Great Smoky Mountains National Park is seeking the public’s input on a draft corridor management plan for Newfound Gap Road. The plan is required for park officials to seek designation for the road as a National Scenic Byway, which would open opportunities for the park and gateway communities to compete for special grants that enhance the travel corridor.
The draft Newfound Gap Road Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan has been posted on the National Park Service Planning, Environment and Public Comment website for public review. Comments received during the 30-day review period, ending February 24, will be considered in the development of the final plan.
Newfound Gap Road is already a designated state scenic highway in both Tennessee and North Carolina. Park officials believe that Newfound Gap Road also meets the qualifications necessary to be designated as a National Scenic Byway. The first step in the eligibility process for the national designation is the preparation of a corridor management plan that addresses a variety of roadway attributes including the visitor experience and sustainability as a scenic byway.
Corridor management plans guide the management of scenic byways to protect the important qualities associated with the byway. These are not decision-making documents such as those prepared under the National Environmental Policy Act, which typically evaluate a specific proposal or a set of alternatives for decision. Rather, corridor management plans provide an overarching framework for future planning.
Specifically, the park is interested in learning the following from the public: 1) if there are significant visitor experiences available to visitors traveling Newfound Gap Road that have not been considered and what those experiences are, and 2) if there are additional steps or strategies that should be considered that would help maintain the outstanding qualities of this corridor.
Comments
Lifting the deed restriction is the most likely goal of the Newfound Gap road ruse . And wise are those who see through the Smokies manipulators. It's just a smoke screen and we know that the SMokies mgmt is good at creating those.
I don't know how the Superintendent or anyone could be blamed for the fire. If you live here then you know we had an historic drought and multiple fires all over Western NC, East Tn and North Ga. At least two of those fires burned for weeks and consumed over 25,000 acres. Who should be fired for those ? The Chimneys fire was apparently started by humans and was in very steep terrain difficult to access on foot. They were fighting the fire and using Helicopters, but when 80+ MPH winds came up blowing embers straight North towards Gatlinburg, the Helicopters couldn't fly and multiple fires started from the blowing embers. There is no way Park Staff can watch every hiker or visitor to prevent them from being careless with fire or littering . Are you suggesting the Park should have been shut down and Hwy 441 closed ? I volunteer regularly in the Park and know how difficult it is to protect this huge area with a reduced staff. I know the Tennessee Legislature stipulated there could never be a toll for the Newfound Gap Rd, but there is nothing in that prohibiting a charge for other roads. This is the only large National Parkl that doesn't charge a fee. I think a small fee for Cades Cove, Roaring Fork and Clingmans Dome Rd should be considered to help fund more staff and repairs. These roads become bumper to bumper during some days and more staff and improvements would improve the visitor experience.
The stipulation from the Tennessee Legislature back in the 1930s when giving the land they had bought was that there would never be a toll on the Newfound Gap Rd. That didn't cover other parts of the park. There was never any agreement that there would never be any charge for other locations. Due to the bumper to bumper traffic at many times in Cades Cove, Roaring Fork and Clingmans Dome Rd , I think a small fee maybe $2 or 3 should be considered to help pay for more staff. (Its smaller than in the past) and for repairs and improvements. This would make the experience more enjoyable for visitors to not be stuck in stop and go traffic. This is the only major National Park that does not charge a fee to enter.
Amen, I agree There is a serious need for more revenue for the Smokies .
The article said they want the designation so they can apply for other grants-money sorely needed since the park's charter excludes a fee. (Scanning through the attached 54 pg document, there was no mention of any such thing, also, I've never been charged to drive on the BRP or Foothills Parkway, or any other scenic byway) It would be great if NGR had more pull outs to allow teavel around the bear jams, and maybe alleviate some of the parking issues at popular trail heads. It certainly qualifies on the natural, scenic, and historic categories. We marval at all the WPA era tunnels and bridges built by the CCC and that feat of engineering near Chimneys where the road turns 360 degrees and goes over itself. From this road you can get a great feel for what the smokies are like.
Completely false.. try checking FACTS before you post. This has absolutely nothing to do with an entrance fee.
Here is the link to the Official National Park Service Comment Section....please review the information and register your comment on the issue there also.
Help keep our Public Lands in Public Hands , Nobody should have to pay a Fee to enjoy our Great Smoky Mounatians National Park, that is the way it's supposed to be.
National Park Service OFFICIAL Comment Platform
https://parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm?parkID=382&projectID=51080&doc...