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
backcountry, and especially the Chattooga Cliffs Reach as required under
the Wilderness Act;
R) It does not address the biological, economic, and management effects from
boating:
S) An EIS should be prepared because this project has a significant impact on
the environment;
T) Restrictions based on flow are flawed;
U) It excludes boaters from the section of the headwaters from Lick Log Creek
to Highway 28; and during the boating season from March 1 to December 1
from Bull Pen Bridge to Lick log Creek;
V) It does not provide the public with all the necessary documents required to
make an informed decision;
W) Many important conclusions rely on outdated, insufficient, faulty, or
nonexistent information;
X) It relies on the implementation of adaptive management to mitigate
documented resource degradation; and
Z) It violates the Administrative Procedures Act.
Response to PC 10
A) All alternatives evaluated in detail are consistent with current laws and regulations. Chapter 3
section 3.2.1 discloses effects to recreational users from the range of alternatives considered in
detail. The Decision Notices made a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) relative to current
laws and regulations.
B) Effects of boating on all the reaches in the upper segment have been considered in Chapter 3
of the Environmental Assessment, Managing Recreation Uses in the Upper Segment of the
Chattooga Wild and Scenic River.
C) A range of alternatives have been considered in the environmental assessment that range from
continuing the boating prohibition above Highway 28 to allowing boating. Physical, biological
and social impacts of the various alternatives are considered in Chapter 3 of the Environmental
Assessment, Managing Recreation Uses in the Upper Segment of the Chattooga Wild and Scenic
River.
D) Many different types of recreational users currently enjoy using the upper segment of the
Chattooga River. Section 3.2.1 Recreation ORV of the Environmental Assessment, Managing
Recreation Uses in the Upper Segment of the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River Corridor
discloses the potential for conflict between various recreational users. The EA and the analysis
indicate that flows, seasons and reach restrictions would help separate the various users and
reduce potential for conflict.
E) The EA discloses the effects of boating on opportunities for solitude and fish habitat and
concludes that all Outstandingly Remarkable Resource Values (ORVs) can be protected and
enhanced under alternatives that allow boating. Monitoring of all recreational users in
combination with adaptive management strategies outlined in Chapter 2 and discussed in
Chapter 3 and Appendix G, Monitoring Plan would ensure that ORVs are protected and
enhanced and that impacts to other resource values are reduced.
F) Cost of implementation of the various alternatives has been considered and is disclosed in
Appendix B – Implementation, Table B-1. 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
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