[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 99 (Friday, May 21, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 29327]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-11471]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Lake Mead National Recreation Area; Environmental Assessment

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Availability of environmental assessment.

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SUMMARY: Lake Mead National Recreation Area (NRA) will release for 
public review an Environmental Assessment (EA) regarding the 
construction and operation of a wireless telecommunication facility. 
Cingular Wireless has proposed to construct the facility, referred to 
as the Saddle Cove site, near the Boulder Maintenance Facility within 
Lake Mead NRA, a unit of the National Park System. The overall 
objective of the project is to serve the public interest by providing 
improved wireless cellular coverage to the area. In order to provide 
coverage to a sufficient area, new facilities must be located within a 
search ring so that calls can hand off from existing facilities to the 
new ones without being lost. The proposed site, which is located in a 
developed area, is approximately 40' x 40' in size, and the proposed 
facility will include a small building and 120-foot lattice tower 
mounted with microwave dishes and several antennas.

DATES: The EA will be released for public review on or before June 15, 
2004. Written comments must be postmarked no later than July 15, 2004. 
Copies of the document can be requested from the Office of the 
Superintendent, or the document can be viewed online at http://www.nps.gov/lame/pphtml/documents.html.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be mailed to Superintendent, Lake Mead NRA, 
601 Nevada Way, Boulder City, NV 89005, or submitted by e-mail on the 
park's Web site at http://www.nps.gov/lame/pphtml/contact.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Boyles, Environmental 
Compliance Specialist, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, (702) 293-
8978.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Cingular Wireless worked in cooperation with 
the National Park Service to prepare the EA. Public scoping occurred 
between March 15 and April 15, 2004. The park prepared a press release 
for local media outlets and the park website to announce Cingular's 
proposal and the intent to prepare an EA. One comment was received, 
supporting the project based on the increased safety associated with 
cellular phone coverage.
    The park will use the EA and the comments it receives from the 
public in making its decision as to whether, and under what conditions, 
to grant the applicant's request for a right-of-way permit for the 
telecommunications facility. The applicant pays for the processing of 
the application and, if it is approved, the applicant will pay fair 
market value for the use of the land. Approval of the request would 
result in the construction of a 120-foot lattice tower, mounted with a 
microwave dish and several antennas. Associated equipment would be 
located in a shelter approximately 10' by 16' in size near the base of 
the tower. Approximately 290 feet of trenching would be necessary to 
connect the proposed facility to existing utilities. The total area of 
the site is approximately 40' by 40'. Access to the site would require 
grading a 45 foot long road to connect the site to an existing 
powerline road. The site will be constructed in an area previously 
disturbed by the construction of Boulder Beach Filtration Plant, Ranger 
Station, and Maintenance Yard, which are located nearby.
    The EA will address impacts to soils and vegetation, wildlife, air 
quality, scenic quality, cultural resources, visitor experience, 
safety, and land use. Biological surveys found no threatened or 
endangered species in the project area. The EA will be sent to 
agencies, organizations, and individuals on the park's mailing list, 
and to others who request a copy. Copies of the EA can be requested by 
writing to the Superintendent, 601 Nevada Way, Boulder City, NV 89005, 
or the document can be viewed online at http://www.nps.gov/lame/pphtml/documents.html.

    Dated: May 5, 2004.
Bernard C. Fagan,
Deputy Chief, Office of Policy, National Park Service.
[FR Doc. 04-11471 Filed 5-20-04; 8:45 am]
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