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
rationale why boating is not considered in the tributaries within the main stem of the corridor for
any of the alternatives.
I) See the description of Alternative 8 in Chapter 2 of the Environmental Assessment, Managing
Recreation Uses in the Upper Segment of the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River Corridor.
Permits would be required for all boaters similar to current management on the lower portion of
the Chattooga River. The self-registration permit for boating is for safety reasons and is not
intended to limit boating use or unduly restrict boaters. An objective of Alternative 2 is to
increase opportunities for solitude. Alternative 2 considered requiring all users to register to
increase opportunities for solitude.
J) Capacity & Conflict on the Upper Chattooga River (Whittaker and Shelby 2007) discusses the
opportunities for scenic boating and fishing from boats. In the Environmental Assessment,
Managing Recreation Uses in the Upper Segment of the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River
Corridor, Chapter 3, Section 3.2.1 Recreation ORV discloses the effects of scenic boating and
boat based angling.
K) The use of indirect and direct measures is discussed in the Chapter 2, Section 2.3
Monitoring and Adaptive Management. Environmental Assessment, Managing Recreation
Uses in the Upper Segment of the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River Corridor, Chapter 3,
Section 3.2.3 discloses the effects of the alternatives on scenery.
L) Capacity & Conflict on the Upper Chattooga River (Whittaker and Shelby 2007) discusses a
potential put-in and/or take-out near the confluence of Lick Log Creek.
M) There are existing system and user-created trails near the confluence of Green Creek that can
be used by river recreationists to access the river until a designated put-in is identified. Access via
Chattooga River Trail to the confluence has been determined to be feasible and has been
evaluated in the EA. A designated put-in would be determined using site-specific NEPA.
N) See the Environmental Assessment, Managing Recreation Uses in the Upper Segment of the
Chattooga Wild and Scenic River Corridor, Section 3.2.3 Scenery ORV for the effects of all the
alternatives on scenery.
O) See the Environmental Assessment, Managing Recreation Uses in the Upper Segment of the
Chattooga Wild and Scenic River Corridor, Chapter 3 for the effects of alternative 8 on natural
resources.
P) See Environmental Assessment, Managing Recreation Uses in the Upper Segment of the
Chattooga Wild and Scenic River Corridor, Chapter 2 Alternatives Considered but not in
Detail, Item A Boating through private land on the upper segment of the Chattooga WSR
and Item B Boating in the Tributaries above Highway 28 for a discussion of the rationale why
boating is not considered between Grimshawes Bridge and Green Creek or in the tributaries of
the Chattooga River above highway 28 for any of the boating alternatives.
Q) Alternative 8 analyzes flows of the upper segment of the Chattooga WSR to determine
whitewater boating opportunities. All alternatives in the Environmental Assessment, Managing
Recreation Uses in the Upper Segment of the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River Corridor are
designed to meet the purpose and need described in Chapter 1. The need for action includes:
protecting and enhancing the ORVs, preserving the free-flowing condition, and protecting the
water quality in the Chattooga WSR, to protect the wilderness character of Ellicott Rock
Wilderness and to address the appeal decision on the 2004 Sumter RLRMP.
R) Alternative 8 analyzes flows of the upper segment of the Chattooga WSR to determine
whitewater boating and angling opportunities. Alternative 8 relies on the use of flows to separate
users (ie. boaters/anglers). The analysis in the Capacity & Conflict on the Upper Chattooga River
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