[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 194 (Monday, October 6, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58264-58265]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-23307]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Special Resource Study, Environmental Impact Statement, 
Blackstone River Valley, Massachusetts and Rhode Island

AGENCY: National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement, 
Blackstone River Valley Special Resource Study.

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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) is 
preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a Special 
Resource Study (SRS) of landscape features and sites that contribute to 
the understanding of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage 
Corridor as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution in the United 
States. This study was mandated by Public Law 109-338, the ``John H. 
Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor 
Reauthorization Act of 2006.''
    The Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor encompasses 
24 communities located along the Blackstone River and its tributaries 
spanning from Worcester, MA to Providence, RI. Within the boundaries of 
the heritage corridor lie approximately 400,000 acres of land and over 
500,000 people. The waters of the Blackstone River powered the Slater 
Mill, a National Historic Landmark, in Pawtucket, RI, America's first 
successful textile mill. This creative spark contributed to the 
nation's historic evolution as a global industrial and technological 
power.
    The Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor was 
established by Public Law 99-647 in November 1986 for the purpose of 
preserving and interpreting for educational and inspirational benefit 
of present and future generations the unique and

[[Page 58265]]

significant contributions to our national heritage of certain historic 
and cultural lands, waterways and structures within the states of 
Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The heritage corridor was to provide a 
management framework to assist the states of Massachusetts and Rhode 
Island and their units of local government in the development and 
implementation of integrated cultural, historical and land resource 
management programs in order to retain, enhance and interpret the 
significant values of the lands, waters and structures of the corridor.
    The purpose of this Special Resource Study/EIS is to provide 
Congress with information about the national significance, suitability, 
and feasibility of sites and landscape features within the corridor 
that are associated with American industrial history for possible 
inclusion in the National Park System. The study will develop 
alternative options for management and interpretation of the sites and 
landscape features under consideration.
    The draft report of the study, with the draft EIS, is expected to 
be completed and available for public review by late 2009.

ADDRESSES: Additional information about the study/EIS may be obtained 
online at http://www.nps.gov/blac and http://parkplanning.nps.gov. 
Requests to be added to the project mailing list should be directed to 
Ellen Carlson, Project Manager, at the address below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Carlson, Project Manager, 
National Park Service, Northeast Region, 15 State Street, Boston, 
Massachusetts 02109, 617-223-5048.

    Dated: July 14, 2008.
Michael T. Reynolds,
Acting Regional Director, Northeast Region, National Park Service.
[FR Doc. E8-23307 Filed 10-3-08; 8:45 am]
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