5.1 Transmit Internal Draft for Region Review

The draft GMP/EIS is transmitted to the region office for review and comment.

5.2 Region Review Completed

The planning team revises the internal draft GMP/EIS to addresscomments from region staff.

5.3 Transmit Internal Draft GMP/EIS for WASO Policy Review

The internal draft GMP/EIS is submitted for WASO policy review and the planning team incorporates internal review comments as appropriate.

5.4 Region Clearance to Print Draft GMP/EIS

The regional director gives directive approving the printing and release of draft GMP/EIS for agency and public review, after region and WASO review comments are addressed and the draft document revised.

5.5 Printed Draft GMP/EIS

The planning team finalizes the draft GMP/EIS for agency and public review and the project manager arranges for the document to be printed. The project manager, in consultation with the park superintendent, coordinates public involvement (including public meetings) and issue press releases.

5.6 Published NOA in Federal Register (EPA Filing)

NPS Publishes NOA for Draft GMP/EIS in Federal Register

The Denver Service Center and/or region staff prepare and publish a notice of availability in the Federal Register for the draft GMP/EIS (this NOA is published by the National Park Service and it is separate from the NOA that the Environmental Protection Agency will also publish for the document,
see 5.6.2).

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Publishes NOA for Draft GMP/EIS in Federal Register

The project manager ensures copies of the draft GMP/EIS are mailed to the EPA. The planning team, working collaboratively with the park superintendent and region, coordinates distribution of the document for agency and public review, including notifying the public of the availability of the GMP/EIS. The EPA publishes a notice of availability (NOA) in the Federal Register informing the public that the draft GMP/EIS is available for review (the draft GMP/EIS is available for public review a minimum of 60-calendar days from the date the EPA’s NOA is published).

5.7 Complete Public Review of Draft GMP/EIS

Conduct Public Meetings/Hearings (Discretionary)

Opportunities to solicit public input on the general management plan may take the format of a “meeting,” “workshop,” or “hearing.” Meetings, workshops, or hearings arranged by the park superintendent and planning team should be well advertised by a reliable method such as a purchased ad, direct mail, internet electronic mail, notices posted local community gathering spots, or community or other organizations spreading the word. Press releases are published or aired at the discretion of the media and are not considered as reliable or effective as an advertisement. According to the Council on Environmental Quality’s regulations for implementing NEPA (1506.6), meeting(s), workshop(s), or hearing(s) should not occur sooner than 30-days from the date the Environmental Protection Agency’s notice of availability is published (see 5.6.2).

Public meetings or hearings are not required by law or policy; however, they provide a good venue for soliciting public comments. The use of public meetings or hearings is discretionary, in addition.

Collect, Analyze, Summarize, and Respond to Agency and Public Comments

The planning team, in conjunction with the superintendent and park staff, collect, analyze, summarize and respond to agency and public comments.