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
Subconcern # D
#325- The risk of damage to the Wild and Scenic values and the Wilderness values is too great. It is not
acceptable to impose that risk for the sake of a few boaters. One serious accident and the damage caused
by emergency workers will take many decades to be healed. One serious search and rescue operation on
the upper Chattooga is one too many. The risk simply cannot be tolerated. (Ltr# 193, Cmt# 315)
Public Concern 96
The Forest Service should preserve the natural conditions and wilderness
character of Ellicott Rock Wilderness to provide for outstanding opportunities
and:
A) Not allow boating activity within this area because it violates the Appeal
ROD and Wilderness Act; and
B) Should allow boating activity within this area because you allow helicopter
flying to restock the river within this area.
Response to PC 96:
A) A central mandate in the 1964 Wilderness Act is that the managing agencies preserve the
wilderness character in designated areas (Public Law 88-577 (16USC 1131-1136)). FSM 2320.2
(4) directs the agency to “Protect and perpetuate wilderness character...” Recent technical
publications recommend using the qualities of Untrammeled, Natural, Undeveloped, and
Opportunities for Solitude or Primitive and Unconfined Recreation in analyzing the affects a
decision may have on wilderness character. The analysis presented in this document does this
and recognizes that by making certain decisions the agency may be improving one quality of
wilderness character (opportunities for solitude) over another (unconfined recreation) with the
ultimate goal being to preserve wilderness character.
In Chapter 3, Section 3.7 Wilderness, the four qualities of wilderness character are used as a
framework for analysis and discussion. Those qualities are: Untrammeled, Natural, Undeveloped;
and Outstanding opportunities for solitude or a primitive and unconfined type recreation. In
subsection I. Summary of Findings, it notes: “Undeveloped and outstanding opportunities for
solitude or a primitive and unconfined type recreation are two of the four qualities of wilderness
character that might be affected by the proposed mix of recreation uses”. The effects of each
alternative on these two qualities are discussed in IV. Environmental Consequences.
The analysis conducted concludes that the setting near the river will be changed by introducing
boating. On page 385, it states “Under current management, a visitor has been assured that while
hiking along the riverbank, looking out across the river, wading, fishing or swimming they would
not encounter boats traveling on the river. This potential for an encounter with a boat on the river
now exists. This change in setting would equate to a reduction in, and a negative impact to
opportunities for solitude for existing users. ”
Wilderness specific evaluations of the resources associated with the natural quality of Wilderness
Character were evaluated in other sections of the Environmental Assessment, Managing
Recreation Uses in the Upper Segment of the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River. Specifically, the
Section 3.2.2 Biology ORV and Section 3.5 Other Biological Resources” have covered this.
B) We do not stock the wilderness. Helicopter stocking ends below Burrells Ford bridge.
Sample Public Comment(s) for PC 96:
Subconcern # A
The EA fails to protect and enhance unconfined recreation in wilderness. The EA admits that boating
restrictions themselves “would provide a moderate negative effect within the Ellicott Rock Wilderness.” In
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