Federal Register Notice Published for Cape Hatteras Negotiated Rulemaking Committee

Date: June 29, 2007
Contact: Outer Banks Group, [phone]

Superintendent Mike Murray announced that a Notice of Intent (NOI) has been published in the Federal Register on June 28, 2007 announcing the Secretary of the Interior’s intent to establish a Negotiated Rulemaking Advisory Committee to negotiate and develop special regulations (proposed rule) for management of off-road vehicles (ORV) at Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Seashore). The Notice on Intent can be found in the Federal Register at the following website:

http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/E7-12012.htm

"This Notice of Intent is an important step in moving forward with the establishment of a negotiated rulemaking committee to develop an ORV regulation for the Seashore," said Superintendent Murray. "There is extensive interest in this issue and we encourage the public to comment on the proposal to create this Committee."

In addition, any persons who believe that they will be affected significantly by the proposed rule and who believe their interests will not be represented adequately by the persons identified in this NOI are invited to apply for or nominate another person for membership on the Committee. Each application must contain the information described in the "Application for Membership" section found in the NOI.

HOW TO COMMENT: Written comments and/or applications for membership may be submitted to Mike Murray, Superintendent, Cape Hatteras National Seashore, 1401 National Park Drive, Manteo, North Carolina, 27954. Alternatively, comments and applications may be submitted on-line through the National Park Service (NPS) Planning, Environment and Public Comment system (PEPC) at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/CAHA.

To comment using PEPC, select the "CapeHatterasNational Seashore ORV Management Plan/DEIS project,'' select "documents,'' select this "Notice of Intent," and then select "Comment" and enter your comments. Only comments and/or applications submitted through PEPC or hand-carried or mailed to the address above will be accepted.

Comments and applications received will be available for inspection at the address listed above from 8:30 to 4:00, EST, Monday through Friday following the close of the comment period. Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment – including your personal identifying information – may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal

identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

COMMENT DEADLINE: Comments and/or applications or nominations for membership on the Committee must be received by close of business on July 30, 2007.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Murray, Superintendent, at 252-473-2111, extension 148 or email CAHA_Superintendent @nps.gov. Information may also be found on the PEPC Web site at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/CAHA including links to information about the NEPA planning process for the ORV Management Plan/EIS and the regulatory negotiation process.