Chattahoochee River News Release.
Entrance Fees Fund Safety Improvements at Powers Island.
Release Date: March 6, 2023
Contact: Chip Bradley, chat_superintendent@nps.gov, 678-538-1301
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. – Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA) is proud to announce the start of construction on March 6, 2023, to repair the Powers Island step-down ramp at Cochran Shoals. The Park is using revenue from entrance fees to address safety concerns and improve the visitor experience at this popular river access.
The step-down ramp at Powers Island is an important access to the river for tubers, rafters, and paddlers and the existing ramp is in critical need of repair. The project will use your entrance fees to restore a safe river amenity. Please avoid this area throughout the entire construction period and visit other local ramps to access the Chattahoochee River. The bridge leading from the parking lot to Powers Island will be construction access only and closed to the public during construction. We expect the step-down ramp to be completed and ready for the 2023 summer season.
80% of all revenue from Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area entrance fees or the local sales of the various Federal Interagency Passes stays right here in the park to fund this type of visitor-related project. The other 20% of collected fees goes into a larger, shared fund which can be used by parks with no entrance fee or very low fee revenues. 100% of all entrance fees collected in national park units are returned to the National Park Service. Entrance fees at CRNRA have been used in the past to fund sign replacement throughout the park, the restrooms at Cochran Shoals, the BacteriALERT program, and a boundary survey.
About the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. Designated as a unit of the National Park System in 1978, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area preserves and protects the EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA ™ The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage. natural and cultural resources of the 48-mile Chattahoochee River corridor from Buford Dam to Peachtree Creek. The park annually welcomes over 3,000,000 visitors. Learn more at www.nps.gov/chat, and on Facebook and Instagram.
About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 424 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area Tops 2021 Visitation.
Release Date: March 2, 2023
Contact: Ann Honious,
chat_superintendent@nps.gov, 678-538-1200
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. – The National Park Service 2022 Visitation Report shows visitation at Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA) continues to increase on an annual basis. Over 3.5 million visitors visited CRNRA in 2022. This is a record level of visitation and an over 9 percent increase from 2021.
CRNRA is ranked with 19 other national parks that make up 25 percent of the overall National Park Service (NPS) visitation for 2022. These 19 parks rank 9th through 27th in annual visitation for 2022 and together had a 10 percent increase in visitation from 2021 to 2022. This group of 19 parks includes Grand Canyon National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park and Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. CRNRA ranks 21st in annual visitation for all NPS units 2022.
A result of the record-breaking visitation in the park is that many of the places within CRNRA are often quite crowded. CRNRA contains 15 units along 48-miles of the Chattahoochee River where visitors can recreate on trails or the river. We encourage park visitors to use the National Park Service app and insider tips from park rangers through Plan Like A Park Ranger feature to discover new units of the park.
“We encourage visitors to plan their visit to CRNRA as the park offers a variety of recreational activities along the Chattahoochee River,” said Ann Honious, Superintendent. “You might want to stroll along the trails of Bowmans Island in the solitude of nature; run on the multi-use trail between Columns Drive and Interstate North or float the river between Powers Island and Paces Mill.”
Everyone who visits the park has, or develops, their own special connections. In 2023, the National Park Service is inviting everyone to share Your Park Story. You can take part by sharing #MyParkStory on social media and follow the conversation on the NPS and CRNRA social media.
www.nps.gov
About the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. Designated as a unit of the National Park System in 1978, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area preserves and protects the natural and cultural resources of the 48-mile Chattahoochee River corridor from Buford Dam to Peachtree Creek. The park annually welcomes over 3,000,000 visitors. Learn more at www.nps.gov/chat, and on Facebook and Instagram.
About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 424 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
National Park Service Issues Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for Comprehensive Trails Management Plan / Environmental Assessment.
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area News Release
Release date: Immediate
Contact(s): Beth Wheeler: (404) 803-7641
Date: 02/10/2023
Sandy Springs, GA.- The National Park Service (NPS) Interior Region 2 Regional Director approved the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Comprehensive Trails Management Plan Environmental Assessment (EA) for Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. Alternative 2, the preferred alternative, was selected. The FONSI, EA, and related documents are available on the NPS Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) website.
Under the selected alternative, major redesigns to the park’s trail network will increase available trail mileage, improve physical and social sustainability, and better protect park resources. Park-specific trail classes, design specifications, and maintenance standards will help park staff and volunteers improve the quality of existing trails and achieve greater resource stewardship. The selected alternative also employs visitor use management strategies to help reduce user conflicts, mitigate impacts to park resources, and preserve a high-quality visitor experience on park trails.
“I am pleased that our team has completed this monumental planning process,” said Superintendent Ann Honious. “Implementing this plan in phases over the coming years will allow us to positively transform the park’s trails system and created a wide spectrum of trail-based experiences for visitors to enjoy. We look forward to working alongside park partners, volunteers, and user groups to bring this plan to life".
In addition to the FONSI, a Superintendent’s Written Determination on Bicycle Use must be completed pursuant to the NPS Bicycle Rule (36 CFR 4.30). This Written Determination affirms that the authorization of bicycle use on new trails in the Plan’s selected alternative is consistent with the protection of the park’s natural, scenic, and aesthetic values, safety considerations and management objectives, and will not disturb wildlife or park resources. The Park is working through the rule-making process and will make the Written Determination available for public comment.
www.nps.gov
About the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. Designated as a unit of the National Park System in 1978, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area preserves and protects the natural and cultural resources of the 48-mile Chattahoochee River corridor from Buford Dam to Peachtree Creek. The park annually welcomes over 3,000,000 visitors.
About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 423 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create closeto-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Youtube.
Closure of Whitewater Creek Entrance.
National Park Service News Release
Release Date: January 31, 2023
Contacts: ann_honious@nps.gov, 678-538-1200
SANDY SPRINGS, GA – The Whitewater Creek entrance road and parking lot in Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area is closed for visitor safety. During a recent storm rainfall caused erosion along the entrance road. The park is currently assessing the damage and developing a plan for repairs. The entrance will be closed until further notice.
Hiking trails in East Palisades remain open to visitors. The popularity of hiking trails in this unit combined with the closure of Whitewater Creek parking lot may cause congestion at Indian Trail. Please park in designated parking spaces only to avoid ticketing or towing. Emergency access is a priority, and all entrance roads must remain passable. During the closure, we encourage visitors to explore other units along the 48 river miles of the park.
Safety of our park visitors is our number one priority, and we are working diligently to address the concerns at Whitewater. For safety reasons, we ask pedestrians to also not enter the park through this entrance. Thank you for your patience.
www.nps.gov
About the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area: Located in the regional Atlanta area, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area contains 48 river miles and over 65 miles of hiking trails. The recreational opportunities include paddling, tubing, fishing and hiking. Learn more about the park at www.nps.gov/chat, and on Facebook and Instagram.
About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 424 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
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