Final Environmental Impact Statement for General Management Plan, Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia and North Carolina

Shawn T. Benge
National Park Service
January 15, 2013

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 10 (Tuesday, January 15, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 3028]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-00691]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

[NPS-SERO-BLRI-11177; 2031-A048-409]


Final Environmental Impact Statement for General Management Plan, 
Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia and North Carolina

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Availability.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 
U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Service (NPS) announces the 
availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the 
General Management Plan (GMP) for Blue Ridge Parkway (parkway). 
Consistent with NPS laws, regulations, and policies and the purpose of 
the parkway, the FEIS/GMP will guide the management of the parkway over 
the next 20+ years.

DATES: The NPS will execute a Record of Decision (ROD) no sooner than 
30 days following publication of the Environmental Protection Agency of 
its Notice of Availability of the FEIS/GMP in the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of the FEIS/GMP will be available online 
at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/BLRI. To request a copy, contact 
Superintendent Phil Francis, Blue Ridge Parkway, 199 Hemphill Knob 
Road, Asheville, NC 28803.
    A limited number of compact disks and printed copies of the FEIS/
GMP will be made available at Blue Ridge Parkway Headquarters, 199 
Hemphill Knob Road, Asheville, NC 28803.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Superintendent Phil Francis, Blue 
Ridge Parkway, 199 Hemphill Knob Road, Asheville, NC 28803; telephone 
(828) 271-4779.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FEIS/GMP responds to, and incorporates, 
agency and public comments received on the draft plan/EIS, which was 
available for public review from October 7, 2011, through December 16, 
2011. Four public meetings were held from November 2, 2011, through 
November 10, 2011, to gather input on the draft plan/EIS. There were 
3,360 pieces of correspondence received during the public review 
period. The NPS responses to substantive agency and public comments are 
provided in Chapter 5, Consultation and Coordination section, of the 
FEIS/GMP.
    The FEIS/GMP evaluates three alternatives for managing use and 
development of the parkway. The NPS preferred alternative is 
Alternative B, which emphasizes the original parkway design and 
traditional driving experience, while enhancing outdoor recreation 
opportunities and regional natural resource connectivity, and providing 
modest improvements to visitor services. In essence, it seeks to 
reinvest in the parkway's aging infrastructure, update inadequate 
visitor services and facilities and protect a natural environment that 
is only surpassed in biologically diversity by two other units in the 
national park system. When approved, the plan will guide the management 
of the parkway over the next 20+ years.
    The responsible official for this FEIS/GMP is the Regional 
Director, NPS Southeast Region, 100 Alabama Street SW., 1924 Building, 
Atlanta, Georgia 30303.

    Dated: January 9, 2013.
Shawn T. Benge,
Acting Regional Director, Southeast Region.
[FR Doc. 2013-00691 Filed 1-14-13; 8:45 am]
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