[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 88 (Friday, May 5, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 26237]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-11202]



[[Page 26237]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Environmental Statements; Availability etc; Gettysburg National 
Military Park

AGENCY: National Park Service (NPS), Department of Interior (DOI).

ACTION: Notice of availability of an environmental assessment on the 
proposed demolition and removal of the National Tower at Gettysburg 
National Military Park, Gettysburg, PA.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Council on Environmental Quality regulations 
and National Park Service policy, the NPS announces the availability of 
a draft environmental assessment on the proposed demolition and removal 
of the National Tower at Gettysburg National Military Park, Gettysburg, 
PA. The purpose of this environmental assessment is to present the 
alternatives for removal of the tower and related impacts. Specific 
actions required for future site restoration are not described or 
analyzed within this document. The NPS is soliciting comments on this 
environmental assessment. NPS will consider these comments in making a 
decision pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and 
the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA).

DATES: The environmental assessment will remain available for public 
comment through May 31, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Katie Lawhon, (717) 334-1124 extension 
452 or write to Superintendent, Gettysburg National Military Park, 97 
Taneytown Road, Gettysburg, PA 17325.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 9, 1999, the Department of 
Justice filed a complaint in condemnation at the U.S. District Court in 
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. This action was the first formal legal step 
in the federal government's acquisition of the privately owned 307-foot 
observation tower, the land upon which it sits and its appurtenant 
rights-of-way. The action to acquire the National Tower, which 
overlooks the Gettysburg Battlefield, implements the decision made by 
the National Park Service as part of its 1990 Boundary Study and its 
1993 Land Protection Plan to add the site to the park, acquire the land 
and the tower, and remove the tower.
    Removal of non-historic structures in order to restore natural 
conditions is listed by the NPS as a categorical exclusion under the 
National Park Service procedures for implementing the provisions of the 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). However, in the interests of 
disclosing the limited impacts associated with the demolition of the 
non-historic tower structure, this environmental assessment ahs been 
prepared for public and agency review. Alternatives analyzed in the 
draft Environmental Assessment include Alternative 1, (the Proposal), 
Tower Removal and Alternative 2, No Action. Under Alternative 1, the 
tower structure and its surrounding buildings would be demolished and 
removed. Demolition itself could be accomplished through a variety of 
methods. One alternative method would be to dismantle the structure in 
a piece-by-piece method through use of cranes and other mechanical 
methods. Another demolition method would be to use an implosion method 
to reduce the tower and associated structures into on-site debris and 
then remove the debris. Under all methods, the resulting debris would 
be removed by truck to approved scrap yards/resale facilities and 
landfills. Under Alternative 2, No Action, the tower property would be 
acquired as stated in previous planning documents. The NPS would close 
the National Tower to public access and use, but the tower would not be 
removed. This alternative is presented for baseline purposes of 
comparison. All interested agencies, organizations, and individuals are 
urged to provide comments on the draft Environmental Assessment. All 
comments received by the closing date will be considered by NPS as it 
completes its NEPA and NHPA compliance.

    Dated: April 28, 2000.
John A. Latschar,
Superintendent, Gettysburg National Military Park.
[FR Doc. 00-11202 Filed 5-4-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-M