[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 188 (Monday, September 29, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Page 58378]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-23039]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-IMR-BITH-16171; PX.PD109246J.00.1]


Final Environmental Impact Statement for General Management Plan, 
Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The National Park Service announces the availability of the 
Final Environmental Impact Statement for the general management plan 
for Big Thicket National Preserve. Consistent with NPS laws, 
regulations, and policies and the purpose of the parkway, the general 
management plan will guide the management of the park over the next 15-
20 years.

DATES: The NPS will sign a Record of Decision no sooner than 30 days 
following publication of the Environmental Protection Agency of its 
Notice of Availability of the general management plan in the Federal 
Register.

ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of the general management plan will be 
available online at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/BITH. To request a 
copy, contact Superintendent Doug Neighbor, 6044 FM 420, Kountze, TX 
77625, 409-951-6801, and at the following location: Fire Management 
Office, 860 CR 1040, Woodville, TX 75997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Superintendent Doug Neighbor, Big 
Thicket National Preserve, 6044 FM 420, Kountze, TX 77625; telephone 
(409) 951-6801.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We have prepared the final environmental 
impact statement for the general management plan (FEIS/GMP) and we are 
publishing this notice pursuant to the National Environmental Policy 
Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C). The FEIS/GMP responds to, and 
incorporates, agency and public comments received on the draft EIS/
plan, which was available for public review from May 3, 2013, through 
July 1, 2013. Three public meetings were held from May 14-16, 2013, to 
gather input on the draft EIS/plan. The meetings were held at the 
preserve visitor center in Kountze, Texas, and in Woodville and 
Beaumont, Texas. There were 16 pieces of correspondence received during 
the public review period. The NPS responses to substantive agency and 
public comments are provided in ``Chapter 5: Consultation and 
Coordination'' of the FEIS/GMP.
    The FEIS/GMP evaluates four alternatives for managing use and 
development of the park. The preferred alternative (alternative 2) 
would expand opportunities for diverse, low-impact visitor activities 
by increasing the number of hiking and water-based trails and access 
points, especially on the newly acquired lands and linking existing 
trails to trails in the park. Natural resource management activities 
would focus on minimizing the effects of habitat fragmentation using a 
number of techniques including fire management, voluntary actions for 
oil and gas operations in the preserve, and land management agreements 
with partners. Partnerships are important for implementation of the 
preferred alternative including protection of natural flow regimes, 
preventing illegal dumping and other illegal activities as well as 
noncompatible land uses, and encouraging compatible resource management 
approaches. Infrastructure development is focused on providing access 
into the preserve and making existing facilities more sustainable. When 
approved, the plan will guide the management of the park over the next 
15 to 20 years.
    The responsible official for this FEIS/GMP is the Regional 
Director, NPS Intermountain Region, 12795 W Alameda Parkway, Lakewood, 
Colorado 80228.

    Dated: September 11, 2014.
Sue E. Masica,
Regional Director, Intermountain Region, National Park Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-23039 Filed 9-26-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-CB-P