4.2.2

4.2.1.3 Mitigation Options to Address Potential Mobility and Access Impacts
Options to address potential mobility and access impacts include:
■ identification of hauling routes that minimize traffic on congested roadways; and/or
■ location of encapsulation sites near the project, north of Bryson City as well as possibly on the western
end of the project (for the Northem Shore Corridor).
4.2.2 Community
The study alternatives would have a variery of impacts to the physical and social infrastructure of
communities adjacent to GSMNP, as well as to outside communities interested in GSMNP and its natural
and cultural resources.
4.2.2.1 Methodology for Assessing Community Impacts
The approach to assessing impacts of the study alternatives on the surrounding community considers two
factors: (1) existing conditions of the surrounding study area in regards to the physical infrastructure and (2)
effects on the social networks and social and psychological perspectives (social infrastructure) of former
residents, current residents, and visitors in the study area. Far these factors, the direct, indirect, and
cumulative community consequences of likely project-related changes are assessed. Direct effects could
include alteration in access to GSMNP cultural or natural resources. Indirect effects could include short-term
demands for local housing created as a result of jobs provided during road construction or long-term impacts
to local populations due to changes in the number of annual visitors to the Park and surrounding areas.
The analysis considers the type, context, duration, and intensity of the community consequences.
Type
In regard to community effects, few standards exist as to what constitutes beneficial ar positive changes or
those considered adverse or negative. For example, the TVA's construction of Fontana Dam during World
War II resulted in new jobs but required relocations. This event may be viewed as adverse by some and
beneficial by others. For this analysis, an attempt was made to capture the major issues that frame whether
various groups view an alternative positively or negatively. It is important to note that while representative
groups share some issues and values, an individual may hold any one or a set of these values differently than
another individual and may feel much more or less strongly about a given value than others do. For
additional insight into issues of concern to the public regarding the North Shore Road Project, summaries of
public comments on the project from the EIS planning phases are found in the Public Involvement Comment
Summary (Appendix �.
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 — 4-24
North Shore Road Final Environmental Impact Statement

Context
The physical, social, and psychological effects of the alternatives would be felt at local, regional and national
levels. The existing relationship between the Park and the local community is shaped by the Park's
proximity to the community; the mor�tban-60-year history involving the 1943 Agreement; the limited
private land in the area; the geographical relationship between the Park and the regional highway network;
and the Park's outstanding scenic beauty and recreational, historical, natural, and cultural resources. These
last factors, cambined with the annual recreation visits by over 9 million people consistently rank GSMNP as
the most-visited national park in the United States and create conditions in which the Park is integral to
shaping the local community and the region, as well as being of national importance.
Duration
Impacts to communities can be temporary or extend over a longer period. Impacts are characterized as short-
term if they are temporary or transient in nature, for example, impacts to population and housing demand
resulting from temporary labor force immigration related to roadway construction. Long-term impacts are
those that would occur regularly for many years or on an ongoing basis into the foreseeable future, for
example, increased access to cemeteries for Decoration Day ceremonies. A phased implementation of any
alternative could result in varying short-term or long-term impacts, depending on the magnitude of changes
which occur over a certain time period.
Intensity
No/Negligible
Effects on population, housing, community infrastructure, social institutions, social and psychological
perspectives, ar quality of life would be below detectable levels or detectable only through indirect means,
and they would have no discernible effect on the character of the community.
Minor
Effects on population, housing, community infrastructure, social institutions, social and psychological
perspectives, or quality of life would be detectable, but localized in geographic extent or size of population
affected. They would not be expected to alter the character of the community.
Moderate
Effects on population, housing, community infrastructure, social institutions, social and psychological
perspectives, or quality of life would be readily detectable across a broad geographic area or segment of the
communiry and could have an appreciable effect on the character of the community.
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 — 4-25
North Shore Road Final Environmental Impact Statement

Major
Effects on population, housing, community infrastructure, social institutions, social and psychological
perspectives, or quality of life would be readily apparent, would affect a substantial segment of the
population, would extend across the entire community or region, and likely would ha�e a highly noticeable
influence on the character of the community.
4.2.2.2 Summary of Community Impacts
4.2.2.2.1 No-Action
Impacts to Population, Housing, and Community Infrastructure
The No-Action Alternative would result in no impacts to population, housing, or community infrastructure in
communities in or around the study area.
The No-Action Alternative would occur against a backdrop of a long-term population gain of approximately
6,200 residents in Swain and Graham counties by 2030 (North Carolina Department of Commerce 2004).
This continues a long-term historical trend wherein local population growth rates lag behind population
growth rates for the surrounding region and across the state as a whole (North Carolina Department of
Commerce 2004).
New residential development would continue due to projected population growth, as well as in response to
market interest for second-home/vacation home development in the area. Most new residential development
across the region in recent years has been in unincorporated areas, a pattern that is expected to continue in
the future. The amount of land in private ownership in the study area, however, is limited.
The residential development pattern described above imposes relatively little demand on traditional
infrastructure systems, such as wastewater treatment, but increases demands on law enforcement, other
emergency responders and local road and bridge maintenance functions. These increased demands would
likely be met by the economic growth associated with the development, as discussed in Economic Impacts,
Section 4.2.3.
Social Infrastructure
The No-Action Alternative would have social infrastructure impacts to a variety of groups, mainly those witb
long-term involvement with the issues surrounding the North Shore Road. These impacts would be viewed
as positive by some and negative by others.
Impacts of the No-Action Alternative are likely to be minor and beneficial in the sbort-term and moderate
and indeterminate in the long-term for individuals focused on:
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 — 4-26
North Shore Road Final Environmental Impact Statement

■ leaving an undisturbed environment and potential wilderness designation,
■ the solitude of this region of the Park,
■ preservation of Park, rural and cultural resources with no change, and/or
■ minimizing public capital and operating and maintenance expenses.
Although these impacts would likely be perceived as beneficial due to the fact that no action would be taken,
they would be moderate and indeterminate in the long-term because the 1943 Agreement could remain
unfulfilled.
Impacts of the No-Action Alternative are likely to be moderate to major and adverse in the short-term and
the long-term, with effects on some indeterminate in the long-term, for individuals focused on:
■ settling the 1943 Agreement in some manner,
■ acknowledgement of the area's history and culture,
■ increased access to the natural and cultural resources (especially cemeteries) within this area, and/or
■ economic investment and/or development in this region.
In particular, many former residents and their descendents have expressed that they would view selection of
the No-Action Alternative as a breach of contract by the federal government. Many of those same
individuals have felt the cumulative effects of the withdrawal of industry from the area, relocation from their
residences by the TVA project, and the outstanding obligations of the 1943 Agreement. The majoriry of
these residents are in an older demographic, so in the perspective of their lifetimes, the impact could be
considered long-term. For younger generations, economic developers and some others, the long-term effects
may be more indeterminate, due to the potential to continue to pursue resolution of the 1943 Agreement.
422.22 Monetary Settlement
Impacts to Population, Housing, and Community Infrastructure
The Monetary Settlement Alternative would likely result in minor, indeterminate, short-term and long-term
changes to population, housing, and community infrastructure in Swain Counry communities with negligible
to minor changes in Graham and other surrounding counties due to moderate economic impacts associated
with the alternative (Economics, Section 4.2.3 and Land Use, Section 4.2.4).
Social In fi^asti^ucture Impacts
Providing monetary compensation to Swain Counry would have social infrastructure impacts to a variety of
groups. Again, these impacts would be viewed as positive by some and negative by others.
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 — 4-27
North Shore Road Final Environmental Impact Statement

The Monetary Settlement Altemative impacts are likely to be moderate and beneficial or indeterminate in the
short-term and long-term for individuals focused on:
■ leaving an undisturbed environment and potential wilderness designation,
■ the solitude of this region of the Park,
■ preservation of Park, rural and cultural resources with no change,
■ minimizing public capital and operating and maintenance expenses,
■ economic investment and/or development in this region, and/or
■ any government action taken to settle the 1943 Agreement.
Impacts would likely be beneficial to individuals holding such values if the 1943 Agreement were resolved.
Some effects would be indeterminate due to the fact that impacts to some of these values depend on local use
of funds.
Monetary Settlement Alternative impacts are likely to be moderate and adverse or indeterminate in the short-
term and long-term for individuals focused on:
■ settling the 1943 Agreement only through building a full or partial road into the Park,
■ acknowledgement of the area's history and culture,
■ increased access to the natural and cultural resources (especially cemeteries) within this area,
■ investing in development within GSMNP, and/or
■ concerns about future government allocation of the settlement proceeds.
Many residents in pursuit of increased vehicular access have stated that they would view selection of the
Monetary Settlement Alternative as not settling the 1943 Agreement. However, impacts resulting from the
projected investrnent of the Monetary Settlement are indeterminate, as the effects on quality of life related to
some of the above issues would depend on local use of funds.
422.2.3 Laurel Branch Picnic Area
Impacts to Population, Housing, and Community Infrastructure
The Laurel Branch Picnic Area would result in negligible, indeterminate, short-term and long-term impacts
to the population, housing and community infrastructure of the communities in or around the study area.
These impacts include small changes in the local population and the demand for temporary housing during
the construction period. The Laurel Branch Picnic Area would provide 104 annual jobs over the 2-year
construction period and 131ong-term jobs (Economics, Section 4.2.3). While some jobs during the
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 — 4-28
North Shore Road Final Environmental Impact Statement

construction period would be filled by area residents or regional commuters, the increase in jobs during the
construction period would result in some demand for temporary housing by workers temporarily relocating
either for the duration of construction ar on a part-time basis (e.g., during the workweek). However, this
housing demand would be further limited by the relatively short 2-year construction period and no
appreciable infrastructure demands would be anticipated in the short-term or long-term.
Social Infrast�^ucture Impacts
The Laurel Branch Picnic Area would have social infrastructure impacts to a variety of groups. These
impacts would be viewed as positive by some and negative by others.
If the 1943 Agreement were resolved by the action, Laurel Branch Picnic Area impacts are likely to be majar
and beneficial in the short-term and long-term as compared to the other alternatives for individuals focused
on:
■ leaving an undisturbed environment and potential wilderness designation,
■ the solitude of this region of the Park,
■ preservation of Park, rural and cultural resources with no change, and/or
■ minimizing public capital and operating and maintenance eRpenses.
There also would be some beneficial effect to individuals who would be satisfied with any type of resolution
to the 1943 Agreement.
Laurel Branch Picnic Area impacts are likely to be moderate and adverse in the short-term and long-term for
individuals focused on:
■ settling the 1943 Agreement by a major action,
■ acknowledgement of tbe area's history and culture,
■ increased access to the natural and cultura] resources (especially cemeteries) of this area, and/or
■ economic investment and/or development in this region.
As with the No-Action and Monetary Settlement alternatives, those wanting increased access into GSMNP
have stated that they would not view selection of this alternative as satisfying the 1943 Agreement.
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 — 4-29
North Shore Road Final Environmental Impact Statement

422.2.4 Partial-Build Alternative to Bushnell (Primitive and Principal Park Roads)
Impacts to Population, Housing, and Community Infrastructure
The Partial-Build Alternative to Bushnell (Primitive and Principal Park Roads) would result in moderate,
beneficial or indeterminate, short-term and minor, beneficial or indeterminate, long-term impacts to the
population, housing, and infrastructure of the communities located in or around the study area.
During the 5-year construction period, the Partial-Build Alternative to Bushnell would provide an increase in
annual employment of 238 jobs for the Primitive Park Road and 376 jobs for the Principal Park Road
(Economics, Section 4.2.3). These short-term employment impacts are substantial when compared to current
employment in excess of 10,000 jobs in Graham and Swain counties (Socioeconomic and Community
Features, Section 3.2.1). However, some of these jobs may be filled by residents of the area with appropriate
skills, some may be filled by individuals commuting from the wider region, and others may be filled by
workers who relocate to the region either on a full-time or a part-time basis (e.g. during the workweek). The
resulting demands on local housing markets and communiry infrastructure would be geographically
dispersed, but noticeable within the region. Given current high rates of unemployment in Graham and Swain
County and recent initiatives focused on economic development (Socioeconomic and Community Features,
Section 3.2.1), private development interests and local governments would likely respond by providing the
necessary housing and infrasti-ucture in anticipation of the projected economic impacts (Economics, Section
4.2.3).
Impacts to housing and infrastructure would result from increases in local employment associated with the
additional Park staff required and tourism-related jobs generated over the long-term once construction is
completed for the Partial-Build Alternative to Bushnell. The additional visitors to the area would also
generate some demands on housing and community infrastructure. However, the overall scale of the long-
term effects to housing and infrastructure would be limited given the relative magnitudes of the long-term
employment changes, a projected 37 jobs for the Primitive Park Road and 51 jobs for the Principal Park
Road, when compared with current employment levels in Swain and Graham counties.
Social Infrast�^ucture Impacts
The Partial-Build Altemative to Bushnell would have social infrastructure impacts to a variety of groups.
These impacts would be viewed as positive by soine and negative by others.
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 — 4-30
North Shore Road Final Environmental Impact Statement

The impacts of the Partial-Build Alternative to Bushnell are likely to be moderate and beneficial in the short-
term and long-term for individuals focused on:
■ settling the 1943 Agreement by some major action,
■ increased access to the natural and cultural resources (especially cemeteries) of this area east of and in
the vicinity of Bushnell,
■ acknowledgement of the area's history and culture,
■ some preservation of wilderness, solitude and the rural and cultural resources of this region of the Park
by avoiding a full-build road option, and/or
■ economic investment and/or development in this region of some sort.
Partial-Build Altemative to Bushnell impacts are likely to be moderate and adverse in the short-term and
long-term for individuals focused on:
■ settling the 1943 Agreement by a full-build road option,
■ leaving an undisturbed environment and potential wilderness designation,
■ the solitude of this region of the Park in its current state,
■ preservation of Park, rural and cultural resources with no change,
■ increased access to the natural and cultural resources (especially cemeteries) west of the Partial-Build
Alternative to Bushnell (Proctor, etc.), and/or
■ economic investment and/or development in this region, especially those who view a full-build road as
key to that economic return.
The impacts for the Partial-Build Alternative to Bushnell are listed above for the Principal Park Road. The
Primitive Park Road impacts would not differ in a substantial manner or involve modified thresholds. The
changes in social infrastructure impacts due to the Primitive Park Road include a slight reduction in the level
of access, due to lower-speed road conditions (especially for those interested in a dustless surface), and a
reduction in the anticipated economic return of the Partial-Build Alternative to Bushnell.
Southern Option at Forney Creek Embayment (Primitive and Principal Park Roads)
The Southern Option at Forney Creek Embayment would not alter the impacts to population, housing, or
community infrastructure that would result from the Partial-Build Alternative to Bushnell. Impacts to social
infrastructure would be slightly altered for those interested in cemetery access east of Bushnell because the
Southern Option at Forney Creek Embayment would improve or degrade that access (Cultural Resources,
Section 4.2.8). These changes would not alter the overall social infrastructure impacts discussed above.
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 — 4-31
North Shore Road Final Environmental Impact Statement

422.2.5 Northern Shore Corridor (Primitive and Principal Park Roads)
Impacts to Population, Housing, and Community Infrastructure
The construction of the Northern Shore Corridor (Primitive Park Road) would result in moderate, beneficial
or indeterminate, short-term and minor, beneficial or indeterminate, long-term impacts to population,
housing, and infrastructure in the communities in and around the study area. The Northern Shore Corridor
(Principal Park Road) would result in moderate, beneficial or indeterminate, short-term and long-term
impacts to population, housing, and infrastructure in the communities in and around the study area due to
higher levels of projected tourism and economic impacts.
During the 15-year construction period, the Northern Shore Corridor would provide an increase in
employment of 293 jobs for the Primitive Park Road and 488 jobs for the Principal Park Road (Economics,
Section 4.2.3). These short-term employment impacts are substantial when compared to current employment
levels in excess of ] 0,000 jobs in Graham and Swain counties (Socioeconomic and Community Features,
Section 3.2.1). However, some of these jobs may be filled by residents of the area, some may be filled by
individuals commuting from the wider region, and others may be filled by workers who relocate to the
region either on a full-time or a part-time basis (e.g. during the workweek). The resulting demands on local
housing markets and community infrastructure would be geographically dispersed, but noticeable within the
region. Given current high rates of unemployment in Graham and Swain counties and recent initiatives
focused on economic development (Socioeconomic and Community Features, Section 3.2.1), private
development interests and local governments would likely respond by providing the necessary housing and
infrastructure in anticipation of the projected economic impacts (Economics, Section 4.2.3).
Impacts to housing and infrastructure would result from increases in local employment associated with the
additional Park staff required and tourism-related jobs generated over the long-term once construction is
completed for the Northern Shore Corridor (Primitive and Principal Park Roads). The additional visitors to
the area would also generate some demands on housing and communiry infrastructure. For the Primitive
Park Road, the overall scale of the long-term effects to housing and infrastructure would be limited given the
relative magnitudes of the long-term employment change (82 jobs) when compared with current employment
levels in Swain and Graham counties, as well as lower projected visitation levels. The higher level of long-
term employment change (223 jobs) for the Principal Park Road approaches the level of impacts during
construction and when combined with greater levels of anticipated visitation, would result in a similar degree
of impacts to local housing markets and community infrastructure in the long-term as would occur during
construction. Again, it is anticipated that private development interests and local governments would
structure responses to these housing and infrastructure demands in anticipation of the projected economic
impacts.
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 — 4-32
North Shore Road Final Environmental Impact Statement

Social Infi^astr�ucture Impacts
The Northern Shore Corridor would have social infrastructure impacts to a variety of groups. These impacts
would be viewed as positive by some and negative by others.
Impacts of the Northern Shore Corridor are likely to be major and adverse in the short-term and long-term
for individuals focused on:
■ leaving an undisturbed environment and potential wilderness designation,
■ the solitude of this region of the Park,
■ preservation of Park, rural and cultural resources with no change,
■ minimizing public capital and operating and maintenance expenses, and/ar
■ access to cemeteries where access is degraded during construction or would be degraded in the long-
term without major rework to access roads.
Due to the fact that the Northern Shore Corridor does adversely affect access to many cemetery roads or
trails in the short-term and a few in the long-term, some individuals who expect the Northern Shore Corridar
to provide beneficial impacts to cemetery access and visitation may, in fact, experience adverse effects for an
individual cemetery in the short-term and/or long-term (Cultural Resources, Section 4.2.8).
Impacts of the Northern Shore Corridor are likely to be majar and beneficial in the short-term and the long-
term for individuals focused on:
■ settling the 1943 Agreement,
■ acknowledgement of the area's history and culture,
■ increased access to the natural and cultural resources (especially cemeteries), and/or
■ economic investment and/or development in this region.
Due to the fact that the Northern Shore Corridor does adversely affect access to many cemeteries in the
short-term and a few in the long-term, individuals interested in cemetery access who would experience
beneficial impacts from the Northern Share Corridor would be those for whom cemetery access is enhanced
in the short-term and/or long-term (Cultural Resources, Section 4.2.8).
The Northern Shore Corridor impacts described above are for a Principal Park Road, but would not differ in
a substantial manner for a Primitive Park Road. The changes to social infrastructure impacts for a Primitive
Park Road would include a slight reduction in the level of access, due to lower-speed road conditions
(especially for those interested in a dustless surface), and a reduction in the anticipated economic return of
the Northern Share Corridor.
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 — 4-33
North Shore Road Final Environmental Impact Statement

Southern Option at Forney Creek Embayment (Primitive and Principal Park Roads)
The Southern Option at Forney Creek Embayment would not affect impacts to population, housing, and
community infrastructure resulting from the Northern Shore Corridor. Impacts to social infrastructure would
be altered for those interested in cemetery access on the eastern end of the proposed Northern Shore Corridor
(Cultural Resources, Section 4.2.8). These small changes would not alter the overall social infrastructure
impacts discussed above.
Southern Option at Hazel and Eagle Creek Embayments (Primitive and Principal Park Roads)
The Southern Option at Hazel and Eagle Creek Embayments would not affect impacts to population,
housing, and community infrastructure resulting from the Northern Share Corridor. Impacts to social
infrastructure would be altered for those interested in cemetery access in the vicinity of Proctar and other
histaric communities along the more northern baseline alignment because the Southern Option at Hazel and
Eagle Creek Embayments would reduce that access (Cultural Resources, Section 4.2.8). Social infrastructure
impacts also would be slightly altered for those interested in preservation of Park's natural and cultural
resources undisturbed. Those people view the mare southern alignment as having less of an adverse impact
on those resources. These changes to individuals or groups holding either of the above values would not
alter the overall social infrastructure impacts discussed above.
Southern Option Crossing Fontana Dam (Primitive and Principal Park Roads)
The Southern Option Crossing Fontana Dam would not have a discernable change from the baseline to
population, housing, and community infrastructure ar social infrastructure.
4.22.2.6 Cumulative Impacts
Economic impacts and land use changes in the study area were reviewed to determine impacts to population,
housing and communiry infrastructure; therefore, cumulative impacts are reflected in the overall impacts for
each alternative. In assessing impacts to social infrastructure, it would be difficult to separate how
individuals perceive impacts independent from the histories and experiences which shape their perspectives,
therefore cumulative impacts are reflected in the social infrastructure impacts for each alternative. As
described previously, the major past actions that have affected individuals in tbe study area include the
withdrawal of industry from the area and the relocation of some individuals from their residences by the
TVA project beginning in the late 1920s, as well as the outstanding obligations of tbe 1943 Agreement.
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 — 4-34
North Shore Road Final Environmental Impact Statement

4.2.2.3 Mitigation Options to Address Potential Community Impacts
Options to address potential communiry impacts include:
■ identification and development of heritage and interpretation opportunities to accompany any alternative,
■ Park management strategies regarding cultural and natural resources,
■ improvements to connections to cemetery access roads or trails by a given alternative (Cultural
Resources, Section 4.2.8),
■ use of the Monetary Settlement for public works projects to enhance qualiry of life in the area and/ar to
focus on specific social infrastructure impact concerns, particularly those pertaining to local heritage and
culture, and/or
■ continued public consultation and coordination on the North Shore Road Project and on subsequent
actions and strategies related to the project.
4.2.3 Economics
Construction of one of the partial-build or build alternatives or selection of the Monetary Settlement would
provide a new stimulus to the regional economy, generating economic benefits for residents, businesses, and
local governments in the area. Such effects include additional jobs, personal income, and retail sales.
4.2.3.1 Methodology for Assessing the Economic Impacts
The methodology used in this analysis of economic impacts is driven by four parameters: (1) estimated
construction cost of the road altematives and proposed amount of the Monetary Settlement Alternative; (2)
estimated additional Park staff and operating expenditures; (3) estimated traffic/visitor volumes for each
alternative; and (4) economic characteristics of visitors in terms of origin and typical spending
characteristics. Inputs related to these parameters are entered into a version of the IMPLAN model (IMpact
Analysis for PLANning) originally developed by the USFS to assist in land resource management planning,
but subsequently privatized and widely adopted for use in a host of planning and economic impact
assessment applications.
Resulting economic impacts are describedby five parameters: (1) new jobs supported; (2) personal
income generated; (3) retail sales generated; (4) intraregional shifts in economic activity; and (5) economic
development and sustainability. Examples of direct impacts include jobs for construction of the partial-
build and build alternatives and the hiring of additional NPS staff. An example of indirect economic
impacts is new service jobs in local restaurants, stores, and motels resulting from increased visitation to
the Park and surrounding communities. The direct, indirect, and cumulative consequences of the project-
related changes are assessed.
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 — 4-35
North Shore Road Final Environmental Impact Statement