[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 145 (Monday, July 29, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 49034]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-19096]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Acadia National Park; Notice of Intent To Prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement for the Schoodic General Management Plan 
Amendment

SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969 [Pub. L. 91-109 Section 102(c)], the National Park Service is 
preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Schoodic 
General Management Plan Amendment. The purpose of the EIS is to assess 
the impacts of alternative management strategies that will be described 
in the general management plan amendment for the Schoodic District of 
Acadia National Park. The National Park Service is formulating a range 
of alternatives for natural and cultural resource protection, visitor 
use and interpretation, facilities development, and operations.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Acadia National Park encompasses 100.1 acres 
of the former Naval Security Group Activity Winter Harbor at Schoodic 
Point. The former Navy base contains approximately 40 major buildings 
totaling 178,000 square feet that include a dormitory, apartment 
complex, cafeteria, medical clinic, fire station, commissary, 
gymnasium, child day-care center, maintenance facility, recreational 
facilities, warehouse, and related utility systems. The original Navy 
apartment and operations building and its generator house are eligible 
for the National Register of Historic Places.
    Pursuant to Public Laws 80-260 and 107-107, the Department of the 
Navy transferred its property at Schoodic Point to the NPS on July 1, 
2002. The NPS is preparing an amendment to Acadia's 1992 General 
Management Plan for the 2,366-acre Schoodic District of the park to 
determine the appropriate range of uses for the former Navy facilities 
and address effects on the park's resources and visitor experiences at 
Schoodic. The Schoodic District is zoned a ``natural area'' in the 
park's 1992 General Management Plan and is managed to retain its 
current use levels and opportunities for low-density recreation.
    The three alternatives for the reuse of the site include: (1) 
Multi-partner approach; (2) National Park Service approach; and (3) no 
action, as required by the National Environmental Policy Act. The 
multi-partner approach will emphasize the use and occupancy of the site 
for research and educational purposes by one or more partners. The 
partners would contribute to the park's research and education efforts 
and conduct programs that are consistent with its mission. This 
alternative will also accommodate the uses described under the National 
Park Service approach. The National Park Service approach will 
emphasize the park's use of the site for administering the Schoodic 
District, providing interpretive services to visitors, facilitating 
park-specific research, offering resident environmental education 
programs, and housing NPS employees.

Public Scoping

    The NPS is seeking feedback from interested parties who wish to 
express concerns, make suggestions, and raise issues about the future 
development and management of the Schoodic District of Acadia National 
Park. You may submit written comments on the general management plan 
amendment alternatives, scope of the EIS, and related issues to the 
National Park Service by postal mail, fax, e-mail, or hand delivery. 
Mail comments to: Superintendent, Acadia National Park, P.O. Box 177, 
Bar Harbor, Maine 04609. Fax comments to: (207) 288-5507. E-mail 
comments to: [email protected]. Hand deliver comments during normal 
business hours to: Acadia National Park Headquarters, McFarland Hill, 
Rt. 233, Bar Harbor, Maine. Please include your complete name and 
address along with your comments. If you wish to have your name and 
address withheld from the public record, you must state so prominently 
at the beginning of your comments. We will honor your request to the 
extent allowable by law. Comments must be submitted within 30 calendar 
days from July 29, 2002.
    A draft general management plan amendment and EIS is expected to be 
completed and available for public review in early fall 2002. After 
public and agency review of the draft document, the NPS will consider 
comments and complete a final general management plan amendment and EIS 
in early 2003, with a Record of Decision to follow.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John T. Kelly, Park Planner, at Acadia 
National Park, P.O. Box 177, Bar Harbor, Maine 04609; telephone: (207) 
288-5472; fax: (207) 288-5507; e-mail: [email protected]. Additional 
information about the Schoodic General Management Plan Amendment and 
EIS is also available on Acadia National Park's Web site at: 
www.nps.gov/acad/schoodic/intro.htm.

    Dated: July 18, 2002.
Paul F. Haertel,
Superintendent, Acadia National Park.
[FR Doc. 02-19096 Filed 7-26-02; 8:45 am]
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