[Federal Register: February 28, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 40)]
[Notices]
[Page 9714-9715]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28fe03-140]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for
the General Management Plan for Virgin Islands National Park
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that in accordance with the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the U.S. Department of the Interior,
National Park Service will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement on
the General Management Plan for Virgin Islands National Park. The
statement will assess potential environmental impacts associated with
various types and levels of visitor use and resources management within
the park boundary. Specific issues to be addressed include appropriate
levels and types of visitor use in the park, desired conditions for the
park's cultural and natural resources, and strategies and approaches
needed to achieve and maintain those conditions. In cooperation with
local, territory, and other Federal agencies, attention will also be
given to cooperative management of resources outside the boundaries
that affect the integrity of Virgin Islands National Park.
DATES: Locations, dates, and times of scheduled public scoping meetings
will be published in local newspapers and posted in local libraries.
Information on scheduled meetings may also be obtained by contacting
the Superintendent, Virgin Islands National Park at 340-776-6201. The
purpose of the scoping process is to elicit public comment regarding
the full spectrum of public issues and concerns. Representatives of the
National Park Service will be available to discuss issues, resource
concerns, and the planning process for the GMP and EIS at each of the
public meetings.
ADDRESSES: Any comments or requests for information should be addressed
to: Superintendent, Virgin Islands National Park, P.O. Box 710, St.
John, Virgin Islands, 00831-0710, telephone 340-776-6201.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Barrett, National Park Service,
Southeast Regional Office, 404-562-3124, extension. 637 or John King,
Superintendent, Virgin Islands National Park, 340-776-6201.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Virgin Islands National Park comprises
slightly more than half of the island of St. John and almost nine
square miles of the waters surrounding St. John. Also part of the park
are St. Thomas, Hassel Island, in the Charlotte Amalie harbor, and 15
acres in the Red Hook area. In recognition of its internationally
significant natural resources, the park was designated as a Biosphere
Reserve in 1976 and is one of the few biosphere reserves in the world
to have both significant marine and terrestrial resources. Within its
borders lie protected bays of crystal blue-green waters and an
abundance of coral reef life, white sandy beaches shaded by seagrape
trees, coconut palms, and tropical forests providing habitat for over
800 species of plants. The park's cultural resources are significant in
the settlement and colonization of the New World, maritime history and
commerce, and African American history. The park features relics from
the Pre-Colombian Amerindian civilization, remains of the Danish
Colonial sugar plantations, and reminders of African slavery and the
subsistence culture that followed during the 100 years after
Emancipation. Known submerged resources include 28 shipwrecks recorded
in the vicinity of St. John.
This planning effort will evaluate a range of alternative methods
to provide a quality visitor experience while maximizing protection of
resources and operational efficiency. Public documents associated with
the planning effort, including all newsletters, will be posted on the
Internet through the park's Web site at http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=leavingFR.html&log=linklog&to=http://www.nps.gov/viis.
Our practice is to make the public comments we receive in response
to planning documents, including names and home addresses of
respondents,
[[Page 9715]]
available for public review during regular business hours. If you wish
for us to withhold your name and/or address, you must state this
prominently at the beginning of your comment. Anonymous comments will
be included in the public record, however, the National Park Service is
not legally required to consider or respond to anonymous comments. We
will make all submissions from organizations or businesses and from
individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of
organizations or businesses available for public inspection in their
entirety.
Notification of the availability of the draft and final
environmental impact statement will be made to all known interested
parties and appropriate agencies. Full public participation by Federal,
territory and local agencies as well as other concerned organizations
and private citizens is invited throughout the preparation process of
this document.
The responsible official for this environmental impact statement is
the Regional Director, National Park Service, Southeast Region, 100
Alabama Street SW., Atlanta, Georgia 30303.
Dated: December 11, 2002.
W. Thomas Brown,
Acting Regional Director, Southeast Region.
[FR Doc. 03-4810 Filed 2-27-03; 8:45 am]
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