Jump to main content.

Notice of Availability of a Record of Decision, White-tailed Deer Management Plan and Final Environmental Impact Statement Catoctin Mountain Park, MD

Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.

PDF Version (2 pp, 49K, About PDF)

[Federal Register: July 10, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 131)]
[Notices]
[Page 33277-33278]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr10jy09-74]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service

Notice of Availability of a Record of Decision, White-tailed Deer
Management Plan and Final Environmental Impact Statement Catoctin
Mountain Park, MD

AGENCY: National Park Service, Department of the Interior.
ACTION: Notice of Availability of a Record of Decision on the White-
tailed Deer Management Plan/Final Environmental Impact Statement for
Catoctin Mountain Park, Maryland.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42
U.S.C. 4332(2)(C), the National Park Service announces the availability
of the Record of Decision for the White-tailed Deer Management Plan/
Final Environmental Impact Statement (Plan/FEIS) for Catoctin Mountain
Park, Maryland. The Plan/FEIS analyzed four alternatives. Alternative
C, the selected alternative, includes two lethal actions that will be
used in combination to reduce and control deer herd numbers. Qualified
federal employees or contractors will conduct sharpshooting to reduce
the deer population, and individual deer will be captured and euthanized
in certain circumstances where sharpshooting is not appropriate.

DATES: The Record of Decision for the project was approved on April 17,
2009, by the Regional Director, National Capital Region, National Park
Service. As soon as practicable, the National Park Service will begin
to implement the Preferred Alternative contained in the Final
Environmental Impact Statement issued on December 12, 2008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Copies of the Record of Decision may
be obtained from Becky Loncosky, Park Biologist, Catoctin Mountain
Park, 6602 Foxville Road, Thurmont, Maryland 21788, (301) 416-0135, or
Online at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/cato.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  Alternative A was the No Action Alternative
studied by the Plan/EIS. The three Action Alternatives each used
different combinations of non-lethal and lethal management tools to
reduce the deer population and thus address declining forest
regeneration and ensure that natural processes (including the presence
of deer) support native vegetation, wildlife, and the cultural
landscape of the park.
    All Action Alternatives included limited fencing, use of repellents
around landscaped areas, deer and vegetation monitoring, data
management, and research, as currently implemented under the No Action
Alternative. Action Alternatives also utilize an adaptive management
strategy in order to better manage based on uncertainty concerning the
impacts that the change in deer population densities will have on
vegetation recovery. By using an adaptive management approach, park
managers will be able to change the timing or intensity of management
treatments to better meet the goals of the plan as new information is
obtained.
    Alternative B combined several non-lethal actions including large-
scale exclosures (fencing), additional use of repellents in limited
areas, and reproductive control of does to gradually reduce the deer
population in the park.
    Alternative C will utilize two lethal actions in combination to
reduce and control deer herd numbers. Qualified federal employees or
contractors will conduct sharpshooting to reduce the deer population,
and individual deer will be captured and euthanized in circumstances
where sharpshooting is determined to be inappropriate.
    Alternative D combined elements from alternatives B and C to
include sharpshooting, capture and euthanasia, and reproductive control
of does. For all alternatives, the full range of foreseeable

[[Page 33278]]

environmental consequences was assessed and appropriate mitigating
measures were identified.
    The Record of Decision includes a description of the project's
background, a statement of the decision made, synopses of other
alternatives considered, the basis for the decision, findings on
impairment of park resources and values, a description of the
environmentally preferred alternative, a listing of measures to
minimize environmental harm, and an overview of public involvement in
the decision-making process.

    Dated: June 2, 2009.
Margaret O'Dell,
Regional Director, National Capital Region.
[FR Doc. E9-16329 Filed 7-9-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4312-59-P

 
 

Local Navigation

Jump to main content.