[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 241 (Monday, December 15, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76054-76055]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-29520]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS) for the General Management Plan (GMP) for Chickamauga and 
Chattanooga National Military Park in Tennessee and Georgia

SUMMARY: Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 and Director's Order Number 12 (Conservation 
Planning, Environmental Impact Analysis, and Decision-Making) the NPS 
is preparing an EIS for a GMP for Chickamauga and Chattanooga National 
Military Park, located in Tennessee and Georgia.
    The GMP will prescribe the desired resource conditions and visitor 
experience opportunities that are to be achieved and maintained in the 
park over approximately the next 15 to 20 years. The park's purpose, 
significance, special mandates, and relevant laws and policies 
directing park management will be reviewed and assessed to establish 
the foundation for the GMP. The GMP will build upon these foundation 
elements to determine the appropriate type, level and location for 
resource management activities, visitor use, and potential development. 
In consultation with the park's stakeholders (i.e., government 
agencies, affiliated tribal representatives, partnership organizations, 
and other concerned members of the public), issues bearing on the long-
term management of the park will be factored into the development of a 
reasonable range of management alternatives. The resource impacts and 
other anticipated consequences of implementing the planning 
alternatives will be assessed in the EIS.
    From initial discussions among NPS planners, park staff and 
partners, issues that are anticipated to be addressed by the GMP will 
include (but are not limited to) the following: Long-term management of 
the battlefield landscape to achieve objectives for restoring historic 
viewsheds and protecting important cultural and natural resources; 
articulation of resource stewardship and visitor management 
prescriptions for the recently acquired Moccasin Bend National 
Archeological District; determination of a range of appropriate and 
compatible visitor activities in the park; and, identification of 
opportunities for collaboration and partnership with community leaders 
and other entities to ensure park values are understood and considered 
in local decision making (e.g., viewshed protection and adjacent land-
use).

DATES: Any comments on the scope of issues to be addressed in the GMP 
should be submitted no later than 30 days after public meetings. Public 
scoping meetings regarding the GMP will be held to allow an opportunity 
for stakeholders and other members of the public to bring issues and 
other concerns to the attention of the NPS planning team. Government-
to-government meetings with tribal representatives will also be held. 
Specific dates, times, and locations will be made available in the 
local media, on the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) 
Web site (http://parkplanning.nps.gov/chch), or by contacting the 
Superintendent of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park.

ADDRESSES: Information on the planning process and copies of 
newsletters will be available from the office of the Superintendent, 
Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, P.O. Box 2128, Fort 
Oglethorpe, GA 30742.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public and agency involvement will be 
solicited at several key steps in the planning process including 
initial scoping, alternatives development, and the draft plan. If you 
wish to comment on any issues associated with the GMP, you may submit 
your concerns to the planning team by any of several methods. You may 
mail comments to Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, 
P.O. Box 2128, Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia 30742. You may comment 
electronically at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/chch. You may also hand-
deliver comments to park headquarters located at 3370 LaFayette Road, 
Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia. Before including your address, phone number, 
e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your 
comment, be advised 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 from public review 
your

[[Page 76055]]

personal identifying information, we cannot guarantee that we will be 
able to do so.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Superintendent Shawn Benge, 
Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, P.O. Box 2128, Fort 
Oglethorpe, GA 30742; phone: (423) 752-5213. The responsible official 
for this EIS is the Regional Director, Southeast Region, National Park 
Service, 100 Alabama Street, SW., 1924 Building, Atlanta, Georgia 
30303.

    Authority: The authority for publishing this notice is contained 
in 40 CFR 1506.6.

    Dated: November 3, 2008.
David Vela,
Regional Director, Southeast Region, National Park Service.
 [FR Doc. E8-29520 Filed 12-12-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P