[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 214 (Monday, November 5, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 55950]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-27694]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service


Environmental Assessment for Proposal To Add a Boardwalk and 
Viewing Deck and Rehabilitate the Overlooks at Great Falls Park, VA

AGENCY: National Park Service.

ACTION: Availability of the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the 
proposed boardwalk and viewing deck, and rehabilitation of Overlooks 
One and Two of Great Falls Park, Virginia, a unit of the George 
Washington Memorial Parkway (GWMP).

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to Council on Environmental Quality regulations and 
National Park Service (NPS) policy, the NPS announces the availability 
of an EA for the proposed boardwalk and viewing deck, and 
rehabilitation of Overlooks One and Two of Great Falls Park, Virginia, 
a unit of the GWMP. The EA examines several alternatives aimed to 
increase visitor safety, provide accessibility, and improve resource 
protection around and between the Overlooks and the Shade Tree-Jetty 
area. The record of serious visitor injuries and drownings, as well as 
obvious impacts on park resources, indicates a need to better manage 
visitor use in order to alleviate safety concerns and enhance 
protection of the park's resources. The NPS is soliciting comments on 
this EA. These comments will be considered in evaluating it and making 
decisions pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act.

DATES: The EA will remain available for public comment 30 days from the 
date of publication in the Federal Register. Written comments should be 
received no later than this date.

ADDRESSES: Comments on this EA should be submitted in writing to: Ms. 
Audrey F. Calhoun, Superintendent, George Washington Memorial Parkway, 
Turkey Run Park, McLean, Virginia 22101. The EA will be available for 
public inspection Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. through 4 p.m., at GWMP 
Headquarters, Turkey Run Park, McLean, Virginia, on the NPS Website 
www.nps.gov/gwmp, and at several libraries in Alexandria, Fairfax, and 
Arlington, Virginia.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NPS proposes to increase accessibility 
and safety for trail users while maintaining the integrity of the 
natural and cultural resources at the Shade Tree-Jetty area and around 
Overlooks One and Two. Improvements to the park's system of trails and 
overlooks would address critical visitor safety and resource protection 
issues in the most heavily used part of the park. Two existing 
overlooks provide scenic views below the falls. The Overlooks are in 
deteriorating condition, and their concrete slab construction and steel 
handrails are visually incompatible with the surroundings. A short 
trail from the visitor center leads to an undeveloped area adjacent to 
and above the falls. This area provides some of the park's most 
spectacular and exciting viewing points. Unfortunately, numerous social 
trails have resulted from some visitors departing the designated trail 
system, inadvertently damaging stonework of the Patowmack Canal, rare 
plants, and other vegetation. Visitors also often scramble over the 
rocks and cliffs to reach certain vantage points. Their rock-hopping 
and wading along the river's edge at times places them in dangerous 
situations.
    The following primary needs have been identified with this project 
to address the existing issues. There is a need:
    1. To better manage visitor traffic in areas where resources are 
threatened and where there is no margin for error on the visitor's 
part.
    2. To change inaccessible scenic views into accessible overlooks.
    3. To protect natural and cultural resources from the Jetty to 
Overlook Two.
    Incidents that have occurred at these locations have been formally 
documented by park staff and through conversations with visitors who 
have reported incidents. Finally, park staff and Fairfax County's Fire 
and Rescue teams have had to rescue or recover victims on several 
occasions from these areas.
    All interested individuals, agencies, and organizations are urged 
to provide comments on the EA. The NPS, in making a final decision 
regarding this matter, will consider all comments received by the 
closing date.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Walter McDowney (703) 285-2763 or 
via email at [email protected].

Audrey F. Calhoun,
Superintendent, George Washington Memorial Parkway.
[FR Doc. 01-27694 Filed 11-2-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-70-P