National Park Service
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
400 Pine Canyon Drive
U.S. Department of the Interior
Salt Flat, TX 79847
915-828-3251 phone
Guadalupe Mountains News Release
Release date: Immediate
Contact(s):
Karl M. Pierce
Phone number: 915-828-3251 x 2300
Email: Karl_Pierce@nps.gov
Date: May 8, 2012
Guadalupe Mountains National Park Invites Public Input on
Proposal to Enhance Visitor Use at Salt Basin Dunes Area
(Pine Springs, TX) Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Superintendent Dennis A. Vásquez announced that the National Park Service (NPS)
is initiating a plan to enhance visitor use at the Salt Basin Dunes area on the
west side of the park. The NPS is seeking public input on a proposal to improve
trail head facilities in an area of the park that includes the second largest
gypsum dune field in the United States, as well as cultural sites, wildlife and
plant life.
The area was added to the national park in 1998 and has
been accessible to the public on a limited basis. The NPS proposes to improve
public access by improving road access and providing facilities to include
parking for up to 10 vehicles, restrooms, and a shaded picnic shelter. The
public is invited to review a draft document, which outlines the background and
possible alternatives. The document can be found at the NPS planning site < http://www.parkplanning.nps.gov/>.
The NPS will complete an environmental analysis
consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and National
Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). It is anticipated that this process will take
approximately 90 days to complete and this is the first of two points in the
process where public comments will be invited. The plan and environmental
assessment will take into consideration ideas, issues, concerns and visions of
park staff and the public for the Salt Basin Dunes. Visitor access to the Salt
Basin Dunes has been addressed in the park’s Draft General Management Plan/Environmental
Impact Statement (February 2008).
Vásquez stated, “We would like to hear from the public
about our proposal to improve the visitor access and experience in the Salt
Basin Dunes area. Once we have a complete list of issues, we will define
planning alternatives and prepare a Development Concept Plan/Environmental
Assessment for public review and comment.”
Public comments may be submitted from May 9, 2012 through
June 7, 2012, via the electronic public comment form on the National Park
Service Planning, Environment and Public Comment
(PEPC) System at http://www.parkplanning.nps.gov/,
which is the preferred method, however comments may also be hand-delivered or
mailed to Superintendent, Guadalupe Mountains National Park, 400 Pine Canyon
Drive, Salt Flat, Texas 79847.
Notice Regarding Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) It is
the practice of the NPS to make all comments, including names and addresses of
respondents who provide that information, available for public review following
the conclusion of the environmental assessment process. Individuals may request
that the NPS withhold their name and/or address from public disclosure. If you
wish to do this, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your
comment. Commentators using the website can make such a request by checking the
box “keep my contact information private.” NPS will honor such request to the
extent allowable by law, but you should be aware that the NPS may still be
required to disclose your name and address pursuant to the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA).
We will make all submissions from organizations,
businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or
officials of organizations or businesses available for public inspection in
their entirety.
-NPS-
EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA™
The National Park Service cares for special places saved
by the American people so that all may experience our heritage.
No comments:
Post a Comment