[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 95 (Tuesday, May 18, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 27812]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-11819]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Final Environmental Impact Statement for the General Management
Plan; Monocacy National Battlefield
AGENCY: National Park Service, Department of the Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact
Statement for the General Management Plan for Monocacy National
Battlefield.
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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 Monocacy National Battlefield. 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 (cultural landscapes and
historic structures); visitor use and interpretation, socioeconomic
environment; transportation, access and circulation; and national
battlefield operations.
The document describes a No Action Alternative (continuation of
existing management) and three Action Alternatives, one of which was
identified as the selected alternative.
Alternative 2 would move the administrative and maintenance staff
into local leased space. An alternative transportation system would be
implemented. New trails would be constructed to outlying features of
the battlefield. Safety improvements would be implemented at the New
Jersey Monument and a commemorative area developed at the Pennsylvania
and Vermont Memorials. A deck crossing Interstate 270 (I-270) would be
constructed.
Alternative 3 would move NPS administration facilities into the
Thomas House and expand the existing maintenance facility. There would
be no alternative transportation system for visitors. New trails would
be constructed to outlying features of the battlefield and safety
improvements would be implemented at the New Jersey Monument. A
commemorative area would be developed at the Pennsylvania and Vermont
Memorials but no new monuments would be allowed.
Alternative 4, the selected preferred alternative, would move NPS
administrative facilities into the Thomas House and an expanded
maintenance facility would be developed at the existing site. Visitors
would transit the battlefield in their automobiles. All historic
structures would be preserved with exhibits in the Worthington House
and Thomas outbuilding. New trails would be constructed to outlying
features of the battlefield and commemorative memorial locations would
be upgraded. A pedestrian-only deck would be constructed over I-270
between the Worthington Farm and Thomas Farm.
The Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the General Management
Plan was made available for public review from September 2008 to July
1, 2009. The official review period following the Federal Register
Notice of Availability was from May 2 to July 1, 2009. Approximately
350 copies of the plan were mailed to agencies, organizations, and the
national battlefield mailing list. In addition, the availability of the
document and information about public meetings were announced in the
local newspaper. Following initial distribution of the draft plan,
three public meetings were held in 2009--June 9 during the review
period, and two on September 24. The NPS received 34 comments 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 Susan Trail, Monocacy National
Battlefield, 4801 Urbana Pike, Frederick, Maryland, or by telephone at
(301) 694-3147.
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 three Action Alternatives for management, development, and
interpretation in the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the
General Management Plan. All Action Alternatives provide for the
preservation of all park cultural and natural resources. However, the
selected preferred alternative (Alternative 4) provides the best
variety of visitor experiences, the widest access to all areas of
Monocacy National Battlefield, and the most appropriate use of historic
resources for interpretive and other park operational purposes.
Overall, it best meets NPS purposes and goals for Monocacy National
Battlefield 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. 2010-11819 Filed 5-17-10; 8:45 am]
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