[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 39 (Monday, February 28, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10542-10543]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-4631]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Environmental Statements, Notice of Intent; Niobrara National 
Scenic River, Nebraska

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
for the General Management Plan, Niobrara National Scenic River, 
Nebraska.

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[[Page 10543]]

SUMMARY: The National Park Service will prepare a General Management 
Plan (GMP) and an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Niobrara 
National Scenic River (hereinafter, ``the Park''), Nebraska, in 
accordance with section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy 
Act of 1969 (NEPA), and a court decision invalidating a similar 1996 
GMP/EIS and ordering a new one. This notice is being furnished as 
required by NEPA Regulation 40 CFR 1501.7.
    To facilitate sound planning and environmental assessment in the 
preparation of this EIS, the National Park Service intends to both 
validate information previously acquired for the 1996 GMP/EIS, and 
obtain suggestions and information from other agencies and the public 
on several court-driven issues to be addressed in the new EIS. The 
National Park Service will scope this GMP/EIS via the media, a 
newsletter, and through a World Wide Web page. Comments and 
participation in this scoping process are invited.

DATES: A project newsletter is being prepared, which is expected to be 
ready in February or March 2000. The newsletter will contain specific 
information about how to provide input to the scoping phase of this 
project. Availability of the newsletter will be announced through local 
and regional media outlets. The newsletter will be sent to all 
addressees of record in the planning of the park's 1996 GMP/EIS, and to 
others who request the newsletter. To request a copy of the newsletter 
and to be added to the project mailing list, contact the park 
superintendent at 402-336-3970 or by writing to one of the addresses 
below.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and information should be directed to 
Superintendent, Niobrara National Scenic River, P.O. Box 591, O'Neill, 
Nebraska 68763; or by email, [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Superintendent, Niobrara National 
Scenic River, at either of the above addresses or at telephone number 
402-336-3970

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A federal district court overturned the 
park's 1996 GMP/EIS in June 1999. The court did not invalidate the 
entire document, however, and specifically retained that section 
pertaining to the park's boundary. The broad array of issues identified 
in the 1996 GMP/EIS, including land ownership, landscape conservation, 
water resource protection, hunting, fishing, and trapping, and visitor 
education and protection appear valid but reaffirmation will be sought 
through scoping. The lawsuit prompting the court ruling particularly 
challenged National Park Service's 1996 preferred management 
alternative and the associated environmental analysis. Since completion 
of the earlier document several additional issues such as retention of 
the Cornell Dam, public use limits, adequacies of public accesses, and 
general public orientation and education have arisen. The NPS proposes 
to address these new issues as part of the GMP.
    Specific examples of other issues that will be addressed in the GMP 
are: (1) The extent and manner in which partnerships can and will be 
employed to achieve management objectives, (2) identify appropriate 
access and development in the park, particularly balancing growing park 
use and resource protection; and (3) identity appropriate land 
protection strategies workable on a predominantly privately owned 
landscape. Other issues may be added to this list following completion 
of scoping.
    The new GMP will set forth a management concept for the park; 
establish plans for resource conservation, public use, and development; 
and identify strategies for resolving issues and achieving management 
objectives. It is expected that the GMP will guide park management for 
a period of fifteen to twenty years.
    The GMP/EIS will investigate alternatives ranging from no action to 
a variety of management approaches designed to guide public use and 
protect natural and cultural resources.
    The environmental review of the GMP for the Niobrara National 
Scenic River will be conducted in accordance with requirements of NEPA 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), NEPA 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 November 2000.

    Dated: February 15, 2000.
Catherine A. Damon,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 00-4631 Filed 2-25-00; 8:45 am]
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