4.1.0

4. Environmental Consequences
4.1 Introduction
This chapter provides the analysis of the potential
direct and indirect effects of each alternative on
the environmental resources discussed in Chapter
3. Direct effects are caused by the action and
occur at the same time and place. The CEQ
defines indirect impacts as those "that are caused
by the action and are later in time or farther
removed in distance, but are still reasonably
foreseeable" (40 CFR 1508.8). Potential impacts
of the alternatives are identified far each resource
and are evaluated for consideration of potential
impairment to GSMN P resources and values.
NEPA, as amended, requires all federal agencies
to prepare a detailed environmental statement for
any proposed majar action significantly affecting
the quality of the human environment.
Furthermore, the agency is to study, develop, and
describe appropriate alternative courses of action
in any proposal that involves unresolved conflicts
concerning alternative uses of available
resources. In 1978, the CEQ developed
Regulations for Implementing the Procedural
Provisions of the National Environmental Policy
Act. The CEQ regulations require a rigorous
exploration and objective evaluation of all
reasonable alternatives. In addition, the CEQ
regulations required each federal agency to adopt
procedures to supplement the CEQ regulations.
In compliance, DOI produced its NEPA
regulations as Part 516 of its departmental
manual. Subsequently, in January 2001, NPS
issued DO-12: Conservation Planning,
Environmental Impact Analysis, and Decision-
n2aking and Handbook. DO-12 and its Handbook
Simplifed List
of t�e Fiwe �etailed 5tudy Alternatiues
1 } No-A�tion
2} Monetary Settlement
3J Laurel Branch Picnic Area
4) Partial-Build Atltemative to Bushnell {twa raute options arad two road type
optians)
5} Narthern 5hore Cvrridor {edght mute aptions and two rpad type aptions]
Gt�mprehensrve List
caf 4ptimns for Ftoute snd Road Type Combinations
Partial-Build Altemative tc� Bushnell:
�) 8aseline (northern route at Forney Greek}, Primitive Park Road
B� Baseline (northern route at Forney Gre�k}, 9�rincipal Park Road
[`1 Southern Qption at Forney Creek Embayment, Primiiive Park Raad
D� Southern Option at Forney Cre2k Embaymen#, Prin�i�al Park Raad
Northern Shore Carridpr:
A� 8aseline (northem routes at Forney, Hazel, and Eag�e creeks wi#h a
terminus at NC 28j, Primitive Park Road
B) Baseline {northern routes at Forney, Hazel, and EagGe creeks with a
terminus at NC 28j, Principal Park Raad
Ci 5outhem CJptiort at Forney Creek Emt�ayment, nor#hem route at Hazel
and �ag9e Greeks, and #ermin�as at NC 28, Primitd�e Park Fiaad
I]) Sauthern Optivn at Forney Cre�k Embayment, narthem raufe at Hazel
and Eag9e creeks, and terminus at NC 28, Principal Park Road
E1 Southarn Option at Forney Creek Embaymeni, Southem �ption at
Haz�l and �agle Creek Embaymenks, and terminus at NC �8, Primitive
Park Road
F� 5outhern Option at Forney Creek Embaymeni, 5authem �ption at
Hazel �nd Eagle Greek �m'baymerrts, and terminus at NC 28, Principal
Park Road
G1 Ssauthern �ption at Farney Creek Em�ayment, 5outhern �ptian at
Hazel and Eagle Creek Embayments, and Sauthem OpCion Crossing
Fontana Dam, Primitiv� Park Read
f-la Svuthern Qption at Farney Creek Embayment, Sauthem C]ption at
Haz�l and Eagle Creek Embayments, and SouEhern (7ption Crassireg
Fontana �am, Principal Park Road
I� S6uthern Optivn at Forney Creek Emt�ayment, narthern route at H�zel
and Eag1e creeks, and Svuthem Optiar� Crossing Fontar�a Ctam,
Primitive Park Road
J1 5outhern Qption at F�mey Creek Embayment, northem route at �iazel
anci Eag'�e creeks, and Southem Optior� Crossing Fonta�a Dann,
Principal Park Road
K1 Northern rautes at Forney, Hazel, and Eagle creeks, and 5outh�m
C7ption Crossing Fantana Dam, Primiti�e Park Road
I.� Norihern routes at Forney, Hazel, and Eagle creeks, and Southern
6ption Crossing Fantana �am, Principal Park Road
�1y Nartheen route at Fvrruey Creek, Southern Option at Hazel and Eagle
Creek Emhayments, and Southern {3ption Crossing Fvntana Darr�,
Primitive Park R�ad
ti� Norlhern rvute a# Fomey Creek, Southem CJption at Hazel and Eagle
Creek Embayments, and 5outhern Optian Crossing Fontana Darro,
Principal �'ark Road
C7) Northern route at Fvmey Creek, Southern Option at Hazel and Eagle
Creek Embayments, and terminua at P!C 28, Primitive'Park Road
P� Northem route at Fomey Creek, Southern �ption at Hazel and Eagle
Ceeek Embayments, and terminus at A1C 28, Rrincipal Park Rc,ad
5ee Figure 2-8 for route locatians.
Clarification of the term "baseline" for this project:
The Partial-Build Alternative to Bushnell and the Northern Shore Corridor include a baseline route, as well as options to that route.
Baseline routes and options are detailed in Section 2.5 and shown on Figure 2-8. Baseline routes have been compared to existing
conditions. Impact analyses for the options are shown as a difference from the associated baseline route.
Environmental Consequences — 4-1
North Shore Road Final Environmental Impact Statement

provide the policy and procedures for how the NPS will comply with NEPA. The process must provide
reasonable alternatives that minimize adverse impacts. The impact analysis must utilize the best scientific
information available, be scrutinized by other agencies and the public, and include direct, indirect, and
cumulative impacts (NPS 2001 a). Overall guidance on defining and evaluating impacts and assessing the
potential for impairment to NPS resources is provided in the sections below.
Two of the alternatives, the Partial-Build A lternative to Bushnell and the Northern Shore Corridor, are
presented throughout the document as baseline routes with segment options and two road type options, as
detailed in Section 2.5. The baseline routes for these alternatives share the same northern alignmentfor
8.0 �ni (12.9 km) related to the Primitive Park Road and 5.8 nzi (9.3 km) related to the Principal Park
Road. The baseline route and all options were afforded the same level of detail during the analysis.
Baseline routes for each road type have been compared to existing conditions (i.e., the No-Action
Alternative). Southern crossings of embaynzents and the terminus location provide options that may be
used in any combination to form alternate routes for the Northern Shore Corridor and the Partial-Build
Alternative to Bushnell, as shown on Figure 2-8. Impact analyses for the options are shown as a
d fference from the associated baseline route. Refer to the previous page for a conzprehensive list of route
and road type combinations.
This EIS documents the analysis of impacts without detailed mitigation, based on information known to date.
Detailed mitigation plans would be developed before impleinentation of a partial-build or build alternative.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) would be developed between the NPS and FHWA to document
the commitment of the two agencies to jointly produce detailed mitigation plans if a partial-build or build
alternative were implemented. Final design and detailed mitigation could reveal site-specific impacts that
are not currently known. Additional NEPA analysis would be required if impacts were found to be greater
than identified in this EIS for any of the partial-build or build alternatives.
4.1.1 Impact Methods/Thresholds
DO-12 requires that an EIS must discuss the impacts of each reasonable alternative under consideration and
must quantify the impacts in terms of their type, context, duration, and intensity. This section defines the
type, context, duration, and intensity for impacts based upon NPS technical guidance and internal
documents.
Methodologies, detailed guidance and regulations, and tailored definitions of impact intensiry are provided
for each resource, or group of resources, in the corresponding section in this chapter. Definitions for the
impact to each resource topic are specific in an individua] EIS.
Type
Impacts are identified as beneficial or adverse. In rare circumstances, impacts are found to be indeterminate
for impacts that were not clearly adverse ar beneficial or which might result in effects of both types.
Clarification of the term "baseline" for this project:
The Partial-Build Alternative to Bushnell and the Northern Shore Corridor include a baseline route, as well as options to that route.
Baseline routes and options are detailed in Section 2.5 and shown on Figure 2-8. Baseline routes have been compared to existing
conditions. Impact analyses for the options are shown as a difference from the associated baseline route.
Environmental Consequences — 4-2
North Shore Road Final Environmental Impact Statement