ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE NORTH SIDE TRAILS SYSTEM

Date: November 5, 2015
Contact: Arlene Wimer, 806-857-3151

Lake Meredith National Recreation Area (the park) is proposing to construct a sustainable, multi-use trail system for pedestrian, bicycle, and horse use on the north side of the park in Moore and Potter Counties, Texas.

The staff at the park continues to address the need for the development of non-motorized, land-based recreational activities. The trails would provide non-vehicular access to Devils Canyon and Big Canyon, and would connect the Mullinaw Trails with the South Side Trails System.

Currently, the north side of the park has no formal trails; however, a series of modified social trails that do not conform to National Park Service (NPS) policies and standards were created. A new sustainable North Side Trail System would follow NPS policies and standards and protect natural and cultural resources in the park.

The proposed North Side Trail System ranges from Upper Plum to Hackberry Butte. The trail head would be located at the Lower Plum Creek campground to take advantage of existing park infrastructure
(all-weather access road, parking, outback restroom, and picnic tables). New trail construction, converted administrative dirt roads, and modified existing social trails would be combined, resulting in approximately 23 miles of multi-use trails. An outback restroom would be constructed in the upper reach of
Big Canyon.

At this time, the Superintendent is announcing a 30-day public scoping period to solicit public comments on this proposal prior to the park completing an environmental analysis of the proposal.

A complete scoping brochure can be found on the parks web site at:
https://www.nps.gov/lamr/learn/management/index.htm or at Park Headquarters: 419 Broadway, Fritch, Texas.