Dear friends and members of the public who are interested in the protection of the Appalachian Trail across Saddleback Mountain:
We are pleased to announce that the Summary Report for the Environmental Assessment for the Protection of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail across Saddleback Mountain is available for public review. At the bottom of this page, you will find links to five files that make up the complete Summary Report. In addition, the eight files that make up the Environmental Assessment are provided below. Once downloaded, these files can be viewed using Acrobat Reader. If you do not have this program, a free version can be downloaded here. If you have any problems downloading or viewing these files, feel free to contact us.
When the Environmental Assessment was issued in June 1999, we invited the public to submit comments regarding the document during a 60-day public comment period. The response was overwhelming. I took the time to personally read each of the comments that we received. I found myself moved by the deep and abiding level of concern that people expressed for the well-being of the Appalachian Trail, as well as the concerns of people in the Rangeley region for the economic well-being of their families and their community.
The enclosed Summary Report analyzes, documents, and responds to the comments that we received in response to the Environmental Assessment. (Additional copies of the Summary Report and the Finding of No Significant Impact that has been prepared may be obtained from our office.) As noted in the Report, the National Park Service has identified Alternative #2 as its Preferred Alternative at this time. It is important to understand, however, that the Summary Report is not a decision document. Negotiations with the landowner still must ensue prior to a final decision by the National Park Service. We are confident that we can find a solution that will protect the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and take into account concerns that have been expressed for economic development opportunities in the Rangeley region.
I want to thank each of you who took the time to write us about this important issue. Many of you took the time to provide detailed, thoughtful comments regarding the Environmental Assessment. Your comments, as well as thousands of others, were weighed carefully in preparing the attached summary report and will be considered further as we work with the landowner to develop a final position regarding protection of this section of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.
Sincerely,
Pamela Underhill
Park Manager
If you do not have Acrobat Reader, you may download a version here.
Finding of No Significant Impact and Decision Document
Summary Report
Environmental Assessment
