[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 35 (Wednesday, February 21, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 11041]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-4309]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Intent to Prepare a Draft Environmental Statement for the General 
Management Plan, Biscayne National Park, Florida

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare a Draft Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS) for the General Management Plan (GMP), Biscayne 
National Park, Florida.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that in accordance with section 
102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Pub. L. 91-
190, as amended), the National Park Service has begun preparation of a 
Draft EIS on the GMP for Biscayne National Park. The statement will 
assess potential environmental impacts associated with various types 
and levels of visitor use, and resources management within the park. 
Specific issues to be addressed include appropriate levels and types of 
visitor use at various park sites, protection of natural resources such 
as coral reefs and seagrass beds, protection of cultural resources, and 
concerns regarding land use surrounding the park.

DATES: To determine the scope of issues to be addressed in the Draft 
GMP and EIS and identify significant issues related to the project, a 
series of five public meetings were held between January 22 and January 
30, 2001. Additional public meetings will be held at a later date and 
will be announced by local media.
    Comments on this planning effort should be received no later than 
March 9, 2001. In addition, a newsletter with mailback form was 
distributed to provide information about this planning process and to 
obtain public input. The newsletter is posted on the Internet at 
www.nps.gov/bisc.

ADDRESSES: Additional comments or requests for information should be 
addressed to Superintendent, Biscayne National Park, 9700 SW 328th 
Street, Homestead, Florida 33030.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The draft and final environmental impact 
statement will be distributed to all known interested parties and 
appropriate agencies. Full public participation by federal, state, and 
local agencies as well as other concerned organizations and private 
citizens is invited throughout the preparation process of this 
document.
    Biscayne National Park boundaries encompass approximately two-
thirds of Biscayne Bay, protect a rare combination of terrestrial and 
undersea life, preserve a scenic subtropical setting and provide 
outstanding recreational opportunities. Proclaimed as Biscayne National 
Monument in 1968, the area was redesignated in 1980 as Biscayne 
National Park to protect both the historical and natural features. 
These features include the natural environment of Biscayne Bay, the 
subtropical marine ecosystem, populations of fish and wildlife, and 
submerged cultural resources. The environmental impact statement will 
evaluate a range of alternative methods to provide a diverse visitor 
experience while maximizing protection of resources and operational 
efficiency.
    The responsible official for this environmental impact statement is 
Jerry Belson, Regional Director, National Park Service, Southeast 
Region, 100 Alabama Street, SW, 1924 Building, Atlanta, Georgia 30303.
    Our practice is to make comments, including names and home 
addresses of respondents, available for public review during regular 
business hours. If you wish for us to withhold your name and/or 
address, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your 
comment. However, we will not consider anonymous comments. We will make 
all submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals 
identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations 
or businesses, available for public inspection in their entirety.

    Dated: January 25, 2001.
W. Thomas Brown,
Regional Director, Southeast Region.
[FR Doc. 01-4309 Filed 2-20-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-M