National Park Service July 15, 2008 – 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 is preparing an environmental impact statement for the general management plan for Golden Spike National Historic Site, Utah. The Regional Director, Intermountain Region, will approve the environmental impact statement. Golden Spike National Historic Site is in Box Elder County, Utah. The national historic site was authorized by Congress on July 30, 1965. Congress charged the Secretary with acquisition of lands `` * * * for the purpose of establishing a national historic site commemorating the completion of the first transcontinental railroad across the United States * * *'' The enabling legislation also states that ``the National Park Service * * * shall administer, protect, and develop such historic site, subject to the provisions of the Act entitled `An Act to establish a National Park Service, and for other purposes' '' approved August 25, 1916 (39 Stat. 525), as amended and supplemented, and the Act entitled ``An Act to provide for the preservation of historic American sites buildings, objects, and antiquities of national significance, and for other purposes,'' approved August 21, 1935 (49 Stat. 666), as amended. The general management plan will prescribe the resource conditions and visitor experiences that are to be achieved and maintained in the national historic site over the next approximately 20 years. The clarification of what must be achieved according to law and policy will be based on review of the park's purpose, significance, special mandates, and the body of law and policies directing the park management. Management decisions to be made where law, policy, or regulations do not provide clear guidance or limits will be based on the purposes of the park; the range of public expectations and concerns; resource analysis; an evaluation of the natural, cultural, and social impacts of alternative courses of action; and consideration of long-term economic costs. Based on determinations of desired conditions, the general management plan will outline the kinds of resource management activities, visitor activities, land acquisition, and development that would be appropriate in the park in the future. Alternatives will be developed through this planning process and will include, at a minimum, no-action and the preferred alternative. Major issues may include, but are not limited to, the need to identify desired conditions and future management strategies for cultural and natural resources, the need to address visitor use and experience issues, and site operations concerns.