[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 148 (Monday, August 3, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41275-41276]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-20542]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Intent.
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SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS) will prepare a General
Management Plan (GMP) and an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for
Voyageurs National Park (hereinafter, ``the park''), Minnesota, in
accordance with section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy
Act of 1969 (NEPA). This notice is being furnished as required by NEPA
Regulations 40 CFR 1501.7.
To facilitate sound planning and environmental assessment, the NPS
intends to gather information necessary for the preparation of the EIS,
and to obtain suggestions and information from other agencies and the
public on the scope of issues to be addressed in the EIS. Comments and
participation in this scoping process are invited.
A series of public meetings will be held during the development of
the GMP and the preparation of the EIS. Notices of the dates, times,
and locations of these public sessions will be advertised in local and
regional media outlets prior to the event.
DATES: Public scoping meetings will be held in several Minnesota
communities during the week of August 24-28. Specific locations and
times for those meetings have not been finalized. Information about the
scoping meetings can be obtained by telephoning Kathleen Przybylski at
218-283-9821 or by writing the Superintendent, Voyageurs National Park,
at the address below.
ADDRESSES: Written comments and information should be directed to:
[[Page 41276]]
Superintendent, Voyageurs National Park, 3131 Highway 53, International
Falls, Minnesota 56649-8904.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Superintendent, Voyageurs National
Park, at the above address or at telephone number 218-283-9821.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The park currently does not have a GMP.
Management of the park has been guided by a master plan completed in
1980. That plan is now out-of-date. In accordance with NPS Management
Policies, the GMP will set forth a management concept for the Park;
establish plans for conservation, recreation, and transportation in the
park; and identify strategies for resolving issues and achieving
management objectives. It is expected that the GMP will guide park
management for a period of 15 to 20 years. Some of the issues that need
to be addressed in the GMP are:
(1) Identify desired future conditions for visitor experiences and
resource quality. These ``desired futures'' will serve as a qualitative
basis from which a carrying capacity for the park can be developed, as
required by NPS Director's Order 2.
(2) Identify appropriate access and use of the park, particularly
related to the balance between different types of park uses and users.
(3) In association with the GMP, prepare a Visitor Use and
Facilities Plan. The plan would outline methods of achieving an
appropriate level and type of visitation to the Park. It would also
indicate what visitor support facilities are needed. Preparation of a
Visitor Use and Facilities Plan was directed by Public Law 97-405.
Other issues may be added to this list following completion of
public scoping.
The GMP/EIS will investigate alternatives ranging from no-action to
a variety of management approaches designed to guide visitor use and
provide for resource protection.
The environmental review of the GMP for the park will be conducted
in accordance with requirements of the NEPA (42 U.S.C. Sec. 4371 et
seq.), NEPA regulations (40 CFR 1500-1508), other appropriate Federal
regulations, and NPS procedures and policies for compliance with those
regulations.
The NPS estimates the draft GMP and draft EIS will be available to
the public by November 1999.
Dated: July 24, 1998.
Catherine A. Damon,
Acting Regional Director, Midwest Region.
[FR Doc. 98-20542 Filed 7-31-98; 8:45 am]
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