[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 142 (Tuesday, July 23, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38214-38215]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-18690]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Proposed Boundary Adjustment of Olympic National Park; Exchange 
of Lands in Clallam and Mason Counties, Washington

ACTION: Notice of realty action on proposed boundary adjustment and 
lands exchange.

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SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS), the State of Washington 
(State) and the City of Tacoma (Tacoma) are proposing a lands exchange 
pursuant to the Act of October 23, 1992, Public Law 102-436 (106 Stat. 
2217) and the Act of July 15, 1968 (16 U.S.C. 460 1-22(b)), also in 
accordance with the Act of June 29, 1938 establishing Olympic National 
Park (16 U.S.C. 251) as amended. Federal lands within Olympic National 
Park (ONP) are authorized for disposal to Tacoma for operation of the 
Lake Cushman hydroelectric project. The boundary of ONP would be 
adjusted to delete these disposed federal lands. In exchange, the 
United States (U.S.) will acquire State-owned lands within the 
boundaries of ONP to be provided by Tacoma.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: An environmental assessment for this project 
was completed in July 1994, resulting in a Finding of No Significant 
Impact on February 16, 1996.
    The following described federal lands are being proposed for 
disposal by the U.S. and proposed for deletion from the boundaries of 
ONP:

Willamette Meridian

Township 23 North, Range 5 West,
    Tract 37 in unsurveyed Sections 3 and 4.
    Containing 29.83 acres, more or less.

    In exchange, the U.S. will acquire the following described lands:

Willamette Meridian

Township 30 North, Range 10 West,
    Section 26: NW\1/4\ NW\1/4\, and
Township 28 North, Range 15 West,
    Section 36: N\1/2\ NE\1/4\ NE\1/4\ SW\1/4\.

    The above lands aggregating 45 acres, more or less.


[[Page 38215]]


    The lands to be exchanged have been determined to be of equal 
value.
    This lands exchange and boundary adjustment is being proposed to 
facilitate Tacoma's operation of the Lake Cushman hydroelectric 
project, which periodically inundates the above federal land within 
ONP. Management of these lands, although being conveyed to Tacoma and 
being removed from the boundary of ONP, will continue to include public 
access and resource protection through a management agreement.
    The exchange also provides for the U.S. acquisition of State lands 
within the boundaries of ONP, which will be administered by NPS. 
Acquisition of these lands will provide protection to valuable wildlife 
habitat, wilderness, cultural and recreational resources within ONP.
    There are no leases or permits to other third parties affecting the 
federal lands proposed for disposal. These lands have been surveyed for 
cultural resources and threatened/endangered species and found suitable 
for disposal given the mitigation measures provided by agreement.

FURTHER INFORMATION AND COMMENTS: More detailed information on this 
proposed action may be obtained from the Superintendent, Olympic 
National Park, 600 East Park Avenue, Port Angeles, Washington 98362-
6789. Public comments will be accepted for a period of 45 calendar days 
from the publication date of this notice. Comments should be sent to 
the Superintendent, Olympic National Park at the above address.
    In the absence of any subsequent action to modify or vacate the 
proposed exchange and boundary adjustment, this realty action to 
proceed with the exchange and boundary adjustment will become the final 
determination of the Department of the Interior.

    Dated: July 12, 1996.
William C. Walters,
Deputy Field Director, Pacific West Field Area.
[FR Doc. 96-18690 Filed 7-22-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-M