2.11

Table 2-4. Total Additional GSMNP Operations and Maintenance Costs
Associated with Construction
Alternative Cost (in thousands of 2006 dollars)
No-Action
Monetary Settlement
Laurel Branch Picnic Area
N/A
N/A
454
Primitive Park Road Principal Park Road
Partial-Build Alternative to Bushnell (baseline) 4,110 Same
Northern Shore Corridor (baseline) 14,284 14,310
Note: Operations and Maintenance costs to plan for construction and to address construction impacts and
mitigation requirements for the Partial-Build Alternative to Bushnell and the Northern Shore Corridor are
not altered by the road type or southern options.
Increases to annual GSMNP operations and maintenance costs for the partial-build and build alternatives
after construction is completed are presented in Table 2-5.
Table 2-5. Increases to Annual GSMNP Operations and Maintenance Costs
Post-Construction
Alternative Cost (in thousands of 2006 dollars)
No-Action N/A
Monetary Settlement
Laurel Branch Picnic Area
U/,1
313
Primitive Park Road Principal Park Road
Partial-Build Alternative to Bushnell (baseline) 951 951
Northern Shore Corridor (baseline) 1,391 1,523
Note: The southern options do not alter the Operations and Maintenance costs for the Partial-Build
Alternative to Bushnell or the Northern Shore Corridor.
The GSMNP Business Plan (NPS 2002a) identifies funding shortfalls to existing GSMNP maintenance and
operation of facilities of $5.2 million out of an overall $11.5 million Park operating shortfall.
2.11 Comparison of Alternatives
Table 2-6 provides a comparison of study alternatives and impacts. These impacts are discussed in detail in
Chapter 4. The impact thresholds that are referenced in Table 2-6 are defined in Chapter 4. The topics that
are included in Table 2-6 are the same as those listed in Section 1.7.
NEPA requires that all federal agencies consider avoidance and minimization measures when adverse effects
on the environment are identified. Mitigation and enhancement measures are also to be considered for
implementation to address potential impacts.
Description of Alternatives — 2-24
North Shore Road Final Environmental Impact Statement

Avoidance is the concept of altering a project so that the impact does not occur. Minimization addresses the
impacts by modifying the design to reduce the severity of the impacts. Mitigation involves any action that
alleviates or offsets any anticipated adverse impacts or replaces a lost resource. Enhancement measures
involve adding a desirable or attractive feature to the proposed project to make it fit more harmoniously into
its surroundings. Enhancement measures are not designed to replace lost resources ar alleviate impacts
caused by a proposed project. Avoidance, minimization, mitigation, and enhancement measures are
discussed by impact topic in Chapter 4.
THIS SPACE HAS BEEN 1NTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.
Description of Alternatives — 2-25
North Shore Road Final Environmental Impact Statement