[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 49 (Wednesday, March 13, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11362-11363]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-6043]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


General Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement, Colorado 
National Monument, Colorado

AGENCY: National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare an environmental impact statement 
for the general management plan, Colorado National Monument.

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SUMMARY: Under the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act, 
the National Park Service is preparing an environmental impact 
statement for the general management plan for Colorado National 
Monument. The environmental impact statement will be approved by the 
Director, Intermountain Region.
    Colorado National Monument was established May 24, 1911 by 
Presidential William H. Taft, under the authority of the Antiquities 
Act (1906), because ``[t]he extraordinary examples of erosion are of 
great scientific interest, and it appears that the public interest 
would be promoted by reserving these natural formations as a National 
Monument, together with as much public land as may be necessary for the 
proper protection thereof.'' Two later Presidential proclamations (1933 
and 1959) added additional land to the Colorado National Monument, 
primarily for the protection of ``* * * features of historical and 
scientific interest and for the protection of the Rim Road * * *''
    The general management plan will prescribe the resource conditions 
and visitor experiences that are to be achieved and maintained in the 
monument over time. The clarification of what must be achieved 
according to law and policy will be based on review of the park's 
purpose, significance, special mandates, and the body of laws and 
policies directing park management. Management decisions to be made 
where law, policy, or regulations do not provide clear guidance or 
limits will be based on the purposes of the monument, the range of 
public expectations and concerns, resource analysis, an evaluation of 
the natural, cultural, and social impacts of alternative courses of 
action, and consideration of long-term economic costs. Based on 
determinations of desired conditions, the general management plan will 
outline the kinds of resource management activities, visitor 
activities, and development that would be appropriate in the monument 
in the future. Alternatives will be developed through this planning 
process and will include, at a minimum, no-action and the preferred 
alternative. Major issues include protection of natural and cultural 
resources; the adequacy of interpretive programs; potential 
partnerships with other agencies, organizations, and local interests; 
and boundary concerns.
    The National Park Service is planning to begin public scoping in 
January 2002, via a newsletter to state and Federal agencies; 
associated American Indian tribes; neighboring communities; county 
commissioners; local organizations, researchers and institutions; the 
Congressional Delegation; and visitors who signed up to be on the 
mailing list. In addition, the National Park Service will hold public 
scoping meetings regarding the general management plan, beginning in 
January 2002. Specific dates, times, and locations will be announced in 
the local media and will also be available by contacting the 
Superintendent of Colorado National Monument. There will also be a web 
site for the general management plan, established at a later date. The 
purpose of the newsletter, public meetings, and web site is to explain 
the planning process and to obtain comments concerning appropriate 
resource management; desired visitor experience and use, and 
facilities; as well as any other issues that need to be addressed. In 
addition to attending the scoping meetings, people wishing to provide 
input to this initial phase of developing the general management plan 
may address comments to the superintendent. Scoping comments should be 
received no later that 60-days from the publication of this Notice of 
Intent.

[[Page 11363]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Superintendent Palma Wilson, 
Colorado National Monument, Fruita, CO, 81521-0001; Tel: (970) 858-
3617; FAX: (970) 858-0372; e-mail: [email protected].

    Dated: October 19, 2001.
Karen P. Wade,
Director, Intermountain Region.
[FR Doc. 02-6043 Filed 3-12-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P