[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 66 (Wednesday, April 7, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 17756]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-7786]



[[Page 17756]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Availability of the Final General Management Plan and 
Environmental Impact Statement (GMP/EIS) for Chattahoochee River 
National Recreation Area (CRNRA), GA

AGENCY: National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 the National Park Service (NPS) announces the 
availability of a Final GMP/EIS for the CRNRA, Georgia.
    Consistent with NPS laws, regulations, and policies, and the 
purpose of the CRNRA, the Final GMP/EIS describes Alternative F at the 
NPS preferred alternative. The preferred alternative incorporates 
various management prescriptions to ensure protection, access and 
enjoyment of the park's resources.
    The Final GMP/EIS describes the NPS preferred alternative and the 
potential environmental consequences of implementing the preferred 
alternative. Impact topics include the cultural, natural, and 
socioeconomic environments. The Final GMP/EIS contains NPS responses to 
public comments on the Supplemental Draft GMP/EIS, and copies of agency 
correspondence and substantive comment letters.

DATES: The NPS will execute a Record of Decision no sooner than 30 days 
following publication by the Environmental Protection Agency of its 
Notice of Availability of the Final GMP/EIS in the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: The document will be available for public review and comment 
online at http://parkplanning.nps.gov. A limited number of Compact 
Disks (CD) and hard copies will be made available at CRNRA 
headquarters. You may also request a hard copy or CD by contacting the 
Superintendent, Daniel R. Brown, at CRNRA, 1978 Island Ford Parkway, 
Sandy Springs, Georgia 30350-3400; telephone 678-538-1200.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Supplemental Draft GMP/EIS evaluated 
alternatives to guide the development and future management of the park 
over the next 20 years. Alternative A (No Action) provides a baseline 
evaluation of existing resource conditions, visitor use, facilities, 
and management at the park. Alternative A would continue the current 
management practices into the future. There would be only minor changes 
in resources management, visitor programs, or facilities. Alternative B 
would minimize development in the park and maximize the opportunity for 
visitors to experience solitude in natural settings that are relatively 
insulated from the surrounding urban conditions. Motorized boating 
would not be appropriate in several zones under Alternative B. 
Alternative C provides for a management system where visitors would be 
drawn toward a system of hubs in which administrative, commercial, and 
interpretive facilities are located, providing visitor information, 
restrooms, parking lot and roads, trail heads and river access. 
Motorized boating would not be appropriate in several zones under 
Alternative C. Alternative D would expand and distribute visitor access 
throughout the park, including newly acquired parcels, and would 
provide a wide variety of visitor experiences. Connectivity to existing 
neighborhoods would be optimized and expanded. Alternative E extracts 
some features from Alternatives C and D, such as providing for more 
expanded access. Substantial acreage with less hardened forms of access 
would be maintained, providing more opportunities for relative quiet 
and solitude, and motorized boating and fishing would be appropriate 
throughout the park. The preferred alternative, Alternative F, is 
similar to Alternative E providing for more expanded access, and 
allowing for motorized boating and fishing throughout the park, while 
also maintaining opportunities for relative quiet and solitude. The 
potential environmental consequences are addressed for each 
alternative, including impacts to natural resources, cultural 
resources, transportation, and visitor and community values.
    The Supplemental Draft GMP/EIS was available for public and agency 
review from September 26, 2008, through December 1, 2008. Copies of the 
document were sent to individuals, agencies, organizations, and local 
libraries. The document was also made available for public review at 
the park and on the NPS Planning, Environment, and Public Comment Web 
site (http://parkplanning.nps.gov) in September 2008. Public meetings 
were held on October 27, 2008, and October 30, 2008. During the review 
period, the NPS accepted written and oral comments on the document. The 
NPS carefully reviewed all comments and prepared a report on responses 
to all substantive comments (Chapter 6). The Final GMP dated March 2009 
sets forth a vision for the development and operation of CRNRA.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Superintendent, Daniel R. 
Brown at CRNRA, 1978 Island Ford Parkway, Sandy Springs, Georgia 30350-
3400; telephone 678-538-1200.
    The responsible official for this Final EIS is the Regional 
Director, Southeast Region, National Park Service, 100 Alabama Street 
SW., 1924 Building, Atlanta, Georgia 30303.

    Dated: March 25, 2010.
Gordon Wissinger,
Acting Regional Director, Southeast Region.
[FR Doc. 2010-7786 Filed 4-6-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P