[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 204 (Friday, October 22, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 62076]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-23745]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Final General Management Plan/Wilderness Study, Final 
Environmental Impact Statement, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, MI

AGENCY: National Park Service.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of the Final General Management Plan/
Wilderness Study/Final Environmental Impact Statement, Pictured Rocks 
National Lakeshore.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 
U.S.C. 4321 et seq., the National Park service (NPS) announces the 
availability of a final general management plan/wilderness study/
environmental impact statement (FEIS) for Pictured Rocks National 
Lakeshore, Michigan.

DATES: The draft general management plan/wilderness study/environmental 
impact statement was on public review from August 29, 2003 through 
November 23, 2003. Public hearings were held on the draft wilderness 
study on August 26 at Munising, Michigan, and on August 27 at Grand 
Marais, Michigan. Responses to substantive public comments are 
addressed in the final general management plan/wilderness study/
environmental impact statement. The NPS will execute a record of 
decision (ROD) no sooner than 30 days following publication of the 
Environmental Protection Agency's notice of availability of the final 
environmental impact statement in the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: Copiers of the final general management plan/wilderness 
study/environmental impact statement are available upon request by 
writing Karen Gustin, Superintendent, Pictured Rocks National 
Lakeshore, P.O. Box 40, Munising, Michigan 49862-0040, by phone 906-
387-2607, or by e-mail message at [email protected]. The document can 
be picked up in person at the park's headquarters at N8391 Sand Point 
Road, Munising, Michigan.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen Gustin, Superintendent, Pictured 
Rocks National Lakeshore, or by calling 906-387-2607.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The final general management plan/wilderness 
study/environmental impact statement combines two planning elements and 
an environmental analysis that covers both the plan and the wilderness 
study. The general management plan (GMP) provides a framework for 
making decisions about and managing the national lakeshore's resources 
and visitor use for the next 15 years. The wilderness study explores 
options for wilderness designation in the national lakeshore from no 
wilderness to 26 percent of the park. The environmental impact 
statement (EIS) includes information and analysis on the potential 
effect of the alternatives explored in the final general management 
plan/wilderness study both within the national lakeshore boundaries as 
well as regionally. Five alternatives are examined that address 
wilderness as well as other visitor use and resource issues. The NPS 
preferred alternative would expand visitor services on the west and 
east ends of the park, recommend upgrading of county Road H-58, and 
propose the Beaver Basin (16% of the lakeshore) be designated as 
wilderness.
    Based on the findings of the wilderness study, a formal wilderness 
proposal will be submitted to the Director of the NPS for approval and 
subsequent consideration by the Department of the Interior, President, 
and Congress.

    Dated: July 9, 2004.
Ernest Quintana,
Regional Director, Midwest Region.
[FR Doc. 04-23745 Filed 10-21-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-M