[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 95 (Tuesday, May 18, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27812-27813]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-11817]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Final Environmental Impact Statement for the General Management 
Plan; Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

AGENCY: National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability of the Final Environmental Impact 
Statement for the General Management Plan for Harpers Ferry National 
Historical Park.

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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 a Final Environmental Impact Statement for the General 
Management Plan for Harpers Ferry

[[Page 27813]]

National Historical Park in West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland. The 
plan will provide guidance to park management for administration, 
development, and interpretation of park resources over the next 20 
years. Impact topics addressed were cultural resources, natural 
resources, visitor use and experience, socioeconomic environment, and 
NPS operations.
    The document describes a No Action Alternative (Alternative 1, 
continuation of existing management) and two Action Alternatives.
    Alternative 2 takes a traditional approach in which each location 
within the park is managed to reflect the most significant period or 
era associated with it. An enlarged contact station on Cavalier Heights 
would be developed. Management activities would focus on the 
preservation of the resources as well as the presentation of the 
interpretive themes appropriate to each location. Outlying portions of 
the park would be connected by an auto tour and round-the-park trail 
system. The existing transportation system would also be expanded to 
include more of the park. African American history would be elevated in 
prominence on Camp Hill and NPS staff would work with partners to 
promote protection of and visitation to sites throughout the local 
area. A public/private partnership would be cultivated to rehabilitate 
and manage the historic Shipley School.
    Alternative 3 would provide increased connections with private 
businesses and public/private organizations to help utilize, maintain, 
and interpret historic structures while bringing additional life and 
excitement to Lower Town. A joint NPS/state tourism entrance complex 
would be developed. This alternative would provide enhanced visitor 
services ensuring visitor needs were met not only in the park but in 
the surrounding counties. Historic structures would be preserved and 
interpreted. Some structures would be leased to non-NPS entities to 
ensure upkeep and lessen the financial burden on the park. A new 
headquarters building would be developed somewhere in the Harpers Ferry 
vicinity. An enlarged transportation system would be operated in 
partnership with Main Street Harpers Ferry. A public/private 
partnership would be developed to rehabilitate and manage the historic 
Shipley School.
    Alternative 2 is the NPS selected preferred alternative.
    The Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the General Management 
Plan was made available for public review from May 2 to July 1, 2009. 
Approximately 3,200 copies of the plan were mailed to agencies, 
organizations, and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park's mailing 
list. The availability of the document and information about public 
meetings were also announced in the local newspaper. Two public 
meetings were held September 2008 following initial distribution of the 
draft plan, and an additional public meeting held June 9, 2009, during 
the review period. Thirty-four comments were received during the review 
period. Because comments received did not meet the criteria for 
``substantive comment,'' a request was granted by the Department of the 
Interior Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance to undertake 
this abbreviated format Final Environmental Impact Statement for the 
General Management Plan.

DATES: The NPS will execute a Record of Decision (ROD) no sooner than 
30 days following publication by the Environmental Protection Agency of 
the Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement 
for the General Management Plan.

ADDRESSES: Information will be available for public review online at 
http://parkplanning.nps.gov, or available on C-D. Hard copies may be 
obtained by contacting Superintendent Rebecca Harriett, Harpers Ferry 
National Historical Park, at 485 Fillmore Street, P.O. Box 65, Harpers 
Ferry, West Virginia 25425, or by telephone at (304) 535-6224.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Hayes, Regional Planner and 
Transportation Liaison, National Capital Region, National Park Service, 
1100 Ohio Drive, SW., Washington, DC 20242, by telephone at (202) 619-
7277, or by e-mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NPS evaluated a No Action Alternative 
and two Action Alternatives for management, development, and 
interpretation in the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the 
General Management Plan. Both Action Alternatives provide for the 
preservation of all park cultural and natural resources. However, the 
selected preferred alternative, Alternative 2, provides the best 
variety of visitor experiences, the widest access to all areas of the 
national historical park, and the most appropriate use of historic 
resources for interpretive and other park operational purposes. 
Overall, it best meets NPS purposes and goals for Harpers Ferry 
National Historical Park while meeting National Environmental Policy 
Act goals. The selected preferred alternative will not result in the 
impairment of park resources and will allow the NPS to conserve park 
resources while providing for their enjoyment by visitors.

    Dated: April 28, 2010.
Margaret O'Dell,
Regional Director, National Capital Region.
[FR Doc. 2010-11817 Filed 5-17-10; 8:45 am]
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