Cades Cove Planning Website
Park planners are now defining the alternatives in sufficient detail to allow modeling of their expected natural and cultural impacts as well as the estimated cost of each alternative.
Elkmont Historic District Planning Website
The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) was published February 10, 2006 and the official public comment period ended May 11, 2006. The planning team is currently in the process of reviewing these comments and will respond to substantive comments in the Final Environmental Impact Statement.
Proposed North Shore Road Website
The North Shore Road Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was released in January 2006 and contains extensive information about the estimated construction costs and timeframes as well as the extent to which the alternatives could affect the natural and cultural resources of the park. While the Draft EIS includes an Environmentally Preferred Alternative, it does not identify an Agency Preferred Alternative. The Agency Preferred Alternative will be identified in the Final EIS. The Final EIS is expected to available for public release late 2006.
Tremont Development Concept Planning Website
The National Park Service is in the beginning phase of a project to improve the facilities at the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont through preparation of a Development Concept Plan/Environmental Assessment. The objective is to evaluate existing facilities as they relate to meeting current program needs, and to develop conceptual designs for alternative facilities that will better support the Tremont program.
Roaring Fork-Cherokee Orchard Road Rehabilitation Project Newsletter
The park has prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) evaluating the impacts of rehabilitating Cherokee Orchard Road and Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. This project newsletter was prepared to publicly announce the availability of the EA and provides a description of the projects goals, how to obtain the EA and how to comment on the proposed actions of the project.
Hemlock Woolly Adelgids Eastern hemlock trees are under attack from a non-native insect called the hemlock woolly adelgid. more...
Elk Elk were reintroduced to the park in 2001. more...
Road and Facility Closures Some roads and facilities are closed seasonally or may close temporarily in inclement weather. more...
Fishing in the Park The park offers a wide variety of angling experiences for fishermen. more...
Did You Know?
The wispy, smoke-like fog that hangs over the Smoky Mountains comes from rain and evaporation from trees. On the high peaks of the Smokies, an average of 85 inches of rain falls each year, qualifying these upper elevation areas as temperate rain forests.