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
was not considered in any of the alternatives. The EA establishes objectives and management
direction that maintains opportunities for solitude (refer to the Environmental Assessment,
Managing Recreation Uses in the Upper Segment of the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River
Corridor, Chapter 2, Alternative 12, Objectives and Management Direction). Effects on
solitude are considered in Chapter 3 of the Environmental Assessment, Managing Recreation
Uses in the Upper Segment of the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River Corridor, Section 3.2.1,
Recreation ORV and Section 3.7 Wilderness for Alternative 12. Alternatives 1 to 3 continue the
boating prohibition above Burrells Ford.
B) All Alternatives meet the purpose and need, which is to meet legal mandates in the Wild &
Scenic River Act and the Wilderness Act.
C) All Alternatives, except Alternative 1, provide consistent direction across the national forests
on the management of campsites and trails within the riparian corridor.
D) Alternative 12 was presented to the public in the Environmental Assessment, Managing
Recreation Uses in the Upper Segment of the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River Corridor. The
intent of Alternative 12 to provide boat-free experiences in the portions of the upper segment year
round. The analysis in the EA indicates that parking capacity is not an issue during the time that
boating would be allowed in this alternative. Refer to Chapter 3, Section 3.2.1 Recreation ORV
of the EA.
E) The alternatives are designed to display a range of effects using a combination of methods to
separate users. These strategies include using zone, flows, and season.
F) The alternatives are designed to display a range of effects using a combination of methods to
separate users. These strategies include using zone, flows, and season.
G) All alternatives, except Alternative 1, provide for designated campsites and trails in order to
reduce user impacts.
H) The alternatives are designed to display a range of effects using a combination of methods to
separate users. These strategies include using zone, flows, and season.
I) All Alternatives, except Alternative 1, provide consistent management on Large Woody
Debris. The action alternatives allow the removal of large woody debris with the permission of
the Forest Service.
J) Forest plan decision do not dictate day to day administration but provide broad direction that
guide project and administrative decisions. The types of penalties and amounts of fines would be
addressed during implementation. Section 2.3 Monitoring and Adaptive Management
Strategy is described in Chapter 2 of the Environmental Assessment, Managing Recreation Uses
in the Upper Segment of the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River Corridor. Monitoring (as specified
in the EA in Appendix G) would be used to determine compliance and that the desired effects are
being achieved. Indirect and direct measures could be used to achieve the desired condition for
recreation. Effects of adaptive management are disclosed in Chapter 3 of the EA. The gauge at
Burrells Ford is managed by the US Geological survey and is funded on a yearly basis. The need
for the gauge will be determined on a yearly basis.
K) Forest plan decision do not dictate day to day administration but provide broad direction that
guide project and administrative decisions. The types of penalties and amounts of fines would be
addressed during implementation. Section 2.3 Monitoring and Adaptive Management
Strategy is described in Chapter 2 of the Environmental Assessment, Managing Recreation Uses
in the Upper Segment of the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River Corridor. Monitoring (as specified
in the EA in Appendix G) would be used to determine compliance and that the desired effects are
30