[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 38 (Friday, February 26, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 8988]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-4030]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR


Environmental Impact Statements; Availability

AGENCY: National Park Service.

ACTION: Notice of availability for the Record of Decision on the Final 
Environmental Impact Statement, disposition of Bureau of Mines 
property, Twin Cities Research Center Main Campus, Hennepin County, 
Minnesota.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(C)), the National Park Service (NPS) 
announces the availability of the Record of Decision (ROD) for the 
final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the disposition of the 
Bureau of Mines property, Twin Cities Research Center Main Campus 
(Center), Hennepin County, Minnesota. On January 15, 2010, the Midwest 
Regional Director approved the ROD for the project. As soon as 
practicable, the NPS will begin to implement the preferred alternative 
contained in the final EIS.
    The Department of the Interior (Department) selected Alternative D 
(Modification of Land, Structures, or Other Improvements by the Federal 
Government Prior to Conveyance or Retention of the Center), the 
preferred alternative, as described in the final EIS for the 
disposition of the Center issued in December 2009.
    Under Alternative D, the Federal Government will manage and bear 
the cost of modification for all or part of the land, structures, or 
other improvements prior to conveyance or retention of the Center. 
Following completion of the modifications, the Federal Government will 
dispose of the Center property through a transfer to a university or 
nonfederal government entity without conditions, or a transfer to a 
university or nonfederal government entity with conditions, or will 
retain the property. The Department also selected the open space/park 
land use scenario that will convert the Center property to open space 
and natural areas where the focus will be on restoration and use of the 
natural environment. This will be accomplished by removing some or all 
buildings, structures, and roadways. Nonnative plant species will be 
identified and removed. Native vegetation will be planted and the site 
naturalized to recreate the historic characteristics of an open oak 
savanna, prairie-type setting typical to this vicinity.
    The Department--after consideration of the findings of the EIS, the 
review of responses received on the request for proposals for future 
use of the Center property, and the fact that the Center property is 
located within the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area 
(MNRRA) boundary--determined that future management authority will be 
transferred to the NPS.
    The ROD 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 on 
impairment of park resources and values, and an overview of public 
involvement in the decisionmaking process.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Superintendent Paul Labovitz, MNRRA, 
Suite 105, 111 Kellogg Boulevard, East St. Paul, Minnesota 55101; 
telephone 651-290-4160. You may also view the document via the Internet 
through the NPS Planning, Environment, and Public Comment Web site 
(http://parkplanning.nps.gov); simply click on the link to the MNRRA.

    Dated: January 15, 2010.
Ernest Quintana,
Regional Director, Midwest Region.
[FR Doc. 2010-4030 Filed 2-25-10; 8:45 am]
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