National Park Service December 15, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and Director's Order Number 12 (Conservation Planning, Environmental Impact Analysis, and Decision-Making) the NPS is preparing an EIS for a GMP for Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, located in Tennessee and Georgia. The GMP will prescribe the desired resource conditions and visitor experience opportunities that are to be achieved and maintained in the park over approximately the next 15 to 20 years. The park's purpose, significance, special mandates, and relevant laws and policies directing park management will be reviewed and assessed to establish the foundation for the GMP. The GMP will build upon these foundation elements to determine the appropriate type, level and location for resource management activities, visitor use, and potential development. In consultation with the park's stakeholders (i.e., government agencies, affiliated tribal representatives, partnership organizations, and other concerned members of the public), issues bearing on the long- term management of the park will be factored into the development of a reasonable range of management alternatives. The resource impacts and other anticipated consequences of implementing the planning alternatives will be assessed in the EIS. From initial discussions among NPS planners, park staff and partners, issues that are anticipated to be addressed by the GMP will include (but are not limited to) the following: Long-term management of the battlefield landscape to achieve objectives for restoring historic viewsheds and protecting important cultural and natural resources; articulation of resource stewardship and visitor management prescriptions for the recently acquired Moccasin Bend National Archeological District; determination of a range of appropriate and compatible visitor activities in the park; and, identification of opportunities for collaboration and partnership with community leaders and other entities to ensure park values are understood and considered in local decision making (e.g., viewshed protection and adjacent land- use).

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 White- tailed Deer Management Plan (FEIS) for Catoctin Mountain Park in Thurmont, Maryland. The plan will support forest regeneration and provide for long-term protection, conservation, and restoration of native species and cultural landscapes at Catoctin Mountain Park. The document describes four management alternatives which include a no action alternative (continue existing management) and three action alternatives, one of which was identified as the preferred alternative.