[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 148 (Friday, August 1, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44860-44861]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-17920]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-NCR-NACA-15266; PX.XDESC0047.00.1]


Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Antietam, Monocacy, 
Manassas White-Tailed Deer Management Plan

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 and the Council on Environmental Quality 
regulations, the National Park Service (NPS) has prepared a Final 
Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the White-tailed Deer 
Management Plan (Plan), Antietam National Battlefield, Maryland; 
Monocacy National Battlefield, Maryland; and Manassas National 
Battlefield Park, Virginia. The plan would manage white-tailed deer 
populations in order to support preservation of the natural and 
cultural landscape.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Antietam National Battlefield, Monocacy 
National Battlefield, and Manassas National Battlefield Park are all 
located in the NPS National Capital Region within about an hour's drive 
from Washington, DC. The U.S. Congress set aside these park units to 
represent outstanding aspects of our natural and cultural heritage. All 
three battlefields commemorate one or more Civil War battles and the 
history associated with these battles.
    The purpose of the FEIS and Plan is to develop a deer management 
strategy that supports preservation of the natural and cultural 
landscape through the protection and restoration of native vegetation. 
Although relatively rare at the turn of the twentieth century, white-
tailed deer have grown abundant in the Mid-Atlantic region during 
recent years. Current deer densities of 130-230 deer per square mile 
are substantially larger than commonly accepted sustainable densities 
for this region, estimated at about 15-25 deer per square mile. In 
addition, the NPS needs to plan for the potential threat posed by 
chronic wasting disease (CWD), which could spread to these park units.
    The NPS has developed the FEIS under section 102(2)(C) of the 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and consistent with laws, 
regulations, and policies applicable to NPS units, and with the 
purposes of these three parks. The FEIS describes and analyzes three 
action alternatives (B, C, and D) to guide management actions and 
strategies for white-tailed deer. The alternatives include lethal and 
non-lethal actions to manage and reduce the impacts of white-tailed 
deer. Included in the alternatives is the no-action alternative 
(alternative A), which would continue current deer management. Under 
Alternative A, the parks would also take no new actions with respect to 
CWD.
    Alternative B of the Plan provides a nonlethal deer reduction 
option to implement nonsurgical reproductive control of does when an 
acceptable reproductive control agent is available that meets NPS 
established criteria. Large constructed exclosures would also protect 
5-20% of the forested area of the parks to allow reforestation. 
Additional techniques include fencing of crops and woodlots, crop 
protection through sacrificial rows, and aversive conditioning.
    Alternative C of the Plan provides a lethal deer reduction option 
through the use of sharpshooting with firearms, possible capture and 
euthanasia to reduce deer populations to the target density and 
maintain that level. Donation of meat would also occur, subject to any 
concerns or restrictions related to CWD.
    Alternative D of the Plan provides a combined lethal and nonlethal 
deer reduction option through the use of sharpshooting with firearms, 
possible capture, and euthanasia to reduce deer populations to a 
desirable level and maintain that level. Once the target density has 
been reached, it may use nonsurgical reproductive control of does when 
an acceptable reproductive control agent is available that meets NPS 
established criteria.
    Under all three of the action alternatives (Alternatives B, C, and 
D), the parks would also implement a long-term CWD response plan. Under 
this plan, if CWD is confirmed in or within 5 miles of a park, the park 
would lethally reduce the deer population to decrease potential for CWD 
transmittal and spread. Deer populations could be reduced to 15-20 deer 
per square mile or as needed to cooperate with state programs and 
testing requirements, but would be reduced to no less than 10 deer per 
square mile. Deer will be tested for CWD.
    The FEIS evaluates potential environmental consequences of 
implementing the alternatives. Impact topics include the natural, 
cultural, and socioeconomic resources.
    The Draft EIS was released in July 2013 and was available for 
public and agency review and comment beginning with publication of the 
Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. Comments were accepted 
during the 60-day public comment period. After this public review, NPS 
revised this document in response to public comments.
    The FEIS is now available. Interested persons and organizations may 
obtain the FEIS online at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/anti. A 30-day 
no-action period will follow this Notice of Availability in the Federal 
Register. After this period, the selected alternative will be 
documented in a Record of Decision that will be signed by the Regional 
Director of the National Capital Region of the NPS. Notice of approval 
of the EIS would be published

[[Page 44861]]

similarly. For further information contact Tracy Atkins at 303-969-
2325.

    Date: June 10, 2014.
Lisa A. Mendelson-Ielmini,
Acting Regional Director, National Park Service, National Capital 
Region.
[FR Doc. 2014-17920 Filed 7-31-14; 8:45 am]
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