Public Comment on Draft Statement of Findings for Wetlands

Date: March 16, 2015
Contact: Katherine Cushinberry, 252-728-2250, ext. 3019

HARKERS ISLAND, NC –Superintendent Patrick Kenney announced that Cape Lookout National Seashore (the park) is releasing for public comment a draft Statement of Findings for Wetlands for the Harkers Island Passenger Ferry Departure Site at the Shell Point. This Statement of Findings is a continuation of the Environmental Assessment planning from 2013.

Executive Order 11990: Protection of Wetlands requires the National Park Service and other federal agencies to evaluate the likely impacts of action in wetlands. NPS Director's Order #77-1: Wetland Protection and Procedural Manual #77-1 provide NPS policies and procedures for complying with Executive Order 11990. This Statement of Findings (SOF) documents compliance with these NPS wetland protection procedures.

The Environmental Assessment (NPS 2013) for the development of passenger ferry facilities at the Shell Point Visitor Center area was released for public comment from February 25, 2013 through March 27, 2013. The Finding of No Significant Impact approving the preferred alternative was signed on June 3, 2013. During final design of these facilities it was discovered that a new access road would cross a small wetland area. Therefore, this Statement of Findings, prepared to assess the effects on wetlands caused by building a new access road, provides a justification for use of the wetlands, summary of impacts, wetland mitigation and compensation activities.

The park is inviting public comments regarding potential issues and concerns that should be considered during the completion of the planning process. Comments can be provided by mail or on-line.

Please note:

Before including an address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment including your personal identifying information may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

Comments by mail may be sent to:

Superintendent

Cape Lookout National Seashore

131 Charles Street

Harkers Island, NC 28531

Comments may also be made on-line at the NPS Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) website at: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/CALO.

Comments are requested by April 15, 2015. Once the comment period concludes, all comments submitted will be addressed in the final Statement of Findings for Wetlands prior to document approval.