U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

To read this EA more effectively, carefully study this page. Following Federal regulations, we have designed and written this EA to (1) inform members of the affected and interested public of this project so that they may express their opinions to the decision-maker and (2) provide the decision-maker with sufficient information to make an informed reasoned decision concerning the proposed project.

This EA follows the organization and content established by the CEQ Regulations (40 CFR 1500-1508). The EA consists of the following chapters:

1. Purpose and Need for Action
2. Description of the Alternatives
3. Description of the Affected Environment
4. Environmental Consequences of the Alternatives
5. List of Preparers
6. List of Agencies and Persons Contacted
7. Appendix

Chapters 1 and 2 together serve as an Executive Summary. We have written these two chapters so that the general public can understand the potential environmental, technical, and economic consequences of taking and of not taking action. Chapter 1 introduces the proposed project. It provides a very brief description of the project and then explains key elements of the project.

Chapter 2 is the heart of this EA. It provides detailed descriptions of the No Action and the action alternatives. Most importantly, it includes a summary comparison of the predicted effects of the alternatives on the human environment, providing a clear comparison of the alternatives.

Chapters 3 and 4 contain detailed, scientific information, presented to alert technical specialists to potential problems, opportunities, and solutions. These two chapters serve as the scientific and analytic basis for the summary comparison of the predicted effects presented in Chapter 2.

Chapter 3 briefly describes the current conditions of the relevant resources and issues in the project area that would be meaningfully affected, establishing a part of the baseline used for the comparison of the predicted effects of the action alternatives.

Chapter 4 presents the detailed, analytic predictions of the consequences of implementing the alternatives. These predictions include the direct, indirect, short-term, and long-term, irreversible, irretrievable, and cumulative effects of implementing these alternatives.

Table of Contents

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Table of Figures

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The current 250-car parking lot used to accommodate visitor parking at Old Rag Mountain is leased on a short-term basis from a private landowner. The National Park Service (NPS) has been notified by the landowner that the long-term viability of this parking lot is tenuous. The NPS seeks to solidify the parking availability by building a parking lot on a suitable site near Old Rag Mountain that would remain secure on an indefinite basis. In doing so, the NPS is seeking a solution that would provide future visitors with improved service and safer access to the Old Rag Ridge Trail while minimizing impacts to Park neighbors.

Old Rag Mountain in Madison County, Virginia, is one of the most popular hikes in the Shenandoah National Park. Rising from the edge of the Piedmont, its pinnacle of giant granite boulders and challenging rock scrambles make this destination a unique regional attraction. It is hiked more than 50,000 times each year. Unlike most hikes in the Park, very few visitors access this area of the Park from the Skyline Drive. Due to its remoteness from the Drive, the only reasonable access is from one of two trailheads located on secondary highways in Madison County. The Berry Hollow trailhead is serviced by a very small parking lot (within Park boundaries) located on the southwest side of the mountain. The Ridge trailhead is located in Weakley Hollow at the end of State Route 600 southwest of the small community of Nethers. Historically, it too has been serviced by a small parking lot (12 spaces) situated within Park boundaries. To accommodate the heavy visitation, for nearly 30 years the Park has leased a large parking lot in Nethers, 0.8 miles down the road from the trailhead, and encouraged the public to hike to the trailhead.

Besides the Ridge Trail, which connects with the Saddle Trail and the Weakley Hollow Fire Road to create a popular loop hike on Old Rag Mountain, other area trails attract hikers and backpackers to the Nethers area. These trails include Nicholson Hollow, Corbin Hollow, Robertson Mountain, and Weakley Hollow. Collectively these areas comprise the most popular destination in the Park for backcountry camping. This area also has a rich history of human habitation making it one of the most culturally significant areas of the Park. This entire area, including Old Rag Mountain itself, is accessed from one of three trailheads located in close proximity in Nethers. The Ridge and the Weakley Hollow trailheads are located side by side at the small "upper" parking lot located at the end of State Route 600. The Nicholson Hollow trailhead is located a short distance down the road toward the leased lot.

In 1976, Congress designated most of the area comprising Old Rag Mountain as Wilderness Area.

The NPS lease of land for Old Rag Mountain parking in Nethers, beginning in 1974, combined with other management actions, helped reduce impacts on Park neighbors caused by public use of the area. However, those actions resulted in concerns for visitor safety and the visitor experience, and are only effective so long as the lease is sustained.

It is the NPS long-term vision for the Old Rag/Weakley Hollow area to (1) upgrade visitor services by constructing an improved, permanent public contact station and (2) secure vehicle parking into the indefinite future for 215-250 vehicles. At this time, however, there are no alternatives that achieve both these goals. This project would achieve the interim step of securing property and constructing a modicum of parking with an eye to the future. The timing of future development is subject to the availability federal funding. Additional field surveys and a separate environmental assessment would be necessary to address NEPA and cultural/archeological issues when additional development is possible. Appendix V describes future development plans that go beyond this proposal.

This proposal addresses the following problems:

• Neighbor impacts: obstructed traffic flow caused from roadside parking along the narrow State Route 600, trespassing (mainly illegal parking and camping), littering, and sanitation.
• Visitor safety concerns: caused from high vehicular and foot traffic sharing the same narrow roadway (State Route 600).
• Diminished visitor experience: caused by lack of parking and/or poor trailhead access (requiring adding 1.6 mile round trip hiking distance by walking along the road).

This project describes alternatives for solving the visitor use management problems experienced in the Weakley Hollow area for the past three decades. It attempts to meet the following objectives: (1) Provide for improved public safety; (2) Minimize impacts to Park neighbors from Park visitation; (3) Avoid damage to cultural and natural resources in or out of the Park; (4) Accommodate current levels of visitation to the area; (5) Create a positive gateway experience for those visiting the Park via Madison County; (6) Provide an opportunity for partnership involving the Park, Madison County, and the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC) that promotes the interests of all partners while serving visitors to the County and Park.

The Park will meet all legal requirements as specified in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (applying to cultural/archeological resource protection). The Park will mitigate or avoid potential threats to prehistoric, historic, or natural resources while completing this project.

This project would construct a parking lot and connector trail that provides shorter and safer access to the Old Rag Ridge Trail while minimizing impacts to local landowners living along State Route 600, and provide for an overall improved experience for people visiting Old Rag Mountain.

This assessment incorporates the policies and positions set forth in a number of local studies and plans for Shenandoah National Park. Among others, such planning documents include:

• The 2000 Shenandoah National Park Five Year Strategic Plan: Fiscal Years 2001-2005
• The 1998 Shenandoah National Park Resource Management Plan
• The 1998 Shenandoah National Park Backcountry & Wilderness Management Plan with accompanying Finding of No Significant Impact and Environmental Assessment.

Additionally, an updated fire management plan for the Park may be available for public scrutiny within the next six months. That document and planning process would include resource protection policies having bearing upon the management of boundary areas such as Old Rag/Weakley Hollow. Fire suppression policy for "Developed and Historic Zones" such as these should not change from the now dated Fire Management Plan.

The National Park Service would continue to lease the "lower" parking site from the current landowners as long as it is available. Since 1974, the Park has leased approximately three acres of pastureland along State Route 600 on a short-term basis. The current 5-year agreement expires in September 2007. The site is undeveloped except for a small shed-style building used as a contact station and some gravel roads. The site is located in Weakley Hollow, 0.8 miles from the Old Rag Mountain trailhead. Visitors are encouraged to park in the lot and walk along the roadway to and from the trailhead. A temporary barricade is placed in the roadway on busy days to discourage vehicles from proceeding closer to the trailhead where parking is extremely limited and the roadway is narrow. Considerable pedestrian and vehicular traffic shares the roadway. Restroom facilities are provided through rented portable toilets. (See Maps 1 & 2.)

The site proposed under Alternatives B, C, D, and E for developing a parking lot, new trailhead, and relocating the temporary public contact kiosk is on approximately 4 acres of a 6-acre tract of land recently acquired by the PATC from a local landowner (Kestenbaum). The site is located on the south side of State Route 600, about 0.4 miles from the existing Old Rag Mountain Ridge Trailhead. A portion of the connector trail (0.4 miles) that would tie into the Ridge Trail would be sited on an adjoining 17-acre tract of land also acquired by the PATC from Kestenbaum. (See Maps 1&2.)

The site identified for parking is comprised of second growth forest located on land that was farmed for several decades (but prior to ~1970). The forest canopy is fairly open, permitting a dense and diverse forest ground/shrub cover. The site is located on an area with variable grades of 3%-to-10%. The 6-acre site includes a small stream (with adjacent wetland) and a spring-fed seep/stream/wetland.

Located on the same site would be a shed-style kiosk (~120 square feet) that would serve as a temporary public contact station. Portable or vault toilets would serve as public restrooms. A short foot trail would be constructed from the primary parking area to State Route 600 to provide pedestrian access to the Nicholson Hollow Trailhead located a short distance up State Route 600. A span bridge would be constructed across the upper stream to accommodate pedestrian traffic to and from the Ridge Trail.

The parking lot(s) would be linked to the existing Ridge Trail (the trail that traverses Old Rag Mountain) with a new foot trail. Most of the route of this trail would be constructed on a side hill grade exceeding 10-15%. The width of the trail tread would be up to 5 feet. This trail would traverse about 0.4 miles of forested land outside the Park. Upon crossing the Park boundary, the trail route would be within Federally Designated Wilderness for about 0.3 miles before rendezvousing with the existing Ridge Trail. In lieu of using this connector trail, many visitors may opt to use the upper (less traveled) section of State Route 600 for an "Old Rag Circuit Hike" return trip access to this parking lot.

Development would include a gravel access road and parking areas for up to 225 vehicles. (See Map 3.) This site would accommodate nearly all NPS parking in the Weakley Hollow area. The primary parking lot would be gravel and would accommodate about 165 parking stalls. An overflow lot would be used to accommodate parking for about 60 vehicles only on peak visitation days of the year. This overflow lot would be constructed of reinforced turf to give a grass field appearance when viewed from the road.

The alternative uniquely includes:

• Less than 0.1 acre of disturbance to wetland would result from a double-culvert vehicle crossing to access the overflow parking lot. A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers wetlands permit is required.
• A 25-foot (or greater) riparian buffer around the perimeter of the parking lot.

2.4 Alternative C. Develop a 165-vehicle parking lot and connector trail on the PATC Tract; temporarily use the lower lease lot for overflow parking needs^†; includes common issues of section 2.2

As in Alternative B, the site identified for developing a parking lot, new trailhead, and relocating the temporary visitor contact kiosk is on approximately 4 acres of land owned by the PATC. Development would include a gravel access road and a parking area for roughly 165 vehicles^†. (See Map 4.) This would accommodate NPS parking in the Weakley Hollow area on most days of the year. The existing lease lot would also be used temporarily for overflow parking during periods of peak visitation. All development would take place outside of delineated wetlands and outside of natural riparian buffers.

The alternative uniquely includes:

• No impacts to wetlands. No vehicle crossings over wetlands.
• 25-foot or greater riparian buffer around perimeter of parking lot.

In the event of parking overflow during peak-use periods, visitors would be instructed to park in the existing lower lease lot. This site is located in Weakley Hollow, 0.8 miles from the Old Rag Mountain Ridge Trailhead. That lot consists of approximately two acres of pastureland along State Route 600. That lot would be utilized for overflow parking until such time as additional parking can be constructed on the PATC lot.

As in Alternatives B and C, the site identified for developing a parking lot, new trailhead, and relocating the temporary visitor contact kiosk is on approximately 4 acres of land owned by the PATC. Development would include a gravel access road and a parking area for roughly 125 vehiclesf . This would accommodate NPS parking in the Weakley Hollow area on the majority of the days of the year (though not on most good weather weekends from April through November). All development would take place outside of delineated wetlands and outside of natural riparian buffers. (See Map 5.)

The alternative uniquely includes:

• No impacts to wetlands. No vehicle crossings over wetlands.
• 50-foot or greater riparian buffer around the perimeter of parking lot (except for one or two short sections (e.g. near the State Route 600 entrance, with at least a 25-foot buffer).

In the event of parking overflow during peak-use periods, visitors would be instructed to park in the existing lower lease lot. This site is located in Weakley Hollow, 0.8 miles from the Old Rag Mountain Ridge Trailhead. That lot would be utilized for overflow parking until such time as additional parking can be constructed on the PATC lot.

As in Alternatives B, C, and D, the site identified for developing a parking lot, new trailhead, and relocating the temporary visitor contact kiosk is on approximately 4 acres of land owned by the PATC. Development would include a gravel access road and parking areas for up to 160 vehicles* . This would accommodate NPS parking in the Weakley Hollow area on most days of the year. Parking at the PATC Tract would be comprised of a primary and an overflow parking area. The primary parking lot would be gravel and would accommodate about 125 parking stalls. An overflow lot would accommodate parking for an additional 35 vehicles on peak visitation days of the year. The latter would be constructed of reinforced turf to give a grass field appearance when viewed from the road. (See Map 6.)

The alternative uniquely includes:

• Less than 0.1 acre of disturbance to wetland from a double-culvert vehicle crossing to upper (overflow) parking lot. A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers wetlands permit is required.
• 50-foot or greater riparian buffer around perimeter of the parking lot (except for one or two short sections (e.g. near the State Route 600 entrance, with at least a 25-foot buffer).

In the event of parking overflow during peak-use periods, visitors would be instructed to park in the existing lower lease lot. This site is located in Weakley Hollow, 0.8 miles from the Old Rag Mountain Ridge Trailhead. That lot consists of approximately two acres of pastureland along State Route 600. That lot would be utilized for overflow parking until such time as additional parking can be constructed on the PATC lot.

In addition to specific mitigative measures to minimize resource impacts, specified in the alternatives above, the following mitigation would be employed for all action alternatives. (See Section 4.0.)

• Re: Soils/Hydrology Protection – Limit trail corridor construction impacts to 5 feet width
• Re: Soils/Hydrology Protection – Install up to 20 erosion control features along the new trail to reduce run-off erosion impacts

• Re: Soils/Hydrology/Macro-invertebrates Protection – Leave 25-50-foot stream/riparian buffering intact to capture sediments and run-off

• Re: Water Quality & Macro-invertebrates Protection – Grade the parking lot surface to the extent possible to direct diffuse run-off of precipitation towards 50-foot buffers and away from narrower buffers

• Re: Water Quality & Macro-invertebrates Protection – Install erosion control and stormwater run-off mitigation that satisfies VA Department of Conservation & Recreation best management practices.
• Re: Air Quality Protection – Maintain new parking areas with either a hardened surface or gravel to a specified depth (minimizing dust)
• Re: Air Quality Protection – Post/enforce a 10 mph speed limit in new parking areas (minimizing dust)
• Re: Noise Abatement – Encourage a 35 mph speed limit on the paved State Route 600
• Re: Archeological Resource Protection – Potentially adverse effects on potential National Register eligible archaeological sites will be mitigated in consultation with the Virginia State Historic Preservation Officer per the memorandum of agreement, July 3, 2002
• Re: Wilderness Protection – No use of motorized equipment during trail construction within wilderness.

Apparent impacts of each alternative are summarized in Table 2.8.1. Refer to section 4.0, Environmental Impacts of the Alternatives, for background and detail.

2.9.1 Provide no parking to accommodate public access to Old Rag Mountain from the Park boundary

Rationale For Rejection:

2.9.2 Construct a 100⁺ vehicle lot in Upper Weakley Hollow and accommodate less visitation

Rationale for Rejection:

2.9.3 Construct parking in Berry Hollow to accommodate all visitation

Rationale for Rejection:

2.9.4 Construct parking lots in both Weakley and Berry Hollows

Rationale for Rejection:

2.9.5 Accommodate all visitation through indefinite use of the existing lower leased lot

2.9.6 Construct parking at an alternate site (not described above) in the Weakley Hollow area

Rationale for Rejection:

2.9.7 Directly access the "bench area" of the PATC Tract via State Route 600 to augment parking without crossing wetlands

Rationale for Rejection:

The proposed site identified for parking is comprised of second growth mixed deciduous forest (~30-40 years old) located on land that was previously farmed. The canopy is fairly open, permitting a dense forest ground cover dominated by a variety of species such as green briar, blackberry, false hellebore, Christmas fern, ladyfern, stilt grass, wingstem, saxifrage, impatiens, violets, sensitive fern, ragwort, New York fern, Japanese honeysuckle, multiflora rose, Virginia creeper, wild grape, false solomons seal, and wood nettle. Shrub species include common elderberry, spicebush, alder, witch hazel, American hazelnut, holly, and mountain laurel. The forest cover is primarily a cove hardwood type. The predominant tree species include tulip trees, sycamore, princess tree, Ailanthus, red maple, black locust, black cherry, red oak, eastern hemlock, yellow birch, white pine, striped maple, black birch, mimosa, sassafras, umbrella magnolia, and ironwood. Refer to Appendix II to view a comprehensive Vegetation Species List of the PATC Tract.

The vegetation on the proposed 0.7 mile long trail corridor consists of a mixture of hardwood species. This trail would connect the site of the proposed parking area to the Old Rag Ridge Trail. The corridor traverses a hillside dominated by tulip poplar forest. This forest type is common on deep well-drained soil along stream valleys at low to mid-elevations. The tree canopy along the trail route was composed primarily of mature tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), mixed with red maple (Acer rubrum), yellow birch (Betula allegheniensis), and black birch (Betula lenta). Other associated tree species included red oak (Quercus rubra), and hickories (Carya spp.). The understory contained a mixture of shrubs including spicebush (Lindera benzoin), flowering dogwood (Cornus florida), and striped maple (Acer pennsylvanicum). At the ground level, Christmas fern (Polystichum achrostichoides), Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), greenbriar (Smilax spp.), and blackberry (Rubus spp.) were most evident.

The terrain is steep and rocky in places and is punctuated by boulders and small outcrops. These outcrops had very thin soil, and a vegetation cover that could be easily disturbed by hiker traffic. However, due to trail siting criteria, the trail will avoid these steep and rocky areas, and therefore pose little threat to outcrop vegetation. No rare plants were found within the trail corridor outside or inside the park. A review of Ludwig et al. (1993) also confirmed that no state rare plants have been recorded on or near parkland to be impacted by the trail. The 0.7 mile-long trail route will be sited in a such a way to avoid removal of any woody vegetation greater than ½" in diameter.

It appears that the fire suppression policy for a "Developed and Historic Zone," such as the Old Rag/Weakley Hollow area, will not change in the Park’s soon to be released Fire Management Plan. Immediate fire suppression is called for in the zone.

The soil type for the upper 75% (southern) portion of the 6-acre PATC tract is Unison Loam (UnB) with 2-7% slopes (See Soil Survey Map). This soil typically has a surface layer of brown loam roughly 9" thick. The subsoil extends to a depth of 50". The upper 3" is reddish brown clay loam, the next 21" is yellowish-red clay, and the lower 17" is strong brown clay. The substratum to a depth of 72" is a strong-brown cobbly clay loam that is about 25% coarse fragments of greenstone and granodiorite rocks.

The lower 25% (northern) portion of the PATC tract is Trego loam (TrC) with 2 –10% slopes. Typically, the surface layer is dominantly dark yellowish-brown loam about 8" thick. The subsoil extends to a depth of 36". The upper 14" is mottled yellowish-brown light clay loam. The lower 14" is a firm, brittle fragipan of light olive-brown sandy loam mottled with strong brown and gray. The substratum to a depth of 72" is a sandy loam stratified with many granodorite stones and pebbles. (See the Soil Survey of Madison County, VA. Sheet No. 6, 1973.)

Shenandoah National Park maintains a comprehensive air quality monitoring site at Big Meadows in western Madison County. The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) maintains air quality monitors in nearby Fauquier (ozone), Albemarle (coarse particulate matter or PM10), and Culpeper (PM10) Counties. Monitoring indicates that summertime ground-level ozone levels are generally moderate in the presence of sunlight but periodically exceed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 8-hour standard to protect human health. Ozone levels have decreased since the late 1990s in the Park and Fauquier County. Coarse particulate matter (PM10) levels meet EPA standards and annual mean levels have generally decreased in Albemarle and Culpeper Counties and the Park since the 1990s.

The National Park Service Air Resources Division recently completed an air pollutant emissions inventory for Shenandoah National Park, which is surrounded by the counties of Albemarle, Augusta, Greene, Madison, Page, Rappahannock, Rockingham and Warren. This inventory entailed a comprehensive look at in-park management and visitor-related activities that generate air pollutants. Emission estimates for the eight largely rural counties surrounding the park were obtained from the 1999 National Emissions Inventory maintained by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Table 3.3.1 indicates that, of these eight counties, Madison County has comparatively low to moderate levels of five air pollutants of interest including volatile organic compounds (VOC), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), PM10 and carbon monoxide (CO). Mobile (vehicle) sources and area (e.g., residential, agricultural, open burns) sources produce the vast majority of air pollutant emissions in Madison County.

The existing lease lot (250-vehicle parking capacity) and the proposed parking lot (125- to 225-vehicle parking capacity) are located 0.4 mile apart on State Route 600, a paved road with negligible fugitive dust from vehicular traffic. The existing lease lot is pastureland with grasses and forbs that bind the soil. The proposed parking lot and access road would be gravel, except small overflow lots under Alternatives B and E would be reinforced turf. Vehicular traffic on gravel surfaces generates "fugitive dust" (particulate matter).

The average daily and annual traffic volume on state secondary route 600 (both directions) is 210 and 76,650 vehicles, respectively (Virginia Department of Transportation 2001). Park-related traffic accounts for an estimated 25,000 vehicles annually, with residential traffic comprising the remaining 48,365 vehicles. Higher park visitation levels tend to occur on weekends from April through October.

The 6-acre PATC site has two small streams and numerous seeps and springs feeding them (see Map # 2 Topographic Survey of 6-acre tract with delineated wetlands). One is comprised of a section of a permanent "upper" stream roughly 6-8’ wide and 360’ long. A spring-fed "lower" wetland/stream runs about 110 meters through the site with variable widths. The lower stream, originates on the property, the upper stream originates within 100 meters of the property line. Both streams are considered first order tributaries. These two streams enter the Hughes River within ¼ mile of leaving this property. The Hughes River is managed by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries as a "put and take" trout fishery. For this report the upper stream (farthest from Route 600) will be called OLD1 and the smaller stream will be called OLD2. OLD1 is 90% to 100% shaded (by trees and shrubs) and is composed of a sand, gravel, and cobble substrate. There is some silt in the slow moving areas. The stream channel is diffused with small boulders but has a defined channel with an average width of about one-meter, and an average depth of 5cm. There were few springs or seeps entering this channel. Most of the water present appeared to originate from upstream (off) the property. OLD2 is 100% shaded (mainly by trees) and is composed of a sand and gravel substrate. The water flows around many boulders in the basin, and there is no one main channel. There is some silt in the slow moving areas. The basin has an average width of about 5 meters and an average depth of about 2cm. Most of the water present appeared to originate on the property from two main springs. OLD2 is likely to dry up in the summer under low flow conditions.

On May 29, 2002, water condition and chemistry were taken on the upper permanent stream. Average pH was 5.77, average Dissolved Oxygen was 9.09 mg/L, average conductivity was 15.8, and water temperatures was 13.4 degrees Celsius. These results are well within the averages for similar sites with Old Rag Granite bedrock. On May 15, 2002, the water chemistry was taken on the lower wetland/stream. Average pH was 6.50, average Dissolved Oxygen was 9.35 mg/L, average conductivity was 17, and water temperature was 11.93 degrees Celsius. These results are also well within averages for similar sites with Old Rag Granite bedrock.

All relevant sampling protocols listed in Shenandoah National Park Long-Term Ecological Monitoring System, Section III, Aquatic Component User Manual, 1991, were used for collection. OLD1 was sampled for water quality and aquatic macro-invertebrates on May 15, 2002. Aquatic macro-invertebrates in OLD1 were collected using a D Frame Net (D-Net) due to low water volume. Three quantitative samples were taken, put in individual bags, and preserved in 95% ethanol. OLD2 was sampled for water quality and aquatic macro-invertebrates on May 29, 2002. One qualitative aquatic macro-invertebrate sample was collected in OLD2 using a D-Net. There was no one defined channel so a quantitative sample could not be taken.

From the number of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera families (mayflies, stoneflies, and caddisflies) collected, both streams can be deemed to be in excellent health for their small size. None of these aquatic insects are rare, threatened, or endangered.

The most notable difference between the two streams is the lack of Ephemeroptera families in OLD2. The most likely cause of this is periodic drying of the streambed. Both streams are influenced by the Old Rag geologic formation. The water chemistry readings fall within the expected tolerances for this geologic formation and would not be expected to change in pH levels with the addition of a parking lot. Also, it should be noted that in a normal rainfall year, there would be more water present in each stream.

Neither stream channel appears to experience extreme flow events and, therefore, the proposed site is not likely prone to flooding (see Map # 2 Topographic Survey of 6-acre tract with delineated wetlands). This observation is supported by the morphology of the channel, which is characterized by randomly scattered cobbles that display no evidence of reworking (i.e. cobble bar formation or particle imbrication). Examination of the topographic map supports this conclusion; the watershed is very small, likely less than 0.1 square miles and there is no indication of a "well defined" channel. The channel that does exist is a "first" order stream, meaning that there are no tributary streams above the proposed area. There was evidence of previous flows in the form of a "wash line" or discoloration of the cobble substrate, but this "proxy" stage indicator was only a few inches above the channel bottom suggesting only minor increases in flow on a regular basis. Lastly, no indications of channel scour or overbank flows were observed. The deeper substrate of cobble and boulder would be very permeable and would ordinarily allow run-off to readily percolate into the ground and into the nearest drainage. However, field tests indicate a clay loam layer of roughly 20"-26" thick (between 7"-33" down) exists in the central area (proposed parking area) over this cobble-boulder substrate. Therefore, infiltration rates (permeability) would be relatively low due to the presence of this clay loam layer. This information is based on samples taken from four test pits using a 3"-wide soil auger with standard methods on 11/15/02. Test hole depths were 26", 36", and 48". No standing water was found in any of these three test holes or at any depth.

The substrate underlying the proposed parking lot area includes a ~1"-7" A-Horizon (top soil), 7"-33" B-Horizon (mostly clay loam, some loam), and a 33"-48" alluvial layer (mostly poorly sorted sand, gravel, and cobble. The sand/gravel layer is indicative of prior stream channel shift or an existing streambed during a pre-historic geologic flood event). The alluvial layer was present only in the lower (48"), soil auger test pit.

See Wetland Delineation Report (Appendix III) and Wetlands Delineation Map (see Appendix I, Map # 2 Topographic Survey of 6-acre tract with delineated wetlands). Proposed parking lot development will either have no wetland impact or have a wetland impact less than 0.10 acre. It is within the realm of an appropriate U.S. Army Corps of Engineers national permit.

The stream or wetland sections on the PATC Tract support a wide variety of amphibians and reptile species. Amphibians include Northern red salamanders, spotted salamanders, pickerel frogs, wood frogs, etc. Reptiles include northern water snakes and snapping turtles. Fish species were not documented within either stream/wetland section.

Wildlife includes a variety of common Central Appalachian species. Mammals include white-tailed deer, gray squirrels, opossums, raccoons, gray fox, white-footed mice, short-tailed shrew, etc. Bird species include wild turkey, turkey vultures, catbirds, blue jays, rufous-sided towhees, juncos, nuthatches, titmouse, chickadees, various warblers, and woodpeckers, etc. Terrestrial invertebrates include annelids (earthworms, etc.), various insects (mole crickets, cicadas etc.), isopods (pill bugs), and arachnids.

There are no federally-listed floral or faunal species within the project area. The scope of this project will not affect any state-rare or state-threatened floral or faunal species within the project area (See letter from VA Natural Heritage Division, December 2002).

The State Route 600 corridor from its junction with Route 707 to the Weakley Hollow/Old Rag Mountain trailhead is a rural soundscape comprised of second growth mixed deciduous forest with interspersed hills, ridges, and lowlands with residences, outbuildings and pastureland. Most residences appear to be within 700 feet from the road. Some have intervening physical features that attenuate (e.g., forest, structures, rock outcrops) or propagate (e.g., driveways, roads, parking areas) sound. The Hughes River and associated sycamore/riverine forest riparian flows north of Route 600, and closely parallels the road from the proposed parking lot site to east of the existing lease lot. The sounds of nature, traffic, hikers and dogs walking 0.8 mile from the small upper lot to the lease lot, farmers working their fields, and residents enjoying the outdoors are periodically interrupted by aircraft overflights.

3.11.1 Architecture

There are no large-scale architectural features within the proposed project area. The upper portion of the 6-acre tract contains two spring boxes that retain integrity, but do not have National Register significance, as they are neither unique nor highly representative of their types. Regardless, they will not be impacted by the project and will be preserved.

3.11.2 Cultural Landscape

The historical record indicates that the area was open pasture or farmland in the 19^th century and that it had a large garden in the 20^th. Archaeological evidence indicates several cycles of plowing. The surface is littered with piles of rocks, both linear and circular, intermixed with trash and demolition rubbish. What at first appearance suggests a structural landscape on close examination is revealed only to be the result of decades of dumping of rocks from field clearance elsewhere. Except in one wet area of the site, all of the vegetation within the non-wetland area of the site is second growth and of no significance. Based on these findings, there is no National Register cultural landscape significance to the site.

3.11.3 Archaeological

Phase I archaeological survey of the site has been completed and the results are being analyzed. Potentially significant archeological resources were found in only one location in the project area.

A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Virginia Department of Historic Resources has been executed in reference to this project. (See Appendix IV.) If any alternative that could impact the potentially significant resource is selected, Shenandoah National Park will complete additional archeological investigations to determine its significance per the MOA. If necessary, the Park would also develop mitigation measures per the MOA.

The Park manages 79,979 acres of Congressionally designated wilderness (P.L. 94-567) in eleven separate parcels distributed throughout the park. The Old Rag Mountain area contains some of that designated wilderness. The Wilderness Act of 1964 declares it to be the "policy of the Congress to secure for the American people of present and future generations the benefits of an enduring resource of wilderness."

National Park Service Management Policies 2001, Chapter 6 "Wilderness Preservation and Management," states, "The NPS will manage wilderness areas for the use and enjoyment of the American people in such a manner as will leave them unimpaired for future use and enjoyment as wilderness. Management will include the protection of these areas and the preservation of their wilderness character. The public purpose of wilderness in the national parks includes the preservation of wilderness character/resources in an unimpaired condition, as well as for the purposes of recreational, scenic, scientific, education, conservation, and historical use." In accordance with the Wilderness Act, the NPS provides additional direction in wilderness management through NPS Director’s Order #41. The Park wilderness management policy is provided in the Park’s 1998 Backcountry and Wilderness Management Plan (BWMP).

The Old Rag Mountain area receives approximately 50,000 hiker visits each year, creating a dilemma in managing the area for wilderness values such as having "…outstanding opportunities for solitude" and "…with the imprint of man’s work substantially unnoticeable". Due to the historical popularity of the Old Rag trail system, the paradox of allowing high levels of visitor use to occur during certain periods (such as summer and fall weekend days) while maintaining wilderness character was resolved in the BWMP. The classification prescription for management of Old Rag in "Threshold Wilderness" (high-use) within the "Limits of Acceptable Change" planning framework provides specific management objectives for impacts related to visitor use. Visitors recreating within the Threshold Wilderness management zone can expect to experience reduced opportunities for isolation and solitude, hikers may frequently experience large groups along the trail, hikers may notice moderate use impacts to vegetation and soil (on and off the trail), and trails are maintained to a standard commensurate with the high levels of visitor use and impact. The Old Rag Mountain area was a highly popular eastern U.S. hiking destination long before the establishment of the Lillard lease lot in 1974 and wilderness designation in 1976. Historically, returning visitors to Old Rag Mountain have expected the parking area for Park boundary trail access to contain a large number of vehicles, perhaps exceeding 250 cars on any given seasonal peak weekend day or holiday.

Each resource type is assessed in this section for potential impacts to the human environment caused by the project alternatives. A summary statement is also provided regarding the potential for resource impairment. Though much of the activity would take place on non-Federal land, this assessment of impacts shall evaluate the entire project consistent with federal requirements. This includes considerations of resource impairment. According to the NPS Management Policies 2001, impairment is "an impact so severe that, in the professional judgment of a responsible NPS manager, it would harm the integrity of park resources or values and violate the 1916 NPS Organic Act." Section 1.4.5 of the policy states:

4.2.1 Mitigation - Alternatives B through E

The following mitigative measures would be included for all action alternatives:

• Limit trail corridor construction impacts to 5 feet width
• Install up to 20 erosion control features along new trail to reduce rain event erosion impacts
• Leave 25-50-foot stream/riparian buffering in tact to capture sediments.

Under all alternatives, weekday visitors would likely drive up to the small upper lot. Refer to Appendix IV for emissions by alternative.

4.3.1 Mitigation - Alternatives B through E

Mitigation measures are focused on reducing fugitive dust emissions from the proposed unpaved parking area.

• Maintain either hardened surface or gravel to a specified depth to minimize dust
• Post and enforce a 10 mph speed limit in the new parking lot to minimize dust

4.4.1 Mitigation - Alternatives B through E

"Upland" wetlands and small streams are essential for keeping the Hughes River (a cool water trout fishery) cool and clean. To protect the two streams on the PATC Tract and ultimately the Hughes River, maintaining a natural riparian buffer zone of a minimum of 25-50 feet has been designed into all of the action alternatives (B through E). This should ensure that the stream water temperature should stay approximately the same by maintaining a vegetative canopy over the streams. A standard recommendation of many fisheries biologists is to maintain a buffer of 50 feet in order to also protect streams from pollutants (in this case primarily antifreeze, motor oil, and other vehicle fluids) and sediments that accompany run-off from nearby disturbed lands. An independent wetlands consultant contracted by the NPS determined that these wetlands can be protected with a narrower buffer (minimum of 25 feet) by incorporating mitigating measures into the parking lot designs. These measures consist of grading to direct diffuse run-off towards those sections of the perimeter with buffers exceeding 50 feet and by installing erosion control and stormwater run-off structures (e.g., infiltration trenches, storm filters) as needed where buffers are less than 50 feet. These structures and mitigation plan shall meet best management practice requirements set by the Virginia Department of Conservation & Recreation.

Summary:

• Leave 25-50-foot stream/riparian buffering in tact to capture sediments
• Grade the parking lot surface to the extent possible to direct diffuse run-off of precipitation towards 50-foot buffers and away from narrower buffers
• Install erosion control and stormwater run-off mitigation that satisfies Virginia Department of Conservation & Recreation best management practices.

4.5.1 Mitigation - Alternatives B through E

The following mitigative measures would be included for all action alternatives:

• Limit trail corridor construction impacts to 5 feet width
• Install up to 20 erosion control features along new trail to reduce rain event erosion impacts
• Leave 25-50-foot stream/riparian buffering in tact to capture sediments.

4.6.1 Mitigation - Alternatives B through E

The following mitigative measure would be included for all action alternatives:

• Leave 25-50-foot stream/riparian buffering in tact to moderate temperature influences, capture sediments, and slow down rain event water flows.

4.10.1 Mitigation - Alternatives B through E

The following mitigative measure would be included for all action alternatives:

• Encourage a 35 mph speed limit on the paved State Route 600

Noise associated with hikers walking along the road (voices, barking dogs, etc.) would occur over a 50% shorter distance from the small upper lot to the proposed lot. More hikers may be inclined to hike out-and-back from the proposed lot and trail segment, which would further reduce noise impacts on neighbors.

4.11.1 Architecture

4.11.1.1 Alternative A: No impacts would take place under the No Action alternative.

4.11.2 Cultural Landscape

4.11.2.1 Alternative A: No impacts would take place under the No Action alternative.

4.11.3 Archeological

4.11.3.2 Alternative A: No impacts would take place under the No Action alternative.

4.11.3.5 Alternative E: Same as Alternate B.

4.12.1 Mitigation - Alternatives B through E

The following mitigative measures would be included for all action alternatives:

• No use of motorized equipment during trail construction within wilderness.

In the long-term, the availability of a connector trail from the proposed parking area to the Ridge trail can actually enhance the visitor’s wilderness experience in the Old Rag area. The proposed trail can accomplish the accessibility of a "circuit" trail, very likely alleviating the present conditions of "numbers of people encounters" on the present "one-way" route section (State Route 600). A circuit hike route can provide more "outstanding opportunities for solitude" by re-distributing visitor use. Additionally, the proposed connector trail can improve the visitor’s experience by providing trail access in a more natural environmental setting.

The Park’s "minimum requirements decision guide" has been employed to guide the decision making for this project within designated wilderness.

It appears that Alternative D, Develop a 125-vehicle parking lot and connector trail on the PATC Tract; temporarily use lower lease lot for overflow; implement the common issues of section 2.2, has the least impact of the action alternatives. This is largely due to the conservative layout of parking and road access upon the PATC tract. The analysis also indicates that all action alternatives are practical and allowed within the guidance of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers national permitting standards. Achievement of project objectives is not addressed in this subsection.

The NPS has not decided on an administratively preferred alternative at this time. The Park Superintendent will recommend an alternative that best meets the objectives of the project after public comments have been reviewed and analyzed so the public input may be considered and incorporated appropriately.

Cumulative impacts to the Hughes River watershed from management activities in the proposed area are minimal. The nature of the Park management objectives is to minimize developed land use and their impacts. Adjacent development includes a nearby State Route (SR-600) and various houses/development at a fairly low density. The State Route 600 runs parallel to the river for about four miles and includes two metal road bridge crossings.

4.15.1 Alternative A: No added cumulative effects due to development or management activity.

4.15.2 Alternatives B - E: Short-term impacts and longer-term effects as described previously. There are no anticipated measurable cumulative effects.

An assessment of project alternatives needs to take into account the ability of each alternative to meet the objectives for which the project was established. For the reader to do this informatively, one must consider each of the alternatives in light of their long-term vision. Thus, the discussion that follows will assess the ability of the alternatives to meet the project objectives, once all phases of the project is completed. This is done with a reminder to the reader that for purposes of assessing environmental impacts from each alternative, as described in Section 4.0-to-4.12, this document is limited to evaluating the potential effects of only the first phase of development. Before reviewing this section, the reader is advised to refer to Appendix V for detailed information concerning long-term project plans that go beyond the scope of this Environmental Assessment.

4.16.1 Public Safety

This project is intended to address a concern for motorist and pedestrian safety along State Route 600 in the Nethers community. Currently, most visitors to the Old Rag Mountain/Weakley Hollow area of the Park share the roadway with vehicular traffic as they walk between the parking lot and the trailhead. The trailhead is currently located 0.8 miles from the lower lot that has been leased by the NPS and is used by most visitors to the area. The western half of this road is narrow, winding, and lacks road shoulders. When combined with the presence of vegetation right up to the road edge, sight distances are poor. Automated data systems do not exist to reasonably evaluate pedestrian (if any) and vehicular accident data over the past three decades but Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) traffic engineers, law enforcement officials, and some neighbors share the belief that the current situation poses a hazardous situation. Since 1995, the NPS has used a temporary road barricade on busy visitation days and this has reduced the hazard but such road obstructions are not authorized under Virginia law and thus, in the view of VDOT, do not present a viable long-term measure.

4.16.1.1 Alternative A: Under Alternative A, most visitors to the Old Rag Mountain/Weakley Hollow area of the Park would continue to walk 0.8 miles from the lower parking lot to and from the trailhead within the lane of traffic. Though use of a traffic barricade reduces this hazard on busy days, this mitigating technique is only temporary.

Furthermore, if an alternative parking site is not put into use by the time lease renewals cease and/or use of the barricade is discontinued, the hazardous condition will increase substantially. In either event, roadside parking will increase significantly and will further narrow the roadway shared by both pedestrians and motor vehicles. Additionally, prior to 1995 there were numerous occasions when roadside parking narrowed the roadway to such an extent that would prevent access by large emergency vehicles (i.e. fire trucks and ambulances).

4.16.1.2 Alternatives B – E: Under Alternatives C, D, and E the lower lot would continue to be used on a limited basis for overflow parking until additional parking is constructed in a later phase of development. So in the interim, under those three alternatives, some pedestrian use of the lower half of the road would continue (fortunately the road is straighter and wider in this section). A long-term assessment, however, will be the same for all four alternatives. All establish the heavily used Old Rag Mountain Ridge Trailhead to a newly established parking area on the PATC Tract. Visitors will thus be able to hike the mountain without walking along a roadway. Under these alternatives, not all pedestrian use of Route 600 is expected to cease. Visitors hiking the "Old Rag Circuit Hike" may opt to use the upper section of Rt. 600 for return-trip access to the parking lot as opposed to returning via connector trails. Safety would be much improved, though, since not only would there be a much smaller volume of pedestrians, traffic volume will also diminish significantly as few motorists will have purpose to drive further up the road than the new trailhead parking area.

4.16.2 Visitor Experience

Improving the visitor experience for visitors to the Old Rag Mountain area of the Park is a major reason for which this project exists. There are several conditions that diminish the visitor experience that this project attempts to address:

• Visitors are forced to walk an additional 0.8 miles along a road before they can begin their trail hike, and must again repeat this route at the end of an already long, arduous hike. This impacts family groups and older hikers the hardest.
• An eyesore greets visitors to this national Park gateway caused by use of the current non-landscaped parking field.
• Visitors to the Old Rag area have access only to portable toilets. The conditions of these facilities are often poor due to their vulnerability to vandalism.
• Above all else, the future potential of not having adequate parking available at all poses the greatest threat to the visitor experience.

Rangers who staff the parking lot at Old Rag (three days a week from spring through autumn) face visitor complaints on a routine basis. Dissatisfaction with hiking along the road and/or lack of restrooms is voiced most frequently. When combined with the aesthetics of the surroundings, these conditions create a visitor experience that falls short of a national park experience that many have come to expect for a popular gateway to Virginia’s signature National Park.

4.16.2.1 Alternative A: In selecting this alternative, the NPS would be striving to maintain the status quo as long as possible. Improved restroom facilities require the availability of land beyond a short-term lease arrangement, thus no change in this condition would occur. Likewise, visitors would continue to use the road on foot for access to the trailhead, and there would be no change in the natural aesthetics. The most dramatic change would occur if the lease is terminated before such time, that adequate alternative parking could be secured. In this case the impact on the visitor experience would be momentous.

4.16.2.2 Alternatives B, C, E: Under Alternatives B, C, and E, a comparable volume of visitation to the current situation would be accommodated (i.e. parking for 225+ vehicles). Under Alternatives C and E the lower lot would continue to be used on a limited basis for overflow parking until additional parking is constructed in a later phase of development. So in the interim, under those two alternatives, the experience of some visitors will not be as improved as much as for others. A long-term assessment, however, will be basically the same for all three alternatives. All establish the heavily used Old Rag Mountain Ridge Trailhead to a newly established parking area on the PATC Tract. Visitors would be able to park in an aesthetically landscaped parking lot and would be able to begin their trail hike immediately, without walking along a roadway. Securing land provides the opportunity to upgrade visitor service facilit