Park Releases Environmental Assessment for Vista Clearing along Scenic Railway

Date: October 19, 2007
Contact: Steven Seven, 423-569-9778
Contact: Phyllis Trabolt, 423-569-9778

The National Park Service has released an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the clearing of selected vistas along the route of the Big South Fork Scenic Railway. The purpose of the Environmental Assessment is to evaluate all threats to the human and the natural environment in Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area (NRRA).

The agency’s preferred alternative is Alternative “B”, under which the Scenic Railway would create and maintain four (4) vistas on Big South Fork NRRA managed land. This alternative is sensitive to resource protection, promotes the General Management Plan policy of coordinating with the McCreary County Heritage Foundation about the Big south Fork Scenic Railway and meets the project Purpose and Need.

Copies of the Environmental Assessment are available by writing Superintendent, Big South Fork NRRA, 4564 Leatherwood Road, Oneida, Tennessee, 37841, or by contacting Big South Fork NRRA Headquarters at [phone]. The Environmental Assessment can also be reviewed at the PEPC website.

Comments should be submitted by email, or mailed to Big South Fork NRRA Headquarters, 4564 Leatherwood Road, Oneida, Tennessee, 37841. All comments must be emailed or received no later than November 21, 2007. Any questions may be directed to Phyllis Trabold at [phone].