[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 198 (Friday, October 12, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52151-52152]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-25643]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a draft wilderness suitability 
study and draft environmental impact statement for Apostle Islands 
National Lakeshore, Wisconsin.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS) will prepare a wilderness 
suitability study to evaluate portions of Apostle Islands National 
Lakeshore for possible designation as wilderness, in accordance with 
the provisions of the Wilderness Act of 1964 and NPS Management 
Policies (2001). To facilitate sound analysis of environmental impacts, 
the NPS is gathering information necessary for the preparation of the 
wilderness suitability study and the associated environmental impact 
statement (EIS). Suggestions and information are being sought from 
other agencies, tribes, organizations, and the public on the scope of 
issues and range of alternatives to be addressed. 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.
    A series of scoping sessions with local, county, state, and tribal 
governments, neighboring agencies, and the public is scheduled to be 
held in late July 2001. The purpose of these meetings will be to 
explain the wilderness suitability study process, and to provide an 
opportunity for governments, tribes, agencies, communities, and 
interested citizens to express the issues and concerns they believe the 
study should address. At least one public session will be held in 
Bayfield, Wisconsin. Notice of the dates, times, and locations of 
public scoping sessions will be advertised in local media outlets prior 
to the events. Persons wishing to receive direct mail notification of 
the public scoping sessions should contact the park's Management 
Assistant at the address or telephone number below. Up-to-date 
schedules, draft documents, current information regarding the 
wilderness suitability study and EIS, and an address for electronically 
transmitted comments can be found on the park's Web site at http://www.nps.gov/apis/wstudy.htm. Written comments may also be mailed to the 
park's Management Assistant at the address below.

ADDRESSES:  General park information requests, or requests to be added 
to the project mailing list should be directed to: Superintendent, 
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Route 1, Box 4, Bayfield, Wisconsin 
54814. Telephone: 715-779-3397. E-mail: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Written comments, and information 
concerning the scope of the EIS and other matters should be directed 
to: Management Assistant, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, at the 
address above. Telephone: 715-779-3398

[[Page 52152]]

extension 102. e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  NPS Management Policies (2001) section 
6.2.1 requires a wilderness suitability assessment as a prelude to a 
wilderness suitability study. This requirement was met by the 1989 
General Management Plan (GMP) for Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. 
During the GMP planning process, it was determined that about 97% of 
the park's land base was potentially suitable for wilderness, and 
required further study. Since that time, in accordance with the GMP, 
these lands have been managed as though they were wilderness, so the 
conclusions of the assessment remain accurate and valid. Copies of the 
GMP are available at the address above.
    The environmental review of the wilderness suitability study and 
EIS for the Lakeshore will be conducted in accordance with requirements 
of the NEPA (42 U.S.C. Sec. 4371 et seq.), NEPA regulations (40 CFR 
1500-1508), other appropriate Federal regulations, and National Park 
Service procedures and policies for compliance with those regulations.

    Dated: May 14, 2001.
William W. Schenk,
Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 01-25643 Filed 10-11-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P