[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 163 (Wednesday, August 23, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49473-49474]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-7076]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Availability, Draft Environmental Impact Statement for 
Disposition of the Former Bureau of Mines Twin Cities Research Center 
Main Campus, Hennepin County, MN; and Request for Written Proposals

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
SUMMARY: The purpose of this notice is to alert the public to two 
items. First, pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the 
National Park Service (NPS) announces the availability of the draft 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the disposition of the former 
Bureau of Mines Twin Cities Research Center (Center), located within 
the boundary of Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MNRRA), 
a unit of the NPS, in Hennepin County, Minnesota. The draft EIS is now 
available for public review and comment, and everyone is invited to 
comment on the document.
    Secondly, the notice is intended to alert any prospective 
Government or university entities that the NPS is soliciting proposals 
for use of the Center. In accordance with the legislation addressing 
the Center (Pub. L. 104-134), only Government and university entities 
qualify as possible recipients of the property. Additionally, Public 
Law 106-113 allows the Secretary to accept financial remuneration for 
the Center and distribute the funds to MNRRA and the national wildlife 
refuge system for the benefit of their respective activities in 
Minnesota. The Center is Federal land located within the boundary of 
the MNRRA. Accordingly, through today's notice, the NPS invites written 
proposals from Government and university entities who may be interested 
in acquiring the former Bureau of Mines property. Verbal proposals will 
not be considered.

DATES: There will be a 60-day period for public review and submission 
of comments on the draft EIS following the publishing of the notice of 
availability in the Federal Register by the Environmental Protection 
Agency. Public meetings will be announced in the local media. 
Submission of written proposals from Government and university entities 
will be accepted during this 60-day period.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the draft EIS (compact disks and a limited number 
of paper copies) are available by request by writing to Superintendent, 
RE: Former Bureau of Mines Draft EIS, Mississippi National River and 
Recreation Area, 111 Kellogg Boulevard East, Suite no. 105, St. Paul, 
Minnesota 55101; by facsimile 651-290-3214; or by phone 651-290-4160. 
The document can be picked up in person at the address above. The 
document can also be found on the Web site in the NPS Planning, 
Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) at: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/
; select the MNRRA from the drop-down list.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Project Manager, Kim Berns National 
Park Service, Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, 111 
Kellogg Boulevard East, Suite no. 105, St. Paul, Minnesota 55101, or by 
calling 651-290-4160.
    Discussion: Each written proposal from a university or Government 
entity must address the following criteria:
    1. How do you qualify as a Government or university entity?
    2. What is your capacity to manage the Center property? Describe 
any relevant property management experience or current property 
holdings that are comparable to the Center property or that demonstrate 
your capacity to manage the Center.
    3. What are your proposed plans for future use of the Center?
    4. What resources do you have, including but not limited to 
personnel, financing, programs, etc., that would enable you to manage 
the Center property?
    5. What plans do you have to protect the cultural, historic, and 
environmental aspects of the Center, including Camp Coldwater and the 
spring?
    6. Are you willing and able to offer land or other reimbursement in 
exchange for the Center and if so, what would you offer?
    Solicitation by the NPS of written proposals does not reflect any 
decision on the future use of the Center. The NPS purpose in requesting 
such proposals is to assist the Secretary of the Interior in evaluating 
all reasonable alternatives for the disposition of the Center property.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The MNRRA has been designated by Congress to 
lead a public planning process pursuant to NEPA to address the 
disposition of the Center. Congress closed the Center in 1995 and 
provided the Secretary of the Interior specific legislation to convey 
the Center to a university or government entity (Pub. L. 104-134). The 
Center is Federal land and is located within the boundary of the MNRRA.
    The purpose of the draft EIS is to consider alternatives for, and 
potential impacts of, future uses of this Federal property on natural, 
historic, and cultural resources. The Center is located within three 
historic designations: the Fort Snelling National Historic Landmark, 
the Fort Snelling National Register Historic District, and the 
buildings have been determined eligible for inclusion on the National 
Register of Historic Places. The site includes the Camp Coldwater 
Spring, the springhouse, and reservoir.
    The draft EIS describes and analyses three action alternatives and 
a No-Action Alternative. The draft EIS does not identify a potential 
future owner but explores the impacts associated with three land-use 
scenarios that are likely to result from the transfer of the Center. 
The NPS does not have a preferred alternative at this time and intends 
to review any additional information, public comments, and written 
proposals received in response to this request to identify a preferred 
alternative in the final EIS.
    Persons wishing to comment on the draft EIS may do so by any one of 
several methods. They may attend the public meeting that will be 
announced as noted above. Comments on the draft EIS can be made 
directly through the PEPC Web site listed above or provided directly to 
the NPS at the address above.
    Written proposals from a university or Government entity relating 
to acquisition of the property must be submitted to the aforementioned 
address within the 60-day comment period.
    It is the practice of the NPS to make all comments, including names 
and

[[Page 49474]]

addresses of respondents who provide information, available for public 
review following the conclusion of the NEPA process. Individuals may 
request that the NPS withhold their name and/or address from public 
disclosure. If you wish to do this, you must state this prominently at 
the beginning of your comment. Commentators using the Web site can make 
such a request by checking the box ``keep my contact information 
private.'' The NPS will honor such requests to the extent allowable by 
law, however, please be aware that the NPS might still be required to 
disclose your name and address pursuant to the Freedom of Information 
Act. Also, any written proposals submitted to the NPS for acquisition 
of the Center property will be similarly made public.

    Dated: May 25, 2006.
Ernest Quintana,
Regional Director, Midwest Region.
[FR Doc. 06-7076 Filed 8-22-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-M