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Contact: Liz Davis, 410-629-6087
Superintendent Debbie Darden announced today the next step toward completing the Bayside Picnic and South Ocean Beach Parking Areas Removal and Relocation environmental assessment: a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Preferred Alternative has been signed by NPS Regional Director Mike Caldwell and is now posted online. The NPS received comments from many members of the public and state and federal agencies. Based on concerns expressed in public comments and the analysis presented in the environmental assessment, the National Park Service has re-examined the alternatives presented in the environmental assessment. As a result of the public comments, the National Park Service has selected alternative B (the preferred alternative) for the South Ocean Beach Parking Area and selected elements of both the no action and alternative B for the Bayside Picnic Parking Area for implementation. The Bayside Picnic Parking Area will stay in its current location, but will be reconstructed with a clay base and clamshell surface to help ensure that in future storm events asphalt is not washed into the bay. “We listened to the public’s comments very carefully, and have tried to craft a solution that both protects the bay environment and safeguards bird habitat,” Superintendent Debbie Darden noted. “We plan to begin a new process to find a permanent solution to the gradual erosion of the existing Bayside parking lot in the next few months. We hope to work carefully with the public to look at a broad range of alternatives that can ensure public access while protecting habitat.” The FONSI for the Preferred Alternative is posted on NPS Planning, Environment and Public |
Last updated: February 26, 2015