[Federal Register: December 28, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 248)] [Notices] [Page 71503-71504] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr28de98-91] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision for the Final Environmental Impact Statement, Southern Terminus of the Natchez Trace Parkway SUMMARY: The Department of the Interior, National Park Service has prepared a Record of Decision for the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Natchez Trace Parkway, Section 3X, Southern Terminus in Adams County, Mississippi. This Record of Decision is a statement of the decision made, the background of the project, other alternatives considered, the basis for the decision, the environmentally [[Page 71504]] preferable alternative, measures to minimize environmental harm, and public involvement in the decision making process. DATES: This Record of Decision (ROD) will become effective upon signature by the Regional Director of the Southeast Region of the National Park Service. ADDRESSES: Public reading copies of the Record of Decision for the Natchez Trace Parkway's Southern Terminus (Section 3X) final environmental impact statement will be available for public review at the following locations: 1. Natchez Trace Parkway Headquarters, 2680 Natchez Trace Parkway, Tupelo, Mississippi 38801, (601) 680-4005 2. Natchez National Historical Park, Post Office Box 1208, Natchez, Mississippi 39121, (601) 442-7047 3. Judge George W. Armstrong Library, 220 South Commerce Street, Natchez, Mississippi 39120, (601) 445-8862 4. Jackson/Hinds Library System, Eudora Welty Library, 300 North State Street, Jackson, Mississippi 39201, (601) 968-5809 (This is the Headquarters or main library in Jackson) FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For copies of the ROD or additional information, please contact: Wendell A. Simpson, Superintendent, Natchez Trace Parkway, 2680 Natchez Trace Parkway, Tupelo, Mississippi 38801. Telephone: (601) 680-4004. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Southern Terminus (Section 3X) of the Natchez Trace Parkway is presented in abbreviated form. The abbreviated FEIS includes responses to public comments, errata, and a Statement of Findings for Wetlands. The abbreviated FEIS, when combined with the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, Natchez Trace Parkway, Section 3X, Southern Terminus (May 8, 1998), comprises the complete Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). Only minor revisions to the DEIS were necessary. The National Park Service will implement the preferred alternative, alternative 2--Liberty Road, as described in the Final Environmental Impact Statement, Natchez Trace Parkway, Section 3X, Southern Terminus issued on October 2, 1998. The intent of the preferred alternative (hereafter referred to as the selected alternative) is to complete the southern end of the Natchez Trace Parkway by extending the existing motor road to the city of Natchez, Mississippi, thereby completing the parkway, which was begun in 1938 and fulfilling a major goal of the Natchez Trace Parkway General Management Plan adopted in 1987. The Natchez Trace Parkway currently ends eight miles outside of Natchez at U.S. Highway 61. The parkway has been partially constructed from U.S. 61 to U.S. Highway 84/ 98, but this four-mile segment will not open until a terminus alternative is fully constructed. Under the selected alternative, the parkway will extend four miles past U.S. Highway 84/98 and terminate with an interchange at Liberty Road. The selected alternative includes the construction of 4.2 miles of roadway; interchange bridge, access ramps, and retaining wall construction at Liberty Road; bridge construction at St. Catherine Creek, Melvin Bayou, County Road A, Palestine Road, Perkins Creek, and County Road B; and earth embankments and excavations and related drainage systems and structures. In addition, road crossings will require the relocation of approximately 2,030 feet of County Road A, 760 feet of County Road B, 6,200 feet of County Road P, and 5,410 feet of Palestine Road. The selected alternative alignment will stay within existing NPS owned lands for all but the final 0.5 mile of its total length. This alternative requires the acquisition of 76.8 acres of additional land between St. Catherine Creek and Liberty Road. The enabling legislation for the Natchez Trace Parkway (16 U.S.C., Section 460) prohibits the National Park Service from purchasing land for parkway construction, therefore, the additional land acquisition must be accomplished by other entities, such as the city, county, or state, and donated to the National Park Service. The required land acquisition will include a portion of the southeast edge of the fairgrounds (including portions of a baseball diamond and a horse exercise area) and will displace or relocate 17 residential properties, five commercial properties, and four industrial properties. Of the 76.8 acres to be acquired, 13.5 acres is state land and 63.4 acres is privately owned land. Dated: December 11, 1998. Daniel W. Brown, Regional Director, Southeast Region. [FR Doc. 98-34224 Filed 12-24-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-70-M