News Release

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and Canaveral National Seashore Announce the Availability of the Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Space Coast Trail with Public Comments Due October 21, 2019

NPS/Photo

News Release Date: September 18, 2019

Contact: Laura Henning

Contact: Kim King-Wrenn

Working with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and National Park Service (NPS) have developed an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed Space Coast Trail at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) and Canaveral National Seashore. FWS and NPS are pleased to announce that the EA is now available for public review and comment with comments due October 21 , 2019.

The proposed shared-use path within the Merritt Island NWR and Canaveral National Seashore would serve as a key connector for Florida’s Coast-to-Coast Trail and the River-to-Sea Loop Trail. The Proposed Action (depicted in the figure) would include:
 

• providing an east-west connection from Titusville to the Atlantic Ocean with the proposed construction of a paved shared-use path from the Merritt Island NWR boundary at Parrish Park to Parking Lot 1 within Canaveral National Seashore, connecting to the existing Coast-to-Coast Trail segment currently under construction in Titusville (east-west segment);

 

• providing a north-south connection with the communities of southern Volusia County with the proposed construction of paved buffered bicycle lanes along Kennedy Parkway North from the intersection of Playalinda Beach Road to US-1 (north-south segment); and

 

• providing a shorter loop trail experience with the proposed construction of the Interpretive Loop Trail as a pervious pathway with a paved section from the Merritt Island NWR Visitor Center to the east-west segment.

The proposed Space Coast Trail would provide opportunities for the enjoyment of appropriate and compatible outdoor recreation; promote awareness and appreciation of natural resources; and protect, conserve, and manage wildlife, habitat, and cultural resources for the benefit of present and future generations, while also meeting NASA operational and security requirements.

In accordance with FWS and NPS guidelines and National Environmental Policy Act requirements, public involvement is an important factor in the development and review of the proposal. The Service initiated public scoping in August 2016. A public meeting open house was conducted on December 7, 2017 at the City of Titusville City Hall to obtain feedback from the public on the proposal, alternative alignments, and potential benefits and impacts. Those scoping comments helped inform the development of this EA for the proposed Space Coast Trail. A 30-day public comment period will allow the public the opportunity to review and comment on the EA, which includes a description of the Proposed Action and anticipated impacts. In order to assure the inclusion of your comments in the development of the final decision, public comments must be received by October 21, 2019 .

The EA is available for public review on the NPS Planning, Environment & Public Comment (PEPC) website at: https:/parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?projectID=67041. Links to the EA are also available on the Merritt Island NWR website (https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Merritt_Island/) and the Canaveral National Seashore website (https://www.nps.gov/cana/index.htm).

Comments may be submitted:

• at NPS’s Planning, Environment & Public Comment (PEPC) website at https:/parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?projectID=67041.

• by emailing Merritt Island NWR, Space Coast Trail Proposal at [e-mail];
• by mailing Merritt Island NWR, Space Coast Trail Proposal at PO Box 2683, Titusville, FL 32781-2683;
• by faxing Merritt Island NWR, Space Coast Trail Proposal at 321-861-1276; or
• by delivering by hand to Merritt Island NWR Headquarters, Space Coast Trail Proposal, 1963 Refuge HQ Road, Titusville, FL 32796 (5 miles east of Titusville on SR 402).

The FWS and NPS will review all comments submitted with final decisions anticipated later in 2019. Please direct any questions and requests for additional information to Kim King-Wrenn (Merritt Island NWR) or Laura Henning (Canaveral National Seashore) through the contact information provided above.


The National Wildlife Refuge System protects wildlife and wildlife habitat on more than 100 million acres of land and 750 million acres of water from the Caribbean to the Pacific, Maine to Alaska, including 7 marine national monuments, 567 national wildlife refuges, and 38 wetland management districts. The Refuge System improves human health, provides outdoor recreation, and supports local economies with over 50 million annual visitors. 

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit http://www.fws.gov/.

More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 417 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities.
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