5.5

USFWS, and ARCADIS. At the conclusion of the meeting, it was agreed that NPS would send each agency
a letter asking for concurrence on the alternatives proposed to be studied in the EIS.
Also on April 22, 2004, a meeting among NPS, FHWA, and USFS was held at the USFS offices in
Asheville, North Carolina. The USFS advised that its regulations may not permit a study alternative to
extend onto USFS property, and the agency requested eli�nination of the Partial-Build Alternative to Cable
Cove.
Based on comments received following the March 2�, 2004, and April 22, 2004, Interagency Meetings, the
alternatives were revised. Letters were sent to the EBCI, EBCI-THPO, NC SHPO, NCWRC, NCDWQ,
TVA, USEPA, and USFWS, requesting written concurrence on the detailed study alternatives (Appendix P).
A letter was also sent to the NC State Clearinghouse for informational purposes. Written concurrence on the
study alternatives has been received from NC SHPO, NCWRC, TVA, USACE, USEPA, and USFWS
(Appendix P).
As USFS noted in a June 29, 2004, letter (Appendix P), the Partial-Build Alternative to Cable Cove was
determined to be inconsistent with USFS standards and guidelines as defined in the Forest Plan. The project
would not be permitted to proceed with the implementation of this alternative without revision to the Fo�est
Plan and USFS approval. In addition, the alternative lacked public interest and support, so it was eliminated
from further study (Section 2.4.2). Appendix P includes agency comments related to the EIS study
alternatives.
5.5 Section 106 Consulting Parties Meeting No. 1(August 4, 2004)
Section 106 of the NHPA requires the identification and evaluation of impacts to historic properties. As part
of the Section 106 Consultation, a PA was developed to document the Section 106 Process as it pertains to
the North Shore Road EIS (Appendix H). Section 106 of the NHPA is also discussed in Sections 3.2.� and
4.2.8.
Based on the 2004 Cultural Resources ECR, NPS, in consultation with the NC SHPO, has developed a set of
Historic Contexts for the project area and survey methodologies adequate to meet the Secretary of Interior's
Standards far the identification of historic properties. NPS conducted sample archaeological surveys of
approximately ten percent of the study corridor between the Chambers Creelc vicinity and the Lake View
Road tunnel to predict landforms likely to contain significant archaeological sites. Pursuant to 36 CFR Part
8005(a)(3), NPS, in consultation with the NC SHPO and other consulting parties, has utilized a phased
process in applying the criteria of adverse effect consistent with phased identification and evaluation efforts
conducted pursuant to 36 CFR Part 800.4 (b)(2).
If the alternative selected in tbe ROD is a partial-build ar build alternative, the signatories of the PA will
consult to determine what additional identification and evaluation efforts are needed.
Several early coordination meetings were held with NC SHPO to develop the draft PA. A consulting parties
meeting was held on August 4, 2004, at the United Community Bank in Bryson Ciry to discuss the
application of Section 106 in the EIS. In attendance were representatives of the North Shore Historical
Association, the North Shore Road Association, the Sierra Club, TVA, Graham County, Swain County,
Smoky Mountains Hiking Club, Citizens for the Economic Future of Swain County, North Shore Cemetery
Agency Consultation and Coordination — 5-3
North Shore Road Final Environmental Impact Statement

Association, National Parks Conservation Association, USACE, NPS (GSMNP, SRO and Southeast
Archaeological Center [SEAC]), FHWA, ARCADIS, and TRC Garrow. The purpose of the meeting was to
review the draft PA. The participants discussed the agreement, and revisions were made congruent with
their concerns. The revised PA was included in Appendix H. Organizations requesting to be included in the
Section 106 coordination process as concurring parties are identified in the PA. Issues raised during the
meeting were addressed in revisions to the PA.
5.6 Natural Resources Agency Field Meeting (October 19, 2004)
A natural resources agency field meeting was held on October ] 9, 2004. It began at the Fontana Village
Hotel Conference Room in Fontana Village, North Carolina, and concluded in the field at the western end of
the Northern Shore Corridor. Representatives from FHWA, NPS, USFWS, NCDWQ, NCWRC, ARCADIS,
TVA, and Swain County were present at the meeting. This meeting focused on the studies that had been
conducted on the natural environment as part of the analysis of the alternatives. ARCADIS described
methodology for determinations of streams and wetlands, sampling sites, vegetation plots, and species
surveys.
5.7 Section 106 Consulting Parties Meeting No. 2(February 8, 2005)
A second consulting parties meeting was held on February 8, 2005, at the Comfort Suites Hotel in Cherokee,
North Carolina. Representatives from the North Shore Cemetery Association, North Shore Historical
Association, the North Shore Road Association, the Sierra Club, TVA, Graham County, Swain County,
Smoky Mountain Hiking Club, Citizens for the Economic Future of Swain Counry, National Parks
Conservation Association, EBCI-THPO, U.S. Rep. Charles H. Taylor's office, USACE, NPS, FHWA,
ARCADIS, and TRC Garrow were present at the meeting. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the
2004 archaeological investigations, interviews and research regarding Traditional Cultural Properties,
potential impacts to cultural resources, and the status of the draft PA. Subsequent to this meeting, the PA
was signed by the NPS, FHWA, NC SHPO, and EBCI as consulting parties, and by the United Keetoowah
Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma, Graham County, TVA, and Swain County as concurring parties.
The signed PA is contained in Appendix H.
5.8 Interagency Meeting No. 4: Impact Analysis (February 23, 2005)
The fourth interagency meeting was held on February 23, 2005, at the Renaissance Hotel in Asheville, North
Carolina. Representatives from FHWA, NPS, USACE, NCDWQ, NCWRC, NCDENR, NCDOT, NC
SHPO, TVA, USFWS, ARCADIS, Sammons/Dutton LLC, and TRC Garrow were present.
The purpose of the meeting was to provide an update on the final study alternatives, the 2004 field work
investigations, and the current summary of impacts. Participants had an opportuniry to review the public
workshop displays and ask questions individually of study team members. Comments were solicited on the
impact analysis phase of the EIS.
5.9 Endangered Species Act Coordination
Potential impacts to 15 federally protected species were evaluated for the purposes of this investigation. The
summary of impacts far this project has concluded that the bald eagle may be affected by the Partial-Build
Agency Consultation and Coordination — 5-4
North Shore Road Final Environmental Impact Statement