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Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the White-Tailed Deer Management Plan, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, IN
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[Federal Register: July 23, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 141)] [Notices] [Page 43545-43546] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr23jy03-77] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR National Park Service Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the White-Tailed Deer Management Plan, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, IN AGENCY: National Park Service, Department of the Interior. SUMMARY: Under the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the National Park Service (NPS) is preparing an environmental impact statement for the White-tailed Deer Management Plan for Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore (Lakeshore). A deer management plan is needed to ensure the local deer population does not become a dominant force within the Lakeshore that negatively influences ecosystem components such as sensitive vegetation or other wildlife. DATES: The NPS will accept comments from the public for 60 days from the date this notice is published in the Federal Register. In addition, the NPS intends to conduct public scoping open houses at the Lakeshore. Please check local newspapers, the Lakeshore's Web site http://www.nps.gov/induor contact the name listed below to find out when and where these open houses will be held. ADDRESSES: Information will be available for public review and comment at the Lakeshore headquarters located at 1100 North Mineral Springs Road, Porter, Indiana, and the Dorothy [[Page 43546]] Buell Memorial Visitor Center, U.S. 12 and Kemil Road, Beverly Shores, Indiana. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Resource Management Program Assistant, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, 219-926-7561, extension 332. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Within eastern national parks such as Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, landscapes have been managed to allow for preservation and rehabilitation of scenic, scientific, and historic lands. The result is a mixture of forest, shrub, and grassland, which constitute excellent habitat for white-tailed deer. Since deer management has not been part of management policies in the majority of parks, the population of deer has greatly increased. Impacts to significant park resources by the deer population could compromise the park's purpose as mandated by Congress in 1966, which was to preserve the exceptional biological diversity found within its boundaries. The objectives of this planning effort include determining a science-based and supportable vegetation and wildlife impact level and corresponding density of deep populations to assist in potential future management actions. The plan would develop and implement an adaptive management approach for maintaining a healthy deer population. Finally, the plan would prevent impacts from deer browsing to sensitive, threatened or endangered plant and animal species. Preliminary alternatives to meet these objectives include fencing, repellents, reproductive control, direct reduction, and a combination of these management strategies. A no action alternative will also be analyzed. A scoping brochure has been prepared that details the issues identified to date, and possible alternatives to be considered. Copies of that information may be obtained from the Resource Management Program Assistant, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, 1100 North Mineral Springs Road, Porter, Indiana 46304, telephone 219-926-7561, extension 332, or the Lakeshore's Web site (http://www.nps.gov/indu).