[Federal Register: December 15, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 241)]
[Notices]
[Page 76054-76055]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr15de08-74]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) for the General Management Plan (GMP) for Chickamauga and
Chattanooga National Military Park in Tennessee and Georgia
SUMMARY: Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C) of the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969 and Director's Order Number 12 (Conservation
Planning, Environmental Impact Analysis, and Decision-Making) the NPS
is preparing an EIS for a GMP for Chickamauga and Chattanooga National
Military Park, located in Tennessee and Georgia.
The GMP will prescribe the desired resource conditions and visitor
experience opportunities that are to be achieved and maintained in the
park over approximately the next 15 to 20 years. The park's purpose,
significance, special mandates, and relevant laws and policies
directing park management will be reviewed and assessed to establish
the foundation for the GMP. The GMP will build upon these foundation
elements to determine the appropriate type, level and location for
resource management activities, visitor use, and potential development.
In consultation with the park's stakeholders (i.e., government
agencies, affiliated tribal representatives, partnership organizations,
and other concerned members of the public), issues bearing on the long-
term management of the park will be factored into the development of a
reasonable range of management alternatives. The resource impacts and
other anticipated consequences of implementing the planning
alternatives will be assessed in the EIS.
From initial discussions among NPS planners, park staff and
partners, issues that are anticipated to be addressed by the GMP will
include (but are not limited to) the following: Long-term management of
the battlefield landscape to achieve objectives for restoring historic
viewsheds and protecting important cultural and natural resources;
articulation of resource stewardship and visitor management
prescriptions for the recently acquired Moccasin Bend National
Archeological District; determination of a range of appropriate and
compatible visitor activities in the park; and, identification of
opportunities for collaboration and partnership with community leaders
and other entities to ensure park values are understood and considered
in local decision making (e.g., viewshed protection and adjacent land-
use).
DATES: Any comments on the scope of issues to be addressed in the GMP
should be submitted no later than 30 days after public meetings. Public
scoping meetings regarding the GMP will be held to allow an opportunity
for stakeholders and other members of the public to bring issues and
other concerns to the attention of the NPS planning team. Government-
to-government meetings with tribal representatives will also be held.
Specific dates, times, and locations will be made available in the
local media, on the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC)
Web site (http://parkplanning.nps.gov/chch), or by contacting the
Superintendent of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park.
ADDRESSES: Information on the planning process and copies of
newsletters will be available from the office of the Superintendent,
Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, P.O. Box 2128, Fort
Oglethorpe, GA 30742.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public and agency involvement will be
solicited at several key steps in the planning process including
initial scoping, alternatives development, and the draft plan. If you
wish to comment on any issues associated with the GMP, you may submit
your concerns to the planning team by any of several methods. You may
mail comments to Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park,
P.O. Box 2128, Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia 30742. You may comment
electronically at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/chch. You may also hand-
deliver comments to park headquarters located at 3370 LaFayette Road,
Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia. Before including your address, phone number,
e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your
comment, be advised that your entire comment--including your personal
identifying information--may be made publicly available at any time.
While you can ask us in your comment to withhold from public review
your
[[Page 76055]]
personal identifying information, we cannot guarantee that we will be
able to do so.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Superintendent Shawn Benge,
Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, P.O. Box 2128, Fort
Oglethorpe, GA 30742; phone: (423) 752-5213. The responsible official
for this EIS is the Regional Director, Southeast Region, National Park
Service, 100 Alabama Street, SW., 1924 Building, Atlanta, Georgia
30303.
Authority: The authority for publishing this notice is contained
in 40 CFR 1506.6.
Dated: November 3, 2008.
David Vela,
Regional Director, Southeast Region, National Park Service.
[FR Doc. E8-29520 Filed 12-12-08; 8:45 am]
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