[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 239 (Tuesday, December 14, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 77897]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-31308]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
[7700-1104-SZS]
Long Walk National Historic Trail Feasibility Study, Abbreviated
Final Environmental Impact Statement, National Trails Intermountain
Region, NM
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Availability of the Abbreviated Final Environmental
Impact Statement for the Long Walk National Historic Trail Feasibility
Study.
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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969,
(NEPA) 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Service announces the
availability of the Abbreviated Final Environmental Impact Statement
for the Long Walk National Historic Trail Feasibility Study, National
Trails Intermountain Region, New Mexico.
Four alternatives and their respective environmental consequences
were presented in the feasibility study. Under alternative A, the no-
action alternative, current practices and policies would continue. A
national historic trail would not be designated, and interpretation and
protection of Long Walk-related events and resources would not be
coordinated. Under alternative B, Congress would designate two national
historic trails (dual designations) to emphasize the unique removal
experiences of the Mescalero Apache and Navajo tribes within the
contextual history. An auto tour route would be established.
Interpretation and education would emphasize the distinctive tribal and
individual removal histories. Under alternative C (Environmentally
Preferable Alternative) one national historic trail would be
designated, emphasizing the removal experiences common to both tribes.
An auto tour route would be established. Interpretation and education
would emphasize overviews of the Long Walk events. Under alternatives B
and C, the Secretary of the Interior would administer the trail through
partnerships, primarily with the Mescalero Apache Tribe and Navajo
Nation. Under alternative D, Congress would provide a grant program to
the tribes focusing on interpretation and education projects and
resource protection on tribal lands. All decisions about strategy,
level of protection, etc., would be made by the tribes. A national
historic trail would not be designated. No other alternatives were
considered during the course of the study.
The feasibility study determined the Long Walk routes fully meet
the criteria for designation as national historic trails. The overall
nature of public comments during the review period for the draft study
supported designation.
Neither the draft feasibility study nor the abbreviated final
environmental impact statement identified a preferred alternative. The
National Park Service has subsequently identified Alternative A, the
no-action alternative, to be the preferred alternative after requesting
and considering comments on the draft plan from the Navajo Nation.
DATES: The National Park Service 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 Abbreviated
Final Environmental Impact Statement.
ADDRESSES: Information will be available for public inspection online
at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/ntir, in the office of the
Superintendent, Aaron Mahr, National Trails Intermountain Region,
National Park Service, PO Box 728, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504-0728;
(505) 988-6098.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sharon A. Brown, National Trails
Intermountain Region, National Park Service, PO Box 728, Santa Fe, New
Mexico 87504-0728; (505) 988-6717.
Dated: November 26, 2010.
John Wessels,
Regional Director, Intermountain Region, National Park Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-31308 Filed 12-13-10; 8:45 am]
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