[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 172 (Wednesday, September 4, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 46554-46556]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-22430]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service

36 CFR Parts 1 and 15

RIN 1024-AC50


Use of Environman and Human Figure and Design Symbol

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS) is adopting this final rule to

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remove the regulations on the ``Environman'' symbol and program which 
was developed in the late 1960's during the early days of the NPS 
Division of Environmental Education. The Environman symbol was 
developed as the NPS symbol for environmental education. Portions of 
the environmental education program never materialized as envisioned, 
however, and the Environman symbol was seldom used and has not been 
used since the early 1970's. Therefore, these regulations are no longer 
necessary and will be removed from the CFR. A conforming amendment is 
also made to the regulation regarding symbolic signs.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The rule will become effective on September 4, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dennis Burnett, Washington Office of Ranger Activities, P.O. Box 37127, 
Washington, D.C. 20013-7127. Telephone 202-208-4874.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On December 31, 1971, the NPS published in the Federal Register (36 
FR 25406) a final rule adding a new Part 15 to the CFR. The purpose of 
the rule was to give notice that the name ``Environman'' and an 
Environman symbol named ``Human Figure and Design'', were owned and 
protected by the U.S. Government. The symbol was to identify the role 
of the NPS in promoting high-quality environmental education and to 
represent and symbolize such activities. The ``Human Figure and 
Design'' was the official sign to identify a National Environmental 
Study Area (NESA). The name ``Environman'' was used in connection with 
NESA's and that name and the ``Human figure and Design'' were used in 
connection with National Environmental Education Developments and 
National Environmental Education Landmarks.
    The regulation provided the necessary protection of the symbol from 
unauthorized use, while listing guidelines for individuals wishing a 
license to reproduce, manufacture, sell or use either ``Environman'' or 
the ``Human Figure and Design''. Portions of the environmental 
education program never materialized as envisioned, however, and the 
Environman symbol has not been used since the early 1970's. Therefore, 
36 CFR Part 15 is no longer needed and will be deleted from the CFR.

Administrative Procedure Act

    In accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 
553(b)(B)), the NPS is promulgating this rule under the ``good cause'' 
exception of the Act from general notice and comment rulemaking. As 
discussed above, the NPS believes this exception is warranted because 
the existing regulations are no longer used. This final rule will not 
impose any additional restrictions on the public and comments on this 
rule are deemed unnecessary. Based upon this discussion, the NPS finds 
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 533(b)(B) that it would be contrary to the public 
interest to publish this rule through general notice and comment 
rulemaking.
    The NPS also believes that publishing this final rule 30 days prior 
to the rule becoming effective would be counterproductive and 
unnecessary for the reasons discussed above. A 30-day delay in this 
instance would be unnecessary and contrary to the public interest. 
Therefore, under the ``good cause'' exception of the Administrative 
Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3)), it has been determined that this 
final rulemaking is excepted from the 30-day delay in the effective 
date and will therefore become effective on the date published in the 
Federal Register.

    Drafting Information. The primary author of this rule is Dennis 
Burnett, Washington Office of Ranger Activities, National Park 
Service.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This final rule does not contain collections of information 
requiring approval by the Office of Management and Budget under the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

Compliance With Other Laws

    This rule was not subject to Office of Management and Budget review 
under Executive Order 12866. The Department of the Interior determined 
that this document will not have a significant economic effect on a 
substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility 
Act (5 USC 601 et. seq.). The economic effects of this rulemaking are 
nonexistent.
    The NPS has determined and certifies pursuant to the Unfunded 
Mandates Reform Act, 2 U.S.C. 1502 et seq., that this rule will not 
impose a cost of $100 million or more in any given year on local, 
State, or tribal governments or private entities.
    The NPS has determined that this rule will not have a significant 
effect on the quality of the human environment, health and safety 
because it is not expected to:
    (a) Increase public use to the extent of compromising the nature 
and character of the area or causing physical damage to it;
    (b) Introduce non-compatible uses which compromise the nature and 
characteristics of the area, or cause physical damage to it;
    (c) Conflict with adjacent ownerships or land uses; or
    (d) Cause a nuisance to adjacent owners or occupants.
    Based on this determination, this final rule is categorically 
excluded from the procedural requirements of the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) by Departmental regulations in 516 DM 6 (49 FR 
21438). As such, neither an Environmental Assessment (EA) nor an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has been prepared.

List of Subjects

36 CFR Part 1

    National parks, Penalties, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Signs and symbols.

36 CFR Part 15

    National parks, Signs and symbols.

    In consideration of the foregoing, and under the authority of 16 
U.S.C. 1 and 5 U.S.C. 301, the NPS is amending 36 CFR Chapter I as 
follows:

PART 1--GENERAL PROVISIONS

    1. The authority citation for part 1 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1, 3, 9a, 460 1-6a(e), 462(k); D.C. Code 8-
137, 40-721 (1981)


Sec. 1.10  [Amended]

    2. Section 1.10 is amended in paragraph (b) by revising the second 
page of symbolic signs to read as follows:

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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR04SE96.001



PART 15--[REMOVED]

    3. 36 CFR Part is removed.

    Dated: August 13, 1996.
George T. Frampton, Jr.,
Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
[FR Doc. 96-22430 Filed 9-3-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-C