[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 138 (Friday, July 18, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 42752]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-18205]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Environmental Statements; Availability: Biscayne National Park, 
Florida.

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision for the Final 
General Management Plan Amendment/Environmental Impact Statement, 
Biscayne National Park, Miami, Florida.

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

SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102 (2) (c) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969, the National Park Service (NPS) announces the 
availability of the Record of Decision for the Final General Management 
Plan Amendment/Environmental Impact Statement for Biscayne National 
Park. On June 11, 2003, the Director, Southeast Region, approved the 
Record of Decision for the Final General Management Plan Amendment and 
Environmental Impact Statement for Biscayne National Park. The purpose 
of the Record of Decision (ROD) is to document the NPS selection of the 
preferred alternative for the Final General Management Plan Amendment 
and Environmental Impact Statement. The plan is designed to create a 
strategy for preserving and managing the seven structures collectively 
known as ``Stiltsville'' that are built on pilings in the northern 
reaches of Biscayne Bay.
    Under Alternative A, the selected alternative, a non-profit 
organization would be created along with an appropriate agreement with 
the NPS and other groups for the management and use of the Stiltsville 
structures. The Stiltsville organization would rehabilitate the 
buildings to support education and interpretation opportunities. Under 
this alternative, Stiltsville also may serve as a visitor and 
interpretive center, research facilities, an artist-in-residence 
dwelling, meeting space, and a satellite park office that will provide 
for NPS presence in the northern portion of the park.
    The full ROD includes a statement of the decision made, synopses of 
other alternatives considered, the rationale for the decision, a 
description of the environmentally preferred alternative, a 
determination of non-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 regarding 
section 7 of the Endangered Species Act.

Basis for Decision

    In reaching its decision to select the preferred alternative, the 
NPS considered the purposes for which Biscayne National Park was 
established, and other laws and policies that apply to lands and waters 
in the park, such as the NPS Organic Act, National Environmental Policy 
Act, and the NPS Management Policies. The NPS also carefully considered 
public comments received during the planning process.
    To develop a preliminary preferred alternative, the NPS evaluated 
three action alternatives that were reviewed by the public as well as 
the required no-action alternative.

DATES: The Record of Decision for the Final General Management Plan 
Amendment and Environmental Impact Statement for Biscayne National Park 
was signed by the Director, Southeast Region for the NPS on June 11, 
2003.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Record of Decision are available from the 
Superintendent, Biscayne National Park, PO Box 1369, Homestead, Florida 
33090-1369. Copies can also be obtained from: Division of Planning and 
Compliance, Southeast Regional Office, National Park Service, 
Attention: David Libman, 100 Alabama Street, 1924 Building, Atlanta, 
Georgia 30303, Telephone: 404-562-3124, ext. 685.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Superintendent, Biscayne National 
Park, 305-230-1144, ext. 3002.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A copy of the Record of Decision on the 
Final General Management Plan Amendment for Biscayne National Park can 
be obtained via the Internet by visiting the NPS Web site at http://www.planning.den.nps.gov/ or by calling 404-562-3124, ext. 685.

    Dated: June 11, 2003.
William W. Schenk,
Regional Director, Southeast Region.
[FR Doc. 03-18205 Filed 7-17-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-LG-P