[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 50 (Monday, March 16, 1998)] [Notices] [Page 12821] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-6626] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service Final Environmental Impact Statement; General Management Plan; National Park of American Samoa; Notice of Availability SUMMARY: Pursuant to Sec. 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Pub. L. 91-190, as amended), the National Park Service has prepared a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the General Management Plan (GMP) for the National Park of American Samoa, Territory of American Samoa. The GMP proposes implementation of management strategies to ensure the long-term protection of the natural, cultural, and subsistence resources of this national park. Also included in the actions proposed is development of a full program to interpret those resources for visitors, and limited construction of facilities needed to provide for visitor enjoyment of this new and, as yet, undeveloped national park. Development within the national park is to be restrained and low-key. Major visitor use facilities are proposed at locations outside of the national park. Villages located near the national park are encouraged to provide visitor services in the traditional Samoan style. Alternatives and Proposed Action: Four alternatives and corresponding mitigation measures were identified and analyzed. This consisted of No Action (Alternative B); Minimum Requirements (Alternative C, minimal facility development, visitor services and resource management); and Alternative D (same as proposed action, with the added element of developing a visitor center within the national park). The Proposed Action is Alternative A, and is briefly summarized above. Background: The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) was released for public review for a 75-day period which ended March 15, 1997. Public meetings were held in American Samoa during the review period to hear comments on the draft plan; meetings were also held in each of the nine villages with lands in the national park to hear comments from village council members. Both the DEIS and the FEIS evaluate the same proposed action and three alternatives. The information in the FEIS remains essentially unchanged from the DEIS. The FEIS contains responses to the comments received on the draft and the modifications and clarifications to the text in response to those comments. Modifications and clarifications made were minor and few in number. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The no-action period for the FEIS/GMP will extend for 30 days after EPA's listing of the filing of the document in the Federal Register. Requests for information or copies of the final document should be directed to the Superintendent, National Park of American Samoa, Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799; or to Park Planner, Pacific Islands Support Office, 300 Ala Moana Blvd, Box 50165, Honolulu, Hawaii 96850. Dated: March 1, 1998. John J. Reynolds, Regional Director, Pacific West. [FR Doc. 98-6626 Filed 3-13-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-70-P