National Park Service November 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Under provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and 5 CFR part 1320, Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements, the National Park Service (NPS) invites public comments on a proposed continuation of a collection of information (OMB 1024-0258).

Pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, the National Park Service (NPS) announces the availability of the Record of Decision for the Final White-tailed Deer Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement (Final plan/EIS) for Valley Forge National Historical Park, Pennsylvania. The Regional Director, Northeast Region, has approved the Record of Decision for the Final plan/EIS, selecting Alternative D, Combined Lethal and Nonlethal Actions, which was described as the NPS preferred alternative in the Final plan/EIS, released to the public for the required 30-day no-action period beginning August 28, 2009 and ending September 28, 2009. The Record of Decision includes a statement of the decision made, synopses of other alternatives considered, the basis for the decision, a description of the environmentally preferred alternative, a finding on impairment of park resources and values, a description of consistency with Section 101(b) of the National Environmental Policy Act, a listing of measures to minimize environmental harm, and an overview of public involvement in the decision-making process. As soon as practicable, the National Park Service will begin to implement the selected alternative.

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Service announces the availability of the Benefits-Sharing Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) covering all units of the National Park System. The NPS requested and considered comments from sources including the public and other agencies in completing the FEIS. Three alternatives were evaluated in the FEIS, each of which would clarify the rights and responsibilities of researchers and National Park Service (NPS) management in connection with the use of valuable discoveries, inventions, and other developments that result from research involving specimens lawfully collected from units of the National Park System. The No Action Alternative allows scientists to conduct research that may lead to commercial products but without any obligation to share the benefits with NPS. Another alternative prohibits scientific research in national parks that is in any way associated with the development of commercial products. A third alternative, the Environmentally Preferred Alternative, requires researchers who study material obtained under a Scientific Research and Collecting Permit to enter into benefits-sharing agreements with the NPS before using their research results for any commercial purpose. This Environmentally Preferred Alternative has three potential variations regarding the disclosure of royalty rate or related information: Always disclose, never disclose, or comply with confidentiality laws regarding disclosure. The Preferred Alternative implements the benefits-sharing agreement requirement, while complying with confidentiality laws regarding disclosure of royalty rate or related information.

This rule governs winter visitation and certain recreational use in Yellowstone National Park for the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 seasons. This final rule is issued to implement the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the 2008 Winter Use Plans Environmental Assessment (2008 EA) approved October 15, 2009, and will provide visitors a range of winter recreation opportunities that are appropriate to the national park setting and do not unacceptably impact or impair park resources or values. The rule requires that most recreational snowmobiles operating in the park meet certain NPS air and sound emissions requirements, requires that snowmobilers and snowcoach riders in Yellowstone be accompanied by a commercial guide, and sets daily entry limits on the numbers of snowmobiles and snowcoaches that may enter the park. Traveling off designated oversnow routes will remain prohibited.

Notice is hereby given that the National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission (the Commission) plans to meet at the National Building Museum, Room 312, 401 F Street, NW., Washington, DC, on Friday, December 4, at 10 a.m.

The National Park Service (NPS) has accepted conveyance from the State of Arizona on behalf of the United States concurrent criminal jurisdiction over federally-owned and controlled lands and waters administered by the National Park Service within Chiricahua National Monument, Coronado National Memorial and Fort Bowie National Historic Site in Cochise County, Arizona.

Pursuant to the terms of existing concession contracts, public notice is hereby given that the National Park Service intends to request a continuation of visitor services for a period not-to-exceed 1 year from the date of contract expiration.

Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and 5 CFR Part 1320, Reporting and Record Keeping Requirements, the National Park Service (NPS) invites public comments on an extension of a currently approved collection of information (OMB 1024- 0026).