Resource Name (Heading 1) - USDA Forest Service - US ...

Summary of Public Comments - Managing Recreation Uses in the
Upper Segment of the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River Corridor EA
issues such as access, user conflict, campsites, trails, large woody debris, group
sizes, parking and user registration in the purpose and need to outline the major
needs by describing the existing conditions that need to be changed, list the
major objectives for each need identified, link each object to a source especially
any federal laws, focus listed objectives on achievable tasks, choose one or more
indicators for measuring achievements, and link all analysis steps and the final
agency decision to both achievement of objectives and the resolution of resource
issues.
Response to PC 42
The Environmental Assessment, Managing Recreation Uses in the Upper Segment of the
Chattooga Wild and Scenic River Corridor addresses all of these points raised in addition to
information contained in the project record. In addition, the August 25, 2009 Managing
Recreation Uses on the Chattooga River – Responses to Public Comments provides additional
response information relative to this concern statement.
Sample Public Comment(s) for PC 42:
We do support management practices that would limit group sizes for hikers and anglers, reduce
environmentally damaging, user-created campsites along the River, limit access to designated trails only,
close and/or re-route trails that threaten water quality and/or rare, sensitive plant life, or that create
conflict and unneeded encounters. We especially support the aim of the EA to restore and preserve the
sense of solitude that the Forest Service rightfully agrees is the key and outstandingly remarkable value of
this river. We also agree with the goal of the EA to coordinate and combine monitoring and enforcement
efforts to prevent the unnecessary and unauthorized removal of Large Woody Debris from the River, which
is so crucial to the aquatic food chain. Finally, Georgia Forest Watch and Wilderness Watch applaud the
Environmental Assessment’s proposals that would require the three involved National Forests to work
together to assess and address existing resource concerns. This has been and continues to be a critical
need for effective management of all uses of the National Forests. It is essential for the three Forests to
have closer and more efficient relationships, including more uniform regulation and enforcement. As such,
we support the Agency’s proposals to “provide consistent management on issues such as encounters,
campsites, trails, Large Woody Debris, group sizes, parking and user registration.” (Ltr# 166, Cmt# 2)
#154- Although “balancing competing activities” is the responsibility of the USFS, a comprehensive and
transparent comparative-analysis against current policy is legally required to fairly assess the effects of a
proposed agency action on the quality of the visitor experiences. The EA must transparently compare
proposed policy against current policy. (Ltr# 193, Cmt# 147)
#156- The Final EA should make clear to the public which hypothesis must be assessed before expanding
kayaking upriver. Although some elements within the EA allude to comparison against the current policy
the draft does not explain the assessment mandates clearly nor does the assessment prove boats will not
significantly impact the social environment. Each section of the final assessment should comply with these
NEPA and planning guidelines. (Ltr# 193, Cmt# 149)
#401- 1) Specific management directives and planning are included in the LRMP for each Forest;
2) Uniformity of management, education, monitoring, and enforcement throughout the Wild and Scenic
River Corridor is achieved through coordination of the three National Forests;
3) The Forest Service engages with other government agencies and private partners to overcome its budget
and personnel limitations;
4) Natural resources and wilderness values are protected as first priority;
5) All visitor use is kept to sustainable levels through limitations on access, not access fees
a) Solitude is guarded so that the exceptional and unique hiking, fishing, heritage and nature study,
hunting, camping, picnicking, swimming, birding, and botanizing activities are protected;
b) There is no expansion of boating in the Chattooga Corridor, boating is prohibited on all tributaries in
the Upper Chattooga, and boating is limited to sustainable levels in the Lower Chattooga;
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