[Federal Register: October 19, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 201)]
[Notices]               
[Page 60852]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19oc05-97]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

 
Notice of Availability of Draft National Park Service Management 
Policies

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS) is proposing to update the 
policies that guide the management of the national park system. The 
policies are being updated to improve their clarity and to keep pace 
with changes in laws, regulations, socio-economic factors and 
technology. The revised policies will also improve understandings among 
NPS managers, and between NPS managers and the public, regarding how 
decisions are made in protecting park resources and providing 
opportunities for public enjoyment of the parks. Public comment is 
invited for a 90-day period, which closes January 19, 2006.

DATES: Written comments will be accepted until January 19, 2006.

ADDRESSES: The draft Management Policies document is available on the 
Internet at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/waso. Hard copies may be 

reviewed in the Department of the Interior library (at the C Street 
entrance of the Main Interior Building, Washington, DC) and at NPS 
regional offices in Philadelphia, PA; Oakland, CA; Washington, DC; 
Atlanta, GA; Denver, CO; Omaha, NE; and Anchorage, AK. A limited number 
of single hard copies of the draft may be obtained by calling 202-208-
7456. Comments can be submitted in the following ways:
    1. Via the Web page at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/waso. This is 

the preferred way.
    2. Via e-mail to waso_policy@nps.gov. Or,
    3. Via surface mail to Bernard Fagan, National Park Service, Office 
of Policy, Room 7252, Main Interior Building, 1849 C Street, NW., 
Washington, DC 20240.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bernard Fagan at (202) 208-7456, or 
via e-mail at waso_policy@nps.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NPS has completed a comprehensive review 
and revision of the policies that currently guide the management of the 
national park system. The policies are compiled in a book called 
Management Policies, last published in 2001. Park superintendents, 
planners, and other NPS employees use management policies as a 
reference source when making decisions that will affect units of the 
national park system.
    Management Policies includes the National Park Service's 
interpretation of the key legislation that underlies the policies, and 
chapters that address: park planning; park protection; interpretation 
and education; use of the parks; park facilities; commercial visitor 
services; and the management of natural resources, cultural resources, 
and wilderness.
    The policies are being updated to improve their clarity and to keep 
pace with changes in laws, regulations, socio-economic factors and 
technology. The new policies will also improve understandings among NPS 
managers, and between NPS managers and the public, regarding how 
decisions are made in protecting park resources and providing 
opportunities for public enjoyment of the parks.
    Among other things, the draft policy document:
     More clearly defines important terms and concepts, 
enabling park managers to better anticipate and articulate how 
impairment of park resources can be prevented.
     More accurately reflects the NPS's commitment to tourism 
and public enjoyment.
     Emphasizes employee development and safety.
     Provides guidance in response to changing recreation uses 
and technology.
     Encourages management excellence by using better baseline 
scientific data, cooperative conservation, civic engagement, and good 
business practices.
     Recognizes new challenges facing the NPS, such as Homeland 
Security.
     Retains key authorities and decision making as the 
responsibility of the NPS.
    The NPS hereby invites comments on the draft policies from any and 
all who may be interested. Comments will be accepted during a 90-day 
period which ends January 19, 2006. Comments should be specific as to 
how a policy might be changed or strengthened.
    All comments will be reviewed, and appropriate suggestions will be 
incorporated into the revised final version of Management Policies. The 
final document will be available for public review via the Internet and 
in printed form. A notice of availability of the final document, and an 
explanation of how comments were addressed, will appear in the Federal 
Register.

    Dated: October 14, 2005.
Loran Fraser,
Chief, Office of Policy.
[FR Doc. 05-20917 Filed 10-18-05; 8:45 am]

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