[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 37 (Wednesday, February 25, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8679-8680]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-4134]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Intent To Prepare a General Management Plan and Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement for Tuskegee Airmen National Historic 
Site

SUMMARY: The National Park Service will prepare an Environmental Impact 
Statement on the General Management Plan for Tuskegee Airmen National 
Historic Site. This notice is being published in accordance with 40 CFR 
1506.6. The statement will assess potential environmental impacts 
associated with various types and levels of visitor use and resources 
management within the National Historic Site. This General Management 
Plan/Environmental Impact Statement is being prepared in response to 
the requirements of the National Historic Site's enabling legislation, 
Pub. L. 105-355, the National Parks and Recreation Act of 1978, Pub. L. 
95-625, and in accord with Director's Order Number 2, the planning 
directive for National Park Service units.
    The National Park Service will conduct public scoping meetings in 
the local area to receive input from interested parties on issues, 
concerns, and suggestions pertinent to the management of Tuskegee 
Airmen National Historic Site. Representatives of the National Park 
Service will be available to discuss issues, resource concerns, and the 
planning process at each of the public meetings. Suggestions and ideas 
for managing the cultural and natural resources and visitor experiences 
at the park are encouraged. Anonymous comments will not be considered. 
We will make all

[[Page 8680]]

submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals 
identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations 
or businesses, available for public inspection in their entirety. 
However, individual respondents may request that we withhold their 
names and addresses from the public record, and we will honor such 
requests to the extent allowed by law. If you wish to withhold your 
name and/or address, you must state that request prominently at the 
beginning of your comment.

DATES: Locations, dates, and times of public scoping meetings will be 
published in local newspapers and may also be obtained by contacting 
the park Site Manager. This information will also be published on the 
General Management Plan Web site (http://www.nps.gov/tuai) for Tuskegee 
Airmen National Historic Site.

ADDRESSES: Scoping suggestions should be submitted to the following 
address to ensure adequate consideration by the National Park Service: 
Site Manager, Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site, 1616 Chief 
Anderson Drive, P.O. Box 830918, Tuskegee Institute, AL 36088, 
Telephone: 334-724-0922, e-mail: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Site Manager, Tuskegee Airmen National 
Historic Site, 1616 Chief Anderson Drive, P.O. Box 830918, Tuskegee 
Institute, AL 36088, Telephone: 334-724-0922, e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Before 1940, African Americans were barred 
from flying for the U.S. military. Civil rights organizations and the 
black press exerted pressure that resulted in the formation of an all 
African-American pursuit squadron based in Tuskegee, Alabama in 1941. 
They became known as the Tuskegee Airmen. The Tuskegee Airmen overcame 
segregation and prejudice to become one of the most highly respected 
fighter groups of World War II. They proved conclusively that African 
Americans could fly and maintain sophisticated combat aircraft. The 
Tuskegee Airmen's achievements, together with the men and women who 
supported them, paved the way for full integration of the U.S. 
military. The Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site at Moton Field in 
Tuskegee, Alabama, was established on November 6, 1998, with the 
signing of Public Law 105-355. The park was created to commemorate and 
interpret the heroic actions of the Tuskegee Airmen during World War 
II.
    A General Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement would 
provide the park with guidance and direction to manage natural and 
cultural resources and to provide a quality visitor experience. This 
will be the National Historic Site's first General Management Plan. The 
plan will establish management prescriptions, carrying capacities, and 
appropriate types and levels of development and recreational use for 
all areas of the park. Resource protection, visitor experiences and 
community relationships will be improved through completion and 
implementation of the General Management Plan.
    Public documents associated with the planning effort, including all 
newsletters, will be posted on the Internet through the park's Web site 
at http://www.nps.gov/tuai.
    The Draft and Final General Management Plan and Environmental 
Impact Statement will be made available to all known interested parties 
and appropriate agencies. Full public participation by Federal, State, 
and local agencies as well as other concerned organizations and private 
citizens is invited throughout the preparation process of this 
document.
    The responsible official for this Environmental Impact Statement is 
Patricia A. Hooks, Acting Regional Director, Southeast Region, National 
Park Service, 100 Alabama Street, SW., 1924 Building, Atlanta, Georgia 
30303.

    Dated: January 6, 2004.
Patricia A. Hooks,
Acting Regional Director, Southeast Region.
[FR Doc. 04-4134 Filed 2-24-04; 8:45 am]
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