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
interest of public transparency, especially with the analysis completed for all the alternatives
listed in the EA. It affords the public an opportunity to focus their comments. It helps to inform
the decision-maker’s final decision.
B) Motorized boating is not permitted on the Chattooga River (2004 Revised Land and Resource
Management Plan, Sumter National Forest) page 3-9; 2.A.-3and is beyond the scope of this
decision. Motorized boating is not listed as a compatible recreation use in the 1971 Designation
Study.
From the Capacity & Conflict on the Upper Chattooga River (Whittaker and Shelby 2007), subsection
Guiding legislation or other agency mandates, Wild & Scenic Rivers Act, on page 8,
it notes the following on motorized boat use on the Chattooga WSR:
WSR designation does not necessarily restrict any particular type of use
in a corridor, including motorized boats, jet skis, hovercraft, or wheeled
vehicles. However, such uses must be consistent with the desired
conditions and experiences to be offered in a corridor, which link to OR
values. In general, types of use and access routes within river corridors at
the time of designation receive “grandfather rights” (continued use).
However, if an access route or type of use adversely impacts an OR
value, it may be closed or regulated. These issues are addressed through
management planning that considers “factors such as impacts (positive or
negative) on river values, user demand for such motorized recreation,
health and safety to users, and acceptability with desired experiences and
other values for which the river was designated.” (IWSRCC, 2002, pp. 4-
6; IWSRCC, 2006 p. 49-50).
The 1971 Designation Study report did not list motorized boating as a compatible recreation use.
From the 1971 Wild and Scenic River Study Report, Chattooga River, Page 22 “Motorized boat
use is impractical because of shallow water and rocks.” The 1971 Designation Study report
identified allowed recreation uses on page 85 “Restriction in the Act limit types of recreation use,
especially in the Wild and Scenic Sections. Compatible uses on the Chattooga River are floating
(including rafting, canoeing and kayaking), hiking (including sightseeing, nature study and
photography), hunting, fishing and primitive camping.”
In the 1976 Federal Register Notice (Volume 41, No. 56, March 22, 1977), it mentions that
kayaking, canoeing and rafting are “ideal” but notes that “Motorized boat use is impractical
because of shallow water and rocks.” The scope of this decision is limited to the upper segment of
the Chattooga WSR above Highway 28 Bridge.
C) A reasonable range of alternatives has been considered that protect resources and the effects
disclosed in the Environmental Assessment, Managing Recreation Uses in the Upper Segment of
the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River Corridor reflect that range. Variations of the commenter’s
proposed alternative have been considered in Alternative 8 and other alternatives that propose a
season restriction during the low use time of year in the Ellicott Rock Reach. See the EA for
discussion for the effects of allowing boating as suggested by the commenter. The decision maker
can choose one of the alternatives fully developed in the EA or can blend alternatives in the
decision, as long as it is within the current effects analyzed. The decision notice and rationale for
the decision provide disclosure to the public.
D) Alternatives presented in the Environmental Assessment, Managing Recreation Uses in the
Upper Segment of the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River use reach, season and flow as a means to
manage recreation uses and reduce conflict. The permit system proposed would be similar to one
that is used on the lower segment of the river.
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