[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 141 (Wednesday, July 23, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 43551]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-18695]



[[Page 43551]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Availability of Draft Director's Order Concerning 
National Park Service Policies and Procedures Governing Civic 
Engagement and Public Involvement

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Availability of draft Director's Order.

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SUMMARY: The NPS is inviting comment for a 30-day period on draft 
Director's Order 75A: Civic Engagement and Public Involvement. 
The document emphasizes the National Park Service (NPS) policy of 
welcoming the public to use the parks in appropriate, sustainable ways, 
and engaging the public in the work of the bureau with effective public 
involvement techniques. When adopted, the policies and procedures will 
apply to all park units and programs administered by the NPS.

DATES: Written comments will be accepted until August 22, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to Marcia Keener, United States Department 
of Interior, National Park Service Office of Policy (Org. Code 0004), 
Room 7252, 1849 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20240. Or, telefax to 
202-219-8835; or send via electronic mail to [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NPS has long provided opportunities for 
public involvement through its planning, historic preservation, and 
environmental compliance procedures. Additional requirements and 
expectations for outreach and consultation are presently included in 
the 2001 edition of ``Management Policies,'' and in a number of active 
Director's Orders. A distinct benefit of this draft Director's Order 
75A is that civic engagement and public involvement 
expectations and guidance are now packaged into a single document. More 
detailed information on methods and techniques will follow in the form 
of a Sourcebook, which is now being developed. The draft Director's 
Order covers topics such as the importance of two-way communication and 
the need for creative public involvement efforts by NPS personnel so 
that the public will have a fuller voice in the work of the NPS. The 
draft Director's Order may be viewed on the Internet at http://www.nps.gov/policy/DOrders/75A.htm. Written copies may also be 
requested by contacting Marcia Keener at the address given above.
    Civic Engagement and Public Involvement comports with the Secretary 
of the Interior's ``Four Cs'' principle of Consultation, Cooperation, 
and Communication, all in the service of Conservation. Another 
influence is a recent document that is currently being discussed and 
implemented within the NPS, the National Park System Advisory Board's 
report: ``Rethinking the National parks for the 21st Century.'' The 
report can be found on the Internet at http://www.nps.gov/policy/futurereport.htm. The report has much to say about increasing the level 
of public participation and involvement with the National Park System. 
In part, the report states that:

    Too often the Park Service has been hesitant to engage outside 
talent, preferring to look inward for ideas and solutions to 
problems. This must change. Park staff can no longer be insular, but 
must work closely with private landowners, local community groups, 
local governments, and other federal agencies. Cooperation with 
neighbors is vital to conserve park resources. At a time of public 
cynicism about many matters on the national scene, opinion surveys 
indicate that the Park Service enjoys one of the highest public 
approval ratings of all government agencies. From the beginning the 
Park Service has sought to be people-friendly. The public looks upon 
national parks almost as a metaphor for America itself. To encourage 
ecological stewardship outside the parks, the Service should 
cooperate extensively with its neighbors-federal agencies, states, 
counties, cities, tribes, the private sector, even other countries.

    Individual respondents may request that we withhold their name and/
or address from the record, which we will honor to the extent allowable 
by law. If you wish us to withhold your name and/or address, you must 
state this prominently at the beginning of your comment.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marcia Keener, Program Analyst, 202-
208-7456.

    Dated: July 17, 2003.
Loran Fraser,
Chief, Office of Policy and Regulations.
[FR Doc. 03-18695 Filed 7-22-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P