Resource Name (Heading 1) - USDA Forest Service - US ...
Resource Name (Heading 1) - USDA Forest Service - US ...
Resource Name (Heading 1) - USDA Forest Service - US ...
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
Summary of Public Comments - Managing Recreation Uses in the<br />
Upper Segment of the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River Corridor EA<br />
importantly to prohibit the removal of in-stream woody debris that is critical to the habitat for trout. (Ltr#<br />
98, Cmt# 1)<br />
Subconcern # J<br />
I recognize there are other recreational users, such as boaters, that do not share my value of solitude. I<br />
believe the preferred Alternative 12, with clarifications, can provide a balance of recreational<br />
opportunities on the upper Chattooga River. For these reasons, I support Alternative 12 with clarifications.<br />
I am asking the Deciding Officer to clarify the following items by inclusion in the Response to<br />
Comments:Clarify the means of enforcing the Decision. During monitoring, some recreational users may<br />
be found performing activities that are outside the bounds of the Decision. Enforcement actions, such as<br />
penalties, may be used as a direct measure in the management response. It is unclear what those penalties<br />
will be and if those penalties will be sufficient to encourage recreational users to return to the activities<br />
within the Decision. I encourage the <strong>Forest</strong> <strong>Service</strong> to set penalties appropriate for the activities done<br />
outside the bounds of the Decision. Penalties should be set in such a way that those committing activities<br />
outside the bounds of the decision will be highly discouraged from repeating that activity.Clarify the limits<br />
of any additional management actions. Additional management actions may be taken when the agency<br />
needs to address problems revealed through monitoring (Draft EA, pages 38-39). It is unclear as to<br />
whether additional management actions can be only actions addressed in the effects analysis of the selected<br />
alternative, or if the effects of the additional management actions can be addressed in alternatives not<br />
selected by the Deciding Officer. A Deciding Officer chooses to not select an alternative because of its<br />
effects. Therefore if an additional management action is addressed in an unselected alternative that action<br />
would be outside the scope of the Decision. I encourage the <strong>Forest</strong> <strong>Service</strong> to restrict any additional<br />
management action to only those that have been addressed in the effects analysis of the selected<br />
alternative. Any additional action with effects not addressed in the selected alternative should require new<br />
public involvement and a new Decision.Clarify the continuing need for the <strong>US</strong>GS water gauge located at<br />
the Burrells Ford bridge. This gauge was placed in support of the first Draft EA, which had a preferred<br />
alternative that included boating restrictions as determined by water flows. During that Draft EA’s second<br />
comment period, this water gauge was recognized as new information and public support for its placement<br />
was noted. Since the current Draft EA has a preferred alternative without the water flow restriction, it is<br />
unclear as to whether or not the Burrells Ford water gauge will remain in place. However for the period of<br />
December 1 through March 1, the gauge will be useful in determining when boating activities may occur. I<br />
encourage the <strong>Forest</strong> <strong>Service</strong> to petition the <strong>US</strong>GS to keep the Burrells Ford water gauge in place as tool<br />
to monitor recreation uses in the upper Chattooga River. By determining when boating may occur, I will be<br />
able to use the gauge as a means to meet my desire for a boat-free recreational experience with solitude<br />
during the December 1 through March 1 period.With appropriate enforcement measures, limiting<br />
additional actions to only those addressed in the alternative’s effects analysis, and the continued use of the<br />
water gauge at Burrells Ford bridge, I believe Alternative 12 will meet my desire of a recreational<br />
experience with solitude on the upper segment of the Chattooga River. (Ltr# 103, Cmt# 3)<br />
Subconcern # Q R<br />
We would like to add that we do support those parts of Alternative 12 that would fix user-created trails,<br />
decommission bad campsites, and educate the public to setting limits on group sizes, encounters, etc. (Ltr#<br />
118, Cmt# 2)<br />
Subconcern # Q R S<br />
We would add that we do support those parts of Alternative 12 that would fix user-created trails,<br />
decommission bad campsites, and educate the public to setting limits on group sizes, encounters, etc. … we<br />
remain opposed to any additional boating on the headwater's of the Chattooga River. (Ltr# 138, Cmt# 2)<br />
Subconcern # S<br />
Accordingly, we urge the U.S. <strong>Forest</strong> <strong>Service</strong> to adhere to both the spirit and the full intent of the Wild and<br />
Scenic River Act and the Wilderness Act, and to use its clearly authorized mandate to “zone” its land for<br />
appropriate recreational uses by revising its preferred alternative to prohibit all boating on the Upper<br />
Chattooga, year round. This zoning has worked well for more than 35 years to protect the river and the<br />
low-impact, traditional uses that local people have come to enjoy and cherish. This decision would address<br />
all the adverse consequences revealed in the EA which will happen if boating is allowed. (Ltr# 141, Cmt#<br />
13)<br />
34