News Release

Ninety Six NHS Announces Release of the Finding of No Significant Impact for the Equestrian Management Plan & Environmental Assessment

Date: March 5, 2019
Contact: Sarah Cunningham, 864-543-4068

Ninety Six, SC – Ninety Six National Historic Site Superintendent John Slaughter announced today the availability of the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Equestrian Management Plan (EMP) and Environmental Assessment (EA). The FONSI was signed by National Park Service Southeast Regional Director Robert A. Vogel on February 27, 2019.

Over the last five years, there has been a steady increase in equestrian use within the park. This increase in equestrian use, combined with heavy rain events has resulted in an increase in erosion and other adverse resource impacts. Preventing erosion, effects on water quality, and damage to historic landscapes and trails while providing for a variety of recreational, inspirational, and educational uses are high priorities for park staff.

Based on the analysis presented in the plan, the NPS selected alternative B (the NPS preferred alternative). Under the selected action, equestrian users will continue to enjoy riding on sections of the East, North, and West Boundary trails, as well as the park administrative roads, totaling approximately 4.5 miles of available trail mileage.

To manage equestrian use in a way that supports the park's desired conditions, managers will consider certain strategies. For instance, this alternative includes the implementation of a day-use (special use) permit system if the desired conditions of visitor capacity of the trails and / or the number of visitor complaints about trail use were exceeded. If the visitor capacity of the trails exceeds a combined trail capacity of 50 visitors at one time (30 equestrian users and 20 pedestrians) or if the number of complaints from trail users reaches the threshold of three per month, the park will implement a day-use permit system. These permits will allow the park to be proactive in managing and maintaining levels of visitation, ultimately ensuring visitors will have a high-quality, enjoyable experience during their trip in the park.

The park will also install a bulletin board, trash receptacles, and a permanent gate at the equestrian lot. Parking will be available during park operating hours. Other improvements to the equestrian lot and trails will occur as staffing and funding allows or upon the formation of a Friends or volunteer group that can devote the time, funding, and people needed to work on trails.

The EMP/EA was made available for public review and comment during a 30-day period ending December 19, 2018. No substantive comments or comments that necessitated changes to the plan/EA were received during the public commenting period. The FONSI and EMP/EA are available online at: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/nisi. Paper or CD copies may be obtained by writing to Superintendent, Ninety Six National Historic Site, 1103 Hwy 248, Ninety Six, SC 29666.
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Ninety Six National Historic Site is home to battlefields from the French and Indian War and Revolutionary War and much more. The park is located 2 miles south of the town of Ninety Six on Highway 248. The park is a unit of the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution Parks Group within the National Park Service.

The Southern Campaign of the American Revolution Parks Group consists of Cowpens National Battlefield, Kings Mountain National Military Park, Ninety Six National Historic Site, and Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail. Each park tells its own piece to the overall Southern Campaign story, where the military events that took place in the Carolinas substantially influenced the eventual American victory in the Revolution. For more information about each park, please visit their websites:

Cowpens National Battlefield – www.nps.gov/cowp
Kings Mountain National Military Park – www.nps.gov/kimo
Ninety Six National Historic Site – www.nps.gov/nisi
Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail – www.nps.gov/ovvi