[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 171 (Friday, September 3, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53943-53944]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-20022]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Availability of a Record of Decision on the Final 
Environmental Impact Statement for the Wilderness Study, Apostle 
Islands National Lakeshore

AGENCY: National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of a Record of Decision on the Final 
Environmental Impact Statement for the Wilderness Study, Apostle 
Islands National Lakeshore.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to Sec.  102(2)(C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969, P.L. 91-190, 83 Stat. 852, 853, as codified as 
amended at 42 U.S.C. Sec.  4332(2)(C), the National Park Service (NPS) 
announces the availability of the record of decision for the wilderness 
study, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Wisconsin. On May 5 the 
Director, Midwest Region, approved the record of decision for the 
wilderness study. Specifically, the NPS has selected the preferred 
alternative (alternative C) as described in the Final Wilderness Study/
Environmental Impact Statement. Under the selected action (alternative 
C), the NPS proposes that 33,500 acres of the park's 42,160-acre land 
base (80%) be permanently protected as wilderness. Basswood, Sand, and 
Long Islands would not be proposed for wilderness designation.
    The selected action and three other alternatives were analyzed in 
the draft and final environmental impact statements. The full range of 
foreseeable environmental consequences was assessed.
    Among the alternatives the NPS considered, the selected action best 
protects the park's natural and cultural resources, and most of its 
wilderness resource, while providing a reasonable level of 
administrative flexibility for addressing future visitor and management 
needs. It also ensures that a range of quality recreational and 
educational experiences will continue to be provided on the islands, 
meet NPS goals for managing the park, and meet national environmental 
policy goals. The preferred alternative will not result in the 
impairment of resources and values.
    The record of decision includes a statement of the decision made, 
synopses of other alternatives considered, the basis for the decision, 
the rationale for why the selected action is the environmentally 
preferred alternative, a finding on impairment of park resources and 
values, and an overview of public involvement in the decisionmaking 
process.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Jim Nepstad, Wilderness Study 
Coordinator, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Route 1, Box 4, 
Bayfield, Wisconsin 54814, or by calling (715) 779-3198, extension 102.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Copies of the record of decision may be 
obtained from the contact listed above or may be viewed online at 
http://www.nps.gov/apis/wstudy.htm. With the concurrence of the NPS 
Director, the NPS wilderness proposal will be sent to the Assistant 
Secretary of Fish and Wildlife and Parks and the Secretary of the 
Interior, who may revise or approve the proposal. The Secretary may 
then forward a

[[Page 53944]]

wilderness recommendation to the President, who in turn may approve or 
revise the recommendation and then transmit the recommendation to 
Congress for consideration.

    Dated: May 5, 2004.
Ernest Quintana,
Regional Director, Midwest Region.
[FR Doc. 04-20022 Filed 9-2-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-97-P