[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 172 (Thursday, September 6, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 51253]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-17593]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


National Mall & Memorial Parks; Notice of Intent To Prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement and Plan for the National Mall

AGENCY: Department of the Interior, National Park Service.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
and Plan for the National Mall.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with section 102(2)(C) of the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the National Park Service (NPS) will 
be preparing an Environmental Impact Statement and Plan for the 
National Mall to develop a long term vision plan for the use and 
management of the National Mall, which has been defined by Congress as 
a ``substantially completed work of civic art,'' and for Pennsylvania 
Avenue National Historic Park. In the January 16, 2007 Federal Register 
(72 FR 1763), the NPS announced it was developing this plan. The NPS 
was already holding public meetings and engaging with other government 
agencies. The NPS has since determined it will proceed to producing an 
Environmental Impact Statement as part of the planning process.

DATES: Information related to public involvement opportunities will be 
provided at the following park Web site: http://www.nps.gov/nationalmallplan.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Project Executive Susan Spain, who may 
be contacted at National Mall & Memorial Parks, 900 Ohio Drive, SW., 
Washington, DC 20024, by telephone at (202) 245-4692, or by e-mail at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The planning effort will include compliance 
with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and other 
laws and requirements. The National Mall Plan will differ from an NPS 
General Management Plan in that it will cover a longer-term time frame 
and is not a plan for the entirety of the National Mall & Memorial 
Parks. National Mall & Memorial Parks includes many national park units 
throughout the Nation's Capital and this plan will address only the 
National Mall, which is comprised of West Potomac Park, the Washington 
Monument and the Mall, and the related Pennsylvania Avenue National 
Historic Park. A map of the study area is available at http://www.nps.gov/nationalmallplan. In cooperation with the agencies with 
jurisdiction over properties adjoining the National Mall, attention 
will also be given to cumulative impacts outside its boundaries that 
affect the integrity of the National Mall.
    The Environmental Impact Statement and Plan for the National Mall 
will address visitor use issues such as civic space, events management, 
national celebrations, education, programs and recreation; and will 
identify types, locations, and character of needed visitor facilities 
and services, which could include food service, seating, lighting, 
restrooms, recreation, signage (orientation/way finding/education), and 
crowd management. The Environmental Impact Statement and Plan for the 
National Mall could also identify desired site improvements, such as 
floral displays, water features, and other embellishments that are not 
commemorative in nature. Additional issues may be defined or added 
throughout planning.
    Public involvement and civic engagement will continue to be key 
components in the preparation of the Environmental Impact Statement and 
Plan for the National Mall. As a result of the decision to conduct an 
Environmental Impact Statement, there will be public scoping meetings 
and opportunities on a range of alternatives and other topics, 
concurrent with publication of several reports and newsletters 
addressing public comment and a draft range of alternatives. The 
thousands of comments already received by the NPS are also being 
considered in this process along with the information provided by 
cooperating agencies and others.

    Dated: August 16, 2007.
Joseph M. Lawler,
Regional Director, National Capital Region.
 [FR Doc. E7-17593 Filed 9-5-07; 8:45 am]
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