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Management Plan/Special Resource Study/Record of Decision Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District, VA

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 [Federal Register: November 20, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 224)]
[Notices]
[Page 69784-69785]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20no00-89]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Management Plan/Special Resource Study/Record of Decision
Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District, VA

AGENCIES: Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District
Commission and National Park Service; Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969, the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National
Historic District Commission and the National Park Service have signed
a Record of Decision for the Management Plan/Special Resource Study for
the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District.
    The NPS and the Commission will implement the proposed action
identified in the Abbreviated Final Environmental Impact Statement
(Alternative B: ``Clusters''). A new non-profit organization, the
Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation, will be created to manage
the District.

[[Page 69785]]

Battlefields and related Civil War resources will be protected through
the combined efforts of the Foundation and its partners. Visitor
services and interpretation will be focused at five geographic
groupings--clusters--of battlefields, nearby towns, and other visitor
sites. Each cluster will include a Civil War orientation center to
interpret the stories of that particular cluster within the context of
the larger District. The clusters and other sites in the District will
be linked through brochures, interpretive displays, and a wayfinding
system that emphasizes historic routes.
    The Foundation will represent the varied interests of the District
and serve as the ``lead managing partner'' for implementing the plan.
As principal partners, the Commonwealth of Virginia and the NPS will
serve on the Foundation board and support its operations and programs.
The NPS will also provide technical assistance throughout the District.
    In the Special Resource Study portion of the plan, the NPS analyzed
the District and the battlefields and found that Cedar Creek
Battlefield--currently a National Historic Landmark--meets the criteria
for inclusion in the National Park System. The NPS will present the
study and supporting information to the United States Congress for its
consideration.
    The proposed action is also the environmentally preferred
alternative. Relative to the other alternatives, this alternative would
cause the least damage to the environment and best protect, preserve,
and enhance historic and cultural resources in the District.
    The Commission and the NPS selected the proposed action for several
reasons. It was positively received by those that attended the public
meetings and responded to the newsletter and draft plan/EIS. It best
fulfills the legislative mandate, has the fewest negative impacts, and
generates the greatest degree of local participation. In addition, the
proposed action distributes the economic benefits of tourism most
evenly throughout the District, creates the greatest degree of local
stewardship for battlefield preservation, and offers opportunities to
tell the most complete story of all the alternatives.
    For further information or to receive a complete copy of the Record
of Decision, contact: Shenandoah Valley Battlefields NHD Commission,
P.O. Box 897, 8895 Collins Drive, New Market, Virginia 22844, (888)
689-4545.

    Dated: October 26, 2000.
Marie Rust,
Northeast Regional Director, National Park Service.
[FR Doc. 00-29554 Filed 11-17-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P

 
 

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