[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 147 (Wednesday, August 1, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42108-42109]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-14890]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Big Cypress National Preserve Off-Road Vehicle Advisory
Committee; Notice of Establishment
AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of establishment.
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SUMMARY: The Secretary of the Interior is giving notice of the
establishment of the Big Cypress National Preserve Off-Road Vehicle
Advisory Committee to offer recommendations, alternatives and possible
solutions to management of off-road vehicles at Big Cypress National
Preserve.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen Gustin, Superintendent, Big
Cypress National Preserve, 33100 Tamiami Trail E, Ochopee, Florida
34141; 239-695-1103.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Big Cypress National Preserve Off-Road
Vehicle Advisory Committee has been established as directed in the Off-
Road Vehicle Management Plan, 2000. This plan guides the National Park
Service in its management of recreational off-road vehicle (ORV) use in
Big Cypress National Preserve, and tiers off of the Preserve's 1991
General Management
[[Page 42109]]
Plan. The National Park Service agreed to prepare an ORV management
plan as part of a settlement agreement negotiated in 1995 between the
Florida Biodiversity Project and several Federal agencies and bureaus.
The agreement settled a lawsuit which alleged failure by the agencies
to comply with Federal statutes, including the Clean Water Act, the
Endangered Species Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act.
The Off-Road Vehicle Management Plan, 2000 (p. 29) states ``Under
the proposed action, the National Park Service would establish an
advisory committee of concerned citizens to examine issues and make
recommendations regarding the management of ORVs in the Preserve. The
establishment of the committee would meet the legal requirements of the
1972 Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) (Pub. L. 92-463, 1972, as
amended). The advisory committee would provide access to the extensive
knowledge available in the public arena and would offer advice to the
National Park Service in the decision-making process in a manner
consistent with FACA. This committee would be an element of the
adaptive management approach that would be used to develop best
management practices for ORV use.''
As part of the ORV management plan, NPS committed to establishing
the ORV Advisory Committee. In addition, the establishment of the
Committee fulfills the agency's policy of civic engagement. It is
envisioned that this committee will strengthen the relationship that
the NPS has with its partners and communities. The Committee will be
comprised of individuals that represent (1) Sportsmen/ORV users; (2)
landowners; (3) academia; (4) environmental advocates; (5) the state
government, and (6) Tribes.
Certification: I hereby certify that the administrative
establishment of the Big Cypress Off-Road Vehicle Advisory Committee is
necessary and in the public interest in connection with the performance
of duties imposed on the Department of the Interior by the Act of
August 25, 1916, 16 U.S.C. 1 et seq., and other statutes relating to
the administration of the National Park System.
Dated: June 14, 2007.
Dirk Kempthorne,
Secretary of the Interior.
[FR Doc. E7-14890 Filed 7-31-07; 8:45 am]
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