[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 140 (Friday, July 19, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 37766]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-18365]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Notice of Availability of Final General Management Plan and Final 
Environmental Impact Statement for Hagerman Fossil Beds National 
Monument, Gooding and Twin Falls Counties, Idaho

SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102 (2)(C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 (Public Law 91-190, as amended), the National Park 
Service (NPS), Department of the Interior, has prepared a Final General 
Management Plan and Final Environmental Impact Statement (GMP/EIS) that 
describes and analyzes a proposal and two alternatives for the future 
management, use, and development of Hagerman Fossil Beds National 
Monument.
    The Draft General Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement 
for Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument was released for public 
review on November 17, 1995 (60 FR 222, p. 57716; 60 FR 229, p. 61270). 
The public review period was extended to 113 days, ending March 8, 1996 
(61 FR 25, p. 4483; 61 FR 42, p. 8061). A total of 63 letters of 
comment were received during the review period, and a total of 60 
people participated in public meetings in Hagerman, Twin Falls, and 
Boise, Idaho.
    Because of the nature of the comments received on the Draft GMP/
EIS, the Final GMP/FEIS was prepared in an abbreviated format pursuant 
to the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 40, Part 1503.4. To 
substantially reduce printing costs, the full text of the draft 
document has not been reprinted, and the Final GMP/EIS must be used as 
a companion document with the draft. The Final GMP/EIS responds to 
public comments and includes copies of the comment letters, clarifying 
text changes in response to the public comments, and factual 
corrections. Changes made in the Final GMP/EIS (a) clarify important 
points regarding hunting, road and trail access, and other issues, and 
(b) delete services or facilities from the proposed action that can be 
accomplished through partnerships or the private sector and therefore 
will not require federal funds, further reducing costs.
    Based upon the analysis contained in the Draft GMP/EIS, and taking 
into account all the comments received during the public review, 
alternative 2 remains the proposed action. As described in the Draft 
GMP/EIS and modified somewhat in the Final GMP/EIS, alternative 2 along 
with statements of the purpose and significance of the monument, 
management objectives, desired future conditions, management zoning, 
and interpretive themes constitutes the proposed General Management 
Plan for the monument. Alternative 2 would provide a plan for 
comprehensively meeting the monument's legislative mandate to provide a 
center for paleontological research and education, including the 
construction of a fully functional research center and museum. The 
National Park Service would perform professional research, educational, 
and resource management functions as peers and partners with various 
persons, institutions, and organizations that would help to staff, 
fund, equip, and implement these functions.
    Two other alternatives were examined in detail. The no-action 
alternative would continue the present course of action with only minor 
changes from existing conditions. It would provide only for basic 
resource stewardship and limited interpretation functions and would not 
meet the monument's legislative mandate. In alternative 1, the present 
course of action would change only as much as necessary to meet the 
minimum requirements of the monument's legislative mandate. A research 
center and museum would be built and operated at a basic level, but 
most research and education functions would depend on non-NPS sources.
    Major impact topics assessed for the proposed action and the 
alternatives include natural and cultural resources (including 
paleontological resources), the socioeconomic environment, facilities 
and infrastructure, access, visitor experience, National Park Service 
programs, and cumulative effects.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The no-action period on this Final GMP/EIS 
will extend for 30 days from the date the notice of availability is 
published by the Environmental Protection Agency in the Federal 
Register. After the 30-day period, a Record of Decision is expected to 
be signed by NPS representatives. The responsible officials are Pacific 
West Area Field Director Stanley Albright, Deputy Field Director 
William Walters, and Superintendent Neil King.
    For copies of the Final GMP/EIS or for further information, please 
contact: Superintendent, Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument, P.O. 
Box 570, 221 N. State Street, Hagerman, Idaho 83332; telephone (208) 
837-4793. Copies will also be available at: Office of Public Affairs, 
National Park Service, 1849 C Street NW., Washington, DC; at National 
Park Service, Columbia-Cascades System Support Office, 909 First Ave., 
Seattle, WA; and at public libraries in the Hagerman area.

    Dated: July 11, 1996.
William C. Walters,
Deputy Field Director, Pacific West Area, National Park Service.
[FR Doc. 96-18365 Filed 7-18-96; 8:45 am]
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