[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 95 (Tuesday, May 18, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27812-27813]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-11817]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Final Environmental Impact Statement for the General Management
Plan; Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
AGENCY: National Park Service, Department of the Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability of the Final Environmental Impact
Statement for the General Management Plan for Harpers Ferry National
Historical Park.
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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42
U.S.C. 4332 (2)(C), the National Park Service (NPS) announces the
availability of a Final Environmental Impact Statement for the General
Management Plan for Harpers Ferry
[[Page 27813]]
National Historical Park in West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland. The
plan will provide guidance to park management for administration,
development, and interpretation of park resources over the next 20
years. Impact topics addressed were cultural resources, natural
resources, visitor use and experience, socioeconomic environment, and
NPS operations.
The document describes a No Action Alternative (Alternative 1,
continuation of existing management) and two Action Alternatives.
Alternative 2 takes a traditional approach in which each location
within the park is managed to reflect the most significant period or
era associated with it. An enlarged contact station on Cavalier Heights
would be developed. Management activities would focus on the
preservation of the resources as well as the presentation of the
interpretive themes appropriate to each location. Outlying portions of
the park would be connected by an auto tour and round-the-park trail
system. The existing transportation system would also be expanded to
include more of the park. African American history would be elevated in
prominence on Camp Hill and NPS staff would work with partners to
promote protection of and visitation to sites throughout the local
area. A public/private partnership would be cultivated to rehabilitate
and manage the historic Shipley School.
Alternative 3 would provide increased connections with private
businesses and public/private organizations to help utilize, maintain,
and interpret historic structures while bringing additional life and
excitement to Lower Town. A joint NPS/state tourism entrance complex
would be developed. This alternative would provide enhanced visitor
services ensuring visitor needs were met not only in the park but in
the surrounding counties. Historic structures would be preserved and
interpreted. Some structures would be leased to non-NPS entities to
ensure upkeep and lessen the financial burden on the park. A new
headquarters building would be developed somewhere in the Harpers Ferry
vicinity. An enlarged transportation system would be operated in
partnership with Main Street Harpers Ferry. A public/private
partnership would be developed to rehabilitate and manage the historic
Shipley School.
Alternative 2 is the NPS selected preferred alternative.
The Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the General Management
Plan was made available for public review from May 2 to July 1, 2009.
Approximately 3,200 copies of the plan were mailed to agencies,
organizations, and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park's mailing
list. The availability of the document and information about public
meetings were also announced in the local newspaper. Two public
meetings were held September 2008 following initial distribution of the
draft plan, and an additional public meeting held June 9, 2009, during
the review period. Thirty-four comments were received during the review
period. Because comments received did not meet the criteria for
``substantive comment,'' a request was granted by the Department of the
Interior Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance to undertake
this abbreviated format Final Environmental Impact Statement for the
General Management Plan.
DATES: The NPS will execute a Record of Decision (ROD) no sooner than
30 days following publication by the Environmental Protection Agency of
the Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement
for the General Management Plan.
ADDRESSES: Information will be available for public review online at
http://parkplanning.nps.gov, or available on C-D. Hard copies may be
obtained by contacting Superintendent Rebecca Harriett, Harpers Ferry
National Historical Park, at 485 Fillmore Street, P.O. Box 65, Harpers
Ferry, West Virginia 25425, or by telephone at (304) 535-6224.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Hayes, Regional Planner and
Transportation Liaison, National Capital Region, National Park Service,
1100 Ohio Drive, SW., Washington, DC 20242, by telephone at (202) 619-
7277, or by e-mail at [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NPS evaluated a No Action Alternative
and two Action Alternatives for management, development, and
interpretation in the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the
General Management Plan. Both Action Alternatives provide for the
preservation of all park cultural and natural resources. However, the
selected preferred alternative, Alternative 2, provides the best
variety of visitor experiences, the widest access to all areas of the
national historical park, and the most appropriate use of historic
resources for interpretive and other park operational purposes.
Overall, it best meets NPS purposes and goals for Harpers Ferry
National Historical Park while meeting National Environmental Policy
Act goals. The selected preferred alternative will not result in the
impairment of park resources and will allow the NPS to conserve park
resources while providing for their enjoyment by visitors.
Dated: April 28, 2010.
Margaret O'Dell,
Regional Director, National Capital Region.
[FR Doc. 2010-11817 Filed 5-17-10; 8:45 am]
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