[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 200 (Monday, October 17, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 64102]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-26699]



[[Page 64102]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-SERO-WAPC-0911-8447; 2031-A048-409]


Big Cypress National Preserve Off-Road Vehicle Advisory Committee

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Renewal.

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SUMMARY: The Secretary of the Interior is giving notice of renewal of 
the Big Cypress National Preserve Off-Road Vehicle Advisory Committee 
to offer recommendations, alternatives and possible solutions to 
management of off-road vehicles at Big Cypress National Preserve.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Pedro Ramos, Superintendent, Big 
Cypress National Preserve, 33100 Tamiami Trail E, Ochopee, Florida 
34141; 239-695-1103.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Big Cypress National Preserve Off-Road 
Vehicle Advisory Committee has been established as directed in the Off-
Road Vehicle Management Plan, 2000. This plan guides the National Park 
Service in its management of recreational off-road vehicle (ORV) use in 
Big Cypress National Preserve, and tiers off of the Preserve's 1991 
General Management Plan. The National Park Service agreed to prepare an 
ORV management plan as part of a settlement agreement negotiated in 
1995 between the Florida Biodiversity Project and several Federal 
agencies and bureaus. The agreement settled a lawsuit which alleged 
failure by the agencies to comply with Federal statutes, including the 
Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the National 
Environmental Policy Act.
    The Off-Road Vehicle Management Plan, 2000 (p. 29) states ``Under 
the proposed action, the National Park Service would establish an 
advisory committee of concerned citizens to examine issues and make 
recommendations regarding the management of ORVs in the Preserve. The 
establishment of the committee meets the legal requirements of the 1972 
Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) (Pub. L. 92-463, 1972, as 
amended). The advisory committee provides access to the extensive 
knowledge available in the public arena and offers advice to the 
National Park Service in the decision-making process in a manner 
consistent with FACA. This committee is an element of the adaptive 
management approach used to develop best management practices for ORV 
use.''
    As part of the ORV management plan, NPS committed to establishing 
the ORV Advisory Committee. In addition, the establishment of the 
Committee fulfills the agency's policy of civic engagement. This 
committee strengthens the relationship that the NPS has with its 
partners and communities. The Committee is composed of individuals that 
represent (1) Sportsmen/ORV users; (2) landowners; (3) academia; (4) 
environmental advocates; (5) the state government, and (6) Tribes.
    Certification: I hereby certify that the renewal of the Big Cypress 
Off-Road Vehicle Advisory Committee is necessary and in the public 
interest in connection with the performance of duties imposed on the 
Department of the Interior by the Act of August 25, 1916, 16 U.S.C. 1 
et seq., and other statutes relating to the administration of the 
National Park System.

    Dated: October 3, 2011.
Ken Salazar,
Secretary of the Interior.
[FR Doc. 2011-26699 Filed 10-14-11; 8:45 am]
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