[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 99 (Monday, May 22, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32121-32122]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-12701]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Niobrara National Scenic River

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

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

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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, and serves to amend the 
Notice of Intent as published in the Federal Register on February 28, 
2000 (65 FR 10542).
    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 by the end of May 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: Since the original notice of intent was 
published in February 2000, the United States Court of Appeals for the 
Eighth Circuit overturned the boundaries for the Niobrara National 
Scenic Riverway which has been established as part of a 1996 General 
Management Plan (GMP) for the park. A federal district court had 
overturned that GMP and associated Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) 
in a separate ruling. However, the district court ruling had retained 
the section of the GMP pertaining to the park's boundary. Therefore, 
the original notice of intent for the current project implied that 
boundaries were not within the scope of issues that would be addressed 
in the forthcoming GMP/EIS rewrite. The decision of the Court of 
Appeals has expanded the scope to include the park 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. 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)

[[Page 32122]]

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 in early 2001.

    Dated: May 8, 2000.
David N. Given,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 00-12701 Filed 5-19-00; 8:45 am]
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