[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 148 (Tuesday, August 3, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46565-46566]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-17585]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Availability of a Record of Decision on the Final 
Environmental Impact Statement for the General Management Plan, 
Coronado National Memorial

AGENCY: National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969, Public Law 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 General Management 
Plan/Environmental Impact Statement for Coronado National Memorial, 
Arizona. On May 28, 2004, the Director, Intermountain Region approved 
the Record of Decision for the project. As soon as practical, the 
National Park Service will begin to implement the General Management 
Plan, described as the Preferred Alternative contained in the FEIS 
issued on April 16, 2004. In the preferred alternative, the visitor 
center will be rehabilitated and updated interpretation offered. The 
Montezuma Ranch area will be restored to natural contours and 
revegetated with native species. The abandoned powerline along the road 
to Montezuma Pass will be removed and revegetated with native species. 
Grazing in the national memorial will be discontinued. An annex will be 
built behind the visitor center containing additional office and 
storage space, along with a multipurpose room. Additional pullouts and 
waysides will be developed along the main road as well as trails in the 
memorial's grasslands. A new group picnic area will be developed. The 
visitor shelter at Montezuma Pass will be converted into a minimal 
contact station. A new four-unit structure might be added to house 
temporary employees. The park will work toward creating an offsite 
cultural festival to celebrate various cultures associated with the 
memorial, emphasizing the historical aspects of the Coronado 
Expedition. The park staff will promote special events highlighting the 
Coronado Expedition, its legacy, and its impact of the present American 
Southwest. This course of action and four alternatives were analyzed in 
the Draft and Final Environmental Impact Statements. The full range of 
foreseeable environmental consequences were assessed, and appropriate 
mitigating measures identified.
    The full 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.

Basis for Decision

    In reaching its decision to select the preferred alternative, the 
National Park Service considered the purposes for which Coronado 
National Memorial was established, and other laws and policies that 
apply to lands in the memorial, including the Organic Act, National 
Environmental Policy Act, and the NPS Management Policies. The National 
Park Service also carefully considered public comments received during 
the planning process. To develop a preliminary preferred alternative, 
the planning team evaluated the alternatives that had been reviewed by 
the public. To minimize the influence of individual biases and 
opinions, the team used an objective analysis process called ``Choosing 
by Advantages.'' This process has been used extensively by government 
agencies and the private sector. The following conclusions were 
reached:
     Alternative B will best safeguard the resources and scenic 
values of Coronado National memorial while making those resources 
easily accessible for visitors.
     Alternative B best preserves the park's cultural 
landscapes through application of management zones that provide for a 
better understanding and appreciation of the park's cultural landscapes 
by limited future development away from areas that contain cultural 
landscapes.
     Alternative B will maintain the archeological and historic 
integrity of the park by providing better protection of the cultural 
resources through ending the impacts of grazing on these resources.
     Alternative B will enhance the visitor's experience by 
providing multiple opportunities for visitors to make intellectual and 
emotional

[[Page 46566]]

connections to the park by development of more interpretive materials 
and programs onsite and supporting offsite festivals and programs that 
emphasize the historical aspects of the Coronado Expedition.
    Overall, alternative B received the highest score and was adopted 
as the preferred alternative.

Findings on Impairment

    The NPS has determined that implementation of the proposal will not 
constitute an impairment to Coronado National Memorial's resources and 
values. This conclusion is based on a thorough analysis of the 
environmental impacts described in the EIS, the public comments 
received, relevant scientific studies, and the professional judgement 
of the decision-maker guided by the direction in the NPS Management 
Policies (December 27, 2000). Overall, the plan results in benefits to 
park resources and values, opportunities for their enjoyment, and it 
does not result in their impairment.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dale Thompson, Coronado National 
Memorial, 4101 East Montezuma Canyon Road, Hereford, AZ 85615, 520-366-
5515, [email protected].

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

    Dated: May 28, 2004.
Stephen P. Martin,
Director, Intermountain Region, National Park Service.
[FR Doc. 04-17585 Filed 8-2-04; 8:45 am]
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