[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 80 (Monday, April 26, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22554-22555]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-9348]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Availability (NOA) for a Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
SUMMARY: This notice is being published in accordance with 40 CFR 
1506.6. Pursuant to section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969, the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park 
Service (NPS) has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement 
(DEIS) for the Feasibility Study (Special Resource Study) on the 
Preservation of Civil War Battlefields and Related Historic Sites along 
the Vicksburg Campaign Trail (VCT) in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, 
and Tennessee. More than 500 sites were examined with a view to how 
they might best be preserved and linked together into the Vicksburg 
Campaign Trail Initiative. The study process evaluated the national 
significance, suitability, feasibility, and management options for each 
identified site according to NPS standards and criteria established by 
the Civil War Sites Advisory Commission Report on the Nation's Civil 
War Battlefields (1993).
    Experts and professional historians evaluated each site to 
determine whether it qualifies as Tier One (Decisive-Major), Tier Two 
(Formative), or Tier Three (Limited) as well as Associated Sites (non-
battlefield) and submerged resources. Decisive battles (Tier One sites) 
had a direct, observable impact on the direction, duration, conduct, or 
outcome of the Civil War. Major battles (also Tier One) had a direct, 
observable impact on the direction, duration, conduct, or outcome of 
the Vicksburg Campaign. Formative battles (Tier Two sites) had an 
observable influence on the direct, duration, or conduct of the 
Vicksburg Campaign. Tier Three (Limited) sites typically involved 
detachments of the field armies, in which a commander achieved a 
limited tactical objective of reconnaissance, defense, or occupation, 
without observable influence on the direction of the campaign. The 
study identified 19 Tier One, 26 Tier Two, 131 Tier Three, and numerous 
associated sites, for a total of over 500 sites included in the 
Vicksburg Campaign Trail.
    Based on this evaluation, some Tier One sites have been recommended 
for addition to the National Park System. Protection and interpretation 
of sites not recommended for addition to the National Park System will 
be sought via other arrangements that may include management by other 
Federal agencies, State or local governments, non-profit organizations 
or private owners. These different management options form the basis 
for three alternatives, the environmental impacts of which are analyzed 
in the DEIS:
    Alternative A: No Action. The Federal Government/NPS would take no 
action to enhance the preservation of battlefields and other historic 
sites and resources associated with the Vicksburg Campaign Trail. No 
new sites among the over 500 identified Tier One, Two, Three, and 
associated properties would be added to the National Park System and no 
Federal efforts would be undertaken to link individual sites into a 
campaign trail initiative.
    Alternative B: Limited Preservation--Tier One Actions. The NPS 
would engage in the protection/preservation of all sites associated 
with the Vicksburg Campaign Trail that have been recognized as being 
nationally significant, i.e. the Tier One Sites. Actions would range 
from direct acquisition by the NPS of some sites (such as Fort Heiman, 
now in private ownership) to assisting other managing authorities in 
the protection and preservation of other sites (e.g. Fort Pillow). 
While the Tier One sites would be acknowledged and linked, no formal 
VCT Initiative would be established.
    Alternative C: Comprehensive Preservation--The Vicksburg Campaign 
Trail Initiative. This is the preferred alternative and constitutes the 
recommendation of the Feasibility

[[Page 22555]]

Study. All sites associated with the Vicksburg Campaign Trail would be 
linked in a formally designated VCT Initiative. As with Alternative B, 
Alternative C would seek to protect some nationally significant (Tier 
One) sites by addition to the National Park System.
    Environmentally Preferred Alternative. Alternative A would 
generally not meet NEPA's goals. It allows for significant, 
irreplaceable historic resources to be degraded or lost. While both 
Alternatives B and C would contribute substantially to meeting the NEPA 
goals, Alternative C is the environmentally preferred alternative. 
Alternative C would achieve the most at preserving important historic 
and cultural aspects of our national heritage along the Vicksburg 
Campaign Trail, as well as providing for greater enhancement of the 
visitor experience than Alternative B.

DATES: As part of its efforts to comply with NEPA, gather input from 
the public, determine which issues to address in the EIS, and inform 
the public, agencies, and stakeholders of its ideas and options for the 
Vicksburg Campaign Trail, the NPS conducted a series of public scoping 
meetings in 2002. Meetings were conducted at the following locations 
and dates: Helena, Arkansas--March 4, 2002, Grenada, Mississippi--March 
5, 2002, Jackson, Mississippi--March 6, 2002, Tallulah, Louisiana--
March 7, 2002, Baton Rouge, Louisiana--March 8, 2002, Dover, 
Tennessee--May 29, 2002, Murray, Kentucky--May 29, 2002, and Pickwick 
Landing State Park, Tennessee--May 30, 2002. Copies of the Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement will be available at the following 
locations: Vicksburg National Military Park, 3201 Clay Street, 
Vicksburg, Mississippi 39183; Shiloh National Military Park, 1055 
Pittsburg Landing Road, Shiloh, Tennessee 38376; Arkansas Post National 
Memorial, 1741 Old Post Road, Gillet, Arkansas 72005; and, Fort 
Donelson National Battlefield, P.O. Box 434, 174 National Cemetery 
Drive, Dover, Tennessee 37058.
    This Feasibility Study will be published on the Web at http://planning.nps.gov/plans1.cfm.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the Vicksburg Campaign Trail Feasibility Study 
Draft Environmental Impact Statement should be directed to Bill Koning, 
National Park Service, Denver Service Center, P.O. Box 25287, 12795 W. 
Alameda Parkway, Denver, Colorado 80225-0287.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for information concerning 
the feasibility study and DEIS should be directed to Superintendent, 
Vicksburg National Military Park, 3201 Clay Street, Vicksburg, 
Mississippi 39183, (601) 636-0583, or Bill Koning, National Park 
Service, Denver Service Center, P.O. Box 25287, 12795 W. Alameda 
Parkway, Denver, Colorado 80225-0287, (303) 969-2390.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 4, 1863, after an eight-month 
campaign and siege, heavily-fortified Vicksburg, Mississippi 
capitulated to Federal forces commanded by General Ulysses S. Grant. 
This surrender gave the Union control of the Lower Mississippi River 
and effectively cut the Confederate States of America in half. It was 
regarded by many at the time, including President Abraham Lincoln, as 
one of the pivotal events of that great conflict; contemporary Civil 
War historians continue to regard it in that light. Grant's monumental 
campaign to capture the ``Gibraltar of the Confederacy'' is seen by 
military historians as a brilliant logistical exhibition, encompassing 
long and difficult flanking maneuvers, cavalry raids, pitched battles, 
naval engagements, and siege warfare. Grant's triumph at Vicksburg 
paved the way for his subsequent battles at Chattanooga in November 
1863, and then--as commander of all Union armies--at the Wilderness and 
Petersburg. Ultimately, it made possible his eventual election as 
President of the United States.
    In November 2000, Pub. L. 106-487 authorized a feasibility study of 
the preservation of Civil War battlefields along the Vicksburg Campaign 
Trail. The task is to examine and evaluate a variety of sites in states 
associated with the Civil War events of the Vicksburg Campaign. The 
feasibility study was to be completed within three years and was to 
examine a large number and wide variety of sites in Arkansas, 
Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee. A technical correction is 
pending before Congress to add the Commonwealth of Kentucky to the 
study. Each site would be evaluated for national significance, as well 
as the suitability and feasibility of adding it to the National Park 
System. The DEIS now available for public review and comment analyzes 
the potential environmental effects of different management options for 
the sites found to be eligible for inclusion in the National Park 
System.
    The legislation also directed (a) a review of current NPS programs, 
policies, and criteria to determine the most appropriate means of 
preservation; (b) evaluations for the establishment of a site and 
management entity consisting of a unit of government or private non-
profit organization; and (c) recommendations to the states regarding 
the management, preservation, and interpretation of natural, cultural 
and historical resources associated with the various sites. 
Furthermore, the legislation directed that partnerships among Federal, 
state, and local governments, regional entities, and the private sector 
be identified to provide an effective means of preserving specific 
battlefield sites. Finally, the legislation required that methods of 
ensuring continued local involvement in the management of battlefield 
sites be explored.
    Anonymous comments will not be considered. We will make all 
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. Please note that due to public disclosure 
requirements, the NPS, if requested, may have to make the names and 
addresses of those who submit written comments public.
    The responsible official for this DEIS is the Regional Director, 
National Park Service, Southeast Region, 100 Alabama Street, SW., 
Atlanta, Georgia 30303.

    Dated: March 11, 2004.
Patricia A. Hooks,
Regional Director, NPS, Southeast Region.
[FR Doc. 04-9348 Filed 4-23-04; 8:45 am]
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