National Wild and Scenic Rivers System; Notice of Approval

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

National Wild and Scenic Rivers System; Notice of Approval

SUMMARY: Pursuant to the authority granted the Secretary of the

Interior by Section 2 of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (82 Stat. 906,

16 U.S.C. 1273), and upon proper application of the Governor of the

State of North Carolina, an 81-mile segment of the Lumber River is

hereby designated as a State-administered component of the National

Wild and Scenic Rivers System. This action is based on the designation

of the river by the State of North Carolina and the protection offered

this river and its immediate environment by and

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pursuant to applicable State laws and regulations.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wallace Brittain, National Park

Service, Southeast Region, Atlanta Federal Center, 1924 Building, 100

Alabama Street, S.W., Atlanta, Georgia, 30303; or telephone 404-562-

3175.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April 15, 1996, North Carolina Governor

James Hunt petitioned the Secretary of the Interior to add a segment of

the Lumber River to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Section

2(a)(ii) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act allows a Governor to request

that rivers already protected in a State System be included in the

National System. In his application, Governor Hunt requested that 115

miles of the Lumber River be designated.

The responsibility for making determinations of eligibility has

been delegated to the National Park Service. Requirements for the

National Environmental Policy Act, Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, Clean

Water Act, Endangered Species Act, Migratory Bird Conservation Act,

National Preservation Act, all NPS directives, and all applicable

executive orders were followed throughout this study. All existing and

proposed river management plans have likewise complied with all

provisions of relevant statutes, regulations, and executive orders.

A draft of the National Park Service's eligibility report and

environmental assessment was released for a 45-day public review period

beginning on April 6, 1998. The review period was extended 21 days; all

comments postmarked by June 12, 1998, were considered timely. Twenty-

three comments were received; all letters supported designation, none

opposed.

The National Park Service found that 81 miles met the four criteria

that a state-managed river must meet under the Act. These criteria are:

(1) designation of the river into a State river protection system; (2)

management of the river by a political subdivision of the State; (3)

possession of eligibility criteria common to all national wild and

scenic rivers, that is, the river is free-flowing and possesses one or

more outstandingly remarkable values; (4) the existence of effective

mechanisms and regulations to protect the Lumber River without Federal

management.

Based on the recommendations of the National Park Service and a

review of all relevant documents, I have determined that 81 miles of

the Lumber River, from State Route 1412/1203 (River Mile 0) to the

Scotland/Robeson County lines at the end of the Maxton Airport Swamp

(approximately River Mile 22) and the reach of the Lumber River

including the city of Lumberton (River Mile 56) to the North Carolina/

South Carolina border (River Mile 115), be designated as parts of the

National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The portions of the 81 miles

that flow through the city of Lumberton and the town of Fair Bluff are

classified as Recreational; the rest is classified as Scenic.

Dated: September 25, 1998.

Bruce Babbitt,

Secretary of the Interior.

[FR Doc. 98-26695 Filed 10-5-98; 8:45 am]

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