[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 242 (Friday, December 17, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 75565]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-27608]



[[Page 75565]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


General Management Plan Revision, Final Environmental Impact 
Statement, Petrified Forest National Park, AZ

AGENCY: National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability of the Record of Decision on the Final 
Environmental Impact Statement for the General Management Plan 
Revision, Petrified Forest National Park.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969, 83 Stat. 852, 853, codified as amended at 42 U.S.C. 
Sec.  4332(2)(C), the National Park Service announces the availability 
of the Record of Decision for the General Management Plan Revision, 
Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona. On October 15, 2004, the 
Director, Intermountain Region, approved the Record of Decision for the 
project. As soon as practicable, the National Park Service will begin 
to implement the preferred alternative contained in the FEIS issued on 
August 25, 2005. The following course of action will occur under the 
selected alternative: Reusing and maintaining the historic integrity of 
Painted Desert headquarters complex will be a priority. Visitor 
services at Painted Desert Inn (rehabilitated) will be expanded. 
Facility improvements will be made at Rainbow Forest. Park lands will 
be managed similar to now, but with greater protection for natural and 
cultural resources from increased monitoring and adapting to new 
information. Some trails and turnouts will be added, and visitor hours 
will be expanded in the north. Most park collections will be housed in 
a new facility. This course of action, along with a no action 
alternative and two other action alternatives were analyzed in the 
Draft and Final Environmental Impact Statements. The full range of 
foreseeable environmental consequences was assessed, and appropriate 
mitigating measures were identified.
    The Record of Decision includes a statement of the decision made, 
synopsis 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, an overview of public involvement in the 
decision-making process, and a conclusion.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lee Baiza, Superintendent, Petrified 
Forest National Park, P.O. Box 2217, Petrified Forest National Park, 
Arizona 86028, (928) 524-6228, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Copies of the Record of Decision are 
available from the Superintendent listed above or on the Internet at: 
http://planning.nps.gov/plans.cfm.

    Dated: October 15, 2004.
Stephen P. Martin,
Director, Intermountain Region, National Park Service.
[FR Doc. 04-27608 Filed 12-16-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P