open for comments: Chattahoochee National Parks - General Management Plan/ Environmental Impact
So I got this in an email from some of the local mountain biking group folks. I thought I'd post this up here for anyone else who's into walking/biking/etc trails, in particular the Chattahoochee National Park areas (which have VERY limited areas where bicycles are permitted currently).
For those short on attention or time, here's my super short interpretation of the Alt-F plan's key points for the Chattahoochee National parks...
* Partner with various local groups to help maintain certain aspects of the parks.
* Look into connecting the Chattahoochee National parks to existing neighborhoods and local parks/trails.
* Allow bicycles in more areas in the Chattahoochee National parks.
* More possibilities for boat ramps, paved trails, bathrooms, & parking areas.
This would be great for recreation as well as better biking/walking commute options.
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If you would like to see more trails in Chattahoochee River National
Rec Area, please make your voice heard by submitting comments
electronically.
COMMENTS MUST BE RECEIVED IN NOVEMBER -- only a few weeks left!
Instructions:
1) go to http://parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?parkId=364&projectId=11174
2) click "Open For Public Comment" in left sidebar
3) click "Supplemental Draft General Management Plan/EIS" (PDF)
4) click "Comment on document" in left sidebar
*** Reference material from SORBA: ***
http://www.sorba.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=128&Itemid=2
*** Sample Language from IMBA ***
Dear National Park Service,
I support Alternative F for the draft general management plan and
environmental impact assessment. Thank you for considering improved
shared-use trail experiences in the park.
Increasing the opportunities for mountain biking in national park
units offers solutions to many of the challenges the NPS faces.
Bicycling draws people out of their cars; away from congested roads,
parking lots and trailheads; and out into the fresh air. Mountain
biking appeals to young people and encourages their active involvement
in national parks.
Mountain bikers perform nearly a million hours of volunteer trail
stewardship annually -- our contributions can bring new resources to
Chattahoochee River NRA and other national park units.
The International Mountain Bicycling Association and the NPS signed a
formal partnership agreement in 2005. The document laid the groundwork
for cooperation between mountain bicyclists and the agency and
formally recognized mountain biking as a positive activity, compatible
with the values of the park system. The improved mountain biking
experiences in Alternative F are consistent with the 2005 national
agreement between IMBA and the NPS.
Scientific research funded by the NPS shows the environmental impacts
of mountain biking are similar to those of hiking and far less than
other uses.
Thank you for considering my comments as you develop the final general
management plan. Alternative F would benefit the park and its visitors
by promoting shared-use trail management and a volunteer trail
stewardship ethic.
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For those short on attention or time, here's my super short interpretation of the Alt-F plan's key points for the Chattahoochee National parks...
* Partner with various local groups to help maintain certain aspects of the parks.
* Look into connecting the Chattahoochee National parks to existing neighborhoods and local parks/trails.
* Allow bicycles in more areas in the Chattahoochee National parks.
* More possibilities for boat ramps, paved trails, bathrooms, & parking areas.
This would be great for recreation as well as better biking/walking commute options.
----------------------------------------------------------------
If you would like to see more trails in Chattahoochee River National
Rec Area, please make your voice heard by submitting comments
electronically.
COMMENTS MUST BE RECEIVED IN NOVEMBER -- only a few weeks left!
Instructions:
1) go to http://parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?parkId=364&projectId=11174
2) click "Open For Public Comment" in left sidebar
3) click "Supplemental Draft General Management Plan/EIS" (PDF)
4) click "Comment on document" in left sidebar
*** Reference material from SORBA: ***
http://www.sorba.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=128&Itemid=2
*** Sample Language from IMBA ***
Dear National Park Service,
I support Alternative F for the draft general management plan and
environmental impact assessment. Thank you for considering improved
shared-use trail experiences in the park.
Increasing the opportunities for mountain biking in national park
units offers solutions to many of the challenges the NPS faces.
Bicycling draws people out of their cars; away from congested roads,
parking lots and trailheads; and out into the fresh air. Mountain
biking appeals to young people and encourages their active involvement
in national parks.
Mountain bikers perform nearly a million hours of volunteer trail
stewardship annually -- our contributions can bring new resources to
Chattahoochee River NRA and other national park units.
The International Mountain Bicycling Association and the NPS signed a
formal partnership agreement in 2005. The document laid the groundwork
for cooperation between mountain bicyclists and the agency and
formally recognized mountain biking as a positive activity, compatible
with the values of the park system. The improved mountain biking
experiences in Alternative F are consistent with the 2005 national
agreement between IMBA and the NPS.
Scientific research funded by the NPS shows the environmental impacts
of mountain biking are similar to those of hiking and far less than
other uses.
Thank you for considering my comments as you develop the final general
management plan. Alternative F would benefit the park and its visitors
by promoting shared-use trail management and a volunteer trail
stewardship ethic.
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