[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 145 (Thursday, July 29, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 45345]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-17251]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


General Management Plan Amendment, Abbreviated Final 
Environmental Impact Statement, Green Spring Unit, Colonial National 
Historical Park, VA

AGENCY: National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of a Record of Decision on the 
Abbreviated Final Environmental Impact Statement for the General 
Management Plan Amendment, Green Spring Unit, Colonial National 
Historical Park.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969, Pub. L. 91-190, 83 Stat. 852, 853, codified as 
amended at 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Service announces 
the availability of the Record of Decision for the Final General 
Management Plan Amendment/Abbreviated Final Environmental Impact 
Statement (Final GMPA/AEIS) for the Green Spring Unit, Colonial 
National Historical Park, Virginia. On March 31, 2004 National Park 
Service Regional Director, Northeast Region approved the Record of 
Decision for the project. As soon as practicable, the National Park 
Service will begin to implement the Selected Action, described as the 
Preferred Alternative in the Final GMPA/AEIS issued on September 12, 
2003. The Selected Action describes a long-term approach to managing 
Green Spring and best accomplishes the statutory mission of the 
National Park Service to provide long-term protection of Green Spring's 
resources and values while allowing for high quality visitor use and 
enjoyment. Consistent with the park's mission, NPS policy, and other 
laws and regulations, this action will guide the development and 
management of the park over the next 15 to 20 years. The Selected 
Action incorporates various zoning and management prescriptions to 
ensure resource preservation and public enjoyment of the park. National 
Park Service and partners will develop first time interpretive, 
visitor, and management facilities and programs on the site in two 
stages: before and after completion of research and closure of 
Centerville Road. Stage One will focus on research, fieldwork and 
visitor programs with temporary, low-impact site development. Stage 
Two's primary site development features include combined Visitor 
Contact Station/Archeological Support Facility, 17th Century landscape 
restoration, and interpretive media/devices. The Selected Action and 2 
alternatives were analyzed in the Draft and Abbreviated Final 
Environmental Impact Statements. The full range of foreseeable 
environmental consequences was assessed, and appropriate mitigating 
measures were identified. The Selected Action will have both positive 
and negative impacts on the park's natural and cultural resources; 
however, most of the negative impacts will be minor and localized. The 
Selected Action also best accomplishes the stated purposes of the plan 
as described on pp.14 of the ``Purpose and Need for Action'', Final 
General Management Plan Amendment/Abbreviated Final Environmental 
Impact Statement (Final GMPA/AEIS) for Colonial NHP, and park mission 
goals. Consequently, the Selected Action best addresses the 
conservation of values embodied in the Organic Act. The National Park 
Service has determined that implementation of the Selected Action, 
Alternative C of the Final General Management Plan Amendment/
Abbreviated Final Environmental Impact Statement, will not constitute 
an impairment to Green Spring's resources and values. This conclusion 
is based on a thorough analysis of the environmental impacts described 
in the Draft GMPA/EIS and Final GMPA/AEIS, the public comments 
received, relevant scientific studies, and the professional judgment of 
the decision-maker guided by the 2001 edition of National Park Service 
Management Policies. Overall, the plan results in major benefits to 
park resources and values, opportunities for their enjoyment, and does 
not result in their impairment. The Record of Decision includes a 
statement of the decision made, synopses of other alternatives 
considered, the basis for the decision, a description of the 
environmentally preferable alternative, a finding on impairment of park 
resources and values, a listing of measures to minimize environmental 
harm, and an overview of public involvement in the decision-making 
process.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Superintendent, Colonial National 
Historical Park, Post Office Box 210, Yorktown, Virginia 23690 or by 
calling 757-898-2401 or via e-mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Copies of the Record of Decision may be 
obtained from the contact listed above.

    Dated: May 13, 2004.
Alec Gould,
Superintendent, Colonial National Historical Park.
[FR Doc. 04-17251 Filed 7-28-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-HY-P