Date: April 23, 2008
Contact: Nancy Gray, (865) 436-1208
Officials at Great Smoky Mountains National Park are seeking public input on an Environmental Assessment (EA) regarding a proposal to construct a new visitor center, restrooms, and an information kiosk in the Oconaluftee area of the Park, near Cherokee, N.C. Under provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act, the park is inviting public comment on the proposed facilities during a 30-day public review process that will end on May 27, 2008.
The EA describes two alternatives, a no build action (Alternative A) and a build action (Alternative B), and evaluates the potential natural and cultural impacts of the proposed facility improvements as well as weighs aesthetics and visitor use and enjoyment. The park has selected Alternative B as its Preferred and Environmentally Preferred Action.
Under Alternative B, the three new structures would be built in an area previously disturbed between the existing visitor center and the Mountain Farm Museum. The proposal calls for a new 7,000-8,000-square-foot visitor center to replace the current visitor center at the park’s main North Carolina entrance.
The proposed visitor center will have an information desk capable of handling the approximately 350,000 annual visitors, a cultural history exhibit and museum area, a cooperating association bookstore and sales area, and small office and storage space. Alongside the visitor center a 200-400 square foot information kiosk with a backcountry permit station is planned, as well as separate 1,000-1,300-square-foot restroom and vending structure. The project also calls for a reconfigured parking area which will support the new facilities and allow for better vehicle access, circulation, and parking. The current 1,100-square-foot visitor center will remain and be utilized as a multi-purpose space for public meetings, seminars, Parks as Classrooms programs, and employee offices. The restrooms and offices housed in an existing converted garage building behind the visitor center would be removed.
The cost of the project will be supported entirely through private funding in a partnership with Great Smoky Mountains Association (GSMA) and the Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. GSMA has committed a $2.5 million donation to support the construction project and the Friends of the Smokies proposed support of the interpretive exhibits at an estimated cost of $500,000. Design and fabrication of the new exhibits will run concurrent with the visitor center construction.
The need for an improved visitor facility has long been identified dating back to the park’s 1982 General Management Plan. The current building, never designed to be a visitor center, is inadequate to meet the current visitor demand at one of the Park’s primary entrances. The facility was built in 1941 by the Civilian Conservation Corps and its early functions included a ranger station and a Federal Magistrate’s Court. The building was converted by the Park for use as a visitor center in 1949.
"During the initial public scoping process in July-August 2007 to discuss the purpose and need of the project and the conceptual plan, the park received seven written comments," said Park Superintendent Dale Ditmanson. "The comments ranged from leaving the existing facility as is, to supporting the General Management Plan’s requirement for a new facility. Other comments included building a visitor center that incorporates green, sustainable technologies; enjoying the idea of enhancing Native American history at the new center; and concern for minimizing impacts to the resources during construction."
Printed copies of the EA are available for review at the park’s Oconaluftee Visitor Center as well as at the Qualla Boundary Public Library in Cherokee and Anna Porter Public Library in Gatlinburg, TN. It is available on-line at: http://parkplanning.nps.gov by selecting Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Comments can be provided directly on this site or written comments can be mailed to: Superintendent, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 107 Park Headquarters Road Gatlinburg, TN 37738. To ensure consideration comments must be postmarked by May 27.
