[at-l] Fwd: GSMNP North Shore Road Draft Environmental Impact Statement

[Slyatpct at aol.com (Slyatpct@aol.com)]

I take it y'all got a blank email too?  Here's the fowarding message from 
Dale and his original post.

BTW, add him to SoRuck attendee list!

"Earlier this week, The Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP or 
Park)?Superintendent's Office released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement 
(DEIS) for the North Shore Road Project. We reported on this?serious threat to the 
Appalachian National Scenic Trail (AT)?and the GSMNP?in the winter of 2005. 
The DEIS has been anticipated for several months. Those who were tracking it 
closely were not expecting a recommendation for any of the alternatives studied 
to be included with the release of the?statement. That was the case. Approval, 
possibly as high as from the the Secretary of the Interior's office,? would 
have been required for the Park Superintendent to not make a recommendation for 
one of the studied alternatives. There were?one non-action and four action 
alternatives, with the build something action alternatives 
having?several??variations. The recommendation has been deferred until after public comment has been 
received. The period for public comment starts immediately and closes March 
20, 2006. There will be 5 public hearings in communities near the Park in this 
time, and comments in writing will be accepted. The fate of a large area of 
the Park, the largest roadless area and potential designated wilderness area 
east of the Mississippi River, and the AT?there is in our hands. Those of us who 
love the Appalachian Trail and the Great Smoky Mountains must seize this rare 
opportunity to be heard.
?
The DEIS and comprehensive background information can be found at 
www.northshoreroad.info. The meetings schedule?is given?on the site. Where to mail 
comments?is not specially?stated at this time, but GSMNP Headquarters, 107 Park 
Headquarters Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738 can be used.?The DEIS,? proper, is lengthy 
at 522 pages. There is a downloadable 46 page summary, however,?and?a hyper 
linked Table of Contents to specific areas of the main document on the site can 
be used?to access additional details?as wanted or needed.
?
The DEIS Summary contains little new information beyond what?we had?a year 
ago. There?is just a great deal?more detail. The cost of the road is still 
staggering,? at as much as $589,700,000 in 2006 dollars?for less than 35 paved 
miles, with the full build option. And, that is with little projected economic 
benefit to the area, post the construction phase.?The DEIS? addresses 
environmental?impacts?thoroughly. All of that is acknowledged to be negative, just to 
varying degrees depending on the alternative considered. None of the build 
alternatives would appear to be 100% satisfactory to?the proponents of building the 
road.?Social changes resulting from construction, should that proceed,?to 
nearby communities are anticipated to be significant and adverse.
?
The one action alternative?that is also a no-build alternative is the 
referred to as the Monetary Settlement.?This is supported by virtually all concerned 
environmental and conservation groups, to include the Appalachian Trail 
Conservancy. The Swain County Commissioners, signatory to the 1943 agreement driving 
all of this,?have voted to accept this alternative, and would consider the 
whole issue resolved once payment was received. Please do go to the Web site 
above, research the issue, and submit comment as you see fit.
Denny Rhodes

Conservation Director
?
GEORGIA APPALACHIAN TRAIL CLUB