[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 148 (Tuesday, August 3, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46564-46565]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-17587]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Final Environmental Impact Statement/General Management Plan, 
Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, Clark County, Washington; Notice 
of Approval of Record of Decision

SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental 
Policy

[[Page 46565]]

Act of 1969 (Pub. L. 91-190, as amended) and the implementing 
regulations promulgated by the Council on Environmental Quality (40 CFR 
1505.2), the Department of the Interior, National Park Service has 
prepared, and the Regional Director, Pacific West Region has approved, 
the Record of Decision for the General Management Plan for Fort 
Vancouver National Historic Site, in southwestern Washington. The 
formal no-action period was officially initiated January 22, 2004, with 
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Federal Register 
notification of the filing of the Final Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS).
    Decision: As soon as practicable the NPS will begin to implement 
the General Management Plan described and analyzed as the Proposed 
Action (Alternative B) contained in the abbreviated Final EIS. The 
selected plan features a deliberate, long-term strategy to protect 
historic, cultural, and natural resources, while providing for improved 
visitor experience and increased educational opportunities. Various 
programs and projects to be accomplished in partnership with others are 
included. This plan was also deemed to be the ``environmentally 
preferred'' alternative.
    This course of action and two alternatives were identified and 
analyzed in the Final EIS, and previously in the Draft EIS (the latter 
was distributed in November 2002). The full spectrum of foreseeable 
environmental consequences were assessed, and appropriate mitigation 
measures identified, for each alternative. Beginning with early 
scoping, through the preparation of the Draft and Final EIS, numerous 
public meetings were conducted and newsletter updates were regularly 
provided. Approximately 118 written comments (and about 185 oral 
comments at public meetings) responding to the Draft EIS were received 
and duly considered. As no substantive or adverse comments were 
received, an abbreviated Final EIS was prepared (and released for a 30-
day no-action period which commenced on January 22, 2004). Key 
consultations which aided in preparing the Draft and Final EIS involved 
(but were not limited to) the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA 
Wildlife Service, Oregon and Washington State Historic Preservation 
Offices, Washington State Dept. of Transportation, three native 
American Tribes, cities of Vancouver and Oregon City, and Clark County.
    Copies: Interested parties desiring to review the Record of 
Decision may obtain a complete copy by contacting the Superintendent, 
Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, 612 E. Reserve St., Vancouver, 
WA 98661; or via telephone request at (360) 696-7655.

    Dated: June 2, 2004.
Patricia L. Neubacher,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific West Region.
[FR Doc. 04-17587 Filed 8-2-04; 8:45 am]
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