[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 219 (Thursday, November 13, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 64367]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-28387]


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

DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR


Notice of Availability of a Record of Decision on the Final 
Environmental Impact Statement for the General Management Plan, Carl 
Sandburg Home National Historic Site, North Carolina

AGENCY: National Park Service.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 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 General Management 
Plan, Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site, North Carolina. On 
September 19, 2003, the Acting Regional Director, Southeast 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 Final Environmental Impact 
Statement issued on July 23, 2003. The following course of action will 
occur under the preferred alternative:
    In the preferred alternative, the park serves as a national focal 
point for learning about Carl Sandburg. Access to more in-depth 
information about his life and work at Connemara would be provided 
through an extensive internet database and other high technology mass 
media formats. Visitors who come to the site in person would find 
extraordinary opportunities to participate in interpretive programs. 
The selected alternative provides high quality museum space where 
visitors can gain additional access to information and objects 
currently housed in the museum preservation facility. Providing a high 
quality interpretive venue is considered an essential component of the 
alternative. Additional interpretive venues would be created by 
rehabilitating one or more historic structures near the main house or 
barn for interpretive program areas, renovating the existing Front Lake 
visitor information station to improve its interpretive and visitor 
services function, and creating a visitor interpretive center outside 
the current authorized boundary of the park. A Congressionally 
legislated boundary expansion of up to 110 acres would provide critical 
views and boundary protection. The location of the proposed 110 acre 
boundary expansion is illustrated in Chapter Two of the GMP/FEIS. 
Authorization to acquire approximately 3 to 5 acres for a 5,000 sf 
visitor center, parking for approximately 60 cars, and associated 
landscaping is also recommended. Given the unpredictable availability 
of funding and property, an exact location for the visitor center and 
parking area cannot be identified at this time; however, any selected 
site would be located west of Highway 25 and south of Little River Road 
in the Village of Flat Rock. Any property considered for acquisition by 
the National Park Service would be purchased under a willing seller/
willing buyer arrangement, without the exercise of eminent domain.
    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 
of no impairment to park resources and values, measures to minimize 
potential environmental consequences, and an overview of public 
involvement in the decision-making process.

DATES: The Record of Decision for the General Management Plan and Final 
Environmental Impact Statement for Carl Sandburg Home National Historic 
Site was signed by the Acting Regional Director for the National Park 
Service Southeast Region on September 19, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Record of Decision are available from the 
Superintendent, Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site, 1928 Little 
River Road, Flat Rock, North Carolina, 28731.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Superintendent, Carl Sandburg Home 
National Historic Site, 1928 Little River Road, Flat Rock, North 
Carolina, 28731. Telephone: 828-693-4178.

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

    Dated: September 19, 2003.
Wally Hibbard,
Acting Regional Director, Southeast Region.
[FR Doc. 03-28387 Filed 11-12-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-L6-P