National Park Service 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Pursuant to Civil Action No. 03-04 (RMC), The Wilderness Society v. Gale Norton, January 10, 2005, and in accordance with National Park Service (NPS) Management Policies 2001 section 6.2.1, the NPS has completed a Wilderness Suitability Assessment to determine if lands within Cape Cod National Seashore meet criteria indicating suitability for designation as wilderness. The Cape Cod National Seashore assessment found that the lands referenced within the park's General Management Plan as Natural Zones: (1) Are predominantly roadless and undeveloped; (2) are greater than 5,000 acres in size or of sufficient size as to make practicable their preservation and use in an unimpaired condition; and (3) meet the wilderness character criteria listed in section 2(c) of the Wilderness Act, and NPS Management Policies (2001). The assessment also found that the remaining areas of Cape Cod National Seashore; (1) Are not predominantly roadless and undeveloped; (2) are not greater than 5,000 acres in size or of sufficient size as to make practicable their preservation and use in an unimpaired condition; and (3) do not meet the wilderness character criteria listed in the Wilderness Act and NPS Management Policies (2001). Based on these findings, the NPS has concluded that the Natural Zones within Cape Cod National Seashore warrant further study for possible inclusion in wilderness.

Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), the National Park Service (NPS) announces its intent to prepare a General Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (GMP/EIS) for the New River Gorge National River, located in Fayette, Raleigh, and Summers Counties of southern West Virginia. The GMP will allow the park to develop a unified approach to managing the major changes in and adjacent to the park since the 1982 GMP was prepared, to focus on protecting park natural, cultural, and scenic resources, and to identify opportunities to facilitate appropriate forms of visitor education, interpretation and use. The GMP will provide an opportunity to inform the public regarding the park's significance and resources, and develop partnerships with various stakeholder groups for their preservation. Prepared by NPS staff at the park and the Northeast Region, and with the assistance of consultants, the GMP/EIS will propose a long-term approach to managing the New River Gorge National River.

This notice announces three public meetings of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area Citizen Advisory Commission. Notice of these meetings is required under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. App. 2).

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Park Service (NPS), as co-leads in the environmental process, intend to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) under the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended. The EIS will address environmental and related impacts that may result from actions to be proposed and alternatives to be developed to achieve the statutory mandate of Public Law 100-91 (``commonly know as the Overflights Act''); to provide for the substantial restoration of the natural quiet and experience of Grand Canyon National Park (GCNP). The Presidential Memorandum dated April 22, 1996, Earth Day Initiative, Parks for Tomorrow calls for substantial restoration of natural quiet in the GCNP to be achieved by 2008. ``Substantial restoration of natural quiet'' has been defined by the NPS to mean that 50 percent or more of the park will achieve natural quiet (i.e., no aircraft audible) for 75 to 100 percent of the day. This undertaking is a follow-on to previous actions taken by the FAA, in cooperation with the NPS, since December 1996. The FAA and NPS are inviting the public, agencies, and other interested parties to provide comments, suggestions, and input regarding: (1) The scope, issues, and concerns related to the development of proposed and alternative actions at Grand Canyon National Park that provide for the substantial restoration of the natural quiet and experience of the park and protection of public health and safety from significant adverse effects associated with all aircraft overflights; (2) past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions which, when considered with any alternatives, may result in significant cumulative impacts; and, (3) potential alternatives. The scoping process for this EIS will include three public meetings and a ninety-day comment period for interested agencies and parties to submit oral and/or written comments representing the concerns and issues they believe should be addressed. Please submit any written comments within ninety-days from the date of this Notice, or no later than April 27, 2006. Address your comments to: Docket Management System, Doc No. FAA-2005-23402, U.S. Department of Transportation, Room Plaza 401, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001. The purpose of this Notice is to inform Federal, State, local government agencies, and the public of the intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and to conduct a public and agency scoping process. Information, data, opinions, and comments obtained throughout the scoping process will be considered in preparing the Draft EIS. To maximize the opportunities for public participation in this environmental process, the FAA and NPS will also publish notices in the major local newspapers in the vicinity of the study area.

Notice is hereby given in accordance with the Federal Advisory Commission Act and 36 CFR Part 65 that a telephonic conference call of the Landmarks Committee of the National Park System Advisory Board will be held beginning at 1 p.m. on March 20, 2006.

The National Park Service Director has determined that Ashfall Fossil Beds, located near Orchard in Antelope County, Nebraska, appears to meet the criteria for national significance and proposes to recommend the site for designation as a National Natural Landmark. The public is invited to comment on this recommendation. This proposal will be considered by the National Park System Advisory Board at a meeting to be held on March 21 and 22, 2006, at Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve, in the Ribault Club, 11241 Fort George Rd., Jacksonville, Florida.

The National Park Service (NPS) announces the availability of the Final Backcountry Management Plan, General Management Plan Amendment and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Denali National Park and Preserve. The document describes and analyzes the environmental impacts of a preferred alternative and three other action alternatives for managing the park and preserve's backcountry. A no action alternative also is evaluated.

Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, the National Park Service (NPS) announces the availability of the stream management plan, abbreviated final environmental impact statement (EIS) for Herbert Hoover National Historic Site, Iowa.

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 (NPS) invites public comments on an extension of a currently approved information collection (OMB 1024-0009).

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 a submitted request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve an extension of a currently approved collection (OMB 1024-1018). The primary purpose of the Information Collection Request is to nominate properties for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, the official list of the Nation's cultural resources worthy of preservation, which public law requires that the Secretary of the Interior maintain and expand. Properties are listed in the National Register upon nomination by State Historic Preservation Officers and Federal Preservation Officers. Law also requires Federal agencies to request determinations of eligibility for property under their jurisdiction or affected by their programs and projects. The forms provide the historic documentation on which decisions for listing and eligibility are based.

The National Park Service (NPS), in accordance with Section 9.52(b) of Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations has received from J.M. Huber Corporation a Plan of Operations and an Environmental Assessment for the re-entry of a natural gas well and the drilling of a lateral side track at Lake Meredith National Recreation Area.

In accordance with Sec. 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)), and the President's Council on Environmental Quality (40 CFR 1500-1508), as implemented by Director's Order 12, the National Park Service (NPS) in coordination with the Federal Highway Administration has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) to analyze alternatives for resolving issues related to the North Shore Road in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP). With the approval of the Department of Interior, the NPS is presenting the alternatives in the DEIS without identifying a preferred alternative. The NPS is seeking public comment on the alternatives before selecting a preferred alternative. This notice announces the availability of the DEIS and the locations of public hearings for the purpose of receiving comments on the draft document. The purpose of the proposed action is to discharge and satisfy any obligations on the part of the United States that presently exist as the result of the July 30, 1943, Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) among the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), Tennessee Valley Authority, Swain County, North Carolina, and the State of North Carolina. The need of the project is to determine whether or not it is feasible to complete the road and to evaluate other alternative that would satisfy the obligation. The DEIS analyzes one no-action alternative and four action alternatives for meeting the purpose and need of the project. The no- action alternative would continue current management practices and policies into the future. One of the action alternatives would provide Swain County with a monetary settlement to satisfy and discharge the obligations of the MOA. Each of the other three action alternatives would allow various levels of development and/or road construction within the project study area of GSMNP. Under the Laurel Branch Picnic Area alternative a day-use area on the north side of existing Lake View Road would be constructed. Outdoor facilities would include a multi-use picnic shelter, picnic tables, several loop trails, drinking fountains, and restrooms. Under the Partial-Build Alternative to Bushnell, up to 8 miles (12.9 km) of new roadway from the existing tunnel west to the vicinity of the former Bushnell settlement would be constructed. The alternative would provide a boat-launching ramp and restricted boat dock. Located near the terminus of the new roadway would be a multi-use picnic shelter and picnic tables, a backcountry permit station, an information kiosk, restrooms, and a parking area. Exhibit/museum space would be designed to highlight local heritage of the area and may include concession opportunities. Under the Northern Shore Corridor Alternative, 29 to 34.3 miles of new roadway to the vicinity of Fontana Dam would be constructed. It would connect Lake View Road to NC 28. This alternative would include provisions for the development of an auto-tour guide describing the historic and natural points of interest along the route. Also, restrooms would be built at appropriate locations. Dates: The DEIS will be available for public review and comments submitted until March 20, 2006. Public hearings will be held on February 2, 6, 7, 9, and 13, 2006. Hearings will be conducted from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. or later as needed to hear all comments. Representatives of the NPS will be available at the public hearings to receive comments, concerns, and other input from the public related to the DEIS. Specific information about the public hearings is as follows: February 2, 2006, 4:30-8 p.m., Swain County High School, Center for the Arts, Auditorium, 1415 Fontana Road, Bryson City, NC; February 6, 2006, 4:30-8 p.m., Robbinsville High School Auditorium, 301 Sweetwater Road, Robbinsville, NC; February 7, 2006, 4:30-8 p.m., Asheville Renaissance Hotel, One Thomas Wolfe Plaza, Asheville, NC; February 9, 2006, 4:30-8 p.m., Knoxville Marriott, 500 Hill Avenue, SE., Knoxville, TN; February 13, 2006, 4:30-8 p.m., Gatlinburg-Pittman High School Auditorium, 150 Proffitt Road, Gatlinburg, TN. Addresses: The complete DEIS and associated appendices are available for review or download on the Internet at https:// www.northshoreroad.info. Copies of the DEIS will also be available for review at the following locations: Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood Street, Asheville, NC 28801; Marianna Black Library, 33 Fryemont Road, Bryson City, NC 28713; Charlotte and Mecklenburg County Main Library, 310 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28202; Qualla Boundary Public Library, 810 Acquoni Road, Cherokee, NC 28719; Anna Porter Public Library, 207 Cherokee Orchard Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738; GSMNP Headquarters, 107 Park Headquarters Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738; Lawson- McGee Library, 500 West Church Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37915; Cameron Village Regional Library, 410-200 Oberlin Road, Raleigh, NC 27605; Graham County Public Library, 80 Knight Street, Robbinsville, NC 28771. For Further Information Contact: North Shore Road EIS, Attn: Superintendent, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 107 Park Headquarters Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, Telephone: 865/436-1207 or Fax: 865/436-1220. Supplementary Information: In July 1943, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the DOI, the State of North Carolina, and Swain County, entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that dealt with the creation of Fontana Dam and Reservoir and the flooding of lands and road within Swain County. As part of that agreement, 44,170 acres of land were ultimately transferred to the DOI and made part of GSMNP. The MOA also contained a provision by which the DOI was to construct a road through the Park, along the north shore of the newly formed Fontana Reservoir, to replace the flooded NC 288, contingent upon funds being appropriated by Congress. The DEIS evaluates potential environmental consequences, of implementing the action alternatives, on GSMNP and the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. Impact topics include the human environment, physical environment, natural and cultural resources, aesthetics and visual resources, visitor use and experience, and park operations. Direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts along with options to address potential impacts were evaluated and are described for each resource area. The public is advised that it is the practice of the NPS to make comments, including individual names and addresses of respondents, available for public review during regular business hours. There are circumstances in which a person prefers to have his or her name and other information withheld from the public record. Any person wishing to do this must state this prominently at the beginning of any correspondence or comment, and the request will be honored to the extent allowable by law. All submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, will be placed on the public record and will be made available for public inspection in their entirety. Anonymous comments will be included in the public record, however, the NPS is not legally required to consider or respond to anonymous comments. The DEIS is being mailed to appropriate Federal, State and local agencies and organizations which have been involved with the project, have expressed, or are known to have an interest or legal role in this proposal. After public review of the DEIS, the National Park Service will consider comments, and a Final EIS followed by a Record of Decision will be prepared. The Final EIS is scheduled for completion in November 2006. The responsible official for this Environmental Impact Statement is Patricia A. Hooks, Regional Director, Southeast Region, National Park Service, 100 Alabama Street, SW., 1924 Building, Atlanta, Georgia 30303.

Pursuant to 36 CFR 51.23, public notice is hereby given that the National Park Service proposes to extend the following expiring concession contracts for a period of up to 1 year, or until such time as such a new contract is executed, whichever occurs sooner.

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.

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.

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.

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.