Resource Name (Heading 1) - USDA Forest Service - US ...
Resource Name (Heading 1) - USDA Forest Service - US ...
Resource Name (Heading 1) - USDA Forest Service - US ...
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Summary of Public Comments - Managing Recreation Uses in the<br />
Upper Segment of the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River Corridor EA<br />
The camping along the river must be reduced due to intense impacts to the resource. It is worn out and has<br />
happened since I started visiting the area 25 years ago. Most of this is from college kids camping in the<br />
spring on the weekends. I suggest eliminating camping within 500 feet of the river. (Ltr# 39, Cmt# 1)<br />
Subconcern # B<br />
It's not that I'm against boating per say. Where I see the danger is along with this plan there will be<br />
creation of more in roads and established camp grounds which will allow even more of the "tourist" types<br />
that could care less about the ecosystem that is established there. I don't want to see the Chattooga end up<br />
like what I saw in the Congaree. Everywhere I looked in that river I saw massive amounts of trash such as<br />
beer cans, Styrofoam coolers and such along the banks and sunk in the river. (Ltr# 54, Cmt# 2)<br />
Subconcern # B<br />
I feel that opening up the last truly wild and scenic area of the river will cause the loss of such a natural<br />
treasure. I usually take five to six backpacking/camping trips there each year in Either NC, GA, and SC.<br />
My biggest fear to opening more sections is the ecological impacts that will surely come with this. The way<br />
I see this plan, it will have to include more in roads and campgrounds, which will give greater access to<br />
these areas to the "tourist" crowd. These people have no clue what leave no trace means. I already pack<br />
out more than I take in when visiting the sections which have easier access. I really feel that if it becomes<br />
even more accessible I will begin to see things similar to what I see when I hike in Congaree National<br />
Park. This would include but is not limited to trash along the banks of the river and old beer cans<br />
submerged in the river itself. It would truly break my heart to see the Chattooga River end up this way.<br />
(Ltr# 55, Cmt# 1)<br />
Subconcern # C D<br />
I am in support of any erosion control measures, improving campsites (and removing ill-sited campsites)<br />
and any enhanced measures to sanction those who leave garbage or refuse near the river. (Ltr# 82, Cmt#<br />
4)<br />
Subconcern # E<br />
The Preferred Alternative does not contain adequate camping limitations. Any boating alternative must<br />
prohibit riverside camping by any boaters, as this would exacerbate the existing problem occasioned by<br />
user-created campsites up and down the Upper Chattooga corridor. (Ltr# 166, Cmt# 33)<br />
Subconcern # F<br />
By application of the laws of supply and demand, the elimination of frequently used front country campsites<br />
near Burrells Ford could either entirely displace existing campers or alternatively push these campers<br />
farther upstream into the less congested Ellicott Wilderness or Chattooga Cliffs back country areas. This<br />
could introduce the unintended consequence of additional pressure on these more sensitive areas of the<br />
river. The further diminishment of the esthetic of solitude and the consequential unnecessary introduction<br />
of the risk of overuse constitutes the unintended consequence of driving up use in these more remote areas<br />
of the river. (Ltr# 171, Cmt# 25)<br />
Subconcern # G<br />
#226- Restrict or rotate campsite use, allowing areas to recuperate from over use. (Ltr# 193, Cmt# 217)<br />
Subconcern # H<br />
#227- Ban camping within 1/2 mile of all bridges or roads. (Ltr# 193, Cmt# 218)<br />
Subconcern # I<br />
#549- Replacement campsites will likely be constructed outside the 50-foot zone and not as many campsites<br />
would be constructed as close to one another. Under this alternative, competition for campsites may<br />
increase if user demand is not met due to the agency closing campsites and decreasing the overall number<br />
of campsites throughout the upper river corridor.” The same rehabilitation should be consistently<br />
implemented throughout the entire W&S corridor including the lower river, West and North Forks,<br />
regardless of whether the offending campsite is in SC, GA, or NC. (Ltr# 193, Cmt# 536)<br />
152