2.3

There are several options for designing non-conventional structures, including steel-arch bridges and cable-
stayed bridges. These structures are typically large, which may impact visual resources within the existing
environment. To minimize these impacts, special application and visualization techniques may be applied to
create a more aesthetically sound structure that blends with the existing landscape. If a partial-build or build
alternative requires a major bridge, the most appropriate and sensitive method would be utilized in the
design. Opporiunities to reduce bridge size may exist using a longer roadway, lower design speeds, or
incorporating specialized engineering techniques that are appropriate for sensitive areas.
2.3 Framework for Decision-making: Summary of Potential Impacts
2.3.1 Comparison Matrix
The nine preliminary study alternatives were examined using the Preliminary Alternatives Comparison
Matrix shown in Appendix C. The matrix evaluated the preliminary study alternatives based on a list of
variables that includes environmental, social, economic, and engineering constraints, and on documented
existing conditions data. The results of this initial review led to the elimination of two, modification of one,
and the contirnied study of six preliminary study alternatives for more detailed evaluation.
The quantities shown in the matrix were an approximation of lrnown data within the 2,000-foot-wide (609.6-
m-wide) study corridors for each preliminary study alternative and do not equate to impacts. These
approximations were based on data obtained for the January 2004 Existing Conditions Report (ECR).
Benefits andlor impacts for the Monetary Settlement Alternative were not addressed with regard to what
Swain County would do with the money. The county could choose to spend the money in ways that result in
impacts and/or benefits to environmental (human and natural) and cultural resources. These potential
benefits and/or impacts were not taken into account in the matrix, as they are unknown.
2.3.2 Alternatives Eliminated from Further Study
Three of the nine preliminary study alternatives were suggested for elimination from further study based on
the matrix. The suggestions were made by comparing the alternatives, and those that were likely to have
higher impacts were suggested far elimination. In addition, those alternatives that appeared to offer little
benefit to the study area were also suggested for elimination. The three alternatives suggested for
elimination are the Buckeye Branch Bridge Corridor, the Interior Corridor, and the Flint Gap Corridar.
Reasons for elimination are discussed in Sections 2.3.2.1, 2.3.2.2, and 2.3.2.3.
2.3.2.1 Buckeye Branch Bridge Corridor
When compared with the other preliminary study altet-natives, this corridor would have minimal benefits for
local communities and GSMNP visitors. Benefits associated with this alternative would include a short
segment of new vehicular access within GSMN P and a new connection between GSMNP and the Nantahala
National Forest. These benefits were not expected to justify the cost and environmental impacts associated
with the corridor and a major bridge crossing of Fontana Lake. This alternative was recommended for
elimination because it would likely provide few enhancement opportunities to the GSMNP experience and
likely would not satisfy the 1943 Agreement.
Description of Alternatives — 2-8
North Shore Road Final Environmental Impact Statement

2.3.2.2 Interior Corridor
When compared with the other corridors, the Interior Corridor would likely have a high potential to fi-agment
habitat, impact wildlife, and alter the backcountry experience. While problematic rock formations are
located throughout the study area, this corridor would involve construction west of the confluence of Hazel
Creek and Fontana Lake, where the underlying rocks are believed to have the highest potential for acid
production and are likely to contain higher concentrations of inetallic minerals than the surrounding rocks.
An alternative in this corridor may generate moderate increases in the number of visitors to the study area,
and the new access in GSMNP may indirectly provide moderate economic development opportunities in
Bryson City and other communities in the study area. This corridor would have the potential to have major
impacts to the AT. Although this corridor complies with the original intent of the 1943 Agreement, the
cumulative impact of the factors mentioned above were expected to be greater than those of the alternatives
recommended for detailed study. Therefore, this corridor was recommended for elimination.
2.3.2.3 Flint Gap Corridor
The Flint Gap Corridor, when compared with the other corridors, would likely have a high potential to
fragment habitat, impact wildlife, and alter the backcountry experience. In addition, this corridor would
likely impact a high number of potential cultural resource sites and streams. While problematic rock
formations are located throughout the study area, this corridor would involve construction west of the
confluence of Hazel Creek and Fontana Lake, where the underlying rocks are believed to have the highest
potential for acid production and are likely to contain higher concentrations of inetallic minerals than the
surrounding rocks. This corridor may generate moderate increases in the number of visitors to the study area
and may indirectly provide moderate economic development opportunities in Bryson City and other
communities in the study area. This corridor would have the potential to have major impacts to the AT.
This corridor would avoid major bridge crossings at the Hazel Creek and Eagle Creek embayments by
diverting north from the Northern Shore Corridor toward the interior of GSMNP. While this corridor would
comply with the original intent of the 1943 Agreement, the Flint Gap Corridor was initially recommended
far elimination because of the impacts mentioned above. (Note: Based on public interest, this corridor was
modified and incorporated into the Northern Shore Corridor for detailed study. The modification of the Flint
Gap Corridor (since referred to as the Proctar option and as part of tbe Northern Shore Corridor baseline)
addressed public requests to avoid major bridge crossings and provide access to the former community of
Proctor. The modifications are explained in more detail in Section 2.4.3.).
2.3.3 Alternatives Initially Suggested for Detailed Study in the DEIS
Six alternatives were initially suggested for detailed study in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement
(DEIS) and presented to the public and resource agencies for review and comment. Information on why
these altematives were suggested for detailed study is included below. Four of the six alternatives suggested
for detailed study are partial-build or build corridors. The remaining two alternatives are the No-Action
Alternative and the Monetary Settlement Alternative. Figure 2-7 shows the partial-build and build
alternatives that were initially suggested for detailed study in the DEIS.
Description of Alternatives — 2-9
North Shore Road Final Environmental Impact Statement

2.3.3.1 No-Action Alternative
NEPA requires the No-Action Alternative as a basis for comparing the potential benefits and impacts of
other alternatives. This alternative would avoid disturbance and adverse impacts to cultural and natural
resources.
2.3.3.2 Monetary Settlement
Based on the Swain County Board of Commissioners Resolution, the Monetary Settlement may be a viable
solution to settle the 1943 Agreement. It was suggested for detailed study because it would avoid
disturbance and other adverse impacts to the existing natural environment, cultural resources, and
recreational resources (including GSMNP, the AT, and the Nantahala National Forest). It would also
provide Swain County with a monetary benefit. The use of the Monetary Settlement Alternative proceeds
would be at the discretion of Swain County and a range of potential uses could exist. In their resolution, the
counry indicated that the proceeds of a settlement would allow the counry to avoid tax increases, fund
services such as education and social services, and establish a favorable bond rating. Swain County may
choose to pursue economic development opporlunities within the county's jurisdiction, which would
potentially enhance public facilities, employment opportunities, and/or the local tourism industry. This
alternative does not directly provide new opportunities to interpret local heritage within GSMNP, but Swain
County may choose to pursue interpretive possibilities for local heritage within the county's jurisdiction.
2.3.3.3 Laurel Branch Picnic Area (Initial Concept)
Although the Laurel Branch Picnic Area (proposed to be located along or at the end of the existing section of
Lake View Road) does not comply with the original intent of the 1943 Agreement, it may be a viable
solution to settle the 1943 Agreement. It was suggested far detailed study because it would provide a new
destination and additional opportLinities to interpret local heritage with relatively few impacts to the natural
environment and almost no impact to the GSMNP backcountry experience. This alternative would avoid
disturbance and other adverse impacts to the AT and the Nantahala National Forest. The new facilities
would likely attract visitors to the Bryson City entrance of GSMNP. The interpretive trail would provide an
opportunity to explore stream ecology along Laurel Branch, while roadside signs would provide a tribute to
local heritage. In addition, tbis alternative may indirectly provide minor economic development
opportunities far Bryson Ciry. Section 2.5.3 of this report details the refined concept for this alternative.
2.3.3.4 Bushnell Area (Initial Concept)
Based on public comment, the Bushnell Area may be a viable solution to settle the 1943 Agreement. It was
suggested for detailed study because it would provide a new destination and new vehicular access within
GSMNP with relatively low potential impacts to the natural environment and the GSMNP backcountry
experience as compared with the other preliminary study alternatives. This alternative would avoid
disturbance and other adverse impacts to the AT and the Nantahala National Forest. It would likely attract
visitors to the Bryson City entrance of GSMNP, which may indirectly provide moderate economic
development opportunities for Bryson City. This alternative would avoid construction west of the
confluence of Hazel Creek and Fontana Lake, where the underlying rocks are believed to have the highest
potential for acid production and are likely to contain higher concentrations of inetallic minerals than the
surrounding rocks. In addition, this alternative has the potential to provide access to cultural resources for
Description of Alternatives — 2-10
North Shore Road Final Environmental Impact Statement

interpretive opportunities and heritage recognition. Furthermore, it would offer a new trailbead for access to
the backcountry. Section 2.5.4 of this report details the refined concept far this alternative.
2.3.3.5 Cable Cove Bridge Corridor
The Cable Cove Bridge Corridor was suggested for detailed study because it would likely have fewer
impacts than the other build alternatives and appeared to be a viable solution to settle the 1943 Agreement by
providing vehicular access along most of the northern shore of Fontana Lake. This new route and
connection between GSMNP and the Cable Cove Recreation Area may generate moderate increases in the
number of visitors to the study area. This alternative may also have the potential to indirectly provide
economic development opportunities for Bryson Ciry and other communities in the study area. As compared
with the alternatives that terminate near Fontana Dam, this alternative's crossing over Fontana Lake would
avoid two other major bridge crossings (one each at the Hazel Creek and Eagle Creek embayments). While
problematic rock formations are located throughout the study area, the Cable Cove Corridor would avoid
construction west of tbe confluence of Hazel Creek and Fontana Lake, where the underlying rocks are
believed to have the highest potential for acid production and are likely to contain higher concentrations of
metallic minerals than the surrounding rocks. In addition, this alternative would avoid impacts to the AT.
Overall, environmental impacts associated with this alternative are expected to be generally moderate as
compared with the other preliminary study alternatives.
2.3.3.6 Northern Shore Corridor
This corridor was suggested for detailed study because it would likely have fewer impacts than the two build
alternatives recommended for elimination and would comply with the ariginal intent of the 1943 Agreement
by providing vehicular access along the nortbern shore of Fontana Lake. This new vehicular access may
have the potential to indirectly provide moderate economic development opportunities for Bryson Ciry and
other communities in the study area. In addition, this alternative may generate moderate increases in the
number of visitors to the study area. While problematic rock formations are located throughout the study
area, the Northern Shore Corridor would likely involve construction west of the confluence of Hazel Creek
and Fontana Lake, where the underlying rocks are believed to have the highest potential for acid production
and are likely to contain higher concentrations of inetallic minerals than the surrounding rocks. Impacts
through this area would be reduced through the use of majar bridge crossings at the Hazel Creek and Eagle
Creek arms of Fontana Lake. As compared with corridors that are located farther north toward the interior of
GSMNP, the proposed location of this corridor along the northern shore of Fontana Lake would involve
topography with generally less drastic elevation changes and would reduce the potential for habitat
fragmentation. The Northern Shore Corridor would have majar impacts on the GSMNP backcountry
experience, and its terminus near Fontana Dam would have the potential for major impacts on the AT, as
compared with the other alternatives. This study corridor, relative to the other corridors, would traverse the
largest amount of the water supply watershed critical area, the most wetlands (per the National Wetland
Inventory [NWI]), and the largest area of floodplains (per the 100-year designations by the Federal
Emergency Management Agency [FEMA]). Overall, environmental impacts associated with this alternative
are expected to be generally moderate to high as compared with the other preliminary study alternatives.
Description of Alternatives — 2-11
North Shore Road Final Environmental Impact Statement