[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 15 (Tuesday, January 23, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1783-1784]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-888]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service


General Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement for Oregon 
Caves National Monument, Oregon

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement.

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SUMMARY: The National Park Service will prepare a General Management 
Plan/Environmental Impact Statement (GMP/EIS) for Oregon Caves National 
Monument.
    A General Management Plan sets forth the basic management 
philosophy for a unit of the National Park System and provides the 
strategies for addressing issues and achieving identified management 
objectives for that unit. In the GMP/EIS and its accompanying public 
review process, the National Park Service will formulate and evaluate 
the environmental impacts of a range of alternatives to address 
distinct management strategies for the park, including resource 
protection and visitor use. The plan will guide the management of 
natural and cultural resources and visitor use of those resources for 
the next 15 years. Development concept plans for selected facilities 
may be included with the GMP.
    Scoping is the term given to the process by which the scope of 
issues to be addressed in the GMP/EIS is identified. Representatives of 
Federal, State and local agencies, American Indian tribes, private 
organizations and individuals from the general public who may be 
interested in or affected by the proposed GMP/EIS are invited to 
participate in the scoping process by responding to this Notice with 
written comments. All comments received will become part of the public 
record and copies of comments, including any names, addresses and 
telephone numbers provided by respondents, may be released for public 
inspection.
    Among the major issues likely to be addressed in the Oregon Caves 
GMP/EIS are the protection of cave resources, the relationship of 
forest ecology to cave ecosystems, water quality, viewshed protection, 
and the array of visitor services that may be provided by park and 
concession staff. A full range of alternatives, including ``no action'' 
and ``minimum requirements'' alternatives, will be considered in the 
GMP/EIS to address these and other issues that may emerge during the 
planning process.
    The draft GMP/EIS is expected to be available for public review by 
early 1997 with the final version of the GMP/EIS and the Record of 
Decision to be completed by the end of 1997.
    The responsible official is Stanley T. Albright, Field Director, 
Pacific West Area, National Park Service.

DATES: Public scoping meetings will be held Tuesday, 19 March 1996, 
7:00-9:00 p.m. at the Illinois Valley Senior Center, 520 E. River 
Street, Cave Junction, OR 97523 and Thursday, 21 March 1996, 7:00-9:00 
p.m. in the Grants Pass City Council Chambers, 101 NW ``A'' Street, 
Grants Pass, OR 97526. Written comments on the scope of the issues and 
alternatives to be analyzed in the GMP/EIS should be received no later 
than 30 April 1996.

ADDRESSES: Written comments concerning the GMP/EIS should be sent to 
the Superintendent, Oregon Caves National Monument, 19000 Caves 
Highway, Cave Junction, OR 97523.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

[[Page 1784]]

Superintendent, Oregon Caves National Monument at the above address or 
at telephone number (541) 592-2100.

    Dated: December 18, 1995.
William C. Walters,
Deputy Field Director, Pacific West Area, National Park Service.
[FR Doc. 96-888 Filed 1-22-96; 8:45 am]
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