[Federal Register: November 5, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 214)]
[Notices]
[Page 55950]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05no01-67]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
National Park Service
Environmental Assessment for Proposal To Add a Boardwalk and
Viewing Deck and Rehabilitate the Overlooks at Great Falls Park, VA
AGENCY: National Park Service.
ACTION: Availability of the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the
proposed boardwalk and viewing deck, and rehabilitation of Overlooks
One and Two of Great Falls Park, Virginia, a unit of the George
Washington Memorial Parkway (GWMP).
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SUMMARY: Pursuant to Council on Environmental Quality regulations and
National Park Service (NPS) policy, the NPS announces the availability
of an EA for the proposed boardwalk and viewing deck, and
rehabilitation of Overlooks One and Two of Great Falls Park, Virginia,
a unit of the GWMP. The EA examines several alternatives aimed to
increase visitor safety, provide accessibility, and improve resource
protection around and between the Overlooks and the Shade Tree-Jetty
area. The record of serious visitor injuries and drownings, as well as
obvious impacts on park resources, indicates a need to better manage
visitor use in order to alleviate safety concerns and enhance
protection of the park's resources. The NPS is soliciting comments on
this EA. These comments will be considered in evaluating it and making
decisions pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act.
DATES: The EA will remain available for public comment 30 days from the
date of publication in the Federal Register. Written comments should be
received no later than this date.
ADDRESSES: Comments on this EA should be submitted in writing to: Ms.
Audrey F. Calhoun, Superintendent, George Washington Memorial Parkway,
Turkey Run Park, McLean, Virginia 22101. The EA will be available for
public inspection Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. through 4 p.m., at GWMP
Headquarters, Turkey Run Park, McLean, Virginia, on the NPS Website
www.nps.gov/gwmp, and at several libraries in Alexandria, Fairfax, and
Arlington, Virginia.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NPS proposes to increase accessibility
and safety for trail users while maintaining the integrity of the
natural and cultural resources at the Shade Tree-Jetty area and around
Overlooks One and Two. Improvements to the park's system of trails and
overlooks would address critical visitor safety and resource protection
issues in the most heavily used part of the park. Two existing
overlooks provide scenic views below the falls. The Overlooks are in
deteriorating condition, and their concrete slab construction and steel
handrails are visually incompatible with the surroundings. A short
trail from the visitor center leads to an undeveloped area adjacent to
and above the falls. This area provides some of the park's most
spectacular and exciting viewing points. Unfortunately, numerous social
trails have resulted from some visitors departing the designated trail
system, inadvertently damaging stonework of the Patowmack Canal, rare
plants, and other vegetation. Visitors also often scramble over the
rocks and cliffs to reach certain vantage points. Their rock-hopping
and wading along the river's edge at times places them in dangerous
situations.
The following primary needs have been identified with this project
to address the existing issues. There is a need:
1. To better manage visitor traffic in areas where resources are
threatened and where there is no margin for error on the visitor's
part.
2. To change inaccessible scenic views into accessible overlooks.
3. To protect natural and cultural resources from the Jetty to
Overlook Two.
Incidents that have occurred at these locations have been formally
documented by park staff and through conversations with visitors who
have reported incidents. Finally, park staff and Fairfax County's Fire
and Rescue teams have had to rescue or recover victims on several
occasions from these areas.
All interested individuals, agencies, and organizations are urged
to provide comments on the EA. The NPS, in making a final decision
regarding this matter, will consider all comments received by the
closing date.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Walter McDowney (703) 285-2763 or
via email at Bonnie_Heath@nps.gov.
Audrey F. Calhoun,
Superintendent, George Washington Memorial Parkway.
[FR Doc. 01-27694 Filed 11-2-01; 8:45 am]
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