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ALTERNATIVE #1: CONTINUATION OF CURRENT MANAGEMENT
Summary:
· The current situation would continue with no significant
changes in administration, ownership, or management.
· ACE would continue to administer the Bluestone Project
Area, and to manage project lands in VA.
· Project lands in WV would continue to be managed by WVDNR
-Wildlife Resources Section as the Bluestone WMA through a license
with ACE. WV State Parks would continue to manage campgrounds within
the WMA.
Purpose:
· Maintain the existing level of resource protection, and
continue current uses and management practices.
Geographic Scope:
· The New River from the Route 460 bridge in Glen Lyn, VA
to 1,410-foot elevation above Steer Island in WV, and adjacent federal
lands.
· ACE also continues to administer lands adjacent to Bluestone
Lake, as well as a narrow corridor of land along the New River upstream
of the Route 460 bridge.
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ALTERNATIVE #2: NATIONAL SCENIC RIVER ADMINISTERED
BY THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
Summary:
· The New River study area would be designated as a National
Scenic River under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. The designated
area and the other federal lands within the Bluestone Project Area
upstream and downstream would continue to be owned by the federal
government and administered by ACE.
· WVDNR-Wildlife Resources Section and State Parks would
continue to manage project lands in WV as the Bluestone WMA under
a license from ACE. ACE would seek to establish a similar arrangement
with VASONR for management of project lands in VA.
Purpose:
· Maintain the current emphasis on wildlife management and
traditional recreational activities while providing added protection
for the river's free-flowing condition and outstanding resource
values, increased awareness of the area's resources and significance
through federal recognition, and additional federal funding and
capacity for management.
Geographic Scope:
· Designation of the New River as a NSR from Glen Lyn, VA
(either from Route 460 bridge or 1.3 miles downstream of the bridge)
downstream to 1,410-foot elevation above Steer Island in WV, and
adjacent federal lands.
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ALTERNATIVE #3: NATIONAL SCENIC RIVER ADMINISTERED
BY THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Summary:
· The New River study area would be designated as a National
Scenic River. Federal lands within the designated area and the Bluestone
Project Area upstream (above the Route 460 bridge) would be transferred
from ACE to NPS.
· For lands in WV, NPS would establish a cooperative arrangement
with WVDNR-Wildlife Resources Section for management of fish, wildlife,
and habitat, and the area would continue to be part of Bluestone
WMA. NPS would seek to establish a similar arrangement with VASONR
for management of project lands in VA.
· NPS would manage recreation in both states.
· Federal lands downstream around Bluestone Lake would continue
to be administered by ACE and managed by WVDNR as part of Bluestone
WMA.
Purpose:
· Maintain the current emphasis on wildlife management and
traditional recreational activities while providing added protection
for the river's free-flowing condition and outstanding resource
values, increased awareness of the area's resources and significance
through federal recognition, and additional federal funding and
capacity for management. (Same as Alternative. 2.)
Geographic Scope:
· Designation of the New River as a NSR from Glen Lyn, VA
(either from Route 460 bridge or 1.3 miles downstream of the bridge)
downstream to 1,410-foot elevation above Steer Island in WV, and
adjacent federal lands. (Same as Alternative 2.)
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ALTERNATIVE #4: NATIONAL SCENIC RIVER, STATE
OWNED AND MANAGED CONSERVATION AREA
Summary:
· The New River study area would be designated as a National
Scenic River.
· Ownership of all federal lands along the New River and
Bluestone Lake (except those lands essential for operation of the
Bluestone Dam) would be transferred to the states of VA and WV.
In WV, these lands would continue to be managed by WVDNR as the
Bluestone WMA. Lands in VA would be managed by VASONR as either
a wildlife management area or a state park.
· In addition, ownership of the federal lands within Bluestone
State Park would be transferred to the State of WV.
Purpose:
· Maintain the current emphasis on wildlife management and
traditional recreational activities while providing added protection
for the river's free-flowing condition and outstanding resource
values, increased awareness of the area's resources and significance
through federal recognition, and additional federal funding and
capacity for management. (Same as for Alternatives 2 and 3.)
· In addition, streamline administration and management by
giving the states sole management responsibility (except for review
of proposed water resources projects under WSRA Sec. 7), and increase
interstate cooperation between VA and WV for this area.
Geographic Scope:
· Designation of the New River as a NSR from Glen Lyn, VA
(either from Route 460 bridge or 1.3 miles downstream of the bridge)
downstream to 1,410-foot elevation above Steer Island in WV, and
adjacent federal lands. (Same as Alternatives 2 and 3.)
· Federal lands transferred to the states would include all
Bluestone Project Area lands along the New River and Bluestone Lake,
plus federal lands within Bluestone State Park.
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ALTERNATIVE #5: NATIONAL RECREATION AREA AND NATIONAL
SCENIC RIVER COORDINATED BY THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
Summary:
· A National Recreation Area would be established encompassing
all federal lands along the New River, Bluestone Lake, and downstream
of Bluestone Dam (except those areas essential for operation of
the dam). The NRA also could include Bluestone and Pipestem State
Parks if the managers of those areas choose to participate.
· In addition, the New River study area would be designated
as a National Scenic River.
· Federal lands along the New River and Bluestone Lake would
continue to be administered by ACE. WVDNR-Wildlife Resources Section
and State Parks would continue to manage project lands in WV as
the Bluestone WMA under a license from ACE. ACE would seek to establish
a similar arrangement with VASONR for management of project lands
in VA.
· Federal lands within Bluestone State Park would be transferred
to the State of WV.
· If they chose to be part of the NRA, Pipestem and Bluestone
State Parks would remain as autonomous sites and would continue
to determine their own management regimes.
Purpose:
· Solidify the area's position as an important public use
area emphasizing wildlife management and traditional recreational
activities.
· Provide added protection for the river's free-flowing condition
and outstanding resource values.
· Leverage additional federal funding and capacity for management.
· Foster increased collaboration among state and federal
agencies and surrounding communities.
· Seek greater integration in the management of public use
throughout the area.
Geographic Scope:
· The NRA would include all federal lands along the New
River, Bluestone Lake, and downstream of Bluestone Dam (except those
areas essential for operation of the dam), and potentially Bluestone
and Pipestem State Parks.
· Designation of the New River as a NSR would extend from
Glen Lyn, VA (either from Route 460 bridge or 1.3 miles downstream
of the bridge) downstream to 1,410-foot elevation above Steer Island
in WV, and adjacent federal lands. (Same as Alternatives 2, 3, and
4.)
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ALTERNATIVE #6: NATIONAL RECREATION AREA AND
NATIONAL SCENIC RIVER COORDINATED BY THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Summary:
· A National Recreation Area would be established encompassing
all federal lands along the New River, Bluestone Lake, and downstream
of Bluestone Dam (except those areas essential for operation of
the dam), plus Bluestone National Scenic River. The NRA also could
include Bluestone and Pipestem State Parks if the managers of those
areas choose to participate.
· In addition, the New River study area would be designated
as a National Scenic River.
· Federal lands along the New River and Bluestone Lake would
be transferred from ACE to NPS. For lands in WV, NPS would establish
a cooperative arrangement with WVDNR-Wildlife Resources Section
for management of fish, wildlife, and habitat, and the area would
continue to be part of Bluestone WMA. NPS would seek to establish
a similar arrangement with VASONR for management of project lands
in VA. NPS would manage recreation in both states.
· Federal lands downstream of Bluestone Dam would continue
to be administered by ACE, while federal lands within Bluestone
State Park would be transferred to the State of WV.
· If they chose to be part of the NRA, Pipestem and Bluestone
State Parks would remain as autonomous sites and would continue
to determine their own management regimes.
Purpose:
· Solidify the area's position as an important public use
area emphasizing wildlife management and traditional recreational
activities; provide added protection for the river's free-flowing
condition and outstanding resource values; leverage additional federal
funding and capacity for management; foster increased collaboration
among state and federal agencies and surrounding communities; seek
greater integration in the management of public use throughout the
area. (Same as Alternative 5.)
· In addition, establish and sustain a unified approach to
management throughout the Bluestone WMA, including both the New
and Bluestone NSRs.
Geographic Scope:
· The NRA would include all federal lands along the New
River, Bluestone Lake, and downstream of Bluestone Dam (except areas
essential for operation of the dam), Bluestone NSR, and potentially
Bluestone and Pipestem State Parks.
· Designation of the New River as a NSR would extend from
Glen Lyn, VA (either from Route 460 bridge or 1.3 miles downstream
of the bridge) downstream to 1,410-foot elevation above Steer Island
in WV, and adjacent federal lands. (Same as Alternatives 2 - 5.)
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OTHER ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED BUT ELIMINATED
· Enhanced current management
· National Scenic River administered by ACE and managed by
Giles County in VA and by WVDNR in WV
· National Scenic River administered by NPS and managed by
Giles County in VA and by WVDNR in WV
· National Scenic River administered and managed by NPS with
no state or county involvement
· National Scenic River administered by U.S. Forest Service
and managed by Giles County in VA and by WVDNR in WV
· National Scenic River administered and managed by U.S.
Forest Service with no state or county involvement
· National Scenic River administered by U.S. Forest Service
with VA and WV involvement in wildlife management
· National Recreation Area administered by U.S. Forest Service
with VA and WV involvement in wildlife management
· National Wildlife Refuge administered and managed by U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service with no state or county involvement
· State-owned and managed Wildlife Management Area in WV
only
· Interstate Park
· National Park administered and managed by NPS with no state
or county involvement
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updated 7-9-04 2:15pm
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