Environmental statements; notice of intent: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, MI,

FR, February 24, 1998 › Notices › National Park Service

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Federal Register: February 24, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 36)NoticesPage 9252-9253From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

DOCID:fr24fe98-100

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement, and notice of public open house.

SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS) will prepare a General Management Plan (GMP) Amendment, Historic Properties Management Plan, and an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan (hereafter, ``the Lakeshore''), in accordance with section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). This notice is being furnished as required by NEPA Regulations 40 CFR 1501.7.

To facilitate sound planning and environmental analysis, the NPS intends to gather information necessary for the preparation of the EIS, and to obtain suggestions and information from other agencies and the public on the scope of issues to be addressed in the EIS. Comments and suggestions in this scoping process are invited.

Public meetings and open houses will be held during the development of the GMP Amendment and Historic Properties Management Plan (HPMP), and the preparation of the EIS. Notices of the dates, times, and locations of these public sessions will be advertised in local media outlets prior to the events. Information about public sessions and about the management plans and EIS will also be provided through periodic newsletters.

DATES: Public open houses will be held on Friday, March 20 and Saturday, March 21, 1998. Both open houses will be held between 9:30 am and 12 pm at the offices of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, 9922 Front Street, Empire, Michigan.

Written comments and suggestions concerning preparation of the GMP Amendment, HPMP, and EIS should be received by April 17, 1998.

ADDRESS: Written comments and suggestions should be directed to: Superintendent, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, 9922 Front Street, Empire, Michigan 49630.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Superintendent, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, at the above address or at telephone number 616- 326-5134.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Lakeshore's existing general management plan was approved in

[Page 9253]1979. In accordance with National Park Service Management Policies, the GMP sets forth a management concept for the Lakeshore, and identifies broad strategies for resolving issues and achieving management objectives. The GMP amendment described in this notice will only address changes to the GMP necessary to provide an updated foundation for decision-making related to the management of historic properties within the Lakeshore.

The Historic Properties Management Plan is an implementation plan that describes how goals identified in the Lakeshore's GMP and Strategic Plan will be achieved. The Historic Properties Management Plan is identified as a work element in the Lakeshore's Annual Performance Plan. The Annual Performance Plan and the Strategic Plan are required by the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA).

Elements of the Historic Properties Management Plan will include:

  (1) Identification of landscapes and properties that should or may be preserved, and a determination of preservation strategies;

  (2) Identification of landscapes and properties that will not be preserved, and a determination of action strategies, and;

  (3) Identification of how visitors, surrounding communities, other interested groups and the Lakeshore can protect and preserve and adaptively use these landscapes and properties.

The environmental review of the HPMP for Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore will be conducted in accordance with requirements of NEPA (42 U.S.C. Section 4371 et seq.), NEPA regulations (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508), other appropriate Federal regulations, and NPS procedures and policies for compliance with those regulations.

Dated: February 13, 1998. William W. Schenk, Regional Director, Midwest Region.

FR Doc. 98-4564Filed2-23-98; 8:45 amBILLING CODE 4310-70-P