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 degree of direct and indirect effects on vegetation would vary due to
microhabitat preferences, susceptibility of individual plants and population sizes,
as well as the anticipated level of recreation use under the various alternatives. In
the boating alternatives, increased visitation in remote areas in the two uppermost
reaches could result in viability concerns for five sensitive and four locally rare
plant species that have limited populations across the forest and small population
sizes. However, with the required monitoring described in each alternative,
potential impacts to vegetation would be reduced. While direct and indirect
effects from the alternatives may contribute to a reduction in the size of certain
rare plant populations, none of the alternatives are anticipated to result in the loss
from the corridor of any existing species, provided the monitoring measures are
implemented.
Sample Public Comment(s) for PC 89:
In a seriously misleading way, the EA discusses the loss of rare species as if this is ok because rare species
are rare. This is one of the most egregious justifications found in the EA. We believe the fact of rare species
in the area justifies doing all within our power to protect them. Here is your statement: “Potential direct
and indirect effects to rare and sensitive terrestrial species from this alternative include the addition of a
new recreational user group (boaters). The potential impact would be from trampling of vegetation and
sensitive habitat through the creation of portage trails and new access trails and increased vegetation
disturbance through creation of new “play” (swimming, resting, lunch) sites. It is assumed that some
wildlife individuals may be directly or indirectly affected by recreational users under this alternative.
However, because rare and sensitive species are rare, and are not encountered often, it is unlikely the
effects of this alternative would occur at a frequency which would impact the population viability of this
species.” (EA page 200). You only have to damage rare species once, and then the damage is done. (Ltr#
141, Cmt# 8)
#36- Your statement on pages 53 and 54 that adding boating may cause the introduction of non native
introduced plant species is specious and deceitful. No evidence exits that paddlers are responsible for the
introduction of exotic species. In fact, the Forest Service's road construction and logging activities is the
primary culprit in the introduction of unwanted species. You should be ashamed. (Ltr# 193, Cmt# 30)
#405- The proposal also fails to protect the various sensitive native plant species found in the corridor.
(Ltr# 193, Cmt# 393)
Public Concern 90
The Forest Service should consider the effects of boating on invasive species,
such as kudzu and privet (comment from 2009 EA comment period).
Response to PC 90
In Chapter 3, Section 3.5 Vegetation, I. Summary of Findings, it notes the following about
non-native invasive plant species, which includes privet and kudzu: “The potential for
introducing new outbreaks or new non-native invasive species (NNIS) to the riparian corridor
from recreation visitors should be limited to small selected areas and is not expected to increase
dramatically under any alternative.”
The influx of boaters or any additional recreation users within the upper portions of the Chattooga
River has the potential for introducing new outbreaks or new invasive exotics to the riparian
corridor. The risk from boaters is no greater than the risk from other recreationists. The increased
risk will be primarily from seed transported on equipment and clothing. However the risk should
be low and limited to small selected areas, primarily islands in the lower reaches of the upper
corridor, given the dense mass of Rhododendron maximum in the shrub layer. Acidic cove forests
and eastern hemlock forests with Rhododendron maximum were found to have the lowest number
of outbreaks of invasive plant species in an inventory completed across selected watersheds in the
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