Notice of Public Review for Island Ford Trail Extension Environmental Assessment

Date: February 23, 2009
Contact: Rick Slade, Chief of Science & Resource Management, 678-538-1321

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area would like to invite the public and interested parties to comment on the recently completed draft Environmental Assessment entitled Island Ford Unit Trail Extension Environmental Assessment. The public comment period is open from February 18, 2009 through March 23, 2009. The purpose of the proposed project is to provide the public with formal trail access through a 56-acre parcel of land acquired by the National Park Service in 2001. The Preferred Alternative would establish a 1.6 mile long, natural surface hiking path that incorporates existing social trails into a loop connecting to an existing parking area and trail in the Island Ford unit. A portion of the trail would cross land owned by the city of Sandy Springs, which is a partner in the project. The EA describes the purpose and need for the project, alternatives that were considered, existing conditions at the site, and the effects of the alternatives on natural and cultural resources.

Three alternatives are addressed in the EA. The No Action Alternative would continue existing management actions with no modification to the landscape or any other elements of the project area.  The Northern Trail with Return to River Alternative (Preferred Alternative) would incorporate established social trails into a 1.6 mile hiking loop that follows natural contours in the area. The Northern Trail with Switchbacks Alternative would incorporate established social trails into a 1.8 mile hiking loop with switchbacks constructed along the western edge of the loop.

The Environmental Assessment may be viewed at the following locations:

• Park Headquarters – 1978 Island Ford Parkway; Atlanta, GA 30350
• The NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) website – https://parkplanning.nps.gov
• Sandy Springs Regional Library – 395 Mount Vernon Hwy NE; Sandy Springs, GA 30328

You may submit comments on the document by mail (Superintendent, CRNRA; 1978 Island Ford Parkway; Atlanta, GA 30350), electronic mail, or through the PEPC website. Please be aware that your entire comment - including your personal identifying information - may be made publicly available. While you can ask to have your identity withheld, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. We will always make submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives of organizations or businesses, available for public inspection.