[Federal Register: March 13, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 49)]
[Notices]
[Page 11360-11361]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13mr02-127]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Notice of Availability of a General Management Plan, Final
Environmental Impact Statement for Mary McLeod Bethune Council House
National Historic Site, Washington, DC
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102 (2) (c) of the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969, the National Park Service announces the
availability of a final Environmental Impact Statement and General
Management Plan (FEIS/GMP) for Mary McLeod Bethune Council House
National Historic Site, Washington, DC.
DATES: The Draft EIS/GMP was on public review from August 3, 2001
through October 15, 2001. Responses to public comment are addressed in
the FEIS/GMP. A 30-day no-action period will follow the Environmental
Protection Agency's Notice of Availability of the FEIS/GMP. After the
30-day period, a Record of Decision will be signed that will document
NPS approval of the final EIS/GMP and
[[Page 11361]]
identify the selected alternative for implementation.
ADDRESSES: The final EIS/GMP will be mailed to agencies, organizations,
and individuals requesting the document. Copies of the document are
available from Terri Urbanowski, PSD, National Park Service, P.O. Box
25287, Denver, CO 80225-0287 or requests may be mailed to:
MAMC_GMP@nps.gov. Public reading copies of the document will also be
available for review at the following locations:
Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site,
1318 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20020.
National Capital Parks East, 1900 Anacostia Drive, SE,
Washington, DC 20020.
National Capital Region Office of Lands, Resources and
Planning Attention: Gail Cain, 1100 Ohio Drive, NW, Washington, DC
20242.
Frederick Douglass National Historic Site Visitor Center,
1411 W Street, SE, Washington, DC 20020.
In addition the document will be posted on the National
Park Service Planning site under Mary McLeod Bethune Council House
Site, http://www.nps.gov/mamc/pphtml/facts.html.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Consistent with the park's purpose,
significance, and mission goals, 4 alternatives were evaluated for
guiding the management of the park over the next 15 to 20 years. The
alternatives incorporate various management provisions to ensure
resource protection and quality visitor experience conditions. The
environmental consequences anticipated from implementation of the
various alternatives are addressed in the document. Impact topics
include cultural resources, visitor use and experience, socioeconomic
environment, and site administration and facilities. The following
management alternatives were evaluated in the EIS/GMP:
Alternative 1, the no-action alternative, would maintain current
management direction. The Council House would continue to operate as a
visitor center and administrative office area; archival collections and
archive staff offices would remain in the carriage house. Conflicts
would continue to occur between visitor and administrative functions in
the limited space of the Council House resulting in a less than
desirable visitor experience and operational inefficiency. Storage
space for archival collections would remain inadequate.
Alternative 2, the preferred action, would place dual emphasis on
the Council House, which would be used as a museum, and on the
archives. Under this alternative new space would be acquired to
accommodate some visitor services and most administrative offices. The
visitor experience would be enhanced with adequate space to provide
broad and comprehensive interpretative opportunities and exhibits in
the Council House. The primary storage for archival collections would
be in an offsite state-of-the-art facility that would provide enhanced
preservation and protection of stored items. The carriage house would
be renovated and would house a research room, offices for archival
staff, an area for some processing of collections, and space for
frequently accessed collections.
Alternative 3 would commemorate the site through the establishment
of the Bethune Center for Human Rights. The Council House would be used
for interpretation and also would provide a place for groups to meet
and engage in activities, workshops and programs. Materials related to
social justice and human rights would be emphasized in the archival
collections. Additional property would be leased or acquired for
administrative offices and would be the primary space for meetings and
workshops. This space would be the main contact point for visitors, and
access and programmatic interpretation would be provided for visitors
with mobility disabilities at this site. Offsite interpretation would
be expanded with traveling exhibits. The carriage house would be
renovated and expanded to include the archival collections, archival
staff offices, and research space.
Under alternative 4, the Council House would be used as a
traditional National Park Service museum commemorating the life and
times of Mary McLeod Bethune. The Council House would have expanded
exhibit space and an orientation area for visitors. Period furnishings
would be in the Council House and archival collections would illustrate
the highlights of Dr. Bethune's life and activities. Educational
materials would focus on the life contributions and legacy of Dr.
Bethune. Space would be leased offsite to accommodate current archival
collections that would be managed through a contract with others. The
carriage house would be torn down and replaced with a new building that
would house a bookstore, visitor restrooms and administrative offices.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Site Manager Diann Jacox, Mary McLeod
Bethune National Historic Site, 1318 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC
20005, (202) 673-2402; FAX (202) 673-2414; e-mail Diann_Jacox@nps.gov.
Dated: January 23, 2002.
Terry R. Carlstrom,
Regional Director, National Capital Region, National Park Service.
[FR Doc. 02-6039 Filed 3-12-02; 8:45 am]
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