[Federal Register: July 29, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 145)]
[Notices]
[Page 49034]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr29jy02-53]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Acadia National Park; Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement for the Schoodic General Management Plan
Amendment
SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of
1969 [Pub. L. 91-109 Section 102(c)], the National Park Service is
preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Schoodic
General Management Plan Amendment. The purpose of the EIS is to assess
the impacts of alternative management strategies that will be described
in the general management plan amendment for the Schoodic District of
Acadia National Park. The National Park Service is formulating a range
of alternatives for natural and cultural resource protection, visitor
use and interpretation, facilities development, and operations.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Acadia National Park encompasses 100.1 acres
of the former Naval Security Group Activity Winter Harbor at Schoodic
Point. The former Navy base contains approximately 40 major buildings
totaling 178,000 square feet that include a dormitory, apartment
complex, cafeteria, medical clinic, fire station, commissary,
gymnasium, child day-care center, maintenance facility, recreational
facilities, warehouse, and related utility systems. The original Navy
apartment and operations building and its generator house are eligible
for the National Register of Historic Places.
Pursuant to Public Laws 80-260 and 107-107, the Department of the
Navy transferred its property at Schoodic Point to the NPS on July 1,
2002. The NPS is preparing an amendment to Acadia's 1992 General
Management Plan for the 2,366-acre Schoodic District of the park to
determine the appropriate range of uses for the former Navy facilities
and address effects on the park's resources and visitor experiences at
Schoodic. The Schoodic District is zoned a ``natural area'' in the
park's 1992 General Management Plan and is managed to retain its
current use levels and opportunities for low-density recreation.
The three alternatives for the reuse of the site include: (1)
Multi-partner approach; (2) National Park Service approach; and (3) no
action, as required by the National Environmental Policy Act. The
multi-partner approach will emphasize the use and occupancy of the site
for research and educational purposes by one or more partners. The
partners would contribute to the park's research and education efforts
and conduct programs that are consistent with its mission. This
alternative will also accommodate the uses described under the National
Park Service approach. The National Park Service approach will
emphasize the park's use of the site for administering the Schoodic
District, providing interpretive services to visitors, facilitating
park-specific research, offering resident environmental education
programs, and housing NPS employees.
Public Scoping
The NPS is seeking feedback from interested parties who wish to
express concerns, make suggestions, and raise issues about the future
development and management of the Schoodic District of Acadia National
Park. You may submit written comments on the general management plan
amendment alternatives, scope of the EIS, and related issues to the
National Park Service by postal mail, fax, e-mail, or hand delivery.
Mail comments to: Superintendent, Acadia National Park, P.O. Box 177,
Bar Harbor, Maine 04609. Fax comments to: (207) 288-5507. E-mail
comments to: acad_planning@nps.gov. Hand deliver comments during normal
business hours to: Acadia National Park Headquarters, McFarland Hill,
Rt. 233, Bar Harbor, Maine. Please include your complete name and
address along with your comments. If you wish to have your name and
address withheld from the public record, you must state so prominently
at the beginning of your comments. We will honor your request to the
extent allowable by law. Comments must be submitted within 30 calendar
days from July 29, 2002.
A draft general management plan amendment and EIS is expected to be
completed and available for public review in early fall 2002. After
public and agency review of the draft document, the NPS will consider
comments and complete a final general management plan amendment and EIS
in early 2003, with a Record of Decision to follow.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John T. Kelly, Park Planner, at Acadia
National Park, P.O. Box 177, Bar Harbor, Maine 04609; telephone: (207)
288-5472; fax: (207) 288-5507; e-mail: john_t_kelly@nps.gov. Additional
information about the Schoodic General Management Plan Amendment and
EIS is also available on Acadia National Park's Web site at:
www.nps.gov/acad/schoodic/intro.htm.
Dated: July 18, 2002.
Paul F. Haertel,
Superintendent, Acadia National Park.
[FR Doc. 02-19096 Filed 7-26-02; 8:45 am]
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