[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 99 (Monday, May 24, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 28007]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-13059]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Formal Planning and Development of a Soundscape Management Plan 
for Biscayne National Park, Homestead, FL

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Announcement initiating the planning and development of a 
Soundscape Management Plan for Biscayne National Park, Florida.

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SUMMARY: This May, the National Park Service will begin formal planning 
and development of a Soundscape Management Plan for Biscayne National 
Park, Homestead, Florida.
    The Park was established as a national monument in 1968. In 1980 it 
was enlarged to 181,500 acres and re-designated as a national park to 
protect a rare combination of subtropical terrestrial, marine, and 
amphibious life. Preservation and restoration of the natural sound 
environments within Biscayne National Park has become one of the 
foremost challenges in the protection of park resources. Today, natural 
ambient sound are threatened and the experience of park visitors is 
altered, as noises of civilization and technological conveniences 
increasingly reach even the most remote corners of the park.
    Biscayne National Park has sought National Park Service guidance 
with regard to protecting, restoring and managing the park soundscape 
as a resource. As a result, the park has determined a need to evaluate 
and manage our collective soundscape including natural sounds as well 
as sounds generated by park operations, visitor activities, aircraft 
overflights and other human sources. To address this challenge, 
Biscayne National Park will begin park planning to create a Soundscape 
Management Plan. The park will be requesting public input and 
participation during the various stages of the planning process.

DATES: The draft plan is expected to be available for public comment 
this fall. Refer to local and regional newspapers for further 
information on public meeting dates, times and locations.

ADDRESSES: Anyone wishing to provide comments or suggestions on the 
Soundscape Management Plan may send such information to: 
Superintendent, Biscayne National Park, 9700 SW 328th Street, 
Homestead, FL 33033-5634, or BSIC__S[email protected].

    Dated: May 12, 1999.
Daniel W. Brown,
Regional Director, Southeast Region.
[FR Doc. 99-13059 Filed 5-21-99; 8:45 am]
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