[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 79 (Tuesday, April 25, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25014-25015]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-08623]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-SER-VIIS-35617; PS.SSELA386.00.1]


Land Exchange at Virgin Islands National Park

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of land exchange.

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SUMMARY: The National Park Service has identified a federally owned 
parcel of land to be suitable for disposal by exchange. The selected 
Federal land to be exchanged is within the boundary of the Virgin 
Islands National Park (Park) but is not essential for administration of 
the park unit. The land was surveyed during a National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA)/Environmental Assessment process for cultural 
resources and endangered and threatened species.

DATES: The effective date of this boundary revision is April 25, 2023.

COMMENTS AND FURTHER INFORMATION: The comment period on the proposed 
exchange ends 45 days from the date of publication. Information may be 
obtained from or comments pertaining to this exchange should be 
addressed to Russell Webb, Supervisory Realty Specialist, 
[email protected] and at the above referenced address. Adverse 
comments will be evaluated, and this action may be modified or vacated 
accordingly. In the absence of any action to modify or vacate, the land 
exchange will proceed as proposed.
    Detailed information concerning this exchange including precise 
legal descriptions, Land Protection Plan, and environmental assessment 
are available at the Land Resources Program Office--National Park 
Service, 2975 Horseshoe Dr. S, Suite 800, Naples, Florida 34104. The 
documents specific to the Environmental Assessment/NEPA requirements 
and the Finding of No Significant Impact are located as follows: 
https://parkplanning.nps.gov/StJohnLandExchange.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The authority for this exchange is the Act 
of October 5, 1962, Public Law 87-750, Stat 746, Sec. 2, the Act of 
July 15, 1968 (54 U.S.C. 102901), and Title 31 V.I. Code Sec.  231a 
(referred to and cited as the Virgin Islands School Land Exchange Act). 
The lands granted by the United States in the exchange should be of 
approximately equal value to the property being acquired and located 
within the authorized boundaries of the Park. Any difference must be 
corrected with monetary compensation.
    Fee ownership to the federally-owned-land to be exchanged is 
described as follows: VIIS Tract 01-137A is an 11.3-acre parcel of land 
acquired by the United States of America by deed recorded in Deed Book 
9-X on Page 266 at the District of St. Thomas, St. John Island Clerk's 
Office. The land is being conveyed in fee simple by a Quitclaim Deed 
with restrictive covenants and a discretionary right of reverter.
    In exchange for the federally owned parcel of land, the United 
States of America will acquire a 17.97-acre parcel of land currently 
owned by The Territorial Government of the U.S. Virgin Islands (GVI) 
lying within the boundary of the Park. The land is being

[[Page 25015]]

acquired in fee simple with a discretionary right of reverter.
    The exchange is necessary to benefit the Park by preserving an 
undeveloped dry tropical forest and to assist GVI in support of its 
primary educational needs by providing a suitable location for a future 
school on the island that was diminished substantially by hurricane 
damage years ago. Currently, students must commute by boat each day or 
relocate to St. Thomas during the school year to complete a public high 
school education.

Mark A. Foust,
Regional Director, Interior Region 2.
[FR Doc. 2023-08623 Filed 4-24-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-52-P