[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