[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 222 (Tuesday, November 18, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61524-61525]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-30253]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Homestead National Monument of America, NE

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act, the National Park Service, Department of the Interior will 
prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to assess the impact of 
alternative management concepts in a revised General Management Plan 
(GMP) for Homestead National Monument of America. The purpose of 
revising the GMP is to set forth the basic management philosophy for 
the next 10 to 15 years, and provide the strategies for addressing 
issues and achieving identified management objectives. Some of the 
issues needing addressing are: flooding threats to the park's developed 
infrastructure and operations much of which resides or occurs in a 
floodplain; the restored tallgrass prairie's relationship to the park's 
purpose; cultural landscape alterations misrepresenting the historic 
scene and integrity; adequacy of domestic water and sewerage 
infrastructure; Highway 4 and traffic safety; Freeman School's 
interpretive relationship and safe public access thereto; unfulfilled 
legislative mandates to serve as a repository for

[[Page 61525]]

literature applying to settlement and agricultural implements; 
interpretive themes as identified in the park's enabling legislation; 
and existing physical facilities limitations. The GMP/EIS will 
investigate alternatives ranging from no-action to a variety of 
development proposals and management approaches designed to guide 
visitor use and provide for resource protection.
    To facilitate sound planning and environmental assessment, the 
National Park Service 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 the 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 about public 
sessions and about the GMP and EIS will also be provided through 
periodic newsletters.
    The draft GMP/EIS is expected to be completed and available for 
public review by May 15, 1998.

DATES: Public open houses to collect information and opinions about the 
scope of issues to be addressed in the GMP will be held on January 13 
and 14, 1998. The January 13 open house will be held between 7:30 p.m. 
and 9:00 p.m. at the Beatrice Public Library, 100 North 16th Street, 
Beatrice, Nebraska. The January 14 open house will be held between 2:00 
p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on the 4th floor of the Federal Building, 100 
Centennial Mall North, Lincoln, Nebraska.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and information concerning preparation 
should be directed to: Superintendent, Homestead National Monument of 
America, Route 3, Box 47, Beatrice, Nebraska 68310-9116. Comments 
should be received by January 30, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Superintendent, Homestead National 
Monument of America, at the above address or at telephone number 402-
223-3514.

    Dated: November 10, 1997.
William W. Schenk,
Regional Director, Midwest Region.
[FR Doc. 97-30253 Filed 11-17-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P