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