Seashore Superintendent Announces Regional Director Concurrence with Finding of No Significant Impact for Environmental Assessments for Herring Cove Beach North Public Use Site Plan

Date: April 28, 2014
Contact: George Price, Superintendent, 508-771-2144

Cape Cod National Seashore (CCNS) Superintendent George E. Price, Jr. and his staff have selected an alternative from those presented in the Herring Cove Beach North Public Use Site Plan.The National Park Service (NPS) Regional Director concurred on April 9, 2014 with the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Selected Alternative for both of the plans.

Superintendent Price said, "We are pleased to have a decision for proceeding with a long-term approach to the Herring Cove Beach area that we developed with the help of our Advisory Commission subcommittee, while our short-term emergency repairs are pending prior to summer."

The NPS developed a long-term plan for management of the north public use area in a way that considers the potential for future erosion, sea level rise, coastal flooding during storm events, and long-term sustainability; that restores natural systems to the greatest extent possible; and that also retains the recreational experience to the greatest extent possible.

The first element of the project is removal of the asphalt revetment and parking from the shoreline due to its vulnerability. A more natural shoreline and public beach area would be reestablished with stable, accessible walking paths for people with mobility issues. The existing Herring Cove North parking lot will be replaced with a new lot 125 feet inland from the current location. The NPS would maintain approximately 200 west-facing parking spaces along with new dedicated bicycle lanes. Facilities would be constructed at an elevation of 15 feet above mean sea level as an additional coastal adaptation measure. Opportunities to view the water, sunsets, and whales, and to enjoy beach activities will be maintained.

The selection was made after public and interagency review and comment, careful consideration of environmental effects, legislative mandates, applicable regulations, NPS policy. Copies of the FONSIs are available at: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/.

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