[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 167 (Thursday, August 28, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 51800]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-21969]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Record of Decision, General Management Plan, Final Environmental 
Impact Statement, Tonto National Monument, Arizona

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability of a Record of Decision on the Final 
Environmental Impact Statement for the General Management Plan, Tonto 
National Monument.

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

SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969, Public Law 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 General Management 
Plan, Tonto National Monument, Arizona. On July 28, 2003, the Acting 
Director, Intermountain Region approved the Record of Decision for the 
project. As soon as practicable, the National Park Service will begin 
to implement the Preferred Alternative contained in the FEIS issued on 
March 14, 2003. The following course of action will occur under the 
preferred alternative:
    The selected alternative integrates a combination of actions that 
will preserve cultural and natural resources and provide opportunities 
for high quality visitor experiences based on resource values. This 
alternative provides the balance and flexibility necessary to 
accomplish both of these objectives in a realistic manner. A new 
administrative facility constructed inside the monument will improve 
staff needs. The existing visitor center will be remodeled to increase 
visitor orientation and education opportunities. A 10-to 50-vehicle 
transportation staging area will be built and an alternative 
transportation system to access park resources will be developed and 
implemented to transport visitors from the new staging area near the 
entrance station to the visitor center during the busiest times of the 
year. A seasonal employee/volunteer residence will be constructed 
increasing the park's ability to obtain needed help for resource 
stewardship and visitor services. The management of cultural and 
natural resources will improve with more staff and the information 
needed to conduct preservation programs.
    This course of action plus three other alternatives were analyzed 
in the Draft and Final Environmental Impact Statements. 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 
on impairment of park resources and values, a listing of measures to 
minimize environmental harm, and an overview of public involvement in 
the decision-making process.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shirley Hoh, HC02 Box 4602, Roosevelt, 
Arizona 85545, (928) 467-2241, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Copies of the Record of Decision may be 
obtained from the contact listed above or online at www.nps.gov/tont/index.html.

    Dated: July 26, 2003.
Michael D. Snyder,
Acting Director, Intermountain Region, National Park Service.
[FR Doc. 03-21969 Filed 8-27-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-DN-P