordinate interpretive programs at these sites. Visitors would access 
the park via auto-touring routes and an extensive system of non-
motorized trails that provides opportunities for interpretation and 
recreation, that connect focal areas, and tie to communities and 
resources outside the park. The NPS and the Key Partners would develop 
a coordinated land protection plan focused on protection of cultural 
landscapes, sensitive natural resource areas, and lands providing 
connections between NPS and Key Partner properties.

Dennis R. Reidenbach,
Regional Director, Northeast Region, National Park Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-3266 Filed 2-17-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-AR-P