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
the rate of population increases for the region, which may exceed 20% over the next decade”
(Whittaker and Shelby 2007). The forests are seeking to take appropriate action now to reduce
existing or prevent future unacceptable impacts to the river’s values from increasing use levels,
and thus preserve the river’s free-flowing condition, protect water quality and protect and
enhance the river’s outstandingly remarkable values in addition to protecting its wilderness
characteristics.
Sample Public Comment(s) for PC 62:
Subconcern # A
The proposed alternative eliminates restrictions on boating in North Carolina, without assessing the
associated impacts of such action. Where in the EA are the restrictions on boating in North Carolina? If
there are none, where is the assessment associated with the elimination of the current boating restrictions?
(Ltr# 92, Cmt# 24)
Subconcern # B
It's true that a minority of boaters drag their boats. I think making putting a ban on boat-dragging would
be a wonderful idea. It really seems that so few people drag boats in the first place and the ones that do
drag would honor a drag-ban. But if boat dragging really did turn out to be a problem, which I doubt it
would, there are solutions to that. Some places use a pair of close-together hand rails (like those you see on
stairs) that paddlers can place their boat across and walk to the river without the boat touching the ground
or having to be carried. (Ltr# 97, Cmt# 2)
Subconcern # C
Given that, there are several compromises that can be made to allow access to boaters and the other
traditionally allowed river users (fishermen and hikers). To protect the resource, the following criteria
must be adhered to: No construction of additional trails to create new access points; No boating above
Hwy 28 unless the Hwy 76 USGS gauge is >= 3.0 feet at some point on the day that the boating takes
places; Boating parties should be kept to six people or less; No inflatable crafts that are designed to hold
more than 2 people (i.e., no rafts, only inflatable kayaks); and No more than 50 boaters should be allowed
per day – this could be enforced by having a sign in log in addition to the permit so that other potential
boaters would know that the limit had been reached. If these restrictions are kept in place and enforced, the
resource will be protected and the wilderness experience of other river users will be kept to an acceptable
level. It is time to admit the no boating clause on these upper sections was done in arbitrary manner and
that there acceptable uses on these sections other than just fishing and hiking. The primary goal should be
to protect the resource, not just the current human experience. These restrictions allow both. (Ltr# 120,
Cmt# 1)
Subconcern # D
The Preferred Alternative will encourage the expansion of existing unauthorized boating. The EA fails to
consider the likely increase in unauthorized boating on the Upper Chattooga that will result if any boating
is allowed. Were the Chattooga opened for some boating use, unofficial guidebooks and information on the
Internet and by word of mouth about its course would become more commonplace. A known river is
available to more skill levels because challenges can be anticipated. Also, as the River becomes more
familiar to some boaters who use it legally, they may want to run it on other days of the year when it is
illegal to do so. Anyone familiar with boating on the Lower Chattooga knows what unregulated (or
unmanaged) boating is likely to look like: it would be comparable to Section 4 of the Lower Chattooga,
where maximum use can exceed 180 boaters a day in the summer and reach as high as 100 boaters a day
from January through April. Even “low use” days see anywhere from 10 to 50 boaters a day. This demand
is particularly out of proportion to the boating proposed in Alternative 12, which sets no limits on the
number of boating trips per day or the numbers of boaters that would be permitted on the Upper Chattooga
or the possibility of boaters establishing new campsites along the more remote stretches of the headwaters.
This will present a significant enforcement challenge and threat to the resource. The Forest Service must
consider the likely increase in illegal boating under any alternative allowing boating in segments of the
River where it is currently prohibited. If any part of the Upper Chattooga is opened to legal boating, some
boaters will be spurred to greater use of the River, whether legally or not. As the River becomes more
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