[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 131 (Friday, July 10, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33277-33278]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-16329]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Availability of a Record of Decision, White-tailed Deer 
Management Plan and Final Environmental Impact Statement Catoctin 
Mountain Park, MD

AGENCY: National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of a Record of Decision on the White-
tailed Deer Management Plan/Final Environmental Impact Statement for 
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 announces the availability 
of the Record of Decision for the White-tailed Deer Management Plan/
Final Environmental Impact Statement (Plan/FEIS) for Catoctin Mountain 
Park, Maryland. The Plan/FEIS analyzed four alternatives. Alternative 
C, the selected alternative, includes two lethal actions that will be 
used in combination to reduce and control deer herd numbers. Qualified 
federal employees or contractors will conduct sharpshooting to reduce 
the deer population, and individual deer will be captured and 
euthanized in certain circumstances where sharpshooting is not 
appropriate.

DATES: The Record of Decision for the project was approved on April 17, 
2009, by the Regional Director, National Capital Region, National Park 
Service. As soon as practicable, the National Park Service will begin 
to implement the Preferred Alternative contained in the Final 
Environmental Impact Statement issued on December 12, 2008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Copies of the Record of Decision may 
be obtained from Becky Loncosky, Park Biologist, Catoctin Mountain 
Park, 6602 Foxville Road, Thurmont, Maryland 21788, (301) 416-0135, or 
Online at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/cato.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  Alternative A was the No Action Alternative 
studied by the Plan/EIS. The three Action Alternatives each used 
different combinations of non-lethal and lethal management tools to 
reduce the deer population and thus address declining forest 
regeneration and ensure that natural processes (including the presence 
of deer) support native vegetation, wildlife, and the cultural 
landscape of the park.
    All Action Alternatives included limited fencing, use of repellents 
around landscaped areas, deer and vegetation monitoring, data 
management, and research, as currently implemented under the No Action 
Alternative. Action Alternatives also utilize an adaptive management 
strategy in order to better manage based on uncertainty concerning the 
impacts that the change in deer population densities will have on 
vegetation recovery. By using an adaptive management approach, park 
managers will be able to change the timing or intensity of management 
treatments to better meet the goals of the plan as new information is 
obtained.
    Alternative B combined several non-lethal actions including large-
scale exclosures (fencing), additional use of repellents in limited 
areas, and reproductive control of does to gradually reduce the deer 
population in the park.
    Alternative C will utilize two lethal actions in combination to 
reduce and control deer herd numbers. Qualified federal employees or 
contractors will conduct sharpshooting to reduce the deer population, 
and individual deer will be captured and euthanized in circumstances 
where sharpshooting is determined to be inappropriate.
    Alternative D combined elements from alternatives B and C to 
include sharpshooting, capture and euthanasia, and reproductive control 
of does. For all alternatives, the full range of foreseeable

[[Page 33278]]

environmental consequences was assessed and appropriate mitigating 
measures were identified.
    The Record of Decision includes a description of the project's 
background, a statement of the decision made, synopses of other 
alternatives considered, the basis for the decision, findings on 
impairment of park resources and values, a description of the 
environmentally preferred alternative, a listing of measures to 
minimize environmental harm, and an overview of public involvement in 
the decision-making process.

    Dated: June 2, 2009.
 Margaret O'Dell,
Regional Director, National Capital Region.
[FR Doc. E9-16329 Filed 7-9-09; 8:45 am]
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