[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 243 (Tuesday, December 19, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75983-75984]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-21616]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Land Exchange at Richmond National Battlefield Park

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Announcement of land exchange.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces a proposed exchange of a 0.32-acre 
parcel of Federal land in Chesterfield County, Virginia for a 236-acre 
parcel of privately owned land in Hanover County, Virginia. Both 
properties are inside the boundaries of Richmond National Battlefield 
Park (the Park). Acquisition of this 236-acre property will allow the 
Park to protect the resources and more fully interpret the Battle of 
Beaver Dam Creek for visitors in perpetuity. An Environmental Survey 
Assessment of the proposed exchange and a Cultural Resource Survey have 
been made of the lands involved in this proposed exchange. The parcels 
have been surveyed for endangered and threatened species. Copies of the 
surveys are available upon request.
    I. The following described 0.32-acre parcel of Federal land, 
located in the Drewry's Bluff Unit of the Park, has been determined to 
be suitable for disposal by exchange. Federal Tract 03-110 is located 
near Fort Darling Road in Chesterfield County. It is a 0.32-acre 
portion of a 23-acre tract acquired in 1936 by the United States, 
National Park Service by Deed Book 1179 at Page 843 recorded at the 
Clerk's Office of the Circuit Court of Chesterfield County, Virginia. 
The parcel is a 30-foot wide strip of land which is currently occupied 
by underground pipes that are a portion of a five mile long acid and 
water pipeline owned by E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Company (DuPont). The 
pipeline was installed in 1980 under a special use permit which has 
expired, and the National Park Service has no authority to renew it. 
This strip of land is approximately 100 feet from the northbound lanes 
of Interstate 95 and is crossed by the entrance road to the Drewry's 
Bluff Unit of the Park.
    The United States will convey fee simple title to Tract 03-110, 
together with a right-of-way for access from Fort Darling Road, by a 
quitclaim deed to DuPont. The deed will include permanent restrictions 
that prohibit construction of any above ground improvements and will 
require DuPont to restore the surface of the ground to its previous 
condition, in the event the ground is disturbed for any reason. The 
United States will retain a permanent right-of-way across the parcel 
for public access to the Drewry's Bluff Unit.
    II. In exchange for the land described in paragraph I above, the 
United States will acquire fee title to Tract 01-114, a 236-acre 
unimproved parcel of land owned by The Conservation Fund (TCF) located 
on Old Cold Harbor Road in Hanover County, in the Beaver Dam Creek Unit 
of the Park. Both surface and mineral estates of the 236-acre parcel 
are to be exchanged. All right, title and interest in the Chesterfield 
County parcel is to be conveyed by the United States in exchange for 
the conveyance of all right, title and interest in the Hanover County 
parcel by TCF. The land conveyed to the United States will be 
administered by the National Park Service as part of the Richmond 
National Battlefield Park upon completion of the exchange. This 
exchange will ensure the protection of 236 acres of the Beaver Dam 
Creek Battlefield and provide DuPont with ownership of a small strip of 
land that is occupied by a portion of its underground pipeline.

[[Page 75984]]

    The values of the properties to be exchanged were established by 
appraisals of fair market value. Since the appraised value of the 236-
acre parcel exceeds the appraised value of the 0.32-acre parcel, TCF 
will donate the difference in value to the United States.
    For a period of 45 days from the date of this notice, interested 
parties may submit written comments to the Park Superintendent at the 
address listed below. Adverse comments will be evaluated and this 
action may be modified or vacated accordingly. In the absence of any 
action to modify or vacate, this realty action will become the final 
determination of the Department of Interior.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Superintendent Cynthia MacLeod, 
Richmond National Battlefield Park, 3215 East Broad Street, Richmond, 
Virginia, Phone: 804-226-1981. Before including your address, phone 
number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in 
your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--including 
your personal identifying information--may be made publicly available 
at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your 
personal identifying information from public review, we cannot 
guarantee that we will be able to do so.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Act of November 13, 2000 (16 U.S.C. 
4231-4(a) (1) authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire 
lands, waters, and interests in lands within the boundaries of Richmond 
National Battlefield Park from willing landowners by donation, purchase 
with donated or appropriated funds, or exchange.

    Dated: December 5, 2006.
Chrysandra L. Walter,
Acting Regional Director, Northeast Region.
[FR Doc. E6-21616 Filed 12-18-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P