[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 96 (Tuesday, May 18, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 28147]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-11168]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Intent

AGENCY: National Park Service (NPS).

ACTION: Notice of intent to terminate an Environmental Impact Statement 
for a Proposed Land Exchange Between the National Park Service and the 
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians at Great Smoky Mountains National Park 
and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Yancy, Associate Regional 
Director, Natural Resources, 100 Alabama Street, SW., Atlanta, Georgia 
30303.
SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969, the President's Council on Environmental Quality 
Regulations (40 CFR 1500-1508), as implemented by Director's Order 12, 
and Public Law 108-108, Section 138, the National Park Service (NPS) 
announces the termination of a EIS. The EIS examined a proposed land 
exchange between the NPS and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians 
(EBCI) in North Carolina.
    On November 10, 2003, the President signed into law Public Law 108-
108, Section 138 of which constituted the ``Eastern Band of Cherokee 
Indians Land Exchange Act of 2003''. The Act ratified a proposed land 
exchange between the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (218-acre 
Waterrock Knob) and the National Park Service (143-acre Ravensford) 
that has been studied extensively by the parties pursuant to the terms 
of General Agreement number GA-GRSM-01-FY00 since June 14, 2000. 
Congress declared that the Ravensford tract would be held in trust for 
the EBCI upon review of title and acceptance of a conveyance to the 
United States of the Waterrock Knob tract.
    The enactment of the ``Act'' eliminates the need to publish a Final 
Environmental Impact Statement along with an associated Record of 
Decision.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Draft EIS was issued for public review 
under a Notice of Availability on June 20, 2003 for a period of 60 
days. Subsequent to its release. Pub. L. 108-108 was signed to direct 
the exchange on November 10, 2003.

    Dated: February 23, 2004.
Patricia A. Hooks,
Regional Director, Southeast Region.
[FR Doc. 04-11168 Filed 5-17-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P