[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 212 (Tuesday, November 3, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 67787]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-27964]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-SER-BICY-18998; PPSEBICY00, PPMPSPD1Z.YM0000]


Big Cypress National Preserve Off-Road Vehicle Advisory Committee 
Charter Renewal

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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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: Tamara Whittington, 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 (Committee) has been established as directed 
in the Off-Road Vehicle Management Plan, 2000. This plan guides the 
National Park Service (NPS) 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 NPS 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, the NPS committed to 
establishing the 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 National Park Service Organic Act (54 
U.S.C. 100101(a) et seq.), and other statutes relating to the 
administration of the National Park Service.

    Dated: October 16, 2015.
Sally Jewell,
Secretary of the Interior.
[FR Doc. 2015-27964 Filed 11-2-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-EE-P