[Federal Register: November 13, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 219)]
[Notices]
[Page 64367]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13no03-75]
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DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR
Notice of Availability of a Record of Decision on the Final
Environmental Impact Statement for the General Management Plan, Carl
Sandburg Home National Historic Site, North Carolina
AGENCY: National Park Service.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969, Pub. L. 91-190, 83 Stat. 852, 853, codified as
amended at 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Service announces
the availability of the Record of Decision for the General Management
Plan, Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site, North Carolina. On
September 19, 2003, the Acting Regional Director, Southeast Region
approved the Record of Decision for the project. As soon as
practicable, the National Park Service will begin to implement the
Preferred Alternative contained in the Final Environmental Impact
Statement issued on July 23, 2003. The following course of action will
occur under the preferred alternative:
In the preferred alternative, the park serves as a national focal
point for learning about Carl Sandburg. Access to more in-depth
information about his life and work at Connemara would be provided
through an extensive internet database and other high technology mass
media formats. Visitors who come to the site in person would find
extraordinary opportunities to participate in interpretive programs.
The selected alternative provides high quality museum space where
visitors can gain additional access to information and objects
currently housed in the museum preservation facility. Providing a high
quality interpretive venue is considered an essential component of the
alternative. Additional interpretive venues would be created by
rehabilitating one or more historic structures near the main house or
barn for interpretive program areas, renovating the existing Front Lake
visitor information station to improve its interpretive and visitor
services function, and creating a visitor interpretive center outside
the current authorized boundary of the park. A Congressionally
legislated boundary expansion of up to 110 acres would provide critical
views and boundary protection. The location of the proposed 110 acre
boundary expansion is illustrated in Chapter Two of the GMP/FEIS.
Authorization to acquire approximately 3 to 5 acres for a 5,000 sf
visitor center, parking for approximately 60 cars, and associated
landscaping is also recommended. Given the unpredictable availability
of funding and property, an exact location for the visitor center and
parking area cannot be identified at this time; however, any selected
site would be located west of Highway 25 and south of Little River Road
in the Village of Flat Rock. Any property considered for acquisition by
the National Park Service would be purchased under a willing seller/
willing buyer arrangement, without the exercise of eminent domain.
This course of action plus three other alternatives were analyzed
in the Draft and Final Environmental Impact Statements. The full range
of foreseeable environmental consequences was assessed, and appropriate
mitigating measures were identified.
The Record of Decision includes a statement of the decision made,
synopses of other alternatives considered, the basis for the decision,
a description of the environmentally preferable alternative, a finding
of no impairment to park resources and values, measures to minimize
potential environmental consequences, and an overview of public
involvement in the decision-making process.
DATES: The Record of Decision for the General Management Plan and Final
Environmental Impact Statement for Carl Sandburg Home National Historic
Site was signed by the Acting Regional Director for the National Park
Service Southeast Region on September 19, 2003.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the Record of Decision are available from the
Superintendent, Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site, 1928 Little
River Road, Flat Rock, North Carolina, 28731.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Superintendent, Carl Sandburg Home
National Historic Site, 1928 Little River Road, Flat Rock, North
Carolina, 28731. Telephone: 828-693-4178.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Copies of the Record of Decision may be
obtained from the contact listed above or online at http://www.nps.gov/carl
.
Dated: September 19, 2003.
Wally Hibbard,
Acting Regional Director, Southeast Region.
[FR Doc. 03-28387 Filed 11-12-03; 8:45 am]