[Federal Register: July 16, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 136)]
[Notices]               
[Page 38466]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16jy99-100]                         

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

 
Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge Historic Preservation Plan

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has issued the Midway Atoll 
National Wildlife Refuge Historic Preservation Plan as part of its 
responsibilities for the long-term management of historic properties on 
Midway Atoll. This plan defines a program to integrate historic 
preservation planning with the wildlife conservation mission of the 
Service. By this notice, the public is informed that the plan is 
available and that copies may be obtained on request to the Service.

ADDRESSES: Written requests for copies should be addressed to: U.S.A. 
Fish and Wildlife Service--Pacific Islands Ecoregion, Box 50088, 
Honolulu, HI 96850.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert P. Smith, Pacific Islands 
Manager, telephone (808) 541-2749.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Midway's historically important buildings 
and structures are primarily associated with World War II. Nine 
structures specifically associated with the June 1942 Battle of Midway 
were designated as National Historic Landmarks in 1986. Archaeological 
and architectural studies conducted in 1993 and 1994 identified and 
evaluated buildings, structures, and objects on the atoll's two main 
islands and determined that an additional 69 properties were eligible 
to the National Register of Historic Places.
    The Base Realignment and Closure Act of 1990, Pub. L. 101-510, as 
amended, led to the closure of Midway's Naval Air Facility on October 
1, 1993 and transfer of the property to the Service on October 31, 
1996. Transition from a Naval Air Facility to a wildlife refuge 
necessitated a reduction in personnel and operational facilities. 
Therefore, identifying excess property was accomplished by the U.S. 
Navy and the Service in consultation with the Advisory Council on 
Historic Preservation (Council), the Hawaii State Historic Preservation 
Officer, and interested parties. Treatment of Midway's 78 historic 
properties during the Base Closure and transfer led to a Programmatic 
Agreement in 1996. One of the stipulations in the agreement was for the 
Service to prepare a Historic Preservation Plan for the long-term 
management of historic properties.
    Midway and Midway's Historic Preservation Plan are unique in 
several respects: first, the plan focuses on treatment of properties 
that have been previously identified and evaluated; second, some 
treatment options for Midway were determined by the Programmatic 
Agreement and implemented, with adverse effects mitigated by completion 
of documentation for all historic properties; third, the mission 
statement and primary goals of Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge 
include preservation of historic resources. This Historic Preservation 
Plan focuses on long-term management conditions and goals for 
preserving and stabilizing historic properties, and recommends 
procedures for treating new discoveries, caring for museum collections, 
and implementing a public outreach program that includes historic 
preservation.

    Dated: July 9, 1999.
Thomas Dwyer,
Acting Regional Director, Pacific Region.
[FR Doc. 99-18158 Filed 7-15-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M