[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 241 (Monday, December 15, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76055-76056]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-29513]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Final Environmental Impact Statement for the White-tailed Deer 
Management Plan, Catoctin Mountain Park, MD

AGENCY: Department of the Interior, National Park Service.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact 
Statement for the White-tailed Deer Management Plan, Catoctin Mountain 
Park, Maryland.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 
U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Service (NPS) announces the 
availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the White-
tailed Deer Management Plan (FEIS) for Catoctin Mountain Park in 
Thurmont, Maryland. The plan will support forest regeneration and 
provide for long-term protection, conservation, and restoration of 
native species and cultural landscapes at Catoctin Mountain Park. The 
document describes four management alternatives which include a no 
action alternative (continue existing management) and three action 
alternatives, one of which was identified as the preferred alternative.

DATES: The Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the White-tailed 
Deer Management Plan was on public review from December 1, 2006, 
through February 2, 2007. Responses to public comments received during 
that review are addressed in the FEIS. A 30-day no-action period will 
follow the Environmental Protection Agency's Notice of Availability of 
the FEIS. After the 30-day no-action period, a Record of Decision will 
be signed that will document NPS approval of the FEIS and identify the 
selected alternative for implementation.

ADDRESSES: The FEIS will be available for public review online at the 
National Park Service Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) 
Web site at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/cato by selecting ``Deer 
Management Plan for Catoctin Mountain Park.'' Bound copies of the FEIS 
will also be available at the Catoctin Mountain Park Visitor Center 
which is located at the intersection of Maryland Route 77 and Park 
Central Road, and at Catoctin Mountain Park Headquarters which is 
located approximately two miles west of Thurmont on Maryland Route 77. 
Copies will also be available at the C. Burr Artz Public Library, 110 
East Patrick Street, Frederick, Maryland 21701; the Thurmont Regional 
Library, 76 East Moser Road, Thurmont, Maryland 21788; the Washington 
County Free Library, 100 South Potomac Street, Hagerstown, Maryland 
21740; and the Smithsburg Library, 66 West Water Street, Smithsburg, 
Maryland 21783.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Becky Loncosky, Park Biologist, at 
Catoctin Mountain Park, 6602 Foxville Road, Thurmont, Maryland 21788, 
by

[[Page 76056]]

telephone at (301) 416-0536, or by e-mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FEIS evaluates four alternatives for 
managing white-tailed deer in the park. The document describes and 
analyzes the environmental impacts of the no-action alternative and 
three action alternatives. When approved, the plan will guide deer 
management actions in Catoctin Mountain Park over the next 15 years.
    Alternative A (no action) would continue the existing deer 
management plan of limited fencing, use of repellents in landscaped 
areas, monitoring, data management, and research; no new deer 
management actions would be implemented. Alternative B would combine 
several non-lethal actions including large-scale exclosures (fencing), 
additional use of repellents in limited areas, and reproductive control 
of does to gradually reduce deer population in the park. Under 
Alternative C qualified federal employees or contractors would directly 
reduce the deer population in the park through sharpshooting. Capture 
and euthanasia of individual deer would be used in circumstances where 
sharpshooting would not be appropriate. Alternative C is the NPS 
preferred alternative. Alternative D would combine actions of 
Alternatives B and C which would include sharpshooting, capture and 
euthanasia, and reproductive control of does to maintain population 
levels. The preferred alternative would fully meet the plan objectives 
and has more certainty of success than the other alternatives analyzed. 
The relatively rapid reduction in deer density and browsing pressure on 
native plant communities and species of special concern would provide 
beneficial impacts to the natural and cultural resources of the park.

    Dated: August 13, 2008.
Lisa A. Mendelson-Ielmini,
Acting Regional Director, National Capital Region.

    Editorial Note: This document was received in the Office of the 
Federal Register on December 9, 2008.
[FR Doc. E8-29513 Filed 12-12-08; 8:45 am]
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