[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 233 (Wednesday, December 3, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 73662-73663]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-28671]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Availability for the Record of Decision on the Final 
General Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement, Pipestone 
National Monument, MN

AGENCY: National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability for the Record of Decision on the Final 
General Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement, Pipestone 
National Monument, Minnesota.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(C)), the National Park Service (NPS) 
announces the availability of the Record of Decision (ROD) for the 
Final General Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (GMP/
EIS), Pipestone National Monument (national monument), Minnesota. On 
September 30, the Midwest Regional Director approved the ROD for the 
project. As soon as practicable, the NPS will begin to implement the 
preferred alternative contained in the final EIS.
    The NPS will implement the preferred alternative as described in 
the Final GMP/EIS issued on March 28, 2008. Alternative 1, the 
preferred alternative, will reduce the development in the heart of the 
national monument, preserving its setting, site history, and spiritual 
significance as the source of pipestone. The NPS will remove the 
visitor center and parking, enabling visitors to see the site much as 
it appeared prior to 1937. The national monument will acquire a parcel 
of school district land to the northeast and will seek a cooperative 
agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Minnesota 
Department of Natural Resources to coordinate management of the 100-
acre Pipestone Wildlife Management Area. American Indian ceremonial use 
of the Three Maidens area will be unchanged. The Hiawatha Club will 
continue to use the Three Maidens as a backdrop for its pageant under 
permit restrictions, and the area will be restored to prairie. Sun 
Dances will continue, but modifications of use might be made on the 
basis of impact and the sustainability of resources. Quarries will 
continue to be allocated by permit.
    The GMP/EIS evaluated this course of action and two other action 
alternatives, and a no action alternative. The full range of 
foreseeable environmental consequences were assessed and appropriate 
mitigating measures were identified.
    The ROD 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 on 
impairment of park resources and values, a listing of measures to 
minimize environmental harm, and an overview of public involvement in 
the decisionmaking process.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Superintendent Glen Livermont, 36 
Reservation Avenue, Pipestone, Minnesota 56164-1269, or by calling 507-
825-5464. Copies of the ROD are available upon request from the above 
address or may be viewed online at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/pipe.


[[Page 73663]]


    Dated: September 30, 2008.
Ernest Quintana,
Regional Director, Midwest Region.
[FR Doc. E8-28671 Filed 12-2-08; 8:45 am]
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