National Park Service 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents
Results 101 - 150 of 333
Fire Management Plan, Final Environmental Impact Statement, Saguaro National Park, AZ
Pursuant to National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4332(C), the National Park Service announces the availability of a Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Fire Management Plan, Saguaro National Park, Arizona.
Wekiva River System Advisory Management Committee Meeting
This notice announces a September 20, 2005, meeting of the Wekiva River System Advisory Management Committee.
60-Day Notice of Intention To Request Clearance of Collection of Information; Opportunity for Public Comment
The National Park Service (NPS) Volunteers-In-Parks (VIP) program (Pub. L. 91-357) is collecting information from volunteers in the form of a survey for the purposes of evaluating the program and its effectiveness. In order to effectively manage the increasing trend of volunteerism in the NPS, it is imperative that the agency assess its strengths and weaknesses and determine methods for improved efficiency. A servicewide volunteer program assessment has not been conducted to date. Current VIPs will be surveyed (mail-back/Internet-based questionnaire) during this process to collect information about the current status and needs of the program. In addition, follow-up focus groups (3 with up to 20 participants each) and telephone interviews (up to 40) will be conducted to acquire detailed data expanding on questionnaire results). Recommendations for improvements will be made based on the findings. This process will not only aid in creating an improved, streamlined program, but may also serve as a model for other Federal agencies.
Plan of Operations, Categorical Exclusion, Big Thicket National Preserve, TX
Notice is hereby given in accordance with Sec. 9.52(b) of Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 9, Subpart B, that the National Park Service (NPS) has received from Century Exploration Houston, Inc., a Plan of Operations to conduct the JASPO 3-D ``Cable- Only'' Seismic Survey of the Lower Neches River Corridor Unit of Big Thicket National Preserve, within Hardin, Jasper, and Orange Counties, Texas. The NPS has prepared a Categorical Exclusion on this proposal.
Plan of Operations, Categorical Exclusion, Big Thicket National Preserve, TX
Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 9.52(b) of Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations, part 9, subpart B, that the National Park Service (NPS) has received from Krescent Energy Company, LLC, a Plan of Operations to conduct the Tyler 3-D ``Cable- Only'' Seismic Survey of the Upper Neches River Corridor Unit of Big Thicket National Preserve, within Tyler and Jasper Counties, Texas. The NPS has prepared a Categorical Exclusion on this proposal.
Announcement of the National Park Subsistence Resource Commission (SRC) meetings for Cape Krusenstern National Monument and Kobuk Valley National Park
The National Park Service (NPS) announces the SRC meeting schedule for the following NPS areas within the Alaska Region: Cape Krusenstern National Monument, and Kobuk Valley National Park and Denali National Park. The purpose of each meeting is to develop and continue work on subsistence hunting program recommendations and other related subsistence management issues. Each meeting is open to the public and will have time allocated for public testimony. The public is welcomed to present written or oral comments to the SRC. The NPS SRC program is authorized under Title VIII, Section 808, of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act, Public Law 96-487, to operate in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Draft meeting minutes will be available for public inspection approximately six weeks after each meeting: Superintendent Western Arctic National Parklands, P.O. Box 1029, Kotzebue, AK 99752.
Draft Environmental Impact Statement/General Management Plan: Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve, Island County, WA; Notice of Availability
Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4332(C), and the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR part 1500-1508), the National Park Service has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed general management plan for Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve (Reserve) located in northwestern Washington. In addition to a ``no-action'' alternative (which would maintain current management), the Draft EIS describes and analyzes two ``action'' alternatives which respond to public concerns and issues identified during the scoping process, as well as NPS's conservation planning requirements. These alternatives present varying management strategies that address visitor use and preservation of cultural and natural resources that protect and reflect the rural community on Whidbey Island from 19th century exploration and settlement in Puget Sound to the present time. The potential environmental consequences of each alternative, and mitigation strategies, are identified and analyzed; a determination as to the ``environmentally preferred'' alternative is also provided in the Draft EIS. Scoping: A Notice of Intent announcing preparation of the Draft EIS and general management plan was published in the Federal Register on May 22, 2000. Public involvement has included public meetings, presentations and meetings with organizations located within the Reserve and additional organizations, newsletter mailings, local press releases, website postings, and postcards. Preceding the formal EIS analysis process, the NPS had organized an interdisciplinary planning team to initiate the general management plan process for the Reserve. The team included the Reserve's Trust Board and staff, representatives from Washington State, Island County and Town of Coupeville, and NPS staff from the Pacific West Region Office in Seattle, Washington. The purpose of these initial meetings was to help characterize the scale and extent of the planning process. The formal public scoping efforts began in June 2000 with release of a scoping newsletter to approximately 650 people on the Reserve's mailing list. In addition, over 2800 newsletters were distributed at local public places such as libraries, civic buildings, businesses, and parks. The planning team received 36 letters during the official public scoping period ending August 15, 2000. In addition, during June 2000, three public scoping meetings were held in Seattle, Washington and Coupeville, Washington (in total, 141 verbal comments were recorded). Individual scoping meetings were also held between August 2000 and January 2001 with organizations located within the Reserve to discuss issues of mutual interest. Other meetings with other interested organizations were also scheduled. Proposed Plan and Alternatives: Alternative A constitutes the No- Action alternative and serves as an environmental baseline to facilitate comparisons between the ``action'' alternatives. Alternative A assumes that existing programs, facilities, staffing, and funding would generally continue at their current levels. The NPS would dispose of NPS-owned and managed farms within the Reserve to the private sector after placing conservation easements on them. Alternative B is the ``agency preferred'' alternative. The Reserve's Trust Board, and the NPS, in cooperation with partners, would enhance existing programs and resources management, as well as administrative, maintenance, and visitor services within the Reserve. To maintain and protect the rural landscape, the NPS would continue to purchase conservation easements on priority properties based upon a new land protection plan. The NPS would exchange NPS-owned farms to private farm owners for additional protection on other properties within the Reserve. Historic buildings would be rehabilitated to the Secretary of the Interior's Standards. The county would be encouraged to develop a zoning overlay for the Reserve to aid in land use control. In addition, a minor boundary adjustment would be recommended. To orient and inform visitors about the Reserve, three gateway kiosks would be developed along State Route 20 and a visitor center/contact station would be operated within an historic building in Coupeville or within the historic district (three development concept plans for three sites are included). As documented in the Draft EIS this alternative is deemed to be ``environmentally preferred''. Alternative C changes the management structure of the Reserve from a Trust Board of volunteers to a paid Commission structure. Many actions are similar to Alternative B but with some distinctions. Approximately five acres of NPS-owned land at Farm II would be retained for administrative and maintenance use before exchanging the remaining farmland to a private farm owner for additional protection on other properties within the Reserve. One of the three gateways would be in a historic building in the north of the Reserve. The Reserve would partner for a visitor contact facility at a proposed marine science center. Public Review and Comment: The Draft GMP/EIS has now been released for public review, and a limited number of printed copies are available upon request (see below). In addition, the document may be reviewed at the public library in Coupeville. Also a Draft General Management Plan Alternatives Newsletter is being issued concurrently. Written comments may be submitted using several methods. Responses are encouraged online using the electronic comment form accessed at the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment System (https://parkplanning.nps.gov/ ebla). A postage-paid comment response form is included in the Alternatives Newsletter (additional pages may be attached to this form as necessary). Written comments may be directly mailed to: Rob Harbour, Reserve Manager, Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve, P.O. Box 774, 162 Cemetery Road, Coupeville, WA 98239. In addition, oral comments may be offered at one of several public workshops to be conducted in fall, 2005. Confirmed details on dates, locations and times for these workshops will be announced in local newspapers, in the Alternatives Newsletter, via the park's website, or may be obtained by telephone at (360) 678-6084. All written comments must be postmarked or transmitted not later than 60 days after the EPA's notice of filing is published in the Federal Register (immediately upon confirmation of this date it will be announced on the park's website). All comments will become part of the public record. If individuals submitting comments request that their name or address be withheld from public disclosure, the request will be honored to the extent allowable by law. Such requests must be stated prominently in the beginning of comments. There also may be circumstances in which the NPS will withhold from the record a respondent's identity, as allowable by law. As always: The NPS will make available to public inspection all submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses; and anonymous comments may not be considered. Decision: Following the opportunity to review the Draft EIS/GMP, all public and agency comments received will be carefully considered in preparing the final document. The Final EIS is anticipated to be completed during the Fall/Winter 2006 and its availability will be similarly announced in the Federal Register and via local and regional press media. As a delegated EIS, the official responsible for the final decision is the Regional Director, Pacific West Region; subsequently the approved plan would be implemented by the Trust Board, Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve, in conjunction with the Reserve Manager.
60-day Notice of Intention To Request Clearance of Collection of Information: Opportunity for Public Comment
Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C., Chapter 3507) and 5 CFR part 1320, Reporting and Record Keeping Requirements, the National Park Service invites public comments on an extension of a currently approved collection (OMB1024-0018).
Notice of Availability of the Proposed Management Plan and Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve
In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, the National Park and Recreation Act of 1978, and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Bureau of Land Management and the National Park Service have jointly prepared a Proposed Plan/Final EIS for the Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve. The Final EIS discusses public and agency comments received on the draft EIS. It describes and analyzes four alternative management strategies, each presenting a different approach to resolving issues identified through public scoping. Alternative A is the ``no action'' or continuation of present management alternative. Alternative B would promote more travel and access within the Monument. Alternative C would emphasize retention and enhancement of the Monument's primitive character. The Proposed Plan is Alternative D, the agency preferred alternative from the draft Plan/EIS, refined by public comment. Alternative D, which emphasizes protection and restoration of physical and biological resources, is also considered to be the environmentally preferred alternative.
Notice of Intent to Repatriate a Cultural Item: Neville Public Museum of Brown County, Green Bay, WI
Flight 93 National Memorial Advisory Commission
This notice sets forth the date of the September 7, 2005 meeting of the Flight 93 Advisory Commission.
The Transportation Plan/ Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Grand Teton National Park, WY
The National Park Service published a Notice of Availability on June 6, 2005 (70 FR 107) for the draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Transportation Plan, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming. The public comment period was to expire on August 1, 2005. This notice extends the public comment period until August 25, 2005.
Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park Advisory Commission; Notice of Meetings
Notice is hereby given in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act that meetings of the Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park Advisory Commission will be held to discuss the development of the park's general management plan.
Notice of Availability of a Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Low Country Gullah Culture Special Resource Study
This notice is being published in accordance with 40 CFR 1506.6. Pursuant to section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 the National Park Service announces the availability of a Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Low Country Gullah Culture Special Resource Study. The document describes ways that the National Park Service can assist in preserving Gullah culture (more commonly known as Geechee in Georgia and Florida) by outlining four management alternatives for consideration by Congress, and a no-action alternative. The EIS analyzes the environmental impacts of those alternatives considered for the future protection, interpretation, and management of Gullah cultural resources. There have been no substantive changes to the alternatives as presented in the Draft EIS. The study area stretches along the southeastern United States coast roughly from the Cape Fear River in North Carolina to the St. John's River in Florida and approximately 30 miles inland.
Notice of Availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument General Management Plan
Pursuant to section 102(2) (C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and National Park Service policy in Director's Order Number 2 (Park Planning) and Director's Order Number 12 (Conservation Planning, Environmental Impact Analysis, and Decision-making) the National Park Service announces the availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement/General Management Plan (DEIS/GMP) for the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument in St. Augustine, Florida. The authority for publishing this notice is contained in 40 CFR 1506.6. The document provides a framework for management, use, and development options for the national monument by the National Park Service for the next 15-20 years. The document describes four management alternatives for consideration, including a no-action alternative that continues current management policies, and analyzes the environmental impacts of those alternatives. The Castillo de San Marcos National Monument is located on Matanzas Bay, adjacent to the historic district of St. Augustine, Florida.
Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement and Revised Comprehensive Management Plan, Merced Wild and Scenic River, Yosemite National Park, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Mono & Tuolumne Counties, CA; Notice of Approval of Record of Decision
Pursuant to Sec. 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Pub. L. 91-190, as amended) and the regulations promulgated by the Council on Environmental Quality (40 CFR 1505.2) and in accord with instructions of the U.S. District Courtthe Department of the Interior, National Park Service has prepared and approved a Record of Decision for the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement and Merced River Revised Comprehensive Management Plan, Yosemite National Park. This programmatic Plan addresses NPS stewardship of an 81 mile segment of the 122 miles of the Merced River designated as ``Wild and Scenic'' by Congress in 1987. The requisite no-action period was initiated June 24, 2005, with the Environmental Protection Agency's Federal Register notification of the filing of the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (FSEIS). Decision: As soon as practical the National Park Service will begin to implement the Revised Comprehensive Management Plan described as the Preferred Alternative (Alternative 2) contained in the FSEIS. This alternative was deemed to be the ``environmentally preferred'' alternative. This course of action and three alternatives (including no-action) were identified and analyzed in the Final and Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statements (the opportunity for public review of the latter was announced in the Federal Register on January 14, 2005). The full range of foreseeable environmental consequences were assessed, and appropriate mitigation measures have been identified. Copies: Interested parties desiring to review the Record of Decision may obtain a copy by contacting the Superintendent, Yosemite National Park, P.O. Box 577, Yosemite, California 95389; or via telephone request at (209) 372-0201.
Notice of Availability of a Record of Decision (ROD) on the Final Environmental Impact Statement/General Management Plan (FEIS/GMP) for Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Kentucky and Tennessee (National Area)
Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, 83 Stat. 852, 853, codified as amended at 42 U.S.C. 4332 (2)(C), as well as National Park Service (NPS) policy in Director's Order 2 (Park Planning) and Director's Order 12 (Conservation Planning, Environmental Impact Analysis, and Decision- making), the NPS announces the availability of the ROD for the FEIS/GMP for the National Area. On May 26, 2005, the Southeast Regional Director approved the ROD for the project. As soon as practicable, the NPS will begin to implement the GMP, described as the Preferred Alternative (Alternative D) in the FEIS issued on February 24, 2005. Under the preferred alternative, a total of eight management zones will be created for the National Area, each of which will be attended with particularized management prescriptions. Overall, the level of development and types of facilities proposed over the planning horizon of 15 to 20 years will remain essentially the same as currently exists. The notable exceptions include new sites in the southwest portion of the National Area where NPS has been actively acquiring land in recent years. Under Alternative D, the NPS will devote considerable effort and resources to improving the National Area's road and trail system. A principal feature of Alternative D is a roads and trails plan that sets forth the official road and trail system for the National Area. Henceforth, public use of roads and trails will only be allowed on the official system; all trails not expressly included as part of the official system will be designated as administratively closed. In addition, public use of a particular road or trail will be limited to the designated use set forth in Alternative D, with certain limited exceptions. Each road and trail in the official system will be constructed and maintained in accordance with a standard that supports the designated use(s) and also is consistent with desired resource conditions in the surrounding area, or zone. Alternative D increases the trail miles available to hikers, equestrians, and bicyclists from the levels currently maintained by the National Area. The official trail system includes trails specifically dedicated to each of these user groups, plus a larger universe of trails that are ``shared use.'' Generally speaking, designated horse trails will also be open to hikers and bicyclists, while designated bike trails will be open to both bicyclists and hikers. Specified hiking trails will also be open to bicyclists in order to provide more opportunities for this increasingly popular activity. In implementing Alternative D, the NPS will continue the use of a trail type known as ``multiple-use trail.'' In the National Area, this trail type is typically known for allowing motor vehicles, horses, hikers, and bicyclists on a single route maintained to trail rather than road standards. Under Alternative D, persons driving motor vehicles that are licensed and registered may use any multiple-use trails that will accommodate such use. All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) will generally not be permitted on any multiple-use trail, park road, or any other trail type. However, visitors will be permitted to use ATVs on multiple-use trails while actively hunting, during big game season only. Multiple-use trails will be closed to ATVs at all other times of the year. Big game season is defined for this purpose as the legal season for white-tailed deer and, in jurisdictions where they are regulated as ``big game,'' wild boar. Alternative D also provides that ATV routes for year-round general recreational use may be designated within ``planning areas'' identified for consideration of such use. The plan includes two such planning areas in the Darrow Ridge area. These planning areas will provide the opportunity to design an experimental prototype system. Under Alternative D, the route of the old O&W railroad will provide continued passenger vehicle access to the O&W bridge from the east. The route will be improved to the extent of providing safe passage. The NPS will coordinate with Scott County on the necessary improvements to achieve desired use and resource conditions. The O&W route west of North White Oak Creek has been determined to be abandoned. This portion of the route, extending to trail connections near the western boundary of the National Area, will be a trail designated for foot, horse, and bike use, as recommended by previous studies. The route will be brought to a standard suitable for the intended trail uses.
Notice of Availability of a Draft General Management Plan, Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Great Falls Park, Virginia, a Site Within George Washington Memorial Parkway
Pursuant to section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the National Park Service announces the availability of a draft General Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (GMP/EIS) for Great Falls Park, McLean, Virginia. The GMP/EIS evaluates two alternatives for the park. The document describes and analyzes the environmental impacts of one action alternative and a no-action alternative. When approved, the plan will guide management actions during the next 15-20 years. Alternatives: In Alternative A, the no action alternative, Great Falls Park would be maintained as evolved thus far. There would not be any major changes in resources management, visitor programs, or facilities beyond regular maintenance. In Alternative B, the preferred alternative, the visitor center would be rehabilitated to improve exhibits and establish an education component on resource protection; a trail management plan and climbing management plan would be developed to reduce potential damage to sensitive cultural and natural resources. One new facility would be constructed to replace existing maintenance buildings and United States Park Police (USPP) trailer that would all be removed. The new building would accommodate park staff offices (relocated from the visitor center), maintenance personnel and equipment, law enforcement staff offices, and a holding cell. The park would also construct a USPP horse stable off Jackson Lane within the park. All of the restroom facilities would be improved and expanded at current locations. Public Review: A 60-day public review period for comment on the draft document will begin after publication of this notice. In order to facilitate the review process, public reading copies of the GMP/EIS will be available for review at the following locations: Great Falls Park, Visitor Center, 9200 Old Dominion Drive, McLean, Virginia 22102; George Washington Memorial Parkway, Turkey Run Park, McLean, Virginia 22101; Great Falls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, Virginia 22066.
Notice of Meeting
Notice is hereby given in accordance with the Federal Advisory Commission Act and 36 CFR part 65 that a meeting of the Landmarks Committee of the National Park System Advisory Board will be held beginning at 1 p.m. on October 24, 2005 and at the following location. The meeting will continue beginning at 9 a.m. on October 25.
Notice of Availability of the Proposed Management Plan and Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve
In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, the National Park and Recreation Act of 1978, and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the BLM and the NPS have jointly prepared a Proposed Plan/Final EIS for the Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve. The Proposed Plan would provide direction for the management of approximately 740,000 acres of federally-managed land in Blaine, Butte, Lincoln, Minidoka, and Power Counties in south- central Idaho. In would replace the NPS' Craters of the Moon National Monument General Management Plan and portions of the following BLM plans: Big Desert, Big Lost, and Sun Valley Management Framework Plans; and the Monument RMP.
Notice of Meeting of Concessions Management Advisory Board
In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463, 86 Stat. 770, 5 U.S.C. App 1, section 10), notice is hereby given that the Concessions Management Advisory Board (the Board) will hold its 14th meeting on August 25, 2005, at Grand Teton National Park, Moose, Wyoming. The meeting will be held at the Jackson Lake Lodge in Grand Teton National Park. The meeting will convene at 8:30 a.m. and will conclude at 4:30 p.m.
Notice of Inventory Completion: Northwest Christian College Museum, Kellenberger Library, Eugene, OR
Announcement of the National Park Subsistence Resource Commission (SRC) Meetings for Aniakchak National Monument and Lake Clark National Park
The National Park Service (NPS) announces the SRC meeting schedule for the following NPS areas within the Alaska Region: Aniakchak National Monument and Lake Clark National Park. The purpose of each meeting is to develop and continue work on subsistence hunting recommendations and other related subsistence management issues. Each meeting is open to the public and will have time allocated for public testimony. The public is welcomed to present written or oral comments to the SRC. The NPS SRC program is authorized under Title VIII, Section 808, of the Alaska National Lands Conservation Act, Public Law 96-487, to operate in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Draft meeting minutes will be available for public inspection approximately six weeks after each meeting.
General Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement, Lincoln Home National Historic Site, Illinois
Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4332(C), the National Park Service is preparing an environmental impact statement for a general management plan for Lincoln Home National Historic Site (LIHO). The environmental impact statement will be approved by the Director, Midwest Region. The general management plan will prescribe the resource conditions and visitor experiences that are to be achieved and maintained at LIHO over the next 15 to 20 years. The clarification of what must be achieved according to law and policy will be based on review of the site's purpose, significance, special mandates, and the body of laws and policies directing park management. Based on determinations of desired conditions, the general management plan will outline the kinds of resource management activities, visitor activities, and development that would be appropriate in the future. A range of reasonable management alternatives will be developed through this planning process and will include, at a minimum, no action and the preferred alternative. Major issues to be addressed in the plan include: Issues surrounding preserving park resources (such as developing management strategies to preserve and maintain historic structures and cultural landscapes and protect archaeological sites in the face of a predicted increase in visitation); issues surrounding visitor understanding, education and appreciation of park resources (such as enhancing and expanding meaningful visitor experiences as alternatives to the LIHO tour); and, issues surrounding organizational effectiveness (such as identifying potential partnerships with the city of Springfield, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and others). Dates: Any comments on the scope of issues to be addressed in the EIS should be received no later than November 15. Public meetings regarding the general management plan will be held during the scoping period. Specific dates, times, and locations will be made available in the local media, on the LIHO Web site (https://www.nps.gov/liho), on the National Park Service Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) Web site (parkplanning.nps.gov/publicHome.cfm), or by contacting the Superintendent.
Draft Environmental Impact Statement/
Pursuant to 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Pub. L. 91-190, as amended), and the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR part 1500-1508), the National Park Service, Department of the Interior, has prepared a draft general management plan (GMP) and environmental impact statement (DEIS) for Minidoka Internment National Monument located in Jerome County, Idaho. In addition to a ``no-action'' alternative (which would maintain current management), the DEIS describes and analyzes three ``action'' alternatives which respond to the concerns and issues of the public identified during the extensive scoping process, as well as conservation planning requirements. These alternatives present varying management strategies for resource protection and preservation, education and interpretation, visitor use and facilities, land protection and boundaries, and long-term operations and management of the national monument. The potential environmental consequences of all the alternatives, and mitigation strategies, are identified and analyzed; a determination as to the ``environmentally preferred'' alternative is also provided in the DEIS. Scoping: A Notice of Intent announcing preparation of the DEIS and general management plan was published in the Federal Register on April 24, 2002. Extensive public involvement was deemed necessary for the success of this planning project, given the nature and sensitivity of the national monument's history, the speed in which the national monument was established, as well as the national monument's remote location. Public engagement and information measures have included public meetings and workshops, presentations and meetings with interested stakeholders, briefings with the Congressional delegation and State and Jerome county officials, newsletter mailings, local and regional and press releases, and Web site postings. Preceding the formal GMP planning process, National Park Service (NPS) staff conducted informational meetings about the national monument with Japanese American organizations, community organizations, various governmental entities, potential stakeholder groups, and individuals during the spring, summer and early fall of 2002. Approximately 50 meetings were held in Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and Alaska during this time, and approximately 2,000 people were contacted. The purpose of these initial meetings was to help characterize the scale and extent of the planning process. Thus far the NPS has encouraged the public to provide relevant information, issues and concerns during two formal public planning stages. The first stage, called Scoping, was intended to elicit issues, concerns, and suggestions to be addressed during the planning process. Nine public workshops were held in Idaho, Washington, and Oregon in November 2002; per Federal Register announcement dated November 19, 2002 the scoping period was extended an additional 30 days through December 31, 2002. Overall 250 people provided comments in workshops, and another 225 people provided written comments. The second stage, called Draft Alternatives, was intended to present the public with preliminary draft alternatives and invite comments on these alternatives. These draft alternatives were developed to address the specific issues and concerns that were raised by the public during the Scoping phase. Eleven public workshops were held in Idaho, Washington, and Oregon in July and August 2003 (215 people provided oral comments in the workshops, and another 50 people provided written comments). Proposed Plan and Alternatives: Alternative A is the ``no-action'' alternative and would continue current management practices. This alternative would provide general management guidance for incremental and minimal changes in park operations, staffing, visitor services, and facilities to accommodate visitors. While the historic resources of the site would continue to be protected, only minor additional site work would be anticipated under this alternative. The ``no-action'' alternative is the baseline for evaluating the changes and impacts of the three ``action'' alternatives. Alternative B emphasizes the development and extensive use of outreach and partnerships to assist the national monument staff in telling the Minidoka story to the American people. Off-site visitor education and interpretation would be conducted through diverse comprehensive programs developed in cooperation with partners, including school districts, museums, and educational and legacy organizations and institutions. Alternative B would focus on identifying off-site facilities for education and interpretation with minimal new development at the national monument site. Historic structures within the national monument would be adaptively reused for visitor and monument functions and for minimal administrative and operational needs. Key historic features would be delineated, restored, or rehabilitated. On-site education and interpretation would be accomplished through a range of self-exploratory visitor experiences. Alternative C, the ``agency preferred'' alternative, emphasizes on- site education and interpretation and the extensive treatment and use of cultural resources in telling the Minidoka story. On-site education and interpretation would be accomplished through a wide range of visitor experiences, including immersion into the historic scene, interaction with a variety of educational and interpretive media and personal services, and participation in creative and self-directed activities. Off-site visitor education and interpretation would be conducted through diverse programs developed in cooperation with partners, including school districts, museums, and educational and legacy organizations and institutions. Various preservation techniques would be used to protect and enhance historic resources, such as delineation, stabilization, restoration, rehabilitation, and reconstruction. These historic resources would be used for interpretive purposes to accurately and authentically convey the history and significance of the national monument. The establishment of one complete residential block in its original location and configuration would be the cornerstone of interpretive services and facilities at the national monument, essential for understanding and appreciation of the incarceration experience and the significance of the national monument. A visitor contact facility and maintenance area would be developed at the national monument by adaptively reusing existing historic buildings. There would be minimal new development. The preferred alternative would require congressional legislation to authorize a boundary expansion to include areas where barracks historically stood in order to reestablish a complete residential block. Additionally, the NPS would request congressional legislation to transfer the Minidoka Relocation Center landfill, located one mile north of the national monument, from the BLM to the NPS. Finally, changing the name to Minidoka National Historic Site would be recommended, to be more reflective of the site's historic value. Alternative D proposes several actions that would focus on education and interpretation on-site, specifically through the development of new visitor facilities. The 9-acre property would be used to develop new facilities and to provide space for a new national monument visitor center, education and research functions, along with a new memorial and garden. On-site education and interpretation would be accomplished through a wide range of visitor experiences, including interaction with a variety of educational and interpretive media, participation in creative and self-guided activities, and limited access of the historic scene. Visitor education programs, adaptive reuse of historic structures for park use, and the establishment of formal partnerships for education and outreach purposes would complement the new construction. Alternative D would focus on sound cultural resource management through preservation, restoration, rehabilitation, and reconstruction of certain historic features. Several actions would provide for the protection and enhancement of natural and scenic resources. Other actions would establish administrative and operational capabilities in terms of facilities and staffing. Most national monument staff activities would be on-site to manage resources and provide for visitor understanding and appreciation of the national monument. However, some off-site educational programs would complement the on-site programs through partnerships. Public Review and Comment: The Draft GMP/EIS is now available for public review. Interested persons and organizations wishing to express any new concerns or provide additional information are encouraged to obtain the document by contacting the Superintendent, Minidoka Internment National Monument, P.O. Box 570, Hagerman, Idaho 83332-0570, or via telephone at (208) 837-4793. The draft document may also be reviewed at area libraries, or can be obtained electronically via the monument's planning Web site at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/miin. In addition, the NPS will conduct public meetings in Idaho, Washington, and Oregon to facilitate public review and comment on the Draft GMP/ EIS. At this time, meetings are intended to be scheduled during the first two weeks of July, 2005. Confirmed details on meeting locations, times, etc will be announced via local and regional news media, will be posted on the monument's planning Web site, or can be obtained by contacting the Superintendent directly. A draft GMP/EIS newsletter will also be distributed widely. All written comments must be postmarked or transmitted not later than September 19, 2005, and should be submitted to the address noted above (or may also be submitted by e-mail to MIINGMP@nps.gov). All comments will become part of the public record. If individuals submitting comments request that their name or address be withheld from public disclosure, the request will be honored to the extent allowable by law. Such requests must be stated prominently in the beginning of the comments. There also may be circumstances wherein the NPS will withhold a respondent's identity as allowable by law. As always: the NPS will make available to public inspection all submissions from organizations or businesses and from persons identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations; and anonymous comments may not be considered. Decision: Following the opportunity to review the DEIS/GMP, all comments received will be carefully considered in preparing the final document. This is anticipated to be completed during fall 2006, and its availability will be similarly announced in the Federal Register and via local and regional press media. As a delegated EIS, the official responsible for the final decision is the Regional Director, Pacific West Region; subsequently the official responsible for implementation would be the Superintendent, Minidoka Internment National Monument.
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