[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 145 (Friday, July 27, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39195-39196]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-18761]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Cuyahoga Valley National Park, OH; Intent To Prepare Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement for Rural Landscape Management

AGENCY: National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a draft environmental impact 
statement

[[Page 39196]]

for rural landscape management in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio.

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SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS) will prepare a draft 
environmental impact statement (EIS) to address the long-term 
management of the rural landscape in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. 
Park managers have understood the park's mandate to include the 
preservation of the rural landscape--the Valley's agricultural lands 
and associated structures. Various attempts to stem the decline of this 
landscape within the park's boundaries have not prevented farms from 
falling into disuse and disrepair. The park is proposing to implement a 
fresh approach to rural landscape management to better protect and 
revitalize this cultural resource.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    A preliminary set of alternatives (including the park's preferred 
alternative) for protecting the rural landscape have been developed:
    (1) No action. Manage the rural landscape through a combination of 
historical leasing, short-term special use permits, mowing, and 
utilization of structures for adaptive reuse. Continue current program 
activities without changing their emphasis.
    (2) Contract farming. Manage the rural landscape by hiring 
employees or contractors to implement a network of working farms as 
modeled by the NPS.
    (3) Historical farming. Manage the rural landscape through the 
establishment of demonstration farms that replicate farming practices 
of specific historical eras.
    (4) Countryside Initiative (Preferred Alternative). Manage the 
rural landscape by developing sustainable farms through long-term 
leases with private individuals. More information on this alternative 
can be found online at: http://www.nps.gov/cuva/technical/countryside/index.htm.
    (5) Vista protection. Manage the rural landscape primarily for 
scenic values by emphasizing the restoration of farm structures for 
residential, office, or other non-agricultural use and clear and mow 
fields absent any agricultural purpose.
    The park proposed completing an Environmental Assessment (EA) in 
May 2001 to assess the issues and alternatives for the proposed action. 
Public scoping was initiated for the EA and included letters to 
numerous agencies and organizations and a press release to local media. 
Park managers now believe that an EIS is more appropriate given the 
scope and complexity of the proposed action. All information generated 
during the EA scoping process will be retained for use in the EIS 
process. Anyone who contributed comments for the EA need not resend 
their comments.

Comments

    To facilitate sound analysis of environmental impacts, the NPS is 
gathering information necessary for the preparation of the EIS. 
Suggestions on environmental issues to be analyzed and additional 
alternatives to consider are being sought from other agencies, tribes, 
organizations, and the public. Comments and participation in this 
scoping process are invited and encouraged. This notice is being 
furnished as required by National Environmental Policy Act regulations 
40 CFR 1501.7.
    Scoping comments will be accepted for a period of forty-five (45) 
days from the issuance of this notice. A public scoping open house 
session will be scheduled no sooner than fifteen (15) days from the 
issuance of this notice. This open house will provide an opportunity 
for governments, tribes, agencies, communities, and interested citizens 
to learn more about the proposed action and express the issues and 
concerns they believe the EIS should address. Notice of the date, time, 
and location of this public scoping session will be advertised in local 
media outlets prior to the event. Persons wishing to receive direct 
mail notification of the public scoping sessions should contact the 
park at the address or telephone number below. Interested agencies and 
organizations are also invited to arrange meetings to provide input 
directly to the park. Such meetings can be arranged by contacting the 
EIS Team Leader at the address and telephone below. The public meeting 
notice, draft documents, and general information regarding the EIS will 
be found on the park's web site at http://www.nps.gov/cuva/ruraleis.htm. Written comments may also be mailed or e-mailed to the 
park's Superintendent at the address below.

Decision Process

    The environmental review of the EIS for rural landscape management 
at Cuyahoga Valley National Park will be conducted in accordance with 
requirements of the NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4371 et seq.), NEPA regulations (40 
CFR parts 1500-1508), other appropriate Federal regulations, and NPS 
procedures and policies for compliance with those regulations.

Addresses

    Written comments, general park information requests, or requests to 
be added to the project mailing list should be directed to: 
Superintendent, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, 15610 Vaughn Road, 
Brecksville, Ohio 44141. Telephone: 440-546-5903. E-mail: 
[email protected].

For Further Information Contact

    For information concerning the scope of the EIS and to arrange 
Agency meetings should be directed to Kevin Skerl, EIS Team Leader, 
Cuyahoga Valley National Park at the address above. Telephone: 330-650-
5071 extension 4. E-mail: [email protected].

    Dated: June 19, 2001.
William W. Schenk,
Regional Director, Midwest Region.
[FR Doc. 01-18761 Filed 7-26-01; 8:45 am]
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