4.1.3

4.1.2.1.11 Other Trends
As demonstrated by the designation of westem North Carolina as the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area,
heritage tourism plays an important role in the regional economy. As noted in Economic Impacts, Section
4.2.2, tourism and recreation visitation are major drivers of long-term economic growth across the region.
While the number of visitors to the area is not expected to see large year-over-year increases, expenditures
by those who do visit the area are expected to rise. The number of touring motorcyclists, which increased in
the study area region over the last 10 to 15 years, can be expected to remain a part of the tolirism market for
the foreseeable future.
4.1.3 Impairment (as defined by NPS policy)
References to the purpose of GSMNP are provided in the NPS Organic Act of 1916 and in the legislation
establishing the Park. The National Park Service Organic Act of 1916 states that the NPS, ". .. shall
promote and regulate the use of the Federal areas known as national parks, monuments, and reservations
hereinafter specified ... by such means and measures as conform to the fundamental purpose of the said
parlcs, monuments, and reservations, which purpose is to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic
objects and the wildlife where in and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such
means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations." The Park's enabling
legislation states that GSMNP is "for the benefit and enjoyment of the people" and directed that the newly
created park be administered, protected and developed under the direction of the Secretary of Interior. As
further refined in the Park's 2005-2008 Strategic Plan, the purpose of GSMNP is "to preserve its
exceptionally diverse natural and cultural resources, and to provide for public benefit from and enjoyment of
those resources in ways that will leave them basically unaltered by modern human influences." (Additional
information about GSMNP enabling legislation is included in Great Smoky Mountains National Park,
Section 3.2.5.1. GSMNP enabling legislation is included in Appendix Q.)
NPS managers must always seek ways to a�oid, or to minimize to the greatest degree practicable, adverse
impacts on park resources and values. However, the laws establishing the national park system give the NPS
management discretion to allow certain impacts to park resources and values when necessary and appropriate
to fulfill the purpose of a park, so long as the impact does not constitute impairment of the affected resources
and values.
NPS Management Policies leave determinations of impairment to the responsible park manager and only
direct that an action should be considered to constitute impairment if, in the manager's professional
judgment, the action "would barm the integrity of the park resources or values, including the opportunities
that otherwise would be present for the enjoyment of those resources or values" (NPS 2006b). NPS policies
further state that whether an impact meets this definition depends on:
■ the particular resources and values that would be affected;
■ the severity, duration, and timing of the impact;
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 — 4-10
North Shore Road Final Environmental Impact Statement

■ the direct and indirect effects of the impact; and
■ the cumulative effects of the impact in question along with other impacts.
NPS management policies do not state what would be acceptable or not acceptable (i.e., constitute
impairn�ent) under any of these factors. It is left to the manager to assess information on each of these
factors, weigh that information, and use professional judgment to decide if the integrity of the park resources
or values would be harmed by the action.
An impact would be more likely to constitute impairment to the extent that it affects a resource or value
whose conservation is:
■ necessary to fulfill specific purposes identified in the establishing legislation or proclamation of the park;
■ lcey to the natural or cultural integriry of the park or to opporiunities for enjoyment of the park; or
■ identified in the park's general management plan or other relevant NPS planning documents as being of
significance.
An impact would be less likely to constitute an impairment if it is an unavoidable result of an action
necessary to preserve or restore the integrity of park resources or values.
Impairment evaluations for GSMNP and AT resources are included throughout Chapter 4 and summarized in
Section 4.9.
4.2 Impacts to the Human Environment
4.2.1 Traffic, Mobility, and Access
4.2.1.1 Methodology for Assessing Traffic, Mobility, and Access Impacts
The methodology used in this analysis includes development of traffic projections for the partial-build and
build alternatives and an evaluation of operations on area roadways and at key intersections. Traffic during
construction also is considered. The approach to assessing impacts of traffic generated by the study
alternatives on the surrounding community focuses on changes in mobiliry and access to community
facilities and transportation networks. For these factars, the direct, indirect, and cumulative consequences of
likely project-related changes are assessed. Direct effects could include alteration in access to GSMNP
resources. Indirect effects could include changes in local traffic patterns in response to truck traffic traveling
on local roads during construction.
The analysis considers the rype, context, duration, and intensity of impacts to mobiliry and access.
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 — 4-11
North Shore Road Final Environmental Impact Statement