[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 123 (Monday, June 28, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 36100]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-14546]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Quarry Visitor Center, Environmental Impact Statement, Dinosaur 
National Monument, CO and UT

AGENCY: National Park Service, Department of the Interior

ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare an environmental impact statement 
for the Quarry Visitor Center, Dinosaur National Monument.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 
U.S.C. 4332(copyright), the National Park Service (NPS) is preparing an 
environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Quarry Visitor Center for 
Dinosaur National Monument. This effort will analyze the impacts of a 
broad range of design alternatives to stabilize, rehabilitate, or 
replace the historic Quarry Visitor Center at Dinosaur National 
Monument. Constructed in 1956-57, the Quarry Visitor Center protects 
and provides visitor access and interpretation of ``the greatest quarry 
of Jurassic dinosaurs in the world.'' The building has been designated 
a National Historic Landmark for its relationship to the National Park 
Service ``Mission 66'' program and as an outstanding example of Mission 
66 ``Park Service Modern'' architectural design.
    The building has experienced problems with foundation movements 
since its construction. The building suffers extensive structural 
distress due to differential movements between foundations elements 
that bear on moisture sensitive expansive clay strata. Attempts to 
stabilize the building have been ongoing for 40 years with major 
projects undertaken in 1967 and during the 1980s. Despite these 
efforts, the building continues to deteriorate and present safety 
concerns and costly ongoing maintenance issues. A historic structures 
report (HSR) was prepared in 2003 to evaluate the visitor center's 
existing condition and assess potential treatments to stabilize the 
building.
    This proposed project will analyze a broad range of design 
alternatives, including the treatments proposed in the HSR, for the 
stabilization, rehabilitation, reconstruction, or replacement of the 
Quarry Visitor Center. This project will also recommend actions to 
correct numerous safety hazards, provide continued safe access for 
employees and visitors, accommodate special needs for accessibility, 
and if feasible, maintain the integrity of the National Historic 
Landmark.
    This project poses the possibility of significant adverse impacts 
on the Quarry Visitor Center. The probability of significant adverse 
impacts on a national historic landmark and possible significant 
adverse impact on currently undiscovered buried fossil resources 
requires the preparation of an environmental impact statement and an 
extensive public involvement process throughout the project.
    The park superintendent will initiate consultation with 
congressional delegations and state and local agencies on the 
environmental impact statement. Consultation with these agencies will 
continue throughout the planning and design process.
    Public involvement in the planning process will include newsletters 
that inform the public of the project and provide opportunities for 
input; press releases in the local media; open houses to present and 
solicit input on the design alternatives; a public review draft of the 
design document and environmental impact statement and public meetings 
to provide additional opportunities to comment on the design 
alternatives and the analysis of their environmental impacts. A public 
forum for comment on the full range of design alternatives will be 
provided throughout the course of the EIS process. Public involvement 
is essential for the development of creative and sustainable design 
alternatives for the Quarry Visitor Center. The director, Intermountain 
Region, National Park Service will approve the environmental impact 
statement.
    A briefing statement has been prepared that summarizes the specific 
elements of the design project and the EIS. Copies of that information 
may be obtained from: Superintendent, Chas Cartwright, Dinosaur 
National Monument, 4545 E. Highway 40, Dinosaur, CO 81610-9724.

DATES: The Park Service will accept comments from the public through 
July 28, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Information will be available for public review and comment 
in the office of the Superintendent, Chas Cartwright, Dinosaur National 
Monument, 4545 E. Highway 40, Dinosaur, CO 81610-9724, (970) 374-3001 
or e-mail: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Superintendent Chas Cartwright at 970-
374-3001 or e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: You may mail comments to: Superintendent's 
Office, Dinosaur National Monument, 4545 E. Highway 40, Dinosaur, CO 
81610-9724. You may also hand-deliver comments to the Superintendent's 
Office, Dinosaur National Monument, Dinosaur, CO. (Attn: Quarry Visitor 
Center Environmental Impact Statement). Our practice is to make 
comments, including names and home addresses of respondents, available 
for public review during regular business hours. Individual respondents 
may request that we withhold their home address from the record, which 
we will honor to the extent allowable by law. If you wish us to 
withhold your address, you must state this prominently at the beginning 
of your comment. 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.

    Dated: April 29, 2004.
Michael D. Snyder,
Deputy Director, Intermountain Region, National Park Service.
[FR Doc. 04-14546 Filed 6-25-04; 8:45 am]
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