[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 117 (Friday, June 16, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37799-37800]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-15232]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Environmental Statements; Availability etc.: Voyageurs National 
Park, MN; General Management/Visitor Use and Facilities Plan

AGENCY: National Park Service, DOI.

ACTION: Notice of availability of the Draft General Management Plan/
Visitor

[[Page 37800]]

Use and Facilities Plan and the Draft Environmental Impact Statement 
for Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969, the National Park Service announces the 
availability of the Draft General Management Plan/Visitor Use and 
Facilities Plan and the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DGMP/
DEIS) for Voyageurs National Park. This notice also announces public 
open houses for the purposes of explaining the DGMP/DEIS and receiving 
public comments on the document.

DATES: There will be a 60-day public review period for comments on this 
DGMP/DEIS. Comments must be received no later than August 23, 2000. 
Public open houses for information about, or to make comment on the 
DGMP/DEIS will be held at the following dates and locations:

Monday, July 24, 2000 at the Holiday Inn, 1500 Highway 71, 
International Falls, MN;
Tuesday, July 25, 2000 at the American Legion Hall, Orr, MN (behind 
Pattenn's Cafe)
Wednesday, July 26, 2000 at the Holiday Inn (Great Lakes Ballroom), 200 
West First Street, Duluth, MN; and
Thursday, July 27, 2000 at the Sheraton Inn Midway (Minnesota II Room), 
400 North Hamline Avenue, St. Paul, MN.

    All open houses will begin at 6:30 p.m. and last until 9:30 p.m.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathleen Przybylski, Voyageurs 
National Park, 3131 Highway 53, International Falls, MN 56649; 
telephone 218-283-9821. Copies of the plan may also be requested at 
this address and telephone number, or by e-mail from 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Comments on this DGMP/DEIS are solicited at 
this time. Comments may be submitted by several methods. You may attend 
one of the public open houses noted above. You may mail comments to: 
General Management Plan, Voyageurs National Park, 3131 Highway 53, 
International Falls, MN 56649. You also may comment via e-mail to 
[email protected].
    If individuals submitting comments request that their name and/or 
address be withheld from public disclosure, it will be honored to the 
extent allowable by law. Such requests must be stated prominently in 
the beginning of the comments. As always, the NPS will make available 
to public inspection all submissions from organizations or businesses 
and from persons identifying themselves as representatives or officials 
of organizations and businesses. Anonymous comments will not be 
considered.
    The purpose of the General Management Plan/Visitor Use and 
Facilities Plan is to set forth the basic management philosophy for the 
Park and to provide the strategies for addressing issues and achieving 
identified management objectives. The DGMP/DEIS describes and analyzes 
the environmental impacts of a proposed action and two action 
alternatives for the future management direction of the Park. A no 
action alternative is also evaluated.
    Alternative 1 is the no-action alternative. It would continue 
current management practices and actions, and provides a baseline for 
comparison of the other alternatives. The proposed action combines 
elements from all of the alternatives and presents a balanced approach 
for resource management and visitor use.
    Alternative 2 emphasizes resource preservation, providing a greater 
balance in the types of visitor uses and experiences, and focusing 
partnerships on preservation, visitor services, facilities, and 
information. This alternative would provide more opportunities for 
visitors to experience solitude and a natural setting.
    Alternative 3 emphasizes the visitor experience. The widest range 
and largest quantity of activities, facilities, and experiences 
consistent with the Park's mission, purpose, and significance would be 
developed. Resource protection to ensure a quality visitor experience 
would be emphasized.
    The responsible official is Mr. William Schenk, Midwest Regional 
Director, National Park Service.

    Dated: June 9, 2000.
William W. Schenk,
Regional Director, Midwest Region.
[FR Doc. 00-15232 Filed 6-15-00; 8:45 am]
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