Project Scoping

Proposal to restore prairie on eight acres at Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site
The proposal includes remediating the compacted soil, seeding with native species and the treatment of non-native species.  The proposed restoration area is adjacent to the fort and would preserve the integrity and interpretability of the cultural landscape surrounding NHS.  Restoration of native vegetation species and the elimination of exotic species is an overall objective of the park’s General Management Plan (GMP).  Restoration of this area with native species is integral to the site’s significance and interpretation.
  
An environmental assessment (EA) will be developed to evaluate a range of alternatives and strategies at Bent’s Old Forth NHS for the restoration of the prairie and to ensure the historic sites resources and values are protected.  
As the superintendent of Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site, I invite you to participate in this scoping process. 

1	No Action- continue current management of mowing and treating non-native vegetation on eight acres surrounding fort  
2	Action- restore native prairie grasses on eight acres surrounding the fort 
Sincerely, 

Alexa Roberts
Superintendent 
Overview of Process 
Project milestones include: 
Bent’s Old Fort was utilized from 1833-1849 as a trading station along the Santa Fe Trail. Today the fort is paralleled by HWY 194 to the north and Hwy 50 to the south. 
Resources and Concerns 
Initial internal project scoping indentified the following 
resources and other concerns for consideration in the 
environmental assessment (EA): 
•	Public scoping period 
•	Preparation of EA 
•	Public review of EA 
•	Analysis of public comment 
•	Preparation of decision document 
•	Announcement of decision on prairie restoration  
What does the scoping period mean? 
Scoping is done in the initial phase of a project to seek input from a variety of sources.  The input is used to identify issues, areas requiring additional study, and topics that will be analyzed in the EA process.  This is an opportunity for you to provide us with suggestions, comments and concerns regarding this prairie restoration project at Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site.
In scoping my only opportunity to comment on the project?  No, once the EA is developed, the document will be made available for public review for a 30-day period.

Archeological resources      Visitor use 

Soil and vegetation           Human health and safety 
 
Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site (NHS) proposes to restore eight acres immediately surrounding the reconstructed fort.  The main goal of the proposed project will be to completely restore lands targeted for restoration.  Previous disturbance associated with the fort reconstruction activities, a parking lot and 20th century agricultural activities have lead to an area of compacted soil and non-native vegetation.    
The following preliminary alternatives were identified: 

Please let us know by September 8, 2009: 
1.	Do you have any ideas to share about issues/concerns, or are there any issues/concerns about the        project that you think we should consider? 
2.	Are there any other alternatives that you think should be considered? 
3.	Do you have another comments and suggestions for us to consider in the environmental assessment/ assessment of effect? 
National Park Service 
Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site
Prairie Restoration Scoping 
35110 Highway 194 East
La Junta, CO 81050-9523 

1.	You may submit written comments by mailing this brochure to the address below.  You may attach additional pages if needed. 

2.	Or submit electronic comments on the internet at the Planning, Environment and    
Public Comment (PEPC) website at: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/beol

___I prefer to have a copy of the EA on CD-ROM. 
___I will download my own copy of the EA from the NPS website.
___I will go to park headquarters or the library and read the copy on file. 
___I don’t want a copy of the EA, but please keep me on your mailing list.
___I would like to receive a printed copy of the EA. 

Name:____________________________________________

Street/Box:_________________________________________

City, State, ZIP Code:________________________________
Place StampHere 
If you wish to receive a copy of the environmental assessment please check one of the options from the list below: 
If you wish to comment on this scoping brochure or on any other issues associated with the project, you may submit your comments by the below methods.