SW1200502_Forest Service Decision Letter_5/14/2020

USDA
DECISION MEMO
SPECIAL USE PERMIT AMENDMENT
U.S. FOREST SI RVICE
THE NORTH CAROLINA ARBORETUM
PISGAH NATIONAL FOREST, PISGAH RANGER DISTRICT
BUNCOMBE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
BACKGROUND
The NC Arboretum requested to construct an additional parking lot to accommodate visitors to
the facility within their existing special use permit area.
DECISION
I have decided to authorize the amendment to allow construction -of an additional parking lot
within the permit area for the NC Arboretum.
This action is categorically excluded from documentation in an environmental impact statement
(EIS) or an environmental assessment (EA). The applicable category of actions is identified in
agency procedures as 36 CFR 220.6.(e)(3) Approval, modification, or continuation of minor
special uses of NFS lands that require less than five contiguous acres of land. This category of
action(s) is applicable because this easement is a minor special use that utilizes less than 5 acres
of contiguous acres of land.
I find that there are no extraordinary circumstances that would warrant further analysis and
documentation in an EA or EIS. I took into account resource conditions identified in agency
procedures that should be considered in determining whether extraordinary circumstances might
exist:
• Federally listed threatened or endangered species or designated critical habitat, species
proposed for Federal listing or proposed critical habitat, or Forest Service sensitive
species — Tree felling will not occur during the northern long-eared bat pup season of
June I'to July 3 1 " to reduce the chance of directly impacting bats in unidentified roosts.
• Flood plains, wetlands, or municipal watersheds — None are present.
• Congressionally designated areas such as wilderness, wilderness study areas, or national
recreation areas — None are present.
• Inventoried roadless areas or potential wilderness areas —None are present
• Research natural areas — None are present.
• American Indians and Alaska Native religious or cultural sites — None are present.
— Decision Memo —
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USDA
• Archaeological sites, or historic properties or areas — None are eligible.
PUBLIC NVOLVEMENT
This action was originally listed as a proposal on the National Forests in North Carolina
Schedule of Proposed Actions and updated periodically during the analysis. Forest Service
specialists were consulted.
FINDINGS REQUIRED BY OTHER LAWS AND REGULATIONS
This decision is consistent with the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forest Land Management
Plan. The project was designed in conformance with special use management activities.
]VE REVIEW (APPEAL) OPPORTUNITIES
This decision is not subject to administrative review and appeal.
CONTACT
For additional information concerning this decision, contact: Linda C. Aiken, Realty Specialist,
Pisgah National Forest, 632 Manor Road, Mars Hill, North Carolina 28748 [phone].
Hurston A. Nicholas
Forest Supervisor, National Forests in North Carolina
111a"10a
Date
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the
basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status,
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of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all
programs.) Persons with disabilities who require altemative means for communication of program information
(Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at [phone] (voice and
TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, office of CMI Rights, 1400 Independence
Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410. or call [phone] (voice) or [phone] JDD), USDA 1s
an equal opportunity provider and employer.
— Decision Memo —
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