[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 251 (Monday, December 30, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68776-68777]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-33137]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Draft Environmental Impact Statement/General Management Plan 
National Park of American Samoa Territory of American Samoa; Notice of 
Availability

SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 (Pub. L. 91-190, as amended), the National Park 
Service (NPS), Department of the Interior, has prepared a Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement identifying and evaluating potential 
impacts of a proposed General Management Plan (DEIS/GMP) for the 
National Park of American Samoa, Territory of American Samoa. When 
approved, the plan will guide management actions during the next 15-20 
years.

PROPOSAL: The DEIS/GMP identifies and analyzes management strategies 
necessary for the long-term preservation

[[Page 68777]]

of the national park's natural, cultural, and subsistence resources and 
the development of an interpretive services program. The NPS proposes 
(Alternative A) to operate this national park in a manner that is 
consistent with fa'asamoa, the traditional Samoan way. The DEIS/GMP 
also proposes the development of facilities needed to operate this new 
national park. Developments identified within the national park are to 
be limited; all major visitor use facilities proposed are to be 
developed outside of national park boundaries. Samoan villages located 
near the national park are to be encouraged to provide traditional 
kinds of services for visitors to the national park.

ALTERNATIVES: In addition to the proposed action, three alternatives 
are identified. Alternative B (``no action'') is a continuation of the 
existing situation, with no additional facilities developed to operate 
the national park. Under this alternative, there would be inadequate 
management of natural and cultural resources, and visitor services 
would be substandard. This alternative would not achieve the purposes 
of this national park's authorizing legislation. Alternative C 
identifies ``minimum requirements'' and would limit developments and 
management actions to those needed to meet legislative requirements to 
make this national park operational in such a manner that provides for 
primary visitor use and resource protection. Alternative D proposes the 
development of a visitor center within the national park and the 
retention of the existing park administrative headquarters, but is 
otherwise the same as the proposed action.

INFORMATION: The Superintendent will arrange traditional meetings with 
each of the village chief councils in the villages of Afono, Fagasa, 
Pago Pago, and Vatia on the island of Tutuila; Faleasao, Fitiuta, and 
Ta'u on the island of Ta'u; and Ofu and Olosega on the islands of Ofu 
and Olosega.
    In addition, general public information meetings will be scheduled 
in Pago Pago on the island of Tutuila--details on the dates, time, and 
location of these information meetings will be published in local 
newspapers several weeks in advance. National park management and 
planning officials will be present at all sessions to present the DEIS/
GMP and the alternatives, to receive oral and written comments, and to 
answer questions.

COMMENTS: Review copies of the DEIS/GMP are available at park 
headquarters in the Pago Plaza in Pago Pago, American Samoa; at the 
Pacific Island System Support Office in Honolulu, Hawaii; and at the 
American Samoa Community College library in Mapusaga.
    Written comments must be submitted not later than 60 days after 
publication of a notice of filing of the DEIS/GMP in the Federal 
Register by the Environmental Protection Agency. Comments on the DEIS/
GMP may be sent to the Superintendent, National Park of American Samoa, 
Pago Pago, American Samoa, 96799 (or to the Park Planner, National Park 
Service, Pacific Island System Support Office, 300 Ala Moana Blvd., Box 
50165, Honolulu, Hawaii 96850). The Park's telephone number is (011-
684) 633-7082 and the fax number is (011-684) 633-7085. The System 
Support Office telephone number is (808) 541-2693 and the fax number is 
(808) 541-3696.

    Dated: December 20, 1996.
Bruce M. Kilgore,
Acting Field Director, Pacific West Area.
[FR Doc. 96-33137 Filed 12-27-96; 8:45 am]
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