Resource Name (Heading 1) - USDA Forest Service - US ...
Resource Name (Heading 1) - USDA Forest Service - US ...
Resource Name (Heading 1) - USDA Forest Service - US ...
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Summary of Public Comments - Managing Recreation Uses in the<br />
Upper Segment of the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River Corridor EA<br />
U) No further response is needed.<br />
V) All releasable documents are posted on the Francis Marion and Sumter website<br />
(http://fs.usda.gov/goto/scnfs/upperchattooga).<br />
W) See the Capacity & Conflict on the Upper Chattooga River (Whittaker and Shelby 2007) for<br />
discussions on flows and the Decision Notice for a discussion on Best Available Science.<br />
X) See Environmental Assessment, Managing Recreation Uses in the Upper Segment of the<br />
Chattooga Wild and Scenic River, Chapter 2, Section 2.3 Monitoring and Adaptive<br />
Management.<br />
Z) No alternatives violate federal law.<br />
Sample Public Comment(s) for PC 10:<br />
Subconcern # A<br />
As a taxpayer, I support the preservation of natural resources such as Wild and Scenic Rivers. However, I<br />
feel that boating has been unnecessarily banned on the Upper Chattooga, while the environmental impact<br />
of boating is negligible at best. <strong>US</strong>FS Preferred Alternative 12 is unjust. I do not support it as a<br />
stakeholder. (Ltr# 87, Cmt# 1)<br />
Subconcern # A<br />
Alternate 12 is unacceptable as are any of the alternatives that include a goal of preserving boater-free<br />
visitor opportunities for non-boating users. Such a goal is blatantly discriminatory and contrary to the<br />
letter and spirit of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Alternate 8 is the only acceptable Alternate in the study.<br />
(Ltr# 1, Cmt# 1)<br />
Subconcern # A<br />
I believe that alternative 12 unfairly and illegally discriminates against canoeists and kayakers in favor of<br />
other groups. Non-motorized boating has always been a permitted use on Wild and Scenic Rivers and<br />
within Wilderness Areas. I'm baffled as to why it should be so severely limited on the Upper Chattooga.<br />
This alternative blatantly favors the fishermen over boaters with little valid support. The report explicitly<br />
states that it provides the most extensive boat-free opportunities, as if this is, in and of itself, a desirable<br />
outcome. Boating should be permitted on all Wild and Scenic Rivers. It is the ideal way to experience these<br />
wonderful places. I don't understand why a fisherman's desire for solitude is more important than a<br />
boater's. Were fishing-free days considered along with boat-free days? (Ltr# 22, Cmt# 1)<br />
Subconcern # A<br />
Your previous compromise was to allow boating to start at Bull Pen Bridge. I STRONGLY urge you to<br />
stand by that earlier decision. It was a compromise between kayakers and everyone else. But your new<br />
proposal is not even-handed. You are letting very vocal, well-financed and well-lawyered organization<br />
impose their will upon the planning process. (Ltr# 30, Cmt# 1)<br />
Subconcern # A<br />
Their preferred alternative (12) is not fair, legal, or justified. (Ltr# 36, Cmt# 2)<br />
Subconcern # A<br />
The current U.S. <strong>Forest</strong> <strong>Service</strong> analysis is not reasonable because it treats paddlers inequitably and<br />
irrationally. Paddling should be allowed on all Wilderness and Wild and Scenic rivers, including the Upper<br />
Chattooga. The preferred alternative (12) is not fair, legal, or justified. (Ltr# 40, Cmt# 3)<br />
Subconcern # A<br />
I see, however, that the latest UFS Draft Environmental Assessment proposes the adoption of Alternative<br />
12, which unjustifiably excludes paddlers from being able to access this national, public resource. (Ltr# 46,<br />
Cmt# 1)<br />
Subconcern # A<br />
I believe that <strong>US</strong>FS Preferred Alternative 12 is unfair, illegal, unjustified, and against the <strong>US</strong>FS mantra of<br />
open access for recreational activities. In times like these everyday people like myself are allowed few<br />
places of respite, and the Upper Chattooga is one of those places. It is completely unreasonable and<br />
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