Date: July 7, 2006
Contact: Steven Seven, 423-569-9778
Contact: Phyllis Trabold, 423-569-9778
The National Park Service has begun preparing an oil and gas management plan and environmental impact statement that will address issues related to current and future management of oil and gas operations in both the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area and Obed Wild and Scenic River. You are personally invited and encouraged to participate in this planning process.
Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area encompasses approximately 125,000 acres of rugged terrain on the Cumberland Plateau in northeastern Tennessee and southeastern Kentucky. The Obed Wild and Scenic River is located in eastern Tennessee on the Cumberland Plateau, and encompasses approximately 5,056 acres and includes parts of the Obed River, Clear Creek, Daddy’s Creek, and the Emory River.
Purpose of the Plan
The purpose of the Draft OGMP/EIS for Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area and Obed Wild and Scenic River is to analyze alternative approaches, clearly define a strategy, and provide guidance for the next 15-20 years to ensure that activities undertaken by owners and operators of private oil and gas rights are conducted in a manner that protects park resources and values, visitor use and experience, and human health and safety.
Need for Action
There are over 300 private oil and gas operations within Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area and Obed Wild and Scenic River. Many of the past and existing oil and gas operations in these NPS units are adversely impacting resources and values, human health and safety, and visitor use and experience; most are not in compliance with federal and state regulations, most notably, the NPS regulations governing nonfederal oil and gas rights, 36 CFR Part 9, Subpart B. In addition, future oil and gas operations have the potential to damage park resources and values. The plan is needed to provide an efficient and effective strategy for park managers to ensure the units are protected for the enjoyment of future generations. There is also a need for park-specific guidance to help oil and gas operators in their planning efforts.
Public Open Houses
Public open houses will be held from 6 – 9 pm at the dates and locations described below. A presentation on the planning process will begin each night at 6:30 pm.
Monday, August 7, 2006
Fentress County, TN
Jamestown Community Center
629 Main Street N.
Jamestown, TN 38556
Tuesday, August 8, 2006
Scott County, TN
Scott County Office Building Conference Room
2845 Baker Hwy.
Huntsville, TN 37756
Wednesday, August 9, 2006
Anderson County, TN
Midtown Community Center
102 Robertsville Road (at the corner of Robertsville Rd. and the Oak Ridge Turnpike)
Oak Ridge, TN 37830
Thursday, August 10, 2006
McCreary County, KY
South Fork Inn / Best Western (formerly Holiday Inn Express) Conference Room
1116 North Hwy. 27
Whitley City, KY 42653
Public Comment
· You can provide comments at one of the public open house sessions (above).
· You can download a scoping brochure, as well as submit comments on-line using the National Park Service’s Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) web site at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/BISO
To be most helpful to the scoping process, comments should be received by September 26, 2006.
For additional information concerning these scoping sessions , please feel free to contact Phyllis Trabold , Big South Fork NRRA Community Planner at 423-569-9778.
