National Park Service – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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 an Final Environmental Impact Statement for the General Management Plan (GMP/EIS) for Valley Forge National Historical Park, Pennsylvania. The Final GMP/EIS is comprised of the NPS' responses to public comments, errata detailing editorial changes to the Draft GMP/EIS, and copies of agency and substantive comment letters. The Draft GMP/EIS evaluated alternatives to guide the development and future management of the park over the next 20 years. Alternative A (No Action) provides a baseline evaluation of existing resource conditions, visitor use, facilities, and management at the park. The Action Alternatives (B and C) would enhance the preservation of the park's cultural and natural resources, while providing new opportunities for visitors. Alternative B would provide a range of new options for visitors to tailor visits and experiences to best meet their own needs and interest. Experiences would focus on exploration and self-discovery of the full cultural and natural history of Valley Forge. Alternative C, the agency's preferred alternative, would provide visitors the opportunity to decide what kind of experience they want, depending on learning style, interest, and time. The park would provide a core message and experience for all visitors that are primarily immersive and focus on the encampment and the American Revolution. A self-discovery approach would illustrate additional areas of the park, as well as historical and natural resources themes and topics. The Draft GMP/EIS was available for public and agency review from November 3, 2006 through April 10, 2007. Copies of the document were sent to individuals, agencies, organizations, and local libraries. The document was also made available for review at the park and on the NPS Planning, Environment, and Public Comment Web site (https:// parkplanning.nps.gov). Public meetings were held on February 21 and 22, 2007. Eight presentations of the plan were made to civic and interest groups and local governments.

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 new collection of information (OMB 1024-XXXX).

Notice is hereby given that a meeting of the Chesapeake and Ohio National Historical Park Advisory Commission will be held at 9:30 a.m., on Friday, October 19, 2007, at the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park Headquarters, 1850 Dual Highway, Hagerstown, MD 21740.

Under the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Service is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a General Management Plan (GMP) amendment for Petrified Forest National Park. The park is currently managed under a GMP that was completed in 1993. This plan describes a proposed boundary expansion for the park of approximately 93,000 acres. However, the 1993 GMP does not prescribe management for the proposed expansion lands. The GMP was revised in 2004 to address specific aspects of the park's management; this GMP Revision also does not address management activities for proposed expansion lands. Public Law 108-430 was passed by congress and signed by the President in December 2004. This Act expanded Petrified Forest National Park boundaries by approximately 125,000 acres, and directed the NPS to prepare a management plan for the new park lands within three years. Planning for the new lands is the focus of this GMP amendment and its associated EIS. The GMP amendment will establish the overall direction for park expansion lands, setting broad management goals for the area for the next 15 to 20 years. Among the topics that will be addressed are protection of natural and cultural resources, protection of riparian resources, appropriate range of visitor uses, impacts of visitor uses, adequacy of park infrastructure, visitor access to the park expansion area, education and interpretive efforts, and external pressures on the park. Management zones that were established in the current GMP will be applied to expansion lands. These zones outline the kinds of resource management activities, visitor activities, and developments that would be appropriate in the expansion lands. A range of reasonable alternatives for managing the park, including a no-action alternative and a preferred alternative, will be developed through the planning process and included in the EIS. The EIS will evaluate the potential environmental impacts of the alternatives. As the first phase of the planning and EIS process, the National Park Service is beginning to scope the issues to be addressed in the GMP amendment. All interested persons, organizations, and agencies are encouraged to submit comments and suggestions regarding the issues or concerns the GMP amendment should address, including a suitable range of alternatives and appropriate mitigating measures, and the nature and extent of potential environmental impacts.

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 new collection of information (OMB 1024-XXXX).

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Service is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Jackson Hole Airport Use Agreement Extension, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming. This effort addresses a request from the Jackson Hole Airport Board to amend the use agreement between the Department of the Interior and the Airport Board in order to ensure that the airport remains eligible for funding through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Alternatives to be considered include Alternative 1: No ActionThe airport would continue operations under the existing use agreement which currently has an expiration date of April 27, 2033; Alternative 2: Extend Agreement Jackson Hole Airport Board proposal to extend the use agreement for an additional two 10-year terms, bringing the expiration date to April 27, 2053; and Alternative 3: Update and Extend AgreementExtend the use agreement for an additional two 10-year terms with minor modifications as mutually agreed to by the NPS and the Airport Board. The Jackson Hole Airport is located on 533 acres of land within Grand Teton National Park. The airport operates under the terms and conditions of a 1983 use agreement between the Department of the Interior and the Jackson Hole Airport Board. The 1983 agreement was for a primary term of 30 years, with options for two 10-year extensions, both of which have been exercised. The agreement also includes a provision that further extensions, amendments, or modifications could be negotiated by the parties on mutually satisfactory terms, and that the parties agree that upon expiration of the agreement, a mutually satisfactory extension could be negotiated. The FAA requires that airports have use agreements of 20 years or more in order to remain eligible for Airport Improvement Program funds. An extension of the existing use agreement is needed to provide assurance that the airport will remain eligible for funding beyond the year 2013. In November 2006, a public scoping notice soliciting public comments was circulated describing the purpose and need for the project. Based on comments received and subsequent data gathered, the NPS has determined the preparation of an EIS is warranted. Preliminary EIS impact topics include: Natural soundscape, air quality, water quality, wildlife/T&E species, visual quality/dark skies, public health and safety, visitor use & experience, transportation planning, socioeconomics, park & airport operations.

Notice is hereby given that the National Park Service (NPS) is amending the boundary of Harpers Ferry National Historical Park to include one additional tract of land containing 0.749 of an acre.

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Services (NPS) announces the availability of a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Cape Cod National Seashore Hunting Program, Cape Cod National Seashore (CCNS), Massachusetts. The purpose of the FEIS is to finalize the documentation of the environmental consequences of alternative strategies for managing hunting at CCNS. The FEIS evaluates three (3) alternatives for managing hunting: Alternative ANo Action describes the effects of continuing the hunting program as it was prior to a court decision to enjoin the pheasant stocking and hunting program. Hunting would continue in accordance with the seasons and regulations established by the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MDFW), and in accordance with the existing rules established by Cape Cod National Seashore pertaining to the time of year hunting is allowed, the species that can be hunted, and no-hunting zones. Under this alternative, the pheasant hunting and stocking program would be re-established. Alternative BDevelop a Modified Hunting Program (the preferred alternative) describes the effects of modifying the hunting program in a manner that would retain hunting as part of CCNS's cultural heritage while addressing concerns raised by non-hunting visitors. The modifications were derived from input received during public scoping, and subsequently refined based on comments on the Draft EIS. Element 1: This element would increase traditional hunting opportunities for native upland game bird species. Specifically, the park's rules would be revised to allow the State's spring eastern turkey hunt to occur within the park. Additionally, this element would include developing and implementing cultural landscape restoration activities that are expected to improve habitat quality for upland game birds, particularly northern bobwhite quail. Element 2: An adaptive management approach would be used to phase out the pheasant stocking and hunting program as opportunities to hunt native upland game birds increase. The success of heathland and grassland management, called for by the cultural restoration plan, will be used as an indicator of native species hunting opportunity. This element would result in the end of pheasant stocking and hunting at CCNS within 14 to 17 years. In no case will pheasant stocking continue beyond 17 years. Element 3: This element would simplify the scope of hunting areas, and would designate hunting-permitted areas versus the current policy which allows hunting in all areas except where specifically prohibited. The hunting-permitted areas would be delineated based on the existing 500-foot no-hunting buffers around paved roads and buildings, expanding the no-hunting buffers around bicycle paths from 150 feet to 500 feet, and eliminating the small patches and thin slivers of area that cannot practicably be hunted. This element would provide an added safety precaution protective of visitors using the bike paths; should result in more predictable areas where hunting is likely to be encountered and where it will not; would provide consistent buffers for hunting set- backs from roads, buildings, and bike paths; would facilitate more efficient monitoring by law enforcement staff; and would result in little reduction in hunting opportunities. Element 4: Hunting-related outreach to hunting and non-hunting users would be expanded. Outreach to non-hunting visitors would focus on where and when hunting occurs in the park, where visitors can go to avoid hunting, safety precautions when in or adjacent to hunting areas, how to report any unlawful behavior or safety concerns, and the importance of courteous and respectful behavior to all users. Outreach to hunters would also focus on where and when hunting is permitted in the park, hunting regulations, how to report any unlawful behavior or safety concerns, and the importance of courteous and respectful behavior to all users. Element 5: This element provides for cooperative and expanded game species monitoring by Cape Cod National Seashore and the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. The Seashore and the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife would integrate monitoring efforts, and seek additional resources as needed, to expand monitoring of the abundance and harvest of deer, eastern cottontail rabbits, eastern wild turkeys, and northern bobwhite quail. These agencies would also coordinate with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to review emerging information on the status and distribution of New England cottontail rabbits on outer Cape Cod, and determine if action is necessary to protect this sensitive species within the Seashore. Alternative CEliminate Hunting describes the effects of eliminating hunting at Cape Cod National Seashore. A sub-element of Alternative C would eliminate only the pheasant program while retaining the other aspects of the hunting program. In April of 2006, the NPS issued a Draft EIS for agency and public review and comment. The comment period opened on April 21, 2006 with the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) publication of a Notice of Availability in the Federal Register, and closed on June 19, 2006, 60 days later. During that review period the NPS held two public meetings to provide agencies and the public the opportunity to provide oral comment on the draft document. Comments were received in the form of letters and e-mails, and at the two public meetings. All substantive comments have been addressed in the ``Consultation and Coordination'' chapter of the FEIS.

Under the provisions of 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 (EIS) for a general management plan (GMP) for the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site. This effort will analyze the impacts of a broad range of design alternatives for the national historic site. This effort will result in a comprehensive general management plan that provides a framework for making management decisions regarding the preservation of natural and cultural resources, visitor use and interpretation and development of appropriate park facilities. This plan will be developed in cooperation with the Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribe of Oklahoma, the Northern Arapaho Tribe of Wyoming, the Northern Cheyenne Tribe of Montana, and the State of Colorado. Alternatives to be considered include no-action, the proposed action and other reasonable alternatives. The park superintendent will initiate consultation with congressional delegations, tribal representatives, and state and local agencies on the development of the plan. Consultation with these agencies will continue throughout the planning process. Public involvement in the planning process will include newsletters and open houses that inform the public of the project and provide opportunities for input; press releases in the local media; newsletters and open houses to present and solicit input on the alternatives; a public review draft of the general management plan and environmental impact statement and public meetings to provide additional opportunities to comment on the draft plan. Public involvement is essential for the development of creative and sustainable management alternatives for the national historic site. A briefing statement has been prepared that summarizes the specific elements of the general management planning process and the EIS. Copies of that information may be obtained from: Superintendent, Alexa Roberts, Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site, P.O. Box 249, Eads, CO 81036.

Notice is hereby given in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4332) and Council on Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR 1506.6), the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service (NPS) will prepare an ORV Management Plan/DEIS. The ORV Management Plan/DEIS will be used to guide the management and control of ORVs at the Seashore for approximately the next 15 to 20 years. It will also form the basis for a special regulation that will regulate ORV use at the Seashore. The ORV Management Plan/DEIS will assess potential environmental impacts associated with a range of reasonable alternatives for managing ORV impacts on park resources such as threatened and endangered species, soils, wetlands, wildlife, and cultural resources. Socioeconomic impacts and effects on visitor experience and public safety will also be analyzed. In addition, the plan will focus on issues that have a direct bearing on ORV management, including management of threatened and endangered species and species of special concern, as well as predator management.

Under provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and 5 CFR Part 1320, Reporting and Record Keeping Requirements, the National Park Service (NPS) has requested and received emergency approval on the collection of information: NPS' Evaluation of Pilot Interventions to Increase Healthful Physical Activity in Parks (OMB 1024-0253). The NPS invites public comments on the emergency approval of this currently approved collection.

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Service announces the availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement and General Management Plan for Saguaro National Park, Arizona.

Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3507 et seq.) and 5 CFR part 1320, the National Park Service (NPS) invites public comments on a revision of a currently approved information collection (OMB 1024-0038).