Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for a Deer Management Plan, Antietam National Battlefield and Monocacy National Battlefield, MD, and Manassas National Battlefield Park, VA, 42726-42727 [2011-18150]

Download as PDF 42726 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 138 / Tuesday, July 19, 2011 / Notices Substation west to San Bernardino, California. A Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Report (EIR)/ Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was published in the Federal Register on December 7, 2005. The BLM, together with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the USFS prepared a joint EIR/EIS for this project. The Final EIR/EIS was completed in late October, 2006, with the EPA’s Notice of Availability (NOA) published on November 3, 2006. The preferred alternative rejected the 230-kV transmission line upgrades west of the Devers Substation in favor of a 500-kV transmission line extension originating at the Devers Substation and terminating at the Valley Substation near Romoland, California. On December 22, 2006, the CPUC issued a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity approving the California portion of the project under their jurisdiction. The BLM’s ROD was delayed, however, pending approval of the Arizona portion of the project by the Arizona Corporations Commission (ACC). Negotiations between the ACC and SCE continued until May 15, 2009, when SCE announced it was no longer pursuing construction of the Arizona portion of the project. The SCE, however, continues to pursue completion of the California portion of the project. The rationale for this 157mile-long, California-only project includes anticipated future renewable energy development and generator interconnection requests in the vicinity of Blythe, in Riverside County, California. This ROD addresses the California-only project. Any party adversely affected by the ROD decision may appeal within 30 days of publication of this NOA pursuant to 43 CFR, part 4, subpart E. The appeal must be filed with the Palm Springs Field Manager at the above listed address. Please consult the appropriate regulations (43 CFR part 4, subpart E) for further appeal requirements. sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Authority: 40 CFR 1506.6. Karla Norris, Assistant Deputy State Director, Natural Resources. [FR Doc. 2011–18186 Filed 7–18–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–40–P VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:20 Jul 18, 2011 Jkt 223001 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for a Deer Management Plan, Antietam National Battlefield and Monocacy National Battlefield, MD, and Manassas National Battlefield Park, VA National Park Service, Interior. Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Service (NPS) is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement for a Deer Management Plan (EIS and Plan) covering Antietam National Battlefield and Monocacy National Battlefield, Maryland, and Manassas National Battlefield Park, Virginia. The purpose of this EIS and Plan is to develop a deer management strategy that supports preservation of the cultural and natural landscapes through the protection and restoration of native vegetation and other natural and cultural resources, and that provides for management of Chronic Wasting Disease at the parks. DATES: The NPS will accept comments from the public through September 2, 2011. The NPS intends to hold public scoping meetings at Antietam National Battlefield, Monocacy National Battlefield and Manassas National Battlefield Park during the scoping period. Details regarding the exact times and locations of these meetings will be announced through local media at least 15 days in advance of the meetings. Information about public meetings will also be provided on the three parks’ planning Web site: https:// parkplanning.nps.gov/ battlefielddeerplan (click on the link to the Deer Management Plan). ADDRESSES: Information will be available for public review and comment online at https:// parkplanning.nps.gov/ battlefielddeerplan and at all three park headquarters listed below. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Office of the Superintendent, Antietam National Battlefield, P.O. Box 158, Sharpsburg, Maryland 21782, Telephone: (301) 432–2243. Office of the Superintendent, Monocacy National Battlefield, 4801 Urbana Pike, Frederick, Maryland 21704, Telephone: (301) 694–3147. Office of the Superintendent, Manassas National Battlefield Park, 12521 Lee PO 00000 Frm 00053 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 This plan is needed for the following reasons: Attainment of the parks’ cultural landscape preservation goals and mandates are compromised by the high density of white-tailed deer in the parks. Browsing of and other damage to native seedlings, saplings and understory vegetation by deer in the parks has prevented successful forest regeneration. An increasing number of deer in the parks has resulted in adverse impacts to native vegetation and wildlife. Opportunities to coordinate with other jurisdictional entities currently implementing deer management actions to benefit the protection of park resources and values can be expanded (Bull Run Regional Park and Conway Robinson State Park in Manassas, Virginia, etc.). Chronic Wasting Diseases is proximate to the parks and represents an imminent threat to resources in the parks. There are opportunities to evaluate and plan responses to threats from Chronic Wasting Disease over the long term. The NPS has invited several other government agencies to participate in the development of the EIS and Plan as cooperating agencies, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the State of Maryland and the Commonwealth of Virginia. A scoping newsletter will be prepared that details the issues identified to date and includes the purpose, need, and objectives of the EIS and Plan. Copies of that information may be obtained online at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/ battlefielddeerplan or at one of the three parks’ headquarters addresses above. If you wish to comment on the purpose, need, objectives, alternatives, or on any other issues associated with the EIS and Plan, you may submit your comments via the Internet at https:// parkplanning.nps.gov/ battlefielddeerplan or by mail or handdelivery to one of the three parks’ headquarters addresses above. 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. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: [NPS–NCR–NACA–0411–7317; 2031–A155– 422] ACTION: Highway, Manassas, Virginia 20109, Telephone: (703) 754–1861; and; E:\FR\FM\19JYN1.SGM 19JYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 138 / Tuesday, July 19, 2011 / Notices Dated: April 19, 2011. Woody Smeck, Acting Regional Director, National Capital Region. [FR Doc. 2011–18150 Filed 7–18–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–JK–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service [NPS–NCR–MANA–0411–7316; 3840–SZM] Notice of Availability of a Record of Decision on the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the General Management Plan, Manassas National Battlefield Park National Park Service, Interior. Pursuant to § 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 83 Stat. 852, 853, codified as amended at 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Service (NPS) announces the availability of the Record of Decision for the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the General Management Plan (FEIS/GMP), Manassas National Battlefield Park, Virginia. AGENCY: sroberts on DSK5SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ed W. Clark, Superintendent, Manassas National Battlefield Park, at Manassas National Battlefield Park, 12521 Lee Highway, Manassas, Virginia 20109– 2005, by telephone at (703) 754–1861, or by e-mail at EdWClark @NPS.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 25, 2011, the Regional Director of the National Capital Region, NPS, approved the Record of Decision for the project. As soon as practicable, the NPS will begin to implement the Preferred Alternative contained in the FEIS/GMP issued on September 19, 2008. The following course of action will occur under the Alternative B, the selected alternative. Alternative B is the NPS-selected alternative. Under this alternative, the park would focus on interpreting the two battles of Manassas as distinct military events. This alternative has been modified from the Alternative B presented in the FEIS/GMP as discussed below. The initial stop in the park will be a new visitor center; where visitors will receive their first orientation to the battlefield. The interpretive information will focus on putting the two battles into context. Visitors will receive a more thorough orientation to each battle from two visitor contact areas—Henry Hill for First Manassas and Brawner Farm for Second Manassas. From these access points, visitors may explore the many historic sites associated with each event VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:20 Jul 18, 2011 Jkt 223001 throughout the park. The experience for each battle will be distinct, with standalone visitor areas and automobile tour routes. Separate, chronological automobile and bicycle tours will be developed for each battle. In this alternative, the rehabilitation of the historic landscape will be critical to visitor understanding of the events and military tactics associated with each battle. Development of a visitor center near Stone Bridge was discussed as part of Alternative C in the FEIS/GMP. By including it in the selected alternative, the NPS believes the park can provide a more comprehensive approach to interpretation of both battles that will enhance the visitor experience. It should be noted that while Alternative C places the visitor center near Stone Bridge, future planning and compliance may determine a more appropriate location for such a facility. The new visitor center will provide context for the battles of First and Second Manassas battles; the visitor contact station at Henry Hill will continue its sole focus on the battle of First Manassas, while the visitor contact station at Brawner Farm will focus solely on the battle of Second Manassas. Given its location within the cultural landscape and space limitations, expanding the interpretive focus at Henry Hill is not feasible. By constructing a new visitor center the park can more effectively achieve the management goals of the park. Sitespecific analysis, compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) will be conducted as appropriate before development of the new visitor center. As part of this planning effort, due to the sensitive nature of the cultural landscape and resources in the park, the NPS will explore a range of alternatives regarding the potential site of the new facility (both inside and outside of the park boundaries), and would seek sites that minimize impacts to park resources especially those resources related to the two battles. In addition, the NPS will consider the operational needs of the park and how a new visitor center could meet those needs more efficiently (i.e., office space, interpretation, cooperative agreements, curatorial requirements, and utilization of the current visitor facilities within the park); potentially allowing for a reduction in the size of the current visitor facilities within the park in the future. Full implementation of this alternative assumes the completion of the Manassas National Battlefield Park Bypass (Bypass). The Bypass will permit the removal of heavy commuter and PO 00000 Frm 00054 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 42727 commercial truck traffic from the portions of U.S. Route 29 and VA Route 234 that run through the park. Through traffic will be further limited with the addition of controlled access points. Visitors will experience a battlefield landscape that resembles its wartime appearance. Key interpretive views will be preserved and re-created to help visitors understand how the battles unfolded and the importance of certain locations. Wartime structures will be preserved and other historic structures will be retained to mark the site of wartime buildings. Key Actions Under the selected alternative, the following actions will occur: Separate automobile and bike paths will be developed for each battle. The NPS will upgrade current trails and interpretive media along the First Manassas and Second Manassas hiking trails as necessary. New portions of the Second Manassas hiking trail will be created as necessary. Because of safety concerns posed by the high traffic volumes on U.S. Route 29 and VA Route 234, separate automobile and bicycle tour routes will not be implemented until the completion of the Bypass. Once the Bypass is completed, through traffic will be limited in the park with the addition of controlled access facilities at the park’s four main entry points. A new visitor center will be constructed, designed as the initial stop and primary orientation point for the park. The visitor contact station at Henry Hill will focus entirely on First Manassas. The battle of Second Manassas visitor contact station will be located at Brawner Farm. The site will be open for year-round visitation once necessary improvements have been completed. The cultural landscape will reflect conditions in 1861–1862 in several key areas of the park through a combination of tree removal, clearing, and reforestation. The cleared areas will be managed as grassland communities (or in a few instances as shrub communities) that will provide desirable habitat and restore historic vistas for visitors. Maintaining the historic appearance of some of these areas with a lawnmower or other machinery may be prohibited because of terrain. In those cases, following appropriate compliance, other approved methods will be utilized to maintain the landscape. Prescribed fire may be considered as a potential management tool; however, this will require extensive compliance to ensure that it be used safely and have the expected results. The park staff will continue to E:\FR\FM\19JYN1.SGM 19JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 138 (Tuesday, July 19, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42726-42727]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-18150]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-NCR-NACA-0411-7317; 2031-A155-422]


Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for a Deer 
Management Plan, Antietam National Battlefield and Monocacy National 
Battlefield, MD, and Manassas National Battlefield Park, VA

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 
U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Service (NPS) is preparing an 
Environmental Impact Statement for a Deer Management Plan (EIS and 
Plan) covering Antietam National Battlefield and Monocacy National 
Battlefield, Maryland, and Manassas National Battlefield Park, 
Virginia. The purpose of this EIS and Plan is to develop a deer 
management strategy that supports preservation of the cultural and 
natural landscapes through the protection and restoration of native 
vegetation and other natural and cultural resources, and that provides 
for management of Chronic Wasting Disease at the parks.

DATES: The NPS will accept comments from the public through September 
2, 2011.
    The NPS intends to hold public scoping meetings at Antietam 
National Battlefield, Monocacy National Battlefield and Manassas 
National Battlefield Park during the scoping period. Details regarding 
the exact times and locations of these meetings will be announced 
through local media at least 15 days in advance of the meetings. 
Information about public meetings will also be provided on the three 
parks' planning Web site: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/battlefielddeerplan (click on the link to the Deer Management Plan).

ADDRESSES: Information will be available for public review and comment 
online at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/battlefielddeerplan and at all 
three park headquarters listed below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Office of the Superintendent, Antietam National Battlefield, P.O. Box 
158, Sharpsburg, Maryland 21782, Telephone: (301) 432-2243.
Office of the Superintendent, Monocacy National Battlefield, 4801 
Urbana Pike, Frederick, Maryland 21704, Telephone: (301) 694-3147.
Office of the Superintendent, Manassas National Battlefield Park, 12521 
Lee Highway, Manassas, Virginia 20109, Telephone: (703) 754-1861; and;

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This plan is needed for the following 
reasons: Attainment of the parks' cultural landscape preservation goals 
and mandates are compromised by the high density of white-tailed deer 
in the parks.
    Browsing of and other damage to native seedlings, saplings and 
understory vegetation by deer in the parks has prevented successful 
forest regeneration.
    An increasing number of deer in the parks has resulted in adverse 
impacts to native vegetation and wildlife.
    Opportunities to coordinate with other jurisdictional entities 
currently implementing deer management actions to benefit the 
protection of park resources and values can be expanded (Bull Run 
Regional Park and Conway Robinson State Park in Manassas, Virginia, 
etc.).
    Chronic Wasting Diseases is proximate to the parks and represents 
an imminent threat to resources in the parks. There are opportunities 
to evaluate and plan responses to threats from Chronic Wasting Disease 
over the long term. The NPS has invited several other government 
agencies to participate in the development of the EIS and Plan as 
cooperating agencies, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the 
State of Maryland and the Commonwealth of Virginia.
    A scoping newsletter will be prepared that details the issues 
identified to date and includes the purpose, need, and objectives of 
the EIS and Plan. Copies of that information may be obtained online at 
https://parkplanning.nps.gov/battlefielddeerplan or at one of the three 
parks' headquarters addresses above.
    If you wish to comment on the purpose, need, objectives, 
alternatives, or on any other issues associated with the EIS and Plan, 
you may submit your comments via the Internet at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/battlefielddeerplan or by mail or hand-delivery to 
one of the three parks' headquarters addresses above.
    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.


[[Page 42727]]


    Dated: April 19, 2011.
Woody Smeck,
Acting Regional Director, National Capital Region.
[FR Doc. 2011-18150 Filed 7-18-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-JK-P
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