[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 14 (Monday, January 22, 1996)] [Notices] [Pages 1599-1600] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-733] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service Off-Road Vehicle Management Plan AGENCY: Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida, National Park Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of Preparation of an Off-Road Vehicle Management Plan. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In accordance with the General Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement (1992) for Big Cypress National Preserve (BICY), the National Park Service is preparing an Off-Road Vehicle Management Plan for the Preserve. The National Park Service has entered into a Cooperative Agreement (#4000-3-2013, Supplement 7) with Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University for the preparation of the plan. ADDRESSES: Superintendent, Big Cypress National Preserve, Star Route, Box 110, Ochopee, Florida 33943, Telephone (941) 695-2000 (ext. 10) Dr. Jeff Marion, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Department of Forestry, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061-0324, Telephone (540) 231-6603 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Copies of the Cooperative Agreement and the Plan Proposal are available for review at the locations listed under ADDRESSES. All interested members of the public may participate on an equal footing in plan development. Comments, suggestions and questions from the public may be submitted to the Superintendent listed under ADDRESSES. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The plan is expected to address the following elements: a. Current ORV policies and practices within BICY as a whole and for each management unit within BICY; b. Methods of limiting and controlling ORV use to minimize impacts to BICY resources, includes soil, hydrology, vegetation, recreational resources, and wildlife, including threatened and endangered species; c. Methods of avoiding adverse impacts to wetlands and sensitive resources from ORVs, and alternative methods of minimizing unavoidable adverse impacts, to the maximum extent practicable, in a manner which will assure the natural and ecological integrity of BICY resources in accordance with the BICY Establishment Act (Pub. L. 93-440, 1974 and as amended by Public Law 100-301, 1988); d. Best management practices (``BMPs'') designed to avoid and/or minimize impacts from ORV use on BICY's resources, including soil, hydrology, vegetation and wildlife, in a manner which will assure the natural and ecological integrity of BICY resources in accordance with the BICY Establishment Act; e. Criteria for the development of a comprehensive designated trail system and/or use areas for ensuring the natural and ecological integrity of BICY resources in accordance with the provisions of the BICY Establishment Act; f. Management practices for particular vehicle types in order to avoid and/or [[Page 1600]] minimize impacts to BICY's resources, including soil, hydrology, vegetation and wildlife; g. Methods of monitoring impacts of ORV use in BICY and mechanisms for taking remedial action based on the results of such monitoring efforts. Methods of monitoring impacts may include, among other things, the use of control areas as a baseline; h. Procedures and considerations (including but not limited to ecological and recreational factors) for closing, opening and reopening areas and closing, relocating, opening and reopening trails to ORV use. Dated: December 15, 1995. Jerry Belson, Field Director, Southeast Area. [FR Doc. 96-733 Filed 1-19-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-70-M