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 reaches below Burrells Ford and prohibit it upstream? Back upstream, beyond the Chattooga River
trail head, the next public access to the river is the small isolated parcel of public land at Grimshawes,
where the public uses the sliding rock falls on the river. It is not a suitable nor adequate entrance for
boaters either. Parking is very minimal here, and large overflows of parked cars often line Whiteside Cove
Road currently, even without boaters as additional users. It is not uncommon to see 30 to 40 cars on the
narrow shoulders. As for the use of the river for boating, the Chattooga between Grimshawes and Greens
Creek could hardly be deemed navigable. For example, I cannot imagine someone wanting to go over
Corkscrew Falls in any vessel. Nevertheless, if such daredevil stunts should be undertaken by boaters,
those activities will almost certainly result in injuries, if not deaths. How could the US Forest Service and
rescue personnel access a boating accident site to transport victims effectively and without trespassing on
adjacent private lands? (Ltr# 147, Cmt# 3)
Public Concern 2
The Forest Service should not select Alternative 1, No Action, because:
A) It was changed and violates the NEPA process; and
B) It does not provide consistent management of the upper segment of the
Chattooga River on all three forests.
Response to PC 2
A) Based upon external and internal comments received, Alternative 1 was ‘changed’ or
‘clarified’ to better show the ‘no action’, or no change from current management for the three
National Forests in which the upper segment of the Chattooga WSR flows.
B) An alternative that considers current management practices is a requirement under federal
regulations. Consequences of implementing Alternative 1 are considered in the Environmental
Assessment, Managing Recreation Uses in the Upper Segment of the Chattooga Wild and Scenic
River Corridor.
Sample Public Comment(s) for PC 2:
Subconcern # A
#146- “No change Alt 1” NEPA mandatory alternative was changed and that violates the process from the
start. (Ltr# 193, Cmt# 139)
Subconcern # B
#559- The problem with Alternative 1 is the lack of consistent management plans for the corridor in the
GA, SC and NC National Forests. (Ltr# 193, Cmt# 546)
Public Concern 3
The Forest Service should select Alternative 2 because:
A) It averts user conflict;
B) New access points and portage trails are not suitable;
C) New parking areas are limited and a long distance from the Chattooga
River;
D) It averts trespassing on private land;
E) Expansion of the trailhead facilities on Green Creek Cemetery Road would
be inconsistent with the purpose for which the land was donated; and
F) It proposes the most realistic management plans that will protect ORVs.
Response to PC 3
A range of alternatives including Alternative 2 are discussed in Chapter 2, Section 2.2 of the
Environmental Assessment, Managing Recreation Uses in the Upper Segment of the Chattooga
Wild and Scenic River Corridor. Key issues and their possible resolution by the alternatives are
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