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
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# 4)
Subconcern # F
#370- Alternatives 2 and 3 propose the most realistic management plans that will protect the ORVs of the
Upper Chattooga. (Ltr# 193, Cmt# 359)
Public Concern 4
The Forest Service should not select Alternative 2 because:
A) It would require permits (all comments from 2009 EA comment period);
B) It has unwarranted encounter management (all comments from 2009 EA
comment period); and
C) It has excessive management costs (all comments from 2009 EA comment
period).
Response to PC 4
A) The effects of a permit system have been disclosed in the Environmental Assessment,
Managing Recreation Uses in the Upper Segment of the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River
Corridor in Chapter 3. .
B) The Environmental Assessment, Managing Recreation Uses in the Upper Segment of the
Chattooga Wild and Scenic River Corridor documents the effects of alternative permit system in
Chapter 3, so the Responsible Official (the Forest Supervisors) can make an informed decision.
C) See Environmental Assessment, Managing Recreation Uses in the Upper Segment of the
Chattooga Wild and Scenic River Corridor, Appendix B for an estimate of the management costs
to implement each alternative.
Sample Public Comment(s) for PC 4:
Subconcern # A
#460- The EA suggests that the USFS rejected the potential permit system in alternative 2 because "Use
limit systems require administrative effort, require users to plan ahead and compete for limited permits,
and would displace some proportion of existing use on high use days" (EA 106). If this is sufficient
justification to eliminate alternative 2, it should be sufficient justification to eliminate the preferred
alternative and others that would require permits for paddlers. (Ltr# 193, Cmt# 447)
Subconcern # B C
#589- Alternative 2: Increases solitude by managing encounters through a permit system. I believe this
alternative has excessive encounter management and excessive FS management costs. (Ltr# 193, Cmt#
576)
Public Concern 5
The Forest Service should select Alternative 3 because:
A) It will ensure boat free solitude;
B) It prevents resource damage caused by overuse;
C) It averts user conflict;
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