[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 185 (Friday, September 24, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57355-57356]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-21473]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of the Secretary


Notice of Establishment

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Establishment of Great Sand Dunes National Park.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to Public Law 106-530 (114 Stat. 2529, 16 U.S.C. 
410hhh-2), the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve Act of 2000, 
on September

[[Page 57356]]

13, 2004, I made the following determination establishing the Great 
Sand Dunes National Park in Saguache and Alamosa counties in southern 
Colorado:
    Whereas, the Great Sand Dunes National Monument was established for 
``the preservation of the great sand dunes'' on March 17, 1932;
    Whereas, the great sand dunes `` an ancient landscape sculpted by 
the relentless forces of wind and water--offer breath-taking beauty, 
rare plant and animal life, and rich geological and cultural history;
    Whereas, Congress, in the Great Sand Dunes National Park and 
Preserve Act, authored by Senator Wayne Allard, Senator Ben Nighthorse 
Campbell, and Representative Scott McInnis of Colorado, inspired by the 
people of the San Luis Valley, sought to provide long-term protection 
of the area and ensure opportunities for visitors to enjoy its 
splendor;
    Whereas, Congress authorized the Secretary of the Interior to 
designate the existing national monument and additional lands as a 
national park once sufficient land with a sufficient diversity of 
resources was acquired;
    Whereas, the National Park Service now has assumed management for 
31,000 acres adjacent to the monument as provided by the Act;
    Whereas, the Director of the National Park Service recommends that 
the Great Sand Dunes National Monument, together with additional lands, 
be designated a national park;
    Therefore, having determined that the United States has acquired 
sufficient land having a sufficient diversity of resources to warrant 
designation of the land as a national park, by the authority vested in 
me under Section 4 of the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve 
Act (114 Stat. 2529), and with the approval of President George W. 
Bush, I do hereby designate the existing Great Sand Dunes National 
Monument, together with additional lands cited in said Act, as the 
Great Sand Dunes National Park.
    Pursuant to section 5(b) of Public Law 106-530 (16 U.S.C. 410hhh-
3(b)), as soon as practicable, a map and legal description of the Great 
Sand Dunes National Park will be on file and available for public 
inspection at the address below.

DATES: This action is effective upon publication in the Federal 
Register.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Chaney, Superintendent, Great 
Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, 11500 Hwy 150, Mosca, Colorado 
81146-9798.

    Dated: September 16, 2004.
Gale A. Norton,
Secretary of the Interior.
[FR Doc. 04-21473 Filed 9-23-04; 8:45 am]
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