5.6

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