[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 11 (Thursday, January 16, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2354-2355]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-1004]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


General Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement, Great 
Sand Dunes National Monument and Preserve, Colorado

AGENCY: National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
for the general management plan, Great Sand Dunes National Monument and 
Preserve.

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SUMMARY: Under the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act 
of 1969, the National Park Service is preparing an Environmental Impact 
Statement for the general management plan for Great Sand Dunes National 
Monument and Preserve. The Environmental Impact Statement will be 
approved by the Director, Intermountain Region.
    Great Sand Dunes National Monument was established by President 
Herbert Hoover in 1932 ``for the preservation of the great sand dunes 
and additional features of scenic, scientific, and educational 
interest.'' The Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve Act of 2000 
enlarged Great Sand Dunes National Monument from 39,000 acres to almost 
150,000 acres to protect the entire Great Sand Dunes natural system. 
The name will change to Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve 
when sufficient lands are acquired within the new boundary. The 
legislation expanding the park identifies a variety additional features 
for long term protection, including ``geological, hydrological, 
paleontological, scenic, scientific, educational, wildlife, and 
recreational resources of the area.'' Land in and adjacent to the Great 
Sand Dunes is recognized for the ``culturally diverse nature of the 
historic settlement of the area, offering natural ecological, wildlife, 
cultural, scenic, paleontological, wilderness, and recreational 
resources.'' The law further notes that the ``preservation of this 
diversity of resources would ensure the perpetuation of the entire 
ecosystem for the enjoyment of future generations.'' The legislation 
directs establishment of the ``Great Sand Dunes National Park Advisory 
Council'' to ``advise the Secretary of the Interior with respect to the 
preparation and implementation of a management plan for the national 
park and preserve.''
    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; wilderness 
suitability; potential partnerships with other agencies, organizations, 
and local interests; and land status within the new boundary.

DATES: The Park Service will accept comments from the public through 
April 16, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Information will be available for public review and comment 
in the office of the Superindent, Steve Chaney, Great Sand Dunes 
National Monument and Preserve, 11500 Hwy. 150, Mosca, CO 81146-9798; 
Tel: (719) 378-2312; (719) 378-2594; e-mail: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Superintendent Steve Chaney, 
Great Sand Dunes National Monument and Preserve; Tel: (719) 378-2312; 
(719) 378-2594.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Park Service is planning to 
begin public scoping in January 2003 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 2003. Specific dates, times, and locations will be 
announced in the local media and will also be available by contacting 
the Superintendent of Great Sand Dunes National Monument and Preserve. 
There will also be opportunities for input at Advisory Council 
meetings. There will be a web site for the general management plan. 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

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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.

    Dated: November 26, 2002.
Michael Snyder,
Deputy Director, Intermountain Region.
[FR Doc. 03-1004 Filed 1-15-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P