[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 237 (Tuesday, December 12, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 86144]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-27202]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-SERO-CONG-NPS0035319; PPSESEROC3, PPMPSAS1Y.YP0000]


Determination of Eligibility for Consideration as Wilderness 
Areas, Congaree National Park

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of determination of wilderness eligibility for lands in 
Congaree National Park.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Wilderness Act of 1964 and in accordance with 
National Park Service (NPS) Management Policies 2006, Section 6.2.1, 
the NPS has completed a Wilderness Eligibility Assessment to determine 
if lands added to Congaree National Park since 1988 (Addition Lands) 
meet the criteria indicating eligibility for preservation as 
wilderness. Based on this assessment, the NPS has concluded that of the 
5,356 acres of Addition Lands assessed, 3,937 acres meet the 
eligibility criteria in the Wilderness Act of 1964 and NPS Management 
Policies 2006 (6.2.1 and 6.2.1.1). This notice is being furnished as 
required by NPS Management Policies 2006, Section 6.2.1.3.

ADDRESSES: Maps and descriptions of the eligible lands are on file at 
Congaree National Park Headquarters, 100 National Park Road, Hopkins, 
South Carolina 29061.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for further information 
should be directed to Congaree National Park Superintendent Gregory A. 
Hauburger by phone at 803-647-3983, via email at 
[email protected], or by mail at Congaree National Park, 100 
National Park Road, Hopkins, South Carolina 29061.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Since 1988, the exterior boundary of 
Congaree National Park has been expanded three times: once 
legislatively, and twice administratively via minor boundary 
modifications. See Public Law 108-108 (November 10, 2003) and notices 
of minor boundary revisions published at 83 FR 12203 (March 20, 2018) 
and 86 FR 6364 (January 21, 2021). Congaree National Park staff 
analyzed all 5,356 acres added to the park since 1988 (the Addition 
Lands) for wilderness eligibility. Determinations of eligibility were 
made by applying the wilderness criteria in the Wilderness Act of 1964, 
as well as the primary eligibility criteria in NPS Management Policies 
2006 Section 6.2.1.1 and the additional considerations for determining 
eligibility found at Section 6.2.1.2. This analysis was completed using 
the best available data on existing conditions within the Addition 
Lands. The team that assessed existing conditions was made up of park 
and regional staff having extensive knowledge of the area. Of the 5,356 
acres assessed, 3,937 acres were found to meet the eligibility 
criteria.
    The area found eligible for wilderness designation consists of 
approximately 1,211 acres in the park lying between the Norfolk 
Southern rail line on the west and the U.S. Highway 601 right-of-way on 
the east. An additional 2,715 acres of eligible land extends farther 
eastward from the U.S. Highway 601 right-of-way to the park boundary on 
the Wateree River. One small, isolated tract of 10.89 acres (per deed) 
fronts on the Congaree River west of the Norfolk Southern rail line. 
The latter tract is bordered on three sides by designated wilderness.
    Public notice announcing the park's intention to conduct the 
eligibility assessment was made by placing a Notice in the Federal 
Register on January 19, 2016 (81 FR 2902) and, more recently, via the 
park's website, social media, and direct contact with interested 
Tribes, groups, and individual citizens.

Charles F. Sams, III,
Director, National Park Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-27202 Filed 12-11-23; 8:45 am]
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