[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 166 (Tuesday, August 28, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 49308]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-16994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


General Management Plan/Wilderness Study, Final Environmental 
Impact Statement, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Colorado

AGENCY: National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability of a record of decision on the Final 
Environmental Impact Statement for the General Management Plan/
Wilderness Study, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 
U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Service announces the availability 
of the Record of Decision for the General Management Plan, Great Sand 
Dunes National Park and Preserve, Colorado. On July 19, 2007, the 
Regional 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 June 15, 2007. The NPS preferred alternative was developed 
with substantial public, interagency, and staff participation between 
2002 and 2006. The NPS preferred option includes options for new trails 
to allow for dispersed hiking and horseback riding and educational 
opportunities on the expansion lands. Cooperative or joint facilities, 
such as future access routes and trailheads with the U.S. Forest 
Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and private partners are 
emphasized. A large portion of the park expansion lands was studied and 
will be recommended for future wilderness designation. Additional 
wilderness in the Great Sand Dunes National Park was very popular with 
the public.
    This course of action and three 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, 
synopses of other alternatives considered, the basis for the decision, 
a description of the environmentally preferable alternative, a finding 
of no 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 Statement of Findings.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Art Hutchinson, Superintendent, Great 
Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, 11500 Highway 150, Mosca, CO 
81146-9798, phone: (719) 378-6311.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Copies of the Record of Decision may be 
obtained from the contact listed above or online at http://parkplanning.nps.gov.

    Dated: August 9, 2007.
Michael D. Snyder,
Director, Intermountain Region, National Park Service.
[FR Doc. E7-16994 Filed 8-27-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-CL-P