[Federal Register: May 13, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 92)] [Notices] [Page 25904] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr13my99-89] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service Wilson's Creek National Battlefield, General Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare a General Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement for Wilson's Creek National Battlefield, Missouri. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS) will prepare a General Management Plan (GMP) and an associated Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Wilson's Creek National Battlefield, Missouri, 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 assessment, 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 participation in this scoping process are invited. Participation in the planning process will be encouraged and facilitated by various means, including a newsletter and open houses. The NPS will conduct a series of public scoping meetings to explain the planning process and to solicit opinion about issues to address in the GMP/EIS. Notification of all such meetings will be announced in the local press and in NPS newsletters. Dates: Public scoping meetings will be held on May 25 and 26. On Tuesday, May 25 the meeting will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Visitor Center, 6424 West Farm Road 182 (intersection of Farm Road 182 and ZZ Highway) Republic, Missouri. On Wednesday, May 26 the meeting will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Busch Municipal Building, 840 Boonville, Springfield, Missouri. Addresses: Written comments and information concerning the scope of the EIS and other matters should be directed to: Superintendent, Wilson's Creek National Battlefield, 6424 West Farm Road 182, Republic, Missouri 65738. For Further Information Contact: Mr. Gary Sullivan, Wilson's Creek National Battlefield, 6424 West Farm Road 182, Republic, Missouri 65738, 417-882-9144, gary__sullivan@nps.gov. Supplementary Information: Wilson's Creek National Battlefield was established to preserve one of the first major Civil War Battlefields and the site of the first Union General killed in the War. The public's enjoyment of the Battlefield is facilitated by providing a safe and accessible visitors center, museum, research library, roads, and trails; preserving and restoring the 1861 rural, agricultural setting, and encouraging its preservation around the park. The park also provides habitat for endangered species, and recreational opportunities that do not impair resource preservation, and the commemoration and interpretation of the Battle. Management of the Battlefield currently is guided by a 1977 master plan, which has become outdated. In accordance with NPS Park Planning policy, the GMP will ensure the Battlefield has a clearly defined direction for resource preservation and visitor use. It will be developed in consultation with servicewide program managers, interested parties, and the general public. It will be based on an adequate analysis of existing and potential resource conditions and visitor experiences, environmental impacts, and costs of alternative courses of action. The environmental review of the GMP/EIS for the Battlefield will be conducted in accordance with requirements of the NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4371 et seq.), NEPA regulations (40 CFR part 1500-1508), other appropriate Federal regulations, and National Park Service procedures and policies for compliance with those regulations. The National Park Service estimates the draft GMP and draft EIS will be available to the public by September 2000. Dated: May 6, 1999. David N. Given, Deputy Regional Director, Midwest Region. [FR Doc. 99-12088 Filed 5-12-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-10-P