[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 239 (Tuesday, December 14, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 77897]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-31308]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[7700-1104-SZS]


Long Walk National Historic Trail Feasibility Study, Abbreviated 
Final Environmental Impact Statement, National Trails Intermountain 
Region, NM

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of the Abbreviated Final Environmental 
Impact Statement for the Long Walk National Historic Trail Feasibility 
Study.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 
(NEPA) 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Service announces the 
availability of the Abbreviated Final Environmental Impact Statement 
for the Long Walk National Historic Trail Feasibility Study, National 
Trails Intermountain Region, New Mexico.
    Four alternatives and their respective environmental consequences 
were presented in the feasibility study. Under alternative A, the no-
action alternative, current practices and policies would continue. A 
national historic trail would not be designated, and interpretation and 
protection of Long Walk-related events and resources would not be 
coordinated. Under alternative B, Congress would designate two national 
historic trails (dual designations) to emphasize the unique removal 
experiences of the Mescalero Apache and Navajo tribes within the 
contextual history. An auto tour route would be established. 
Interpretation and education would emphasize the distinctive tribal and 
individual removal histories. Under alternative C (Environmentally 
Preferable Alternative) one national historic trail would be 
designated, emphasizing the removal experiences common to both tribes. 
An auto tour route would be established. Interpretation and education 
would emphasize overviews of the Long Walk events. Under alternatives B 
and C, the Secretary of the Interior would administer the trail through 
partnerships, primarily with the Mescalero Apache Tribe and Navajo 
Nation. Under alternative D, Congress would provide a grant program to 
the tribes focusing on interpretation and education projects and 
resource protection on tribal lands. All decisions about strategy, 
level of protection, etc., would be made by the tribes. A national 
historic trail would not be designated. No other alternatives were 
considered during the course of the study.
    The feasibility study determined the Long Walk routes fully meet 
the criteria for designation as national historic trails. The overall 
nature of public comments during the review period for the draft study 
supported designation.
    Neither the draft feasibility study nor the abbreviated final 
environmental impact statement identified a preferred alternative. The 
National Park Service has subsequently identified Alternative A, the 
no-action alternative, to be the preferred alternative after requesting 
and considering comments on the draft plan from the Navajo Nation.

DATES: The National Park Service will execute a Record of Decision 
(ROD) no sooner than 30 days following publication by the Environmental 
Protection Agency of the Notice of Availability of the Abbreviated 
Final Environmental Impact Statement.

ADDRESSES: Information will be available for public inspection online 
at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/ntir, in the office of the 
Superintendent, Aaron Mahr, National Trails Intermountain Region, 
National Park Service, PO Box 728, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504-0728; 
(505) 988-6098.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sharon A. Brown, National Trails 
Intermountain Region, National Park Service, PO Box 728, Santa Fe, New 
Mexico 87504-0728; (505) 988-6717.

    Dated: November 26, 2010.
John Wessels,
Regional Director, Intermountain Region, National Park Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-31308 Filed 12-13-10; 8:45 am]
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