[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 127 (Tuesday, July 5, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-16162]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: July 5, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

 

Creve Coeur Lake Memorial Park Draft Supplemental Environmental 
Impact Statement

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Availability of draft supplemental environmental impact 
statement for determination of section 6(f) replacement lands for Creve 
Coeur Lake Memorial Park, St. Louis County, Missouri.

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SUMMARY: The National Park Service, in compliance with section 
102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1069 (NEPA) [42 
United States Code (U.S.C.) 4321 et seq. and 42 U.S.C. 4332, as 
amended] and with section 6(f) of the Land and Water Conservation Fund 
(LWCF) Act (Public Law 88-578, as amended), announces the availability 
of a draft supplemental environmental impact statement (DSEIS) 
evaluating additional replacement land for the 184 acres of Creve Coeur 
Lake Memorial Park converted from outdoor recreation use. Creve Coeur 
Lake Memorial Park is a county park which has received Federal 
financial assistance from the LWCF program. This DSEIS will supplement 
the final environmental impact statement (FEIS) for Page Avenue (Route 
D) extension, St. Louis and St. Charles Counties, Missouri, approved in 
a Record of Decision on January 6, 1993, by the Federal Highway 
Administration (FHWA).
    The FHWA FEIS addressed construction of a ten-land elevated 
extension of Page Avenue across the southern tip of the park site 
assuming all necessary coordination with other Federal agencies has 
been satisfactorily accomplished. The National Park Service on December 
11, 1992, adopted the FEIS for use in the environmental evaluation 
requirements of section 6(f) of the LWCF Act.
    The initial proposal of 265 acres, submitted by the State of 
Missouri to replace the converted 184 acres was determined by the 
National Park Service as not offering ``reasonably equivalent 
usefulness'' to the extent necessary to reflect appropriately the loss 
of this unique natural area. Secretary Babbitt announced on May 18, 
1993, in letters to Senators Danforth and Bond, that he did not intend 
to use his authority under section 6(f)(3) to block the construction of 
this highway project. He further stated that ``. . . it is necessary to 
identify a significant amount of additional lands to be included in the 
mitigation package.''
    The DSEIS identifies a range of alternative land proposals, 
including additional substitution properties, and analyzes the 
``equivalent usefulness'' of each candidate replacement land parcel. In 
addition, each of the replacement parcels have been evaluated for 
impacts on natural and cultural resources, the socioeconomic 
environment, and current uses.
    The State of Missouri's and the NPS's preferred alternative for 
additional replacement land is identified in the DSEIS as Alternative B 
(Little Creve Coeur Lake Proposal). The alternative, consisting of 
approximately 440 acres and located southwest of the present Creve 
Coeur Lake Memorial Park, consists primarily of wetlands presently in 
agricultural use.
    Copies of the DSEIS may be obtained from the responsible official, 
Mr. William Schenk, Acting Regional Director (refer to address below). 
Comments on the DSEIS should be received no later than August 8, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the DSEIS should be submitted to: Mr. William W. 
Schenk, Acting Regional Director National Park Service, Midwest Region, 
1709 Jackson Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68102, (402) 221-3432.
    Public reading copies of the DSEIS will be available for review at: 
Office of Public Affairs, Department of the Interior, National Park 
Service, 18th and C Streets, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20240, (202) 343-
6843.

PUBLIC MEETING: A public meeting, at a date to be announced later, will 
be held in the St. Louis area during this 45-day review period to 
solicit public comments on the DSEIS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Clay McDermeit, Chief, Western 
Heartland Division, Recreation Assistance Programs, National Park 
Service, Midwest Region, 1709 Jackson Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68102, 
(402) 221-3203.

    Dated: June 16, 1994.
William W. Schenk,
Acting Regional Director, Midwest Region.
[FR Doc. 94-16162 Filed 7-1-94; 8:45 am]
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