[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 47 (Tuesday, March 11, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13670-13671]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-05284]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement on the Backcountry Access Plan for Big Cypress National 
Preserve, Florida

[NPS-SERO-BICY-14534; PPSESEROC3,PPMPSAS1Y.YP0000]

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Intent.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969, the NPS will prepare an EIS for the Backcountry 
Access Plan for the Big Cypress National Preserve (Preserve). This 
notice initiates the pubic scoping process for this EIS.

DATES: The date, time, and location of public meetings will be 
announced through the NPS Planning, Environment, and Public Comment 
(PEPC) Web site http://parkplanning.nps.gov/bicy, the Big Cypress 
National Preserve Web site, and in local media outlets. The NPS will 
conduct public meetings in the local area to receive input from 
interested parties on issues, concerns, and suggestions pertinent to 
backcountry use and access within the Preserve. Suggestions and ideas 
related to recreational use and the management of cultural and natural 
resource conditions and visitor experiences at the Preserve are 
encouraged. The comment period will be announced at the meetings and 
will be published on the backcountry access plan Web site for Big 
Cypress National Preserve at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/bicy .

ADDRESSES: Interested individuals, organizations, and agencies are 
encouraged to provide written comments or suggestions to assist the NPS 
in determining the scope of issues

[[Page 13671]]

related to the management of backcountry use and access in Big Cypress 
National Preserve. Written comments may be sent to: Superintendent, Big 
Cypress National Preserve, 33100 Tamiami Trail East Ochopee, Florida 
34141-1000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Big Cypress National Preserve Chief of 
Interpretation Bob DeGross at the address shown above, by phone at 
(239) 695-1107, or via email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of the Backcountry Access Plan 
is to provide a management scheme for off-road vehicle (ORV) secondary 
trails, non-motorized trails, and camping management approach that 
protects the Preserve's natural and cultural resources while providing 
for public enjoyment. The plan will also establish a permanent route 
for the Florida National Scenic Trail within the Preserve.
    Public meetings will be held in the local area, and the dates and 
times may be obtained from local media outlets or by visiting http://parkplanning.nps.gov/bicy. We urge that comments and suggestions be 
made in writing.
    The plan will address a number of key issues related to backcountry 
access in the Preserve. The draft plan objectives include: (1) Evaluate 
the suitability of secondary ORV trails and non-motorized trails in the 
original Preserve; (2) re-route the Florida National Scenic Trail 
within the Preserve, in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service; (3) 
evaluate and establish guidance to manage camping within the Preserve; 
(4) clarify definitions of key terms from previous planning and 
management documents to better guide the Preserve management efforts; 
(5) with respect to trails and camping areas Preserve-wide, evaluate 
and refine indicators and standards from previous plans to ensure that 
monitoring activities provides useful information and are financially 
sustainable; (6) develop a range of alternatives for secondary trails 
and camping within the original Preserve; and (7) complete NEPA 
analysis on a range of alternatives for secondary ORV trails, non-
motorized trails, and camping.
    A Draft Backcountry Access Plan/EIS will be prepared and presented 
to the public for review and comment, followed by preparation and 
availability of the Final Backcountry Access Plan/EIS.
    Before including your address, phone number, email address, or 
other personal identifying information in any comment, you should be 
aware 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 your personal identifying 
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be 
able to do so.
    The responsible official for this Draft Backcountry Access Plan/EIS 
is the Regional Director, NPS Southeast Region, 100 Alabama Street SW., 
1924 Building, Atlanta, Georgia 30303.

    Dated: February 24, 2014.
Shawn T. Benge,
Deputy Regional Director, Southeast Region.
[FR Doc. 2014-05284 Filed 3-10-14; 8:45 am]
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