[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 227 (Friday, November 26, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 66489]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-30796]



[[Page 66489]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[8323.2]


Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) on 
Construction of an Interpretive Center and Other Facilities at Pompeys 
Pillar National Historic Landmark, Montana

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) on 
construction of an interpretive center and other facilities at Pompeys 
Pillar National Historic Landmark, Montana and Notice of Scoping 
Meetings.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management, Billings Field Office and the 
Montana Department of Transportation will be directing the preparation 
of an EA to be prepared by a third party contractor on the impacts of a 
proposed interpretive center and other facilities proposed on public 
lands at Pompeys Pillar National Historic Landmark in south-central 
Montana. The EA will amend the Billings Resource Management Plan to 
provide further guidance on the management of Pompeys Pillar National 
Historic Landmark.

DATES: Written comments will be accepted until January 28, 2000. Public 
scoping meetings will be held at Pompeys Pillar National Historic 
Landmark on January 4, 2000 and in Billings, Montana on January 5, 
2000. Exact locations and times will be announced through the local 
media. Additional briefing meetings will be considered as appropriate.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Billings Field Manager, P. O. Box 36800, 
5001 Southgate Drive, Billings, Montana 59107-6800. ATTN: Pompeys 
Pillar Interpretive Center EA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dick Kodeski, BLM Billings Field 
Office, (406) 896-5235.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The need for a new interpretive center at 
Pompeys Pillar National Historic Landmark was addressed in the 1996 
Pompeys Pillar Amendment to the Billings Resource Management Plan and 
impacts analyzed in the accompanying EA. The EA to be developed at this 
time will further analyze the location and visual aspects of the 
interpretive center, as well as that of additional facilities, 
including the possibility of a State of Montana Department of 
Transportation highway rest area at this location. Additional 
facilities to be addressed are an entrance road, trails, parking, 
restrooms, picnic area, sewage treatment, utilities, and employee 
housing. The possibility of providing a highway rest area is being 
considered because of potential cost savings to the public through the 
sharing of development, and operation and maintenance of facilities.
    The scoping process for the EA will include: (1) Identification of 
what will be addressed; (2) Identification of viable alternatives, 
including a no-action alternative, and (3) Notifying interested groups, 
individuals, and agencies so that additional information concerning 
this project can be obtained.

    Dated: November 18, 1999.
Larry E. Hamilton,
State Director.
[FR Doc. 99-30796 Filed 11-24-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-$$-P