Availability and 30-day Comment Period on an Environmental Assessment for a proposed Exchange of Interests in Lands between the National Park Service and Georgetown University

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Availability and 30-day Comment Period on an Environmental

Assessment for a proposed Exchange of Interests in Lands between the

National Park Service and Georgetown University

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability of an environmental assessment and a 30-

day comment period.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of an environmental

assessment for a proposed exchange of interests in lands between the

National Park Service and Georgetown University.

Written comments on the EA should be received no later than August

21, 1995. A 30-day no action period will follow this comment period and

end on September 20, 1995. Written comments on the EA should be

submitted to Mr. Robert Stanton; Field Director, National Capital Area;

1100 Ohio Drive SW., Washington, DC 20242.

Copies of the EA are available for review between the hours of 9

a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday at the following locations:

Office of Stewardship and Partnerships; National Capital Area; National

Park Service; 1100 Ohio Drive SW., room 201; Washington, DC 20242; and

Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park Headquarters,

Sharpsburg, Maryland 21782. A limited number of copies of the EA are

available on request from Mr. Glenn DeMarr, Office of Stewardship and

Partnerships, room 201; 1100 Ohio Drive SW., Washington, DC. Inquiries

should be directed to Mr. Glenn DeMarr at the above address or on (202)

619-7027.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This proposal is for the exchange of

interests in lands between the National Park Service and Georgetown

University. The National Park Service intends to obtain from Georgetown

University, fee interest in an inholding containing mature, native

vegetation and wildlife located within the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal

National Historical Park. In exchange, the National Park Service will

convey to Georgetown University, a fee interest in another tract in the

already developed portion of the waterfront of the Georgetown section

of the C&O Canal National Historical Park.

The primary purposes of the proposed exchange are: (1) To allow the

National Park Service to acquire and thereby preclude from development,

a largely undisturbed inholding featuring mature trees and native

vegetation and wildlife, and avoid the disruption of adjacent parkland

from regular recreational activities of Georgetown University that

could occur on this tract; and (2) consistent with National Park

Service studies and regional planning, to provide for placement of a

non-motorized boating facility in furtherance of the recreational

mandate of the C&O Canal National Historical Park Act, on property with

less developed natural features.

By acquiring Georgetown University's tract of land, the National

Park Service can ensure that the tract will remain in its present

undeveloped condition, consistent with long-term planning for the area.

Placement of a non-motorized boating facility on the other tract

conforms with the conclusions reached in prior recreational boating

studies.

Dated: July 14, 1995.

Terry R. Carlstrow,

Acting Field Director, National Capital Area.

[FR Doc. 95-17891 Filed 7-19-95; 8:45 am]

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