NPS Releases Record of Decision for the General Management Plan/ Abbreviated Final Environmental Impact Statement

Date: March 7, 2012
Contact: Deborah Darden, 304-465-0508

The National Park Service announces the availability of the Record of Decision for the General Management Plan/Abbreviated Final Environmental Impact Statement (GMP/EIS) for New River Gorge National River. The Record of Decision selects the approved general management plan for New River Gorge National River for the next 15 to 20 years.

On December 7, 2011, the Regional Director of the National Park Service (NPS) Northeast Region signed the Record of Decision selecting Alternative 5 as the approved General Management Plan for New River Gorge National River.Alternative 5 was identified as the NPS preferred alternative in the General Management Plan and Abbreviated Final Environmental Impact Statement (GMP/EIS) issued on October 7, 2011.The Record of Decision includes:

• A statement of the decision made;
• A synopsis of other alternatives considered;
• The basis for the decision;
• A description of the environmentally preferable alternative;
• A listing of measures to minimize environmental harm; and
• An overview of public involvement in the decision-making process.

The Abbreviated Final GMP/EIS and the Draft GMP/EIS constitute the principal documentation upon which the Record of Decision is based.A Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision was published in the Federal Register on March 2, 2012.As soon as feasible, the NPS will begin to implement the selected alternative.

The planning documents are available online at the park's website (www.nps.gov/neri) or via the Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) site at (https://parkplanning.nps.gov/neri).Printed copies (in limited quantity) can be requested by calling [phone].

Printed hardcopies can be viewed at the following locations:

-New River Gorge National River -Park Headquarters in Glen Jean

-NPS Canyon Rim Visitor Center -off US 19, north of the New River Gorge Bridge

-NPS Sandstone Visitor Center - near Sandstone, WV