Environmental assessment planned

Officials at the Pea Ridge National Military Park announced that they are in the process of developing an environmental assessment (EA) addressing mitigations identified for the park through Section 4(f) because of the removal of U.S. Highway 62 from the park boundaries. The EA will be prepared in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to provide the decision-making framework that 1) analyzes a reasonable range of alternatives to meet project objectives, 2) evaluates issues and impacts on park resources and values, and 3) identifies mitigation measures to lessen the degree or extent of these impacts. The EA will also be used to coordinate compliance with the requirements of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act pursuant to 36 Code of Federal Regulations Part 800.8(c).

The purpose of the EA is to identify a safe and convenient access road and parking to key features in the park while minimizing impacts on cultural and natural resources. The project is needed because the main park road currently serving the developed area will be removed from the park and relocated along the southern park boundary as part of another project with the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department. When U.S. Hwy. 62 is relocated, there will be no road serving as the park entrance. With no road, visitors and employees will not have access to the area.

The public is invited to participate, through consultation with the park, in the analysis of draft alternatives by going to the Planning, Environment and Public Comment website located at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?projectID=46500.

Public review for this plan is currently open and will close July 25, 2014. The public's participation in the development of the EA is greatly valued and desired.

Pea Ridge National Military Park was established in 1956 to commemorate and preserve the site of the March 1862 Civil War battle that helped Union forces gain control of Missouri. The park is located east of Pea Ridge and 10 miles north of Rogers on U.S. Hwy. 62.

General News on 07/02/2014