[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 92 (Thursday, May 13, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 25904]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-12088]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Wilson's Creek National Battlefield, General Management Plan and 
Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare a General Management Plan and 
Environmental Impact Statement for Wilson's Creek National Battlefield, 
Missouri.

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SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS) will prepare a General 
Management Plan (GMP) and an associated Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS) for Wilson's Creek National Battlefield, Missouri, in accordance 
with section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(NEPA). 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.
    Participation in the planning process will be encouraged and 
facilitated by various means, including a newsletter and open houses. 
The NPS will conduct a series of public scoping meetings to explain the 
planning process and to solicit opinion about issues to address in the 
GMP/EIS. Notification of all such meetings will be announced in the 
local press and in NPS newsletters.

Dates: Public scoping meetings will be held on May 25 and 26. On 
Tuesday, May 25 the meeting will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the 
Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Visitor Center, 6424 West Farm Road 
182 (intersection of Farm Road 182 and ZZ Highway) Republic, Missouri. 
On Wednesday, May 26 the meeting will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 
the Busch Municipal Building, 840 Boonville, Springfield, Missouri.

Addresses: Written comments and information concerning the scope of the 
EIS and other matters should be directed to: Superintendent, Wilson's 
Creek National Battlefield, 6424 West Farm Road 182, Republic, Missouri 
65738.

For Further Information Contact: Mr. Gary Sullivan, Wilson's Creek 
National Battlefield, 6424 West Farm Road 182, Republic, Missouri 
65738, 417-882-9144, [email protected].

Supplementary Information: Wilson's Creek National Battlefield was 
established to preserve one of the first major Civil War Battlefields 
and the site of the first Union General killed in the War. The public's 
enjoyment of the Battlefield is facilitated by providing a safe and 
accessible visitors center, museum, research library, roads, and 
trails; preserving and restoring the 1861 rural, agricultural setting, 
and encouraging its preservation around the park. The park also 
provides habitat for endangered species, and recreational opportunities 
that do not impair resource preservation, and the commemoration and 
interpretation of the Battle. Management of the Battlefield currently 
is guided by a 1977 master plan, which has become outdated.
    In accordance with NPS Park Planning policy, the GMP will ensure 
the Battlefield has a clearly defined direction for resource 
preservation and visitor use. It will be developed in consultation with 
servicewide program managers, interested parties, and the general 
public. It will be based on an adequate analysis of existing and 
potential resource conditions and visitor experiences, environmental 
impacts, and costs of alternative courses of action.
    The environmental review of the GMP/EIS for the Battlefield will be 
conducted in accordance with requirements of the NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4371 
et seq.), NEPA regulations (40 CFR part 1500-1508), other appropriate 
Federal regulations, and National Park Service procedures and policies 
for compliance with those regulations.
    The National Park Service estimates the draft GMP and draft EIS 
will be available to the public by September 2000.

    Dated: May 6, 1999.
David N. Given,
Deputy Regional Director, Midwest Region.
[FR Doc. 99-12088 Filed 5-12-99; 8:45 am]
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