[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 251 (Monday, December 30, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68776-68777]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-33137]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Draft Environmental Impact Statement/General Management Plan
National Park of American Samoa Territory of American Samoa; Notice of
Availability
SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969 (Pub. L. 91-190, as amended), the National Park
Service (NPS), Department of the Interior, has prepared a Draft
Environmental Impact Statement identifying and evaluating potential
impacts of a proposed General Management Plan (DEIS/GMP) for the
National Park of American Samoa, Territory of American Samoa. When
approved, the plan will guide management actions during the next 15-20
years.
PROPOSAL: The DEIS/GMP identifies and analyzes management strategies
necessary for the long-term preservation
[[Page 68777]]
of the national park's natural, cultural, and subsistence resources and
the development of an interpretive services program. The NPS proposes
(Alternative A) to operate this national park in a manner that is
consistent with fa'asamoa, the traditional Samoan way. The DEIS/GMP
also proposes the development of facilities needed to operate this new
national park. Developments identified within the national park are to
be limited; all major visitor use facilities proposed are to be
developed outside of national park boundaries. Samoan villages located
near the national park are to be encouraged to provide traditional
kinds of services for visitors to the national park.
ALTERNATIVES: In addition to the proposed action, three alternatives
are identified. Alternative B (``no action'') is a continuation of the
existing situation, with no additional facilities developed to operate
the national park. Under this alternative, there would be inadequate
management of natural and cultural resources, and visitor services
would be substandard. This alternative would not achieve the purposes
of this national park's authorizing legislation. Alternative C
identifies ``minimum requirements'' and would limit developments and
management actions to those needed to meet legislative requirements to
make this national park operational in such a manner that provides for
primary visitor use and resource protection. Alternative D proposes the
development of a visitor center within the national park and the
retention of the existing park administrative headquarters, but is
otherwise the same as the proposed action.
INFORMATION: The Superintendent will arrange traditional meetings with
each of the village chief councils in the villages of Afono, Fagasa,
Pago Pago, and Vatia on the island of Tutuila; Faleasao, Fitiuta, and
Ta'u on the island of Ta'u; and Ofu and Olosega on the islands of Ofu
and Olosega.
In addition, general public information meetings will be scheduled
in Pago Pago on the island of Tutuila--details on the dates, time, and
location of these information meetings will be published in local
newspapers several weeks in advance. National park management and
planning officials will be present at all sessions to present the DEIS/
GMP and the alternatives, to receive oral and written comments, and to
answer questions.
COMMENTS: Review copies of the DEIS/GMP are available at park
headquarters in the Pago Plaza in Pago Pago, American Samoa; at the
Pacific Island System Support Office in Honolulu, Hawaii; and at the
American Samoa Community College library in Mapusaga.
Written comments must be submitted not later than 60 days after
publication of a notice of filing of the DEIS/GMP in the Federal
Register by the Environmental Protection Agency. Comments on the DEIS/
GMP may be sent to the Superintendent, National Park of American Samoa,
Pago Pago, American Samoa, 96799 (or to the Park Planner, National Park
Service, Pacific Island System Support Office, 300 Ala Moana Blvd., Box
50165, Honolulu, Hawaii 96850). The Park's telephone number is (011-
684) 633-7082 and the fax number is (011-684) 633-7085. The System
Support Office telephone number is (808) 541-2693 and the fax number is
(808) 541-3696.
Dated: December 20, 1996.
Bruce M. Kilgore,
Acting Field Director, Pacific West Area.
[FR Doc. 96-33137 Filed 12-27-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P
