Notice of Availability for the Record of Decision on the Final General Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement, Pipestone National Monument, MN

Samenvatting

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 General Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (GMP/ EIS), Pipestone National Monument (national monument), Minnesota. On September 30, 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 NPS will implement the preferred alternative as described in the Final GMP/EIS issued on March 28, 2008. Alternative 1, the preferred alternative, will reduce the development in the heart of the national monument, preserving its setting, site history, and spiritual significance as the source of pipestone. The NPS will remove the visitor center and parking, enabling visitors to see the site much as it appeared prior to 1937. The national monument will acquire a parcel of school district land to the northeast and will seek a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to coordinate management of