[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 65 (Friday, April 4, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 16548]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-8191]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Availability of a Record of Decision (ROD) on the Final 
Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Winter Use Plans 
for Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks and the John D. 
Rockefeller, Jr., Memorial Parkway

AGENCY: National Park Service, Department of the Interior.
SUMMARY: Pursuant to Sec.  102(2)(C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969, Pub. L. 91-190, 83 Stat. 852, 853, codified as 
amended at 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Service announces 
the availability of the Record of Decision for the Winter Use Plans for 
Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks and the John D. Rockefeller, 
Jr., Memorial Parkway; Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. On March 24, 2003, 
the Director, Intermountain Region approved the Record of Decision for 
the project with the decision effective at 12 noon m.s.t. on March 25, 
2003. Beginning in the winter of 2003-2004, the National Park Service 
will implement this Decision although certain provisions will not apply 
until implementing regulations are promulgated or until the winter of 
2004-2005. The following course of action will occur under alternative 
4, the preferred alternative, as modified in the ROD: the use of 
snowmobiles in the parks and the parkway will be permitted, provided 
all machines meet best available technology (BAT) standards for sound 
and air emissions. All snowmobile users in Yellowstone will be required 
to be to be accompanied by NPS permitted guides. Monitoring and 
adaptive management strategies will allow for the adjustment of 
oversnow vehicle numbers should monitoring and carrying capacity 
studies indicate that standards are not being met.
    This specific course of action was not included as an alternative 
in the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement, but was 
included and analyzed, along with 4 additional alternatives, in the 
Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement. The full range of 
foreseeable environmental consequences was assessed, and appropriate 
mitigating measures were identified.
    The Record of Decision includes a statement of the decision made, 
synopses of other alternatives considered, the basis for the decision, 
a description of the environmentally preferable alternative, a finding 
regarding impairment of park resources and values, a listing of 
measures to minimize environmental harm, an overview of public 
involvement in the decision-making process, and a Statement of 
Findings.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Sacklin, Yellowstone National 
Park, PO Box 168, Yellowstone, WY 82190, (307) 344-2020, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Copies of the Record of Decision may be 
obtained from the contact listed above or online at nps.gov/grte/winteruse/winteruse.htm.

    Dated: March 25, 2003.
Karen Wade,
Director, Intermountain Region, National Park Service.
[FR Doc. 03-8191 Filed 4-3-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P