[Federal Register: October 18, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 200)]
[Notices]               
[Page 56215-56216]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr18oc99-62]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

 
Missouri National Recreational River (59-mile District) 
Availability of Final Environmental Impact Statement and General 
Management Plan.

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.


[[Page 56216]]


ACTION: Availability of final Environmental Impact Statement and 
General Management Plan.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, the National Park Service (NPS) announces 
the availability of a final environmental impact statement (FEIS) and 
General Management Plan (GMP) for the Missouri National Recreational 
River 59-mile district located in portions of Clay, Union, and Yankton 
counties, South Dakota; and Cedar, Dixon, and Knox counties in 
Nebraska. The draft environmental impact statement and general 
management plan for the recreational river was on public review from 
October 5 to December 18, 1998. The FEIS responds to Public Law 95-625 
(1978), which amends the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act by adding a 59-mile 
reach of the Missouri River below the Gavins Point Dam to the National 
Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The NPS prepared this FEIS to update a 
previous management plan written in 1980 by the Heritage Conservation 
and Recreation Service and only partially implemented. Cooperating 
agencies included the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service; Nebraska Game and Parks Commission; South Dakota 
Game, Fish, and Parks Department; South Dakota Region Three Planning; 
and Nebraska Lewis and Clark Planning District.
    The NPS's preferred alternative for the Missouri National 
Recreational River is identified in the FEIS as Alternative 2. The 
preferred alternative would provide for maintenance and restoration of 
biologic values and would seek to minimize the effects of the mainstem 
dams. It also would provide for management activities that would 
emphasize the history and culture of the river and its surroundings. In 
this preferred alternative, as well as alternative 3, the Corps of 
Engineers (COE) and the NPS would manage the area through a cooperative 
agreement. The COE would function as the day-to-day manager of the 
water-related resources, while the NPS would administer the land-
related resources. The agencies would work together where their 
responsibilities overlapped. Two other alternatives were also 
considered. The no-action alternative (alternative 1) would continue a 
current cooperative agreement and otherwise provides a baseline for 
comparison of the other alternatives; and alternative 3, providing 
increased recreational emphasis on the river. Partnerships with local 
entities would be sought to provide services in all alternatives.
    The boundary in alternatives 2 and 3 is the same. It differs 
slightly from the existing boundary in alternative 1, chiefly by adding 
several historic sites. Both boundaries include important examples of 
the river's outstandingly remarkable resources.

DATES: The 30-day no action period for review of the FEIS ends on 
November 15, 1999. A record of decision will be issued following the no 
action period.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Hedren, Superintendent, Missouri 
National Recreational River, P.O. Box 591, O'Neill, Nebraska 68763, or 
by e-mail to

MNRR__Superintendent@nps.gov,

or call 402-336-3970.

    Dated: October 7, 1999.
David N. Given,
Deputy Regional Director, Midwest Region.
[FR Doc. 99-27118 Filed 10-15-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P