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This draft environmental statement describes the area proposed to be designated as wilderness in Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park. It evaluates the positive and negative impacts of such a designation and records the comments that have been collected from various sources.
1972-09-18
Acting Director Giles of the Department of the Interior sends copies of the master plan brief, a public notice, and a brochure explaining the wilderness proposal for the Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park. The master plan proposal will be presented to the park on December 8, in Watford City, North Dakota, and on December 9, in Medora, North Dakota. Since the Wilderness Act of 1964 requires the Secretary of the Interior to review areas to determine whether they are suitable for inclusion in wilderness areas, there will be public hearings on the proposed wilderness areas on these days as well.
1970-10-12
Acting Director Giles sends copies of the master plan brief, a public notice, and a brochure explaining the wilderness proposal for the Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park. The master plan proposal will be presented to the park on December 8, in Watford City, and on December 9, in Medora, North Dakota. Since the Wilderness Act of 1964 requires the Secretary of the Interior to review areas to determine whether they are suitable for inclusion in wilderness areas, there will be public hearings on the proposed wilderness areas on these days as well.
1970-10-12
Fred C. Fagergren sends Clifton R. Merritt information about the planning process for Theodore Roosevelt National Park and informs him about the public meetings planned in Watford City and Medora, North Dakota. Fagergren invites Merritt to express his views at a public meeting or by written statement.
1970-10-16
The National Park Service announces public hearings in Medora and Watford City, North Dakota, about the wilderness proposal for Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
1970-09-28
The National Park Service announces public hearings in Watford City and Medora, North Dakota, about the proposed wilderness plan for Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
1970-10-28
This bill authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to procure lands, whether by accepting donations or procuring by other means, in order to develop roads connecting the units of the Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park. It also stipulates how such lands will be legally designated and used.
1971-01-25
Superintendent of Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park James B. Thompson acknowledges a letter from Clifton R. Merritt regarding the wilderness proposal and assures him it will be delivered for inclusion in the public hearing record.
1971-01-12
The Assistant Secretary of the Interior forwards a number of recommendations to Speaker of the House Albert along with enclosed draft legislation to be referred to appropriate committees. The proposals and legislation relate to increasing the area of various national parks and designating areas as wilderness areas.
1975
J. Leonard Volz, Midwest Director of the National Parks Service, responds to questions regarding the Theodore Roosevelt National Monument Park from conservation lobbyist and Wilderness Society Coordinator of Special Projects Doug Scott. The answers mostly correct misunderstandings regarding the nature of improvements in the park, such as roads, and issues regarding usage. Volz also corrects some inaccuracies in the maps Scott has been referencing and clarifies how their actions relate to the Wilderness Act of 1964. Finally, Volz makes some comments about the process of public hearings and the use of the testimony which is presented there.
1972-12-13
Superintendent Lancaster of Theodore Roosevelt National Park writes to Wilderness Society Director of Field Services Merritt regarding the disposition of certain lands at the park. He informs Merritt that the private inholding in question has not been purchased yet, but that the mineral rights on another parcel have been acquired by the National Park Service.
1972-11-14
This bill designates certain lands in various national parks and other national lands as wilderness areas. Theodore Roosevelt National park is among those included.
1972-10-04
The Department of the Interior has prepared a draft environmental statement on the proposed designation of parts of Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park as wilderness. The department invites written comments on the statement, which should be directed to the Midwest Region or the park’s superintendent.
1972-10-03
President Nixon urges Congress to quickly approve of his endeavor to designate the Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park. Nixon has been accelerating his efforts to preserve more lands as parks and he is not satisfied with the rate in which Congress has acted on these lands. Cooperating in this regard will result in a better-served public.
1972-09-21
Secretary of the Interior Morton makes formal recommendations to President Nixon to preserve land for Theodore Roosevelt National Park. After making a review of the land, Morton believes preserving this land will fulfill the ecological and environmental imperative pursued by the Department of the Interior. Certain areas without roads are further designated for conservation. Morton also notes the inclusion of a report from the National Park Service, a draft bill incorporating the above stated areas, and a draft environmental impact statement with the letter.
1972-08-14
Draft of a bill proposing the designation of the lands in Theodore Roosevelt National Park under the Wilderness Act. Handwritten notes designate sections of the bill deemed undesirable or unnecessary.
1972-08-14
Draft proposal for the Department of the Interior to designate 28,335 acres of land in Theodore Roosevelt National Park as wilderness. The proposal includes maps of the area, background information on the proposal, the land, and the ecological situation there.
1972-09-18
Superintendent Lancaster thanks Director Merritt for his letter regarding private land holdings within the Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park and informs him that the particular plot of land Merritt mentioned in his letter has not yet been purchased, although the owner has been contacted. Lancaster is glad Merritt finds the final wilderness proposal an improvement over the preliminary proposal.
1972-11-14
The United States Department of the Interior notifies local government units about the Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed wilderness plan for Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Four of the six individuals desire meetings with the applicant, while the last two find the attached “Notification of Intent to Apply” satisfactory. Comments on these documents include a request for more information from the Billings County Planning Committee, a notification that comments from the Soil Conservation Service will be addressed directly to the National Park Service, and a response saying that the report in general is acceptable.
1972-10-12
R. E. Johnson from the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife informs J. Leonard Volz of the National Park Service that “wildlife interests are adequately covered” and his agency has no further comments on the environmental impact statement of the proposed wilderness area in Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park.
1972-10-19