[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 68 (Tuesday, April 8, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19100-19101]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-7148]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
the Dyke Marsh Wetland Restoration and Long-Term Management Plan

AGENCY: National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
for the Dyke Marsh Wetland Restoration and Long-term Management Plan, 
George Washington Memorial Parkway.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with Sec.  102(2)(C) of the National 
Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 43321 et seq.), the National Park 
Service (NPS) is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement for the 
Dyke Marsh Wetland Restoration and Long-term Management Plan (EIS) for 
George Washington Memorial Parkway, Virginia. The authority for 
publishing this notice is contained in 40 CFR 1508.22.
    The purpose of this EIS is to develop a plan for the restoration 
and long-term management of the tidal freshwater marsh and other 
associated wetland habitats lost or impacted in Dyke Marsh Preserve on 
the Potomac River. Dyke Marsh wetland resources, community structure 
and natural ecosystem functions have been damaged by previous human 
uses and are subject to continuing threats. A restoration and long-term 
management plan is needed at this time to: (1) Protect the existing 
wetlands from erosion, exotic plant species, loss of habitat and 
altered hydrologic regimes; (2) Restore wetlands and ecological 
functions and processes lost through sand and gravel mining and 
shoreline erosion; (3) Reduce increased restoration and management 
costs associated with continued wetland loss; and (4) Improve ecosystem 
services that benefit the Potomac Watershed.
    Scoping Process. The purpose of scoping outreach efforts is to 
elicit early public comment regarding project purpose, need, and 
objectives, issues and concerns, the nature and extent of potential 
environmental impacts (and as appropriate, mitigation measures), and 
alternatives which should be addressed in the EIS. Through the outreach 
activities planned in the scoping phase, NPS welcomes information and 
suggestions from the public. This notice formally initiates the public 
scoping comment phase for the EIS process. A scoping newsletter has 
been prepared that details the purpose, need, and objectives identified 
to date. Copies of that information will be posted at 
parkplanning.nps.gov/gwmp and may be obtained from Brent Steury, Turkey 
Run Park, McLean, VA 22101, (703) 289-2541. A public scoping open house 
will be conducted in the area around Dyke Marsh. Please check the local 
newspapers, the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) Web 
site at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/gwmp, or contact Brent Steury for 
more information regarding the open house.

DATES: The National Park Service is soliciting further public input 
into this planning process until May 23, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Persons commenting on the purpose, need, objectives, 
alternative elements, or any other issues associated with the plan, may 
submit comments through the PEPC Web site at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/gwmp, by hand-delivery or mail to: Superintendent, 
George Washington Memorial Parkway, Turkey Run Park, McLean, Virginia 
22101, or by providing comments to NPS staff at the public open house.
    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 to withhold your personal identifying information from public 
review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brent Steury, Supervisory Biologist, 
Natural Resources Program Manager, George Washington Memorial Parkway, 
Park Headquarters, Turkey Run Park, McLean, VA 22101, (703) 289-2541.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of this ETS is to develop a plan 
for the restoration and long-term management of the tidal freshwater 
marsh and other associated wetland habitats lost or impacted in Dyke 
Marsh Preserve on the Potomac River.
    Dyke Marsh Preserve is one of the last large tracts of tidal 
freshwater marsh along the Potomac River in the Washington, DC area and 
has existed for at least 5,000 years.
    Located just south of Alexandria, Virginia, Dyke Marsh Preserve is 
viewed as a national treasure because of its proximity to the Nation's 
Capital and a large urban/suburban population, its

[[Page 19101]]

history and its current potential for provision of ecosystem services, 
recreational values and educational opportunities. Despite degradation 
to the existing marsh, it continues to provide numerous natural 
benefits and services including resident and migratory wildlife 
habitat, refuge for state endangered species, and attenuation of tidal 
energy, shoreline stabilization, flood control, and water quality 
enhancement.
    The goal of the actions described in the EIS is to restore areas of 
Dyke Marsh that were previously impacted using soil elevations that 
will permit the establishment of sustainable plant communities while 
preventing damage to vegetation in the existing wetland. In the long-
term, the project will provide additional wetlands to the Potomac River 
watershed ecosystem, preserve the aesthetic and natural values of Dyke 
Marsh and the George Washington Memorial Parkway, and continue to offer 
recreational opportunities currently available. Specific objectives of 
the plan are:
    Natural Resources (1) Restore, protect, and maintain tidal 
freshwater wetlands and associated ecosystems to provide habitat for 
fish, wildlife and other biota; ensure management actions promote 
native species while minimizing the intrusion of invasives. (2) Reduce 
or eliminate erosion of the existing marsh and provide for erosion 
control measures in areas of restored marsh. (3) To the extent 
practicable, restore and maintain hydrologic processes needed to 
sustain Dyke Marsh.
    Cultural Resources Ensure management actions continue to protect 
the historic resources and cultural landscape features associated with 
Dyke Marsh and the George Washington Memorial Parkway.
    Visitor Experience Include appropriate educational, interpretation, 
and research opportunities at Dyke Marsh as a part of any management 
action and make them accessible to diverse audiences.
    Preliminary scoping also identified broad categories of elements 
that will be further defined as alternatives become developed. These 
categories include: types of actions that may be taken (stabilizing the 
existing marsh, restoring wetlands lost to sand and gravel mining, 
restoring historic tidal flows, etc.); various ways these actions could 
be implemented (types of containment structures, placement of tidal 
channels, stabilization techniques, etc.); and where, and to what 
extent, these actions may be taken (full vs. partial restoration, 
identification of priority areas, considerations related to the timing 
of the actions, etc.).

    Dated: February 11, 2008.
Joseph M. Lawler,
Regional Director, National Capital Region.
[FR Doc. E8-7148 Filed 4-7-08; 8:45 am]
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