[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 240 (Monday, December 15, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65712-65713]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-32606]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Notice of Availability of Director's Order Concerning Park 
Planning Activities

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS) is converting and updating its 
current system of internal instructions. When these documents contain 
new policy or procedural requirements that may affect parties outside 
the NPS, this information is being made available for public review and 
comment. Director's Order #2 establishes new policies and procedural 
guidance concerning planning activities for units of the National Park 
System.

DATES: Written comments will be accepted until January 14, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Send requests for copies to Warren Brown, National Park 
Service, Division of Park Planning and Special Studies, 1849 C Street 
NW, Room 3230, Washington, D.C. 20240.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Gail Slemmer at (303) 969-2686.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NPS is revising the policies and 
procedures that guide its park planning activities. To accomplish this, 
the planning policies included in National Park Service Management 
Policies (1988) are being revised and the Park Planning Process 
Guideline (NPS-2, 1982) is being rescinded. The new process for park 
planning will be issued as Director's Order #2, in conformance with the 
NPS's new system of internal guidance documents. Director's Order #2 
will contain new policy statements to replace those now contained in 
NPS Management Policies, and new planning procedures and standards that 
will be adhered to, with the following exception: The sections of the 
earlier policies and guidelines addressing new area studies (studies of 
potential additions to the National Park System, wild and scenic rivers 
system, and national trails system) will remain in effect until the are 
updated later in 1998.
    The draft Director's Order establishes a general framework for park 
planning to promote coordination, streamline, and better document 
decision making processes. The order describes four closely related 
planning processes: General Management planning, park strategic 
planning, implementation planning and annual performance planning and 
reporting. The order is designed to help minimize duplication and 
potential inconsistency in park planning by explaining how various 
types of plans and planning processes relate to each other.
    A notice that the NPS park planning guidelines were being updated 
was published in the June 8, 1996, Federal Register, with an invitation 
for interested parties to provide information that should be considered 
by the NPS. A draft Director's Order was released June 15, 1997, for 
review by the public and interested agencies, with comments due by 
August 15, 1997. During the 60-day public review period, the draft 
Director's Order was posted on the Internet and printed copies were 
mailed to national organizations known to have a major interest in NPS 
park planning.
    Comments were received from 45 groups or individuals, including 
park managers and other reviewers within the NPS. National 
organizations that commented included the National Parks and 
Conservation Association, the National Conference of State Historic 
Preservation Officers, and the National Park Hospitality Association. 
Comments were also received from the Office of the Governor in the 
State of Alaska.
    Those commenting generally agreed with the overall approach to park 
planning outlined in the draft Director's Order. Several of their 
suggestions have been incorporated into the revised draft, including 
strengthening the explanation of need for public involvement in the

[[Page 65713]]

planning process, and the need for valid and reliable data as a basis 
for decision-making. Also, a description of planning as a tool for 
determining the appropriate relationship between resource preservation 
and public enjoyment has been added, with some general principles to 
highlight the role that planning plays in accomplishing the NPS 
mission. The document has been re-organized to clarify the relationship 
between required elements of various planning processes and standards 
for those elements. These revisions have involved clarifying and 
strengthening the discussions, with no major changes in policy 
direction.
    The Director's Order will be considered for adoption by the NPS 
within the next 60 days. Anyone wishing to provide further comments may 
obtain a copy at the address and telephone number mentioned above, or 
by accessing a copy on the Internet at http://www.nps.gov/planning.

    Dated: December 8, 1997.
Warren Brown,
Program Manager Park Planning and Special Studies.
[FR Doc. 97-32606 Filed 12-12-97; 8:45 am]
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