[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 116 (Tuesday, June 17, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 32821]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-15824]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR


Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS) will prepare a General 
Management Plan (GMP) and an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for 
the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve (hereafter, ``the Preserve''), 
Kansas, in accordance with section 102(2)(C) of the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and Public Law 104-333. This 
notice is being furnished as required by NEPA Regulations 40 CFR 
1501.7.
    To facilitate sound planning and environmental assessment, the NPS 
intends to gather information necessary for the preparation of the EIS, 
and to obtain suggestions and information from other agencies and the 
public on the scope of issues to be addressed in the EIS. Comments and 
participation in this scoping process are invited.
    A series of public meetings and open houses will be held during the 
development of the GMP and the preparation of the EIS. Notices of the 
dates, times, and locations of these public sessions will be advertised 
in local media outlets prior to the events. Information regarding 
public sessions and the GMP/EIS will also be provided through periodic 
newsletters and through a World Wide Web page.

DATES: Public open houses will be held on Tuesday, July 15 and 
Thursday, July 17, 1997. The July 15 open house will be held between 
4:00 and 8:00 p.m. at the office of the Tallgrass Prairie National 
Preserve, 226 Broadway, Cottonwood Falls, Kansas. The July 17 open 
house will be held between 4:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the City of 
Topeka, City Council Office, Topeka Performing Arts Center (2nd Floor), 
214 SE 8th Street, Topeka, Kansas.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and information concerning preparation of 
the GMP/EIS should be received no later than September 15, 1997. These 
comments are to be directed to the Superintendent, Tallgrass Prairie 
National Preserve, P.O. Box 585, 226 Broadway, Cottonwood Falls, Kansas 
66845.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Superintendent at the above 
address or telephone 316-273-6034.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As established, the Preserve shall consist 
of lands and interests in lands defined by the boundary of the Z Bar 
(Spring Hill) Ranch in Chase County Kansas. This 10,894 acre ranch is 
located north of Strong City, in the Flint Hills area of east-central 
Kansas. The ranch contains a vast expanse of tallgrass prairie. The 
rolling hills and rocky soils of this area are today the most extensive 
remnant of tallgrass prairie in North America.
    Congress established the Preserve (1) to preserve, protect, and 
interpret for the public an example of a tallgrass prairie ecosystem on 
the Spring Hill Ranch, located in the Flint Hills of Kansas; and (2) to 
preserve and interpret for the public the historic and cultural values 
represented on the Spring Hill Ranch. The 1996 legislation also 
established the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve Advisory Committee 
to serve as advisors to the Secretary of the Interior (hereafter, ``the 
Secretary'') and the NPS in the development, management, and 
interpretation of the Preserve.
    In accordance with NPS Management Policies, the GMP will set forth 
a management concept for the Preserve; establish a role for the 
Preserve within the context of regional trends and plans for 
conservation, recreation, transportation, economic development, and 
other regional issues; and identify strategies for resolving issues and 
achieving management objectives.
    In accordance with Public Law 104-333, the GMP for the Preserve 
will include provisions for:
    (1) Maintaining and enhancing the tallgrass prairie within the 
boundaries of the Preserve.
    (2) Public access and enjoyment of the property that is consistent 
with the conservation and proper management of the historical, 
cultural, and natural resources of the ranch.
    (3) Interpretive and education programs covering the natural 
history of the prairie, the cultural history of Native Americans, and 
the legacy of ranching in the Flint Hills region.
    (4) Requiring the application of applicable State law concerning 
the maintenance of adequate fences within the boundaries of the 
Preserve.
    (5) Requiring the Secretary to comply with applicable State noxious 
weed, pesticide, and animal health laws.
    (6) Requiring compliance with applicable State water laws and 
Federal and State waste disposal laws.
    (7) Requiring the Secretary to honor each valid existing oil and 
gas lease for lands within the boundaries of the Preserve.
    (8) Requiring the Secretary to offer to enter into an agreement 
with each individual who, as of November 12, 1996, holds rights for 
cattle grazing within the boundaries of the Preserve.
    In addition, a financial analysis will be prepared that indicates 
how the management of the Preserve may be fully supported through fees, 
private donations, and other forms of non-Federal funding.
    The environmental review of the GMP for the Tallgrass Prairie 
National Preserve will be conducted in accordance with requirements of 
the NEPA (42 U.S.C. Sec. 4371 et seq.), NEPA regulations (40 CFR 1500-
1508), other appropriate Federal regulations, and NPS procedures and 
policies for compliance with those regulations.
    The NPS estimates the draft GMP and draft EIS will be available to 
the public by May 1999.

    Dated: June 10, 1997.
William W. Schenk,
Field Director, Midwest Field Area.
[FR Doc. 97-15824 Filed 6-16-97; 8:45 am]
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