4.2.9

access, ar by the addition of steps along grade changes between the roadway and access routes and/or the
addition of parking areas.
Adverse impacts associated with the partial-build and build altematives to the AT, a potential historic
property, would be reduced, but not entirely eliminated, with the two southern options at tbe three
embayments, elimination of the Southern Option Crossing Fontana Dam, and use of appropriate design
practices to minimize road visibility from the trail.
4.2.8.5 Impairment Evaluation
Impairment (as defined by NPS policy) to the cultural resources of GSMNP and the AT would not occur
under the No-Action Alternative, Monetary Settlement Alternative, Laurel Branch Picnic Area, and the
Partial-Build Altemative to Bushnell. Tbe Northern Shore Corridor is not likely to impair the cultural
resources of GSMNP or the AT based on the information obtained to date. Due to the magnitude of this
alternative, it is likely that additional NEPA documentation would be required to address sit�specific
impacts not currently known, to determine detailed avoidance, minimization, and mitigation measures as
they relate to final design, and to re-evaluate the impairment determination related to cultural resources.
4.2.9 Public Health and Safety
Within GSMNP, the Ranger Activities Division oversees all aspects of law enforcement. In addition to law
enforcement, rangers provide search and rescue and emergency medical services (EMS); manage the
campgrounds, backcountry campsites, and group camping areas; monitor road conditions; and provide fire
protection. There are 15 rangers for the North Carolina side of the Park (Dutton 2005). These rangers
provide coverage from 7:00 a.m. to midnight during the summer months, with rangers called out to after-
hours incidents as needed. No ranger stations are in the study area. Two are in the vicinity of Bryson Ciry,
at Oconaluftee and Deep Creek, and another is at Twentymile, west of the study area along NC 28.
Although some rangers are certified emergency medical technicians (EMTs), GSMNP has mutual aid
agreements with local responders far medical evacuations. These agreements allow the responders to cross
county, but not state, lines.
4.2.9.1 Summary of Impacts
4.2.9.1.1 No-Action
The No-Action Alternative is not expected to have an impact on the public health and safety of GSMNP ar
the local area surrounding GSMNP.
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 — 4-98
North Shore Road Final Environmental Impact Statement

42.9.12 Monetary Settlement
The Monetary Settlement Alternative is not expected to have an impact on the public health and safery of
GSMNP.
4.2.9.1.3 Laurel Branch Picnic Area
Currently, there are some problems with vandalism at the tunnel. The increased use of the day-use area
could lead to additional vandalism. The Laurel Branch Picnic Area Alternative would require one additiona]
part-time ranger to assist existing staff with patrol of the day-use area. The cost of this additional staff has
been included in operations and maintenance costs, Section 2.10.2. During the summer, there could be a
strain on the existing staff due to higher visitation, especially on the weekends. No impacts to public health
and safety in the local area surrounding GSMNP are expected.
42.9.1.4 Partial-Build Alternative to Bushnell (Primitive and Principal Park Roads)
The occurrences of crimes such as arson, vandalism, the release of live animals, poaching, and drug activity
likely would increase with this alternative (Illegal Activities, Section 4.2.52.13). The Partial-Build
Alternative to Bushnell would require two additional full-time rangers and one seasonal ranger for patrol.
The cost of this additional staff has been included in operations and maintenance costs, Section 2.10.2.
Public health and safety in the local area surrounding GSMNP might be impacted due to modifications of the
mutual aid agreements for medical evacuations.
4.2.9.1.5 Northern Shore Corridor (Primitive and Principal Park Roads)
The Northern Shore Corridor would have the most impact on the public health and safery operations of
GSMNP. The increased access would result in visitors getting further into the backcountry, resulting in
longer response times for medical emergencies and evacuations. The frequency of crimes, including arson,
vandalism, the release of live animals, poaching, and drug activity, as well as vandalism to vehicles at the
parking areas/pull-offs, likely would increase. The likely popularity of the route among motorcyclists and
the low posted speed limit would require speed enforcement. More vehicle accidents likely would occur,
requiring rangers to respond and investigate. The western end of this alternative would pose the most
problems due to response times. Six additional ful]-time rangers would be needed to patrol the area. A new
ranger station may be required along the new roadway to reduce response times and make patrol of the area
easier. The cost of this additional staff has been included in Operations and Maintenance Costs, Section
2.10.2. For the Primitive Park Road, additional full-time rangers might be reduced to three. However, the
use of street-legal dirt bikes, which likely would be taken off-road inside GSMNP, would increase with the
Primitive Park Road. Public health and safety in the local area surrounding GSMNP might be impacted due
to modifications of the mutual aid agreements for medical evacuations.
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 — 4-99
North Shore Road Final Environmental Impact Statement

42.9.1.6 Cumulative Impacts
As mentioned above, poaching, vandalism at the tunnel and other illegal activities have occurred and
continue to occur in the Park. As tourisin increases and residential populations in the study area surrounding
GSMNP continue to grow, these activities would be likely to continue and potentially increase. The limited
impacts to public health and safery from the proposed alternatives would have a sligbt cumulative effect on
public health and safety in the study area when added to the effects of past, present and reasonably
foreseeable actions in the area.
4.3 Impacts to the Physical Environment
4.3.1 Topography, Geology, and Soils
4.3.1.1 Methodology for Assessing Impacts to Topography, Geology, and Soils
The following paragraphs summarize the impact topics, thresbolds and durations as defined far topography,
geology, and soils. A more detailed report is included in Appendix I.
To develop the impact thresholds related to the topography, geology, and soils, the following topics were
reviewed for each alternative cor►-idor.
■ Topographic relief
■ Engineering aspects
■ Site layout
■ Natural drainage patterns
■ Views and vistas
■ Uniqueness and historical significance
■ Environmental aspects
■ Rock and soil types and mineral assemblages
■ Similar projects occurring under the same geologic conditions
Type
In regards to geology, topography, and soil resources, any disturbance of the existing geology, topography,
and soils as a result of the proposed project is considered to be an adverse 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 — 4-100
North Shore Road Final Environmental Impact Statement