[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 122 (Tuesday, June 24, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35708-35709]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-14213]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment and 
Scoping

AGENCY: National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Assessment and 
scoping for transferring jurisdiction of a portion of Fort Dupont Park 
to the District of Columbia for recreational development and uses and 
possible amendment of the 2004 Final Management Plan for Fort Circle 
Parks.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with Sec.  102(2)(C) of the National 
Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et. seq.), the National Park 
Service (NPS) will prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) for 
transferring jurisdiction of a portion of NPS property within Fort 
Dupont Park, part of the Fort Circle Parks, to the District of Columbia 
(the District) for development of recreational facilities which may 
result in amending the NPS' 2004 Final Management Plan for Fort Circle 
Parks.
    This also serves as an announcement of a public scoping comment 
period to run until July 24, 2008. Comments submitted to the Park or 
through Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) during the 
public scoping period and at public meetings for this EA will be 
considered as part of the planning process for the current proposed 
action. Comments submitted at the public meeting held May 12, 2008, 
will be considered as part of the planning process for the current 
proposed action and do not need to be resubmitted.
    There is the possibility that the NPS might proceed to prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in which case written comments 
submitted now on the scope of the alternatives and impacts will 
continue to be considered.

DATES: NPS is soliciting public input for the subject Proposed Action 
until July 24, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted through the Planning, Environment 
and Public Comment (PEPC) Web site at http://

[[Page 35709]]

parkplanning.nps.gov/NACE or by mail to: Superintendent, National 
Capital Parks-East, RE: Fort Dupont Park Land Transfer Proposal, 1900 
Anacostia Drive, SE., Washington, DC 20020.
    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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gayle Hazelwood, Superintendent, 
National Capital Parks-East, RE: Fort Dupont Park Land Transfer 
Proposal, at 1900 Anacostia Drive, SE., Washington, DC 20020, by 
telephone at (202) 690-5127, or by e-mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 376-acre Fort Dupont Park is one of the 
Civil War Defenses of Washington and is one of the Fort Circle Parks 
managed by the NPS. In 2004, the NPS completed the Final Management 
Plan for Fort Circle Parks and an action to transfer these lands to the 
District will likely result in amendment of that plan. The transfer is 
to facilitate the development of new recreational facilities and 
programs on the subject property by the District, including a proposal 
to create a baseball academy and another to expand an existing indoor 
ice skating arena. The District's proposal would involve the help of 
private-sector partners.
    The current Proposed Action is to transfer approximately 14 acres 
of NPS property situated on the north side of Fort Dupont Park along 
Ely Place in Southeast Washington, DC, to the District. This land is 
not in an area associated with the Civil War Defense of Washington, and 
does not contain earthworks or other historic or archeological 
resources. Once transferred, this property will no longer be part of 
the Park and no longer be managed or administered by the NPS. This 
transfer is part of an effort by the District to expand public 
facilities and recreational opportunities for area youth the NPS 
supports. The new recreational facilities and programs would be 
developed and operated by the District and its partners.
    Information and comments gathered during scoping and public 
meetings will be used to identify the range of issues and potential 
impacts of this proposed action. It may also be used for other planning 
and decision-making.

    Dated: April 23, 2008.
Joseph M. Lawler,
Regional Director, National Capital Region.
[FR Doc. E8-14213 Filed 6-23-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-JK-P