[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 147 (Wednesday, August 1, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42108-42109]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-14890]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Big Cypress National Preserve Off-Road Vehicle Advisory 
Committee; Notice of Establishment

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of establishment.

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

SUMMARY: The Secretary of the Interior is giving notice of the 
establishment of the Big Cypress National Preserve Off-Road Vehicle 
Advisory Committee to offer recommendations, alternatives and possible 
solutions to management of off-road vehicles at Big Cypress National 
Preserve.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen Gustin, Superintendent, Big 
Cypress National Preserve, 33100 Tamiami Trail E, Ochopee, Florida 
34141; 239-695-1103.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Big Cypress National Preserve Off-Road 
Vehicle Advisory Committee has been established as directed in the Off-
Road Vehicle Management Plan, 2000. This plan guides the National Park 
Service in its management of recreational off-road vehicle (ORV) use in 
Big Cypress National Preserve, and tiers off of the Preserve's 1991 
General Management

[[Page 42109]]

Plan. The National Park Service agreed to prepare an ORV management 
plan as part of a settlement agreement negotiated in 1995 between the 
Florida Biodiversity Project and several Federal agencies and bureaus. 
The agreement settled a lawsuit which alleged failure by the agencies 
to comply with Federal statutes, including the Clean Water Act, the 
Endangered Species Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act.
    The Off-Road Vehicle Management Plan, 2000 (p. 29) states ``Under 
the proposed action, the National Park Service would establish an 
advisory committee of concerned citizens to examine issues and make 
recommendations regarding the management of ORVs in the Preserve. The 
establishment of the committee would meet the legal requirements of the 
1972 Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) (Pub. L. 92-463, 1972, as 
amended). The advisory committee would provide access to the extensive 
knowledge available in the public arena and would offer advice to the 
National Park Service in the decision-making process in a manner 
consistent with FACA. This committee would be an element of the 
adaptive management approach that would be used to develop best 
management practices for ORV use.''
    As part of the ORV management plan, NPS committed to establishing 
the ORV Advisory Committee. In addition, the establishment of the 
Committee fulfills the agency's policy of civic engagement. It is 
envisioned that this committee will strengthen the relationship that 
the NPS has with its partners and communities. The Committee will be 
comprised of individuals that represent (1) Sportsmen/ORV users; (2) 
landowners; (3) academia; (4) environmental advocates; (5) the state 
government, and (6) Tribes.
    Certification: I hereby certify that the administrative 
establishment of the Big Cypress Off-Road Vehicle Advisory Committee is 
necessary and in the public interest in connection with the performance 
of duties imposed on the Department of the Interior by the Act of 
August 25, 1916, 16 U.S.C. 1 et seq., and other statutes relating to 
the administration of the National Park System.

    Dated: June 14, 2007.
Dirk Kempthorne,
Secretary of the Interior.
 [FR Doc. E7-14890 Filed 7-31-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-V6-P