[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 40 (Friday, February 28, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9714-9715]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-4810]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
the General Management Plan for Virgin Islands National Park

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that in accordance with the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the U.S. Department of the Interior, 
National Park Service will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement on 
the General Management Plan for Virgin Islands National Park. The 
statement will assess potential environmental impacts associated with 
various types and levels of visitor use and resources management within 
the park boundary. Specific issues to be addressed include appropriate 
levels and types of visitor use in the park, desired conditions for the 
park's cultural and natural resources, and strategies and approaches 
needed to achieve and maintain those conditions. In cooperation with 
local, territory, and other Federal agencies, attention will also be 
given to cooperative management of resources outside the boundaries 
that affect the integrity of Virgin Islands National Park.

DATES: Locations, dates, and times of scheduled public scoping meetings 
will be published in local newspapers and posted in local libraries. 
Information on scheduled meetings may also be obtained by contacting 
the Superintendent, Virgin Islands National Park at 340-776-6201. The 
purpose of the scoping process is to elicit public comment regarding 
the full spectrum of public issues and concerns. Representatives of the 
National Park Service will be available to discuss issues, resource 
concerns, and the planning process for the GMP and EIS at each of the 
public meetings.

ADDRESSES: Any comments or requests for information should be addressed 
to: Superintendent, Virgin Islands National Park, P.O. Box 710, St. 
John, Virgin Islands, 00831-0710, telephone 340-776-6201.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Barrett, National Park Service, 
Southeast Regional Office, 404-562-3124, extension. 637 or John King, 
Superintendent, Virgin Islands National Park, 340-776-6201.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Virgin Islands National Park comprises 
slightly more than half of the island of St. John and almost nine 
square miles of the waters surrounding St. John. Also part of the park 
are St. Thomas, Hassel Island, in the Charlotte Amalie harbor, and 15 
acres in the Red Hook area. In recognition of its internationally 
significant natural resources, the park was designated as a Biosphere 
Reserve in 1976 and is one of the few biosphere reserves in the world 
to have both significant marine and terrestrial resources. Within its 
borders lie protected bays of crystal blue-green waters and an 
abundance of coral reef life, white sandy beaches shaded by seagrape 
trees, coconut palms, and tropical forests providing habitat for over 
800 species of plants. The park's cultural resources are significant in 
the settlement and colonization of the New World, maritime history and 
commerce, and African American history. The park features relics from 
the Pre-Colombian Amerindian civilization, remains of the Danish 
Colonial sugar plantations, and reminders of African slavery and the 
subsistence culture that followed during the 100 years after 
Emancipation. Known submerged resources include 28 shipwrecks recorded 
in the vicinity of St. John.
    This planning effort will evaluate a range of alternative methods 
to provide a quality visitor experience while maximizing protection of 
resources and operational efficiency. Public documents associated with 
the planning effort, including all newsletters, will be posted on the 
Internet through the park's Web site at http://www.nps.gov/viis.
    Our practice is to make the public comments we receive in response 
to planning documents, including names and home addresses of 
respondents,

[[Page 9715]]

available for public review during regular business hours. If you wish 
for us to withhold your name and/or address, you must state this 
prominently at the beginning of your comment. Anonymous comments will 
be included in the public record, however, the National Park Service is 
not legally required to consider or respond to anonymous comments. We 
will make all submissions from organizations or businesses and from 
individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of 
organizations or businesses available for public inspection in their 
entirety.
    Notification of the availability of the draft and final 
environmental impact statement will be made to all known interested 
parties and appropriate agencies. Full public participation by Federal, 
territory and local agencies as well as other concerned organizations 
and private citizens is invited throughout the preparation process of 
this document.
    The responsible official for this environmental impact statement is 
the Regional Director, National Park Service, Southeast Region, 100 
Alabama Street SW., Atlanta, Georgia 30303.

    Dated: December 11, 2002.
W. Thomas Brown,
Acting Regional Director, Southeast Region.
[FR Doc. 03-4810 Filed 2-27-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P