4.4.6

4.4.5.4 Impairment Evaluation
Impairment (as defined by NPS policy) to the vegetation communities of GSMNP and the AT would not
occur under the No-Action Alternative, Monetary Settlement Alternative, Laurel Branch Picnic Area, and the
Partial-Build Alternative to Bushnell. The Northern Share Corridor is not likely to impair the vegetation
communities 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 vegetation
communities.
4.4.6 Terrestrial Wildlife
4.4.6.1 Methodology for Assessing Impacts
Due to the variety of wildlife likely to be found in the project study corridors and their corresponding variety
of home-range sizes, the quantity of wildlife habitat lost under the project footprint was used as a surrogate
for estimations of direct loss of wildlife for the assessment of impacts. All of the undeveloped areas within
the project study corridors are considered to be habitat for the range of terrestrial wildlife known to live in
GSMNP. Impacts were calculated based on the area of the construction footprints for each alternative.
Detailed methodology and discussion of impacts is listed in Appendix N.
Type
There are two types of impacts, beneficial or adverse. Beneficial impacts have a positive effect on terrestrial
wildlife resources, whereas adverse impacts have a negative effect.
Context
Context is defined as sit�specific, local, or regional. Sit�specific impacts would occur within the
construction footprint. Local impacts would occur within 2 mi (3.2 km) of the construction footprint or the
northern shore of Fontana Lake (whichever is less). Regional impacts would occur outside of the localized
impacts and in an area north of Fontana Lake, south of the North CarolinalTennessee state line, east of
Twentymile Ridge, and west of Noland Creek.
Duration
Short-term impacts are those that would occur for less than 1 year, typically as an episodic or temporary
event. Long-term effects occur as a result of construction activities at a specific location tbroughout the life
of construction (this is assumed to be between 1 year and 15 years), but the impact is more than that of a
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 — 4-208
North Shore Road Final Environmental Impact Statement

temparary event. Permanent impacts are considered to be anything that persists throughout the construction
period. These impacts include the permanent loss of terrestrial wildlife acreage and function.
Intensity
Intensity is the degree to which resources would be affected and is categorized as no/negligible, �ninor,
moderate, or major. The intensity definitions for terrestrial wildlife were based on consideration of a wide
range of factors including the diversiry of species included in this topic, the breadth of home range sizes,
avoidance and attraction behaviors, direct loss of habitat and indirect modifications to the remaining bisected
habitat, and the potential far habitat fragmentation. The terrestrial wildlife covered in this topic range from
small insects such as ants, to small mammals and amphibians such as shrews and salamanders, to large
mammals such as bobcats (Lynx rufus) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus birginianus). Each of the animals
covered under this topic has different habitat requirements. Home range sizes may range from about 10
square feet (ft�) (1 m�) for invertebrates such as snails (Attachment N-11), to an average of 1.0 ac (0.4 ha) for
small animals such as shrews (DLIA 2005) to an average of 50 ac (20 ha) for medium sized animals such as
raccoons (Procyon lotor) (DLIA 2005). Some animals such as raccoons, opossums (Didelphis virginiana),
and black bears are attracted to and may become "nuisance" animals at facilities where human food waste
becomes available, such as picnic areas (Stiver 1991). Conversely, roads and other facilities can modify the
surrounding habitat making it less suitable for terrestrial wildlife. Potential habitat modifcations considered
included factors such as potential changes in downstream hydrology, alteration of atmospheric moisture
levels, and the introduction of invasive exotic species. For instance, roads may modify the depth of farest
leaf litter up to 328 ft (100 m) from the facility. This may reduce the population of forest floor insects that
are a food source for small mammals, salamanders and some birds (Haskell 2000). Changes in animal
behavior have been noted in areas adjoining roads. Human disturbance and road noise can lead to animal
avoidance behaviar (Clevenger and Waltho 2000; Trombulak and Frissel 2000). Roads, as narrow as 10 ft(3
m), may act a physical barrier to small animals (Trombulak and Frissel 2000; Forman and Hersperger 1996).
Finally, operation of the facility leads to increased mortality due to vehicular strikes (Oxley et al. 1974).
The following intensity definitions apply to the broad range of terrestrial wildlife found within or adjacent to
the construction footprint of the proposed project. The construction footprint includes the proposed area of
pavement, the adjoining cut and fill slopes, and the surrounding construction access buffer. There is no
scientific literature available that provides a scale to define or rank the severity of impacts from a project.
Therefore, the following intensity definitions are based on best professional judgment of what is reasonable
considering the complex interactions of the factors noted above.
No/Negligible
Negligible is defined as impacts that would occur to less than 25 ac (10 ha) of terrestrial wildlife habitat.
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 — 4-209
North Shore Road Final Environmental Impact Statement

Minor
Minar is defined as impacts to terrestria] wildlife habitat greater than 25 ac (10 ha) but less than 100 ac
(40 ha).
Moderate
Moderate is defined as impacts to terrestrial wildlife habitat greater than 100 ac (40 ha) but less than 200 ac
(81 ha).
Major
Major is defined as impacts that would occur to greater than 200 ac (81 ha) of terrestrial wildlife habitat.
4.4.6.2 Summary of Impacts
Wildlife diversiry is a direct result of the structure and composition of the communities found on the
landscape. Both direct and indirect impacts may occur if there is project construction. Direct impacts to
terrestrial wildlife include loss of habitat within the construction footprint (Table 4-21).
Primitive Park
Road
Total Acreage (ha)
Principal Park
Road
Total Acreage (ha)
Notes:
Table 4-21. Direct Impacts to Terrestrial Wildlife Habitat
within the Construction Footprint for Each Partial-Build and Build Alternative'
Laurel Partial-Build Southern
Branch Alternative Option at
Picnic AreaZ to Bushnell Forney Creek
(baseline) Embayment
9.0 99.4 9.5 (3.8)
(3.6) (40.2) less than
baseline
92 4 15.6 (6.3)
NA �37 4� less than
baseline
Northern
Shore
Corridor
(baseline)
400.6
(162.1)
392.2
(158.8)
Southern Southern Southern
Option at Option at Option
Forney Creek Hazel/Eagle Crossing
Embayment Creek Fontana Dam
Embayments
9.5 (3.8) 25.4 (10.3) 20.7 (8.4)
less than less than less than
baseline baseline baseline
15.6 (6.3) 37.1 (15.0) 21.2 (8.6)
less than less than less than
baseline baseline baseline
1 All values shown are approximate and based on functional designs prior to mitigation.
2 The entrance/exit road to Laurel Branch Picnic Area is best discussed as a Primitive Park Road, but its design does not necessarily
conform to the NPS design criteria for a Primitive Park Road.
NA Not Applicable
Indirect impacts to terrestrial wildlife may occur as a result of construction associated witb a partial-build ar
build alternative, and may include habitat fragmentation including the interruption of �nigration patterns,
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 — 4-210
North Shore Road Final Environmental Impact Statement

increased noise from human activity, and decreased habitat quality. Impacts are directly related to the length
of the proposed roadway and its distance from the northern shore of Fontana Lake.
Habitat Loss/Habitat Quality
Changes in microclimate (moisture regimes, wind access, and available light) and microhabitat (wetlands,
seeps, and boulder fields) can negatively affect animals (salamanders, snails and duff invertebrates) that rely
on small pockets of these resources. Cut-and-fill activities associated with construction can modify
hydrologic regimes of groundwater. Crossings of streams and wetlands can also change hydrologic patterns
of these habitats, affecting the animals that live there. The wetness or dryness of the landscape may be
locally modified to the extent that microhabitats for resource specific animals are lost not only in the
construction footprint but also in areas adjacent to the construction footprint. Land snails, butterflies and
other animals that depend on relatively small specialized habitats for survival are examples of species that
can be affected in these situations.
Roads also alter soil physical properties. Soil within and adjacent to the construction footprint will likely
become compacted, reducing its ability to transport water and diminishing the habitat for soil fauna. Roads
also ha�e a negative impact on macroinvertebrate soil fauna by reducing the leaf-litter depth and faunal
abundance up to 328 ft(100 m) into the forest (Haskell 2000). Decreases in macroinvertebrate soil fauna
may also affect vertebrate fauna of the forest, such as birds and salamanders, which rely heavily on them as a
source of food. Reduction in the abundance and richness of soil fauna will also decrease the soils ability to
process energy and nutrients, and may impact the distribution and abundance of other organisms, particularly
plants (Haskell 2000).
Excavation associated with roadway construction may convert wet seeps to wet cliff-face habitat.
Salamanders that utilize the seep habitat also use wet cliff-face habitat (Petranka, pers. comm. 2007).
However, where excavation occurs in AP rock, the wet cliff-face and the drainage below may become acidic.
The effect of acidification on salamanders is discussed in Section 4.4.4. Implementing the BMPs described
in Section 4.4.4.3 would reduce the likelihood of impacts to salamanders on acidic wet cliff-faces.
Habitat Fragmentation
Habitat fragmentation on previously unfragmented landscapes divides ecological units and increases wildlife
competition, mortality, and avoidance behaviar and potentially lowers wildlife diversity. Resources such as
refuge, breeding, and forage habitat are reduced, causing reconfiguration of home ranges. The linear aspects
of a road could create travel barriers to less mobile species such as certain invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles
and small mammals (Forman and Hersperger l 996). This barrier may result in the interruption of daily and
seasonal migrations. Species such as salamanders, toads, and frogs migrate seasonally far breeding purposes
and may exhibit high mortality rates from having to cross a road. Factors, such as road surface and
clearance, also affect migration and mortality of less mobile species. One study found that the type of road
surface (i.e., asphalt vs. gravel) does not inhibit small mammal migration; however, it does affect traffic
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 — 4-211
North Shore Road Final Environmental Impact Statement

volume and speed, and tbus influences road mortality (Oxley et al. 1974). The same study indicated that
small forest mammals were reluctant to cross roads where the distance between forest margins exceeded 65
ft (20 m), indicating that road clearance is also an influencing factor in small mammal migration. So�ne
animals, such as land snails, avoid crossing roads altogether, even those as narrow as 10 ft(3 m) (Baur and
Baur 1990). Fragmentation of habitats and home ranges can also affect mare mobile organisms (black bear,
white-tailed deer, and eastern wild turkey). Some animals like black bear may not approach or cross roads to
access resources that were available to them prior to the existence of the development (Van Manen 1994).
Noise
Noise from construction activity, roadway, and increased human activity can cause avoidance behavior in
wildlife. Species, such as birds, that utilize vocalization for establishment of nesting territories may move
away from the roadway. Bald eagles will preferentially nest away from roads, and their productivity has
been shown to decline with increasing proximity to roads (Anthony and Isaacs 1989). This response will
result in additional loss of nesting habitat beyond which is impacted by the construction footprint. Increased
human activiry associated with the road may result in increased passive harassment of animals (Trombulak
and Frisse12000). This behavior could promote avoidance of areas adjacent to roads, further reducing
available habitat for many species. Sound levels outside the construction footprint will be less than 50
decibels approximately 90 percent of the time, with seasonal differences and individual events that are
occasionally higher. For additional information on sound levels within the project study corridors refer to
Section 4.3.5.
Poaching
Between 1993 and 2005, there have been 103 documented incidents of wildlife poaching in the Park. Forty-
four (44) of these incidents occurred within the project vicinity. However, with limited staff to patrol this
area and over 70 mi (1 ] 2.7 km) of shoreline that provides easy access, it is likely that more poaching occurs
than these docu�nented incidents. Deer, turkey, bear, and wild hogs are the most targeted species. Selection
of a build alternative would provide additional access for illegal poachers and likely increase the amount of
animals removed from the Park. As in other areas of the Park, most poaching occurs at night, and is difficult
to prevent.
C�:�.�i�R.�GT�iL7i1
The No-Action Alternative would involve no construction or alteration to the natural environment. For this
reason, no impacts to terrestrial wildlife within GSMNP would be expected.
4.4.6.22 Monetary Settlement
The Monetary Settlement Alternative would not impact terrestrial wildlife within 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 — 4-212
North Shore Road Final Environmental Impact Statement

4.4.6.2.3 Laurel Branch Picnic Area
An estimated 9.0 ac (3.6 ha) of habitat would be lost by building the Laurel Branch Picnic Area. Impacts
from direct loss of habitat would be negligible, adverse, sit�specific, and permanent. The noise created by
construction and other human caused disturbance activities would directly affect wildlife by causing
avoidance of habitat. However, impacts from noise would be negligible, adverse, local, and long-term. No
impacts from habitat fragmentation would occur from building the Laurel Branch Picnic Area.
There are no impacts to species new to science, species new to the Park, ar rediscovered species.
4.4.6.2.4 Partial-Build Alternative to Bushnell (Primitive and Principal Park Roads)
The baseline Partial-Build Alternative to Bushnell (Primitive Park Road) would result in the direct loss of
approximately 99.4 ac (�0.2 ha) of habitat. The Principal Park Road would result in the direct loss of
approximately 92.4 ac (37.4 ha) of habitat. Impacts due to the direct loss of habitat within the construction
footprint are anticipated to be minor, adverse, sit�specific, and permanent. Habitat fragmentation from
construction of this alternative would result in minor, adverse, local, and permanent impacts. Impacts due to
noise created by human activity, such as roadway construction, would be minor, adverse, local, and long-
tenn.
Seven duff invertebrates and two land snails, identified as species new to science, would be impacted by the
baseline Partial-Build Alternative to Bushnell (Primitive Park Road). The Principal Park Road would impact
an additional species of land snail that has been identified as new to science. Ten duff invertebrates and two
land snails, identified as new records for the Park, would be impacted by the baseline Partial-Build
Alternative to Bushnell (Primitive and Principal Park Roads). It is noted that limited information is known
about the distribution of these species new to science or identified as new records for the Park either within
the Park or over their larger ranges. The worst-case scenario is that implementation of the Partial-Build
Alternative to Bushnell (Primitive and Principal Park Roads) may cause eXtirpation from the Park of one or
more of these species.
Southern Option at Forney Creek Embayment (Primitive and Principal Park Roads)
As compared to the baseline Partial-Build Alternative to Bushnell, this option would reduce the overall
impacts within the project study corridors. The Primitive Park Road would reduce the direct loss of habitat
by approximately 9.5 ac (3.8 ha), and the Principal Park Road would reduce the direct loss of habitat by
approximately 15.6 ac (6.3 ha). This option includes a bridge over Forney Creek embayment which would
reduce impacts to forested, interior (non-edge) wildlife habitat. Decreases in the construction footprint, noise
intrusion, and habitat fragmentation ultimately would reduce the potential far impacts.
The Southern Option at Forney Creek would reduce impacts to two new species of land snails, two species
of land snails identified as new records for the Park, three locations of duff invertebrates that are species new
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 — 4-213
North Shore Road Final Environmental Impact Statement

to science, and three locations of duff invertebrates that are new records for the Park. There would be
impacts to the four duff invertebrates that were found only at sampling sites along this option.
4.4.6.2.5 Northern Shore Corridor (Primitive and Principal Park Roads)
The design for the baseline Northern Shore Corridor would result in the direct loss of approximately 400.6 ac
(] 62.2 ha) and 392.2 ac (158.8 ha) of potential terrestrial habitat associated with the Primitive Park Road and
Principal Park Road, respectively. impacts for both road types would be the same and are discussed
together. Impacts due to the direct loss of habitat are anticipated to be major, adverse, site-specific and
permanent. Impacts from ecosystem fragmentation are expected to be major, adverse, local, and permanent.
Impacts due to noise would most likely be major, adverse, local, and long-term.
Fifteen duff invertebrates and four land snails, identified as new to science, were found within the baseline
Northern Shore Corridor. Eighteen duff invertebrates and six land snails, new records for the Park, would be
impacted by this alternative (Primitive and Principal Park Roads). It is noted that limited information is
lrnown about the distribution of these species new to science or identified as new records for the Park either
within the Park ar over their larger ranges. The worst-case scenario is that implementation of the baseline
Northern Shore Corridor (Primitive and Principal Park Roads) may cause extirpation from the Park of one or
more of these species.
Southern Option at Forney Creek Embayment (Primitive and Principal Park Roads)
As compared to the baseline Northern Shore Corridor, this option would reduce the overall impacts. The
Primitive Park Road would reduce the direct loss of habitat by approximately 9.5 ac (3.8 ha), and the
Principal Park Road would reduce the direct loss of habitat by approximately 15.6 ac (6.3 ha). This option
includes a bridge over Forney Creek embayment, which would reduce impacts to forested, interior (non-
edge) wildlife habitat. Decreases in the construction footprint, noise intrusion, and habitat fragmentation
ultimately would reduce the potential for impacts.
The Southern Option at Forney Creek would reduce impacts to two new species of land snails, two species
of land snails identified as new records for the Park, three locations of duff invertebrates that are species new
to science, and three locations of duff invertebrates that are new records for the Park. There would be
impacts to the four duff invertebrates that were found only at sampling sites along this option.
Southern Option at Hazel and Eagle Creek Embayments (Primitive and Principal Park Roads)
The Southern Option at Hazel and Eagle Creek Embayments includes two bridges over Fontana Lake,
thereby impacting less forested, interior (non-edge) wildlife habitat than the baseline Northern Shore
Corridor. Direct loss of habitat resulting from construction of the Primitive Park Road and the Principal Park
Road would be reduced by approximately 25.4 ac (10.3 ha) and 37. ] ac (15.0 ha), respectively. Decreases in
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 — 4-214
North Shore Road Final Environmental Impact Statement

the construction footprint associated with this option and the subsequent reduction in noise intrusion and
habitat fragmentation could reduce the potential for impacts to terrestrial wildlife.
This option would reduce impacts to one new species of land snails, three species of land snails identified as
new records for the Parlc, and six locations of duff invertebrates that are new records for the Park. This
option would increase impacts to six locations of duff invertebrates new to science and to three species of
duff invertebrates that are new Park recards.
Southern Option Crossing Fontana Dain (Primitive and Principal Park Roads)
The Southern Option Crossing Fontana Dain would impact less forested, interior (non-edge) wildlife habitat
than the baseline Northern Shore Corridor. Direct loss of habitat resulting from construction of the Primitive
Park Road would be reduced by approximately 20.7 ac (8.4 ha), and direct loss of habitat associated with the
Principal Parlc Road would be reduced by approximately 2l 2 ac (8.6 ha). Decreases in the construction
footprint associated with this option and the subsequent reduction in noise intrusion and habitat
fragmentation could reduce the potential for impacts to terrestrial wildlife.
The Southern Option Crossing Fontana Dam would reduce impacts to three new species of land snails, three
species of land snails identified as new records for the Park, three species of duff invertebrates that are new
to science, and nine species of duff invertebrates that are new records for the Park.
4.4.6.2.6 Cumulative Impacts
Some of the projects ]isted in Section 4.1.2 have affected or have the potential to affect terrestrial wildlife in
the study area. in the past, areas of historically forested landscapes have been divided by roads and reduced
by commercial and residential development. Ongoing and future projects (including NCDOT STIP projects,
construction on the Ravensford site, and completion of Foothills Parkway) would result in habitat loss,
habitat fragmentation, reduced habitat quality, road mortality, and wildlife avoidance behaviors. Private
development, although greatly limited in the study area due to the amount of publicly-owned land, would
also affect terrestrial resources.
When added to those projects it is possible that the impacts to terrestrial resources to be caused by the partial-
build alternatives and the build alternatives could constitute cumulative impacts on the terrestrial resources of
the region. These cumulative effects have occurred and will continue to occur in the fareseeable future as a
result of landscape modification. Mitigation to protect, enhance, and restore sensitive habitats would
minimize the potential cumulative effects on the region's terrestrial resources.
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 — 4-215
North Shore Road Final Environmental Impact Statement

4.4.6.3 Options to Address Potential Impacts
NPS would employ a sequence of avoiding adverse impacts to terrestrial wildlife to the extent practicable,
minimizing impacts that could not be avoided, and compensating for remaining adverse impacts. It will not
be possible to avoid or mitigate for all terrestrial wildlife impacts.
Avoidance Techniques
Selection of the No-Action or Monetary Settlement alternatives would avoid impacts to terrestrial wildlife
within GSMNP from this project. With selection of a partial-build of build alternative, it would difficult to
avoid impacts to terrestrial wildlife, given the range of size, mobility, and fauna. Therefore, ihe design of the
proposed road should attempt to bridge or bypass sensitive habitats and natural travel corridors, such as
wetlands, boulder complexes, streams, and ridge lines. For example, bridge structures that completely span
water resources and which are long enough to allow wildlife the option of traveling along stream systems
without having to cross the road would avoid impacts at this location.
Minimization Techniques
Minimization techniques may be used to reduce impacts to terrestrial wildlife. The road could be designed
with structures allowing wildlife to move across landscapes that are fragmented by roads. Amphibian pipes
or eco-pipes ha�e been used with success in Europe and the United States (Jackson and Tyning 1989).
Tunnels and culverts allow for mid-sized mammals and other species to move from one habitat area to
another without having to cross the road surface. Wildlife underpasses and overpasses, along with landscape
connectors, are used by large animals such as black bear and white-tailed deer.
In order to design effective wildlife passage structures, the following factors must be considered: placement,
size, light, inoisture, temperature, noise, substrate, approaches, and fencing (Jackson and Griffin 1998).
Correct placement, location, and sizing of wildlife passages are extremely important and can become the
difference between success and failure of such minimization techniques (Forman and Hersperger 1996).
Species prefer to use structures with dimensions that most closely reflect those of their natural environment
(Clevenger et al. 2001; Ng et al. 2004). In order to accommodate as many species as possible, it is important
to incorporate a variety of different structures with varying dimensions (Yanes et al. 1995). The
effectiveness of these structures can be maximized by positioning them near natural wildlife corridors, such
as streams and valley bottoms. Limiting human activity near these passages is also an important component
of the previously mentioned minimization techniques. Locating foot trails away from these passages and
restricting human use of underpasses and overpasses will improve the success rate of the proposed
minimization techniques (Clevenger and Waltho 2000). The use of fencing increases the effectiveness of
these structures by helping to guide species into the wildlife passages (Ng et al. 2004; Jackson and Griffin
1998). The placement of fencing within GSMNP may not be feasible.
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 — 4-216
North Shore Road Final Environmental Impact Statement

Reduction of the construction footprint could be accomplished through additional use of retaining walls or
construction of a viaduct. This would reduce direct impacts to terrestrial wildlife habitat, although not
necessarily indirect impacts. The cost of such additional structures, especially viaducts, has not been
calculated, but could be significant.
Mitigation Technigues
Mitigation of impacts that cannot be avoided or minimized may include funding for habitat creation and
restoration, rare species management, and the establishment of interpretive programs related to interactions
between the natural environment and development within GSMNP. GSMNP is committed to mitigation of
impacts as part of its ongoing Park policies; however, mitigation opportunities for impacts to terrestrial
wildlife within GSMNP are limited. Specific needs for mitigation would be identified as necessary.
Enhancement Measures
Enhancement measures are additional forms of mitigation that may be used to reduce impacts that result
from project construction. Enhancement actions allow for improvements of terrestrial wildlife and their
habitat that may have become degraded in the Park. Additional funding for invasive exotic species
management, increased law enforcement, and public awareness educational programs are examples of
enhancement measures.
4.4.6.4 Impairment Evaluation
Impairment (as defined by NPS policy) to the terrestrial wildlife of GSMNP and the AT would not occur
under the No-Action Alternative, Monetary Settlement Alternative, Laurel Branch Picnic Area, and ihe
Partial-Build Alternative to Bushnell. The Northern Shore Corridor is not likely to impair the terrestrial
wildlife 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 terrestrial wildlife.
4.4.7 Black Bears
All of the lands in the project study corridors are considered to be habitat for the black bear. Impact amounts
were calculated based on the approximate area of construction footprint for each alternative. Detailed
methodology and discussion of impacts is listed in Appendix N.
Type
There are two types of impacts, beneficial and adverse. Beneficial impacts have a positive effect on the
black bear population. Adverse impacts have a negative effect on the black bear population.
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 — 4-217
North Shore Road Final Environmental Impact Statement