[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 128 (Thursday, July 3, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 39965]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-16801]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Decision Record and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for 
the Improvements to Trails and Overlooks at Great Falls Park, VA

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Availability of the Decision Record and FONSI for the proposal 
to improve the trails and overlooks at Great Falls Park, Virginia.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to Council on Environmental Quality regulations and 
National Park Service policy, the National Park Service announces the 
availability of the Decision Record and FONSI for the improvement to 
the trails and overlooks at Great Falls Park, a unit of the George 
Washington Memorial Parkway (GWMP). The Decision Record and FONSI 
identifies Alternative C1 as the preferred and environmentally 
preferred alternative in the ``Improvements to Trails and Overlooks at 
Great Falls Park, Virginia'' Environmental Assessment (EA). Under this 
alternative the existing Overlook 1, Overlook 2, and the chain-link 
fence at the Jetty Overlook would be removed and new replacement 
structures built in the same locations. A loop trail/boardwalk would be 
constructed through the area between the visitor center and the river. 
Two additional overlooks would be built at the Shade Tree/Jetty area. 
This alternative, however, does not provide for the stabilization and 
restoration of the area between Overlooks 1 and 2 and the Fisherman's 
Eddy access, pending future investigations to determine whether such 
improvements are feasible and sustainable. Concern was raised during 
the EA process about impacts of the preferred alternative on a state 
listed (S1) plant species. The park determined that potential impacts 
to these rare plants could be greatly reduced if the proposed 
configuration of Overlook 1 were shifted to the downriver side of the 
existing overlook rather than the proposed upriver side.

DATES: The EA, upon which the FONSI was made, was available for public 
comment from November 5 to December 5, 2001. A total of six comments 
were received during the 30-day public comment period from park user 
groups and neighboring government agencies. All supported the park in 
the preferred alternative and most recommended that further study be 
done to improve the Fisherman's Eddy Access.

ADDRESSES: The Decision Record and FONSI will be available for public 
inspection Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. through 4 p.m. at the GWMP 
Headquarters, Turkey Run Park, McLean, VA, and is available on the 
park's Web site at http://www.nps.gov/gwmp.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Decision Record and FONSI completes the 
Environmental Assessment process.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Natural Resource Specialist, Heather 
Germaine (703) 289-2540.

Dottie Marshall,
Acting Superintendent, George Washington Memorial Parkway.
[FR Doc. 03-16801 Filed 7-2-03; 8:45 am]
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