02 Chap2 Blue Ridge Parkway Draft Mgt. Plan Intro

8/3/2019 02 Chap2 Blue Ridge Parkway Draft Mgt. Plan Intro

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2the alteRnatiVeS

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INTRODUCTION

The purpose of developing alternatives is toprovide a clear basis for choice among adiverse set of options for the futuremanagement of the parkway.

Many aspects of the desired future conditionof the parkway are defined in the establishing

legislation, the parkways purpose andsignificance statements, and the servicewidemandates and policies described earlier.Within these parameters, the National ParkService solicited input from the public, NPSstaff, government agencies, tribal officials, andother organizations regarding issues anddesired conditions for the parkway. Theplanning team also gathered informationabout existing visitor use and conditions ofthe parkways facilities and resources. Theteam then considered which areas of theparkway attract visitors and the locations ofhighly sensitive resources. Using thisinformation, the planning team developedeight management zones and three sets ofalternative future management strategies to

reflect the range of ideas proposed byparkway staff and the public.

This chapter describes the alternatives formanaging the Blue Ridge Parkway for the next20+ years. The chapter includes tablessummarizing the key differences inmanagement strategies among the alternatives,management zones, and expected impactsfrom implementing the alternatives. Table 20at the end of this chapter presents thesummary of impacts anticipated from each ofthe alternatives, based on the analysis inChapter 4: Environmental Consequences.This chapter also describes mitigation

RELATIONSHIP OF MANAGEMENTZONES AND ALTERNATIVES

The primary building blocks for reaching anapproved management plan for a nationalpark system unit are the management zonesand the alternatives. All are developed within

the scope of the parks purpose, significance,mandates, and legislation.

Management zones prescribe a range ofdesired resource conditions and visitorexperiences for the park, and includestatements about the appropriate kinds andlevels of management, use, and development

in each zone. The management zones provideprimary guidance for subsequent decisionmaking in the park and are the core of thegeneral management plan. Eight managementzones have been defined for the Blue RidgeParkway (see table 3). These are graphicallyshown on the maps for alternatives B and C toreflect the management concept proposed foreach alternative.

Each of the alternatives in this generalmanagement plan presents an overallmanagement concept and proposals abouthow different parkway programs and areascould be managed through the application ofthe management zones and other strategies.The concept for each alternative givesplanners and park staff the idea for what thealternative would look like. For example,perhaps one management zone is callednatural and another zone is called recreation.An alternative whose concept is to keep mostof a park area in an undeveloped conditionwould have more of the natural zone applied


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CHAPTER2:ALTERNATIVES

This Draft Blue Ridge Parkway GeneralManagement Plan / Environmental Impact

Statementpresents three alternatives for thefuture management of the parkway.Alternative A is the no-action alternativeand proposes a continuation of currentmanagement direction; the development anddiscussion of a no-action alternative isrequired by law. The current managementdirection for the parkway is not based on

management zones. Thus, it serves mostimportantly as a baseline for comparing theaction alternatives, alternative B andalternative C. The action alternatives generallypresent alternative approaches to the parkscurrent management direction, includingdifferent ways to manage natural and culturalresources, visitor use, operations, and facilitiesand other infrastructure of the parkway.

Many aspects of current management mayhave merit; in those cases, the actionalternatives may embrace or build on thatcurrent direction.

The three alternatives embody the range ofwhat the public and the National Park Servicedesire to see accomplished with regard to

natural and cultural resource conditions,scenery conservation, land protection, visitoropportunities and experience, traffic andtransportation, concessions, and otherservices.

As noted in the "Guidance for Planning"section of chapter 1, all of the alternativesconsidered in this general management plan

would allow the National Park Service tocontinue to follow existing agreements andservicewide mandates, laws, and policies.These mandates and policies are not repeatedin this chapter.

resource and visitor use managementobjectives. More detailed implementation

plans would be developed following approvalof the general management plan.

Alternative visions for managing the parkwaywere developed by identifying different waysto address the planning issues identified inchapter 1, in context with the parkwayspurpose and significance. In developing this

range of alternatives, the National ParkService adhered to the requirements of theNational Environmental Policy Act, whilegiving careful consideration to the parkwaysenabling legislation. Oftentimes, this requiredbalancing natural and cultural resourceprotection with visitor services, facilities, andrecreational opportunities. The followingmajor decision points were used to help

develop these alternative concepts:

1. To what extent should the originaldesign of the parkway be preserved, orunder what circumstances might somedesign elements be modified for thepurposes of visitor convenience andsafety, management of specialresources, or fiscal or operational

efficiency?

2. Are current visitation patterns andactivities appropriate and sustainable,or are changes needed to protectspecial and/or fragile resources orenhance or modify the range of visitoropportunities?

3. Is the current range and mix ofcar/RV/bicycle/motorcycle/pedestrianuse of the parkway road appropriateand sustainable, or are changesneeded for visitor experience andsafety or for resource protection?

4 What are the desired conditions for


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Introduction

parkway neighbors, or to what extentare other approaches necessary and

practical?

6. How should the National Park Servicedetermine whether or not and howsecondary local or regional roadsshould be allowed to intersect or crossthe parkway?

A preliminary version of the alternatives was

presented to the public in Newsletter 5:Preliminary Alternatives (Spring 2008) andrevised in response to public comments.

More detailed plans or studies would berequired before most conditions proposed inthe alternatives are achieved. Theimplementation of any alternative alsodepends on future funding and environmental

compliance. This plan does not guarantee thatsufficient money for implementation will beforthcoming. The plan establishes a vision ofthe future that would guide day-to-day andyear-to-year management of the parkway, butfull implementation could take many years.

IDENTIFICATION OF THE NPSPREFERRED ALTERNATIVE

Identification of the National Park Servicespreferred alternative involved evaluating thealternatives using an objective analysis processcalled Choosing By Advantages. Thisprocess included a three-day workshop inwhich 24 staff members representing all

divisions of the Blue Ridge Parkway workedtogether to develop the preferred alternative.Through this process, the planning teamidentified and compared the relativeadvantages of each alternative according to aset of factors. These factors were selectedb d th b fit d t f h

Factor 3 Provides for an appropriate rangeof visitor services and recreational

opportunitiesFactor 4 Provides a traditionalparkway/scenic driving experience

Factor 5 Improves operational effectivenessand sustainability

Factor 6 Provides other advantages to Blue

Ridge Parkway, regional communities,partners, and/or stakeholders

Decisions made during the choosing byadvantages process were based on theimportance of advantages between thealternatives. This involved the identificationof the attributes or characteristics of eachalternative relative to the factors, a

determination of the advantages for eachalternative for each factor, and then weighingthe importance of each advantage. Therelationship between the advantages and costsof each alternative was also established. Thisinformation was used to identify thealternative that provides the National ParkService and the public the greatest advantage

for the most reasonable cost.

The results of the choosing by advantagesprocess identified alternative B as the agencyspreferred alternative. This alternativeprovides the best combination of strategies toprotect the parks unique natural and culturalresources and visitor experience, whileimproving the parks operational effectiveness

and sustainability. It also proves otheradvantages to the parkway, regionalcommunities, partners, and stakeholders.Ultimately, alternative Bs significantadvantage to cultural resources was one of thelargest determining factors in identifying it asth f d m m t


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includes the following primary managementstrategies and zone allocations that were

originally part of alternative C:

Use a regional ecosystemwideapproach to resource management topromote regional natural resourceconnectivity

Actively pursue new partnerships withpublic and private entities to plan andimplement joint ventures that supportparkway goals

Improve RV access to portions ofcampgrounds at Peaks of Otter andJulian Price. These campgrounds wereselected because they have potential toaccommodate improved RV accesswithout jeopardizing their historiccharacter as National Register-eligible

cultural landscapes.

Pursue the development of a paved,multiuse trail parallel to but separatefrom the parkway in theBoone/Blowing Rock area (Segment4).

Convert the Roanoke Mountaincampground to a day-use recreationarea, including picnic and trail stagingfacilities to better meet the needs ofvisitors.

Rezone a portion of the Smart Viewrecreation area as natural to providegreater advantage for naturalresources while still allowing fortraditional recreation opportunities.

Rezone a portion of Rocky Knob inthe bottom of Rock Castle Gorge asspecial cultural resources to providegreater protection of sensitive culturalresources in the area.

Rezone a portion of Cumberland

restoration, increased wetlandprotection, and lower impact

recreational opportunities.

Rezone a portion of Julian Price alongthe parkway as recreation toaccommodate a multiuse trail. Anadvantage to visitor experience wouldbe achieved through increasedopportunities on a paved multiuse trailand improved canoeing, camping, and

RV accommodations.

With these modifications, alternative B clearlyhas the greatest overall advantage incomparison to the other alternatives. Keycomponents of the NPS preferred alternativeinclude the following:

Focuses resources on the traditionalparkway experience, includingmanagement based upon the originalParkway Land Use Maps as closely aspossible.

Embraces a regional, ecosystemwideapproach to natural resourcemanagement.

Enhances outdoor recreationalopportunities on parkway lands,including regional trail connectionthrough collaborative planning.

Emphasizes strategic planning andpartnerships to address land andviewshed protection issues, education,and interpretation.

Recognizes that parkway concessionsare a vital part of the parkwayexperience and seeks to invest in thosestructures and businesses to makethem more viable.

Allows for moderate upgrades tocampgrounds rather than wholesale


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Introduction

acquisition ceiling. However, more specificdirection for any parkway boundary

adjustments were promulgated under twocongressional actsthe Act of June 30, 1936(49 Stat. 2041), that created the Blue RidgeParkway, and the Act of June 30, 1961 (75 Stat.196) that further authorized the purchase andexchange of land and interests in land toadjust ownership lines and to eliminatehazardous crossings of and access points to

the parkway. Also, a ruling in the UnitedStates Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit (June29, 1970) found that acquisition of land for theparkway was not limited solely to landsrequired for construction of the roadway butland acquired for recreation uses was withinthe statutory purpose of consolidation ofland contiguous to the parkway whennecessary for public uses. The Fourth Circuit

Court ruling also concluded that "scenery,""natural," "historic objects," and "wildlifewere included within the broad definition ofthe term "recreational."

Land protection for the parkway adheres tothe congressional acts and court ruling and isfurther guided by a 1994 approved landprotection plan that would be amended by aland protection process that moves away fromthe 1994 predetermined list of tracts of land toprotect. Tracts of land that become availableby willing sellers would be evaluated todetermine which of eight resource and visitoruse management criteria are metboundarymanagement and ownership, historic orcultural landscape sensitivity, transboundary

natural resource threats, scenic easementissues, at-grade crossings or accesses, visualsensitivity or scenic quality, visitor experienceopportunities, off parkway recreation needsand trends. Compatibility with parkwaymanagement zoning and current nonfederal

hi d d l l l d

protection plan priorities would includeacquiring interests in lands to accomplish one

or more of the eight resource and visitor usemanagement criteria, to ensure compatibilityof adjacent land use, eliminate or controlhazardous at-grade motor road crossings oraccesses, provide for recreation or natural andcultural resource protection, and conservequality scenic views.

When the parkway was established, the statesof Virginia and North Carolina donatedparkway right-of-way acreages of 100 and 115acres per mile, respectively. This did not meetthe National Park Service standard of 150acres per mile. Thus, NPS acquisition ofinterests in land has been an ongoing landprotection strategy for the parkway, with thegoal of meeting or exceeding the 150 acres per

mile standard. That strategy would continueunder land protection proposals presented inthe general management plan with adifference in emphasis for each actionalternative.

Other potential boundary adjustments wouldinclude focusing at-grade road access andcrossing land protection projects throughoutthe Plateau and Highland segments and in thenorthern section of the Black Mountainsegment where the majority of private andsecondary road at-grade crossings and accesspoints occur. Recreation projects would bemore dispersed parkway-wide and mightoccur in any of the segments. Transboundarynatural resource protection priorities would

be greatest in Segments 5 and 7 but couldoccur parkway-wide depending upon severityof threat to resources. Land protectionprojects to conserve quality scenic viewswould be based upon the parkways sceneryconservation system.


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Potential acquisitions are identified on aproject-by-project basis when a willing seller

or a private land trust contacts park landresource staff.

Because discrete boundary adjustments areauthorized for park purposes on an as-neededbasis, this general management plan does notcall for any specific boundary adjustments.


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THE ALTERNATIVES

ORGANIZATION OF ALTERNATIVES

Given the length and complexity of the BlueRidge Parkway, information on thealternatives has been organized into threelevels of detail: 1) parkway-wide, 2) parkwaysegments, and 3) major recreation areas. This

organization is used to aid in the comparisonof the no-action alternative, A, against both ofthe two action alternatives, B and C.

Parkway-wide

The parkway-wide discussion presents theoverall concept for each alternative followedby management strategies that affect parkway-wide programs, activities, or resources. Thesestrategies are organized by the following 10management topics:

Scenery conservation Land protection Natural resources Cultural resources Interpretation and visitor services Concessions Access and circulation Campgrounds Trails Partnerships

For the no-action alternative, information ispresented that helps identify current parkway-wide activities and programs, as well as someof the ongoing issues and concerns that the

along the parkwayRoanoke, Virginia, andAsheville, North Carolina. The mapping andanalysis of the parkway segments focusesspecifically on the relatively narrow parkwayroad corridor; the large, complex recreationareas found in the segments are addressedseparately. The segments are identified with

reference to the roadway mileposts, beginningwith 0 at the northern entrance of theparkway and ending at milepost 469 near thesouthern entrance.

FIGURE 1.PARKWAY MILEPOST MARKER

Segment 1Ridge, mileposts 0106 Segment 2Roanoke, mileposts 106

136

Segment 3Plateau, mileposts 136217 Segment 4Highlands, mileposts

217305

Segment 5Black Mountain,mileposts 305377


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Parkway Recreation Areas

When the parkway was designed andconstructed, the idea of providing a leisurely,scenic driving route included providingrecreation areas at intervals where visitorscould stop, rest, and recreate. Often referredto as the pearls along the necklace, many ofthese recreation pearls are quite large anddiverse in their natural and cultural resources

and visitor services. There are 15 majorrecreation areas for which separate planningactions and zoning maps have beendeveloped. These areas are shown on theparkway segment maps inside a gray box,which indicates that they are discussed andmapped separately on subsequent pages.

They are as follows:

Humpback Rocks, mileposts 610 James River/Otter Creek, mileposts

6065

Peaks of Otter, mileposts 8291 Roanoke Mountain, mileposts 118

122

Smart View, milepost 155 Rocky Knob, mileposts 166174 Mabry Mill, milepost 176 Blue Ridge Music Center, milepost

213

Cumberland Knob, mileposts 217219 Doughton Park, mileposts 236247 Julian Price Memorial Park, mileposts

295300

Linville Falls, mileposts 315319 Crabtree Falls, mileposts 339340 Craggy Gardens, mileposts 364369

Park near the cities of Boone/ Blowing Rock,North Carolina. Due to some very specific

management issues relating to trail use forbicycling and horseback riding, a separatedeveloped area management plan andenvironmental assessment is being preparedfor this area. (For more information, refer tothe Segment 4-Highlands page.)

ALTERNATIVE CONCEPTS ANDSTRATEGIES

Alternative A: Continuation ofCurrent Management Practices

This alternative would continue how the BlueRidge Parkway has been and is now beingmanaged; issues are addressed through

superintendents orders or other program-specific policy guidance, but there is not acomprehensive parkway-wide resource andvisitor use management direction for settingpriorities. Resource and visitor use issues andconflicts are resolved on a case-by-case basiswithout the guidance of an agreed uponparkway-wide management strategy.

Under this alternative, the parkway wouldcontinue to be managed primarily as a scenicrecreational driving experience and designedlandscape, as conceived and realized overseveral decades, from the founding vision ofthe park in 1935 to at least 1955, and possiblylater. (A National Historic Landmarknomination which is underway will provide a

comprehensive analysis of the exceptionalqualities of the parkway and a definitivestatement of its period of significance.) Theoriginal driving experience was designed forideal picturesque scenery ranging fromlandscaped roadsides to quaint Appalachian

l ll l f f ld


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The Alternatives

visitor safety needs, infrastructuredeficiencies, fiscal constraints, changes in

regional conditions, and changes in visitoruse.

Partnerships would continue to be an integralpart of park management, but would still beused for specific projects as opportunitiesarise, rather than pursuing a regional strategyto address issues through partnerships bothinside parkway boundaries and beyond.

Scenery Conservation.

Complete the baseline evaluation ofthe quality and condition of off-parkway scenic views as seen fromparkway overlooks and roadsidevistas.

As opportunities arise, and especiallyas impending land use changesthreaten to diminish views from theparkway, use the baseline evaluationto work with adjacent landowners,county officials, developers, landtrusts and other partners to conservethe idealized scenes of the central andsouthern Appalachians through landpurchases, easements, or creativepartnerships with landowners, landtrusts, and municipalities.

Land Protection.

Continue to acquire interests in landsadjoining the parkway boundary from

willing sellers to eliminate private roadaccesses (consistent with parkwaylegislation), to consolidate irregularportions of the parkway boundary thatare difficult to manage, and toconserve tracts of land of moderate tohigh scenic quality (see also Scenery

Natural Resources.

Inventory and management of naturalresources continues to be primarilysite specific and reactive to laws andpolicies, visitor safety concerns, andprojects in the parkway.

Continue to plan the natural resourceprogram on an annual basis, thusdiscouraging the implementation ofmultiyear projects and engaging

partners on a project-specific basis.

Continue to manage the parkway as aClass 2 air quality park; thisclassification does not qualify theparkway for funding to monitor andinfluence air quality standards in theregion.

Continue to manage wildlife with afocus primarily on individual andnuisance species.

Manage invasive flora and fauna onlywhere they affect threatened andendangered species. Continue to workwith partners on site specific projects.

Continue to manage designedlandscape features, such as man-madelakes, for scenic and recreationalpurposes.

Continue to manage roadsides, vistaclearings, and agricultural leasesprimarily for scenic qualities. Vistamanagement strategies wouldcontinue to incorporate habitatmitigation measures to protectCarolina northern flying squirrel.

Cult ural Resources.

Seek designation of the designedparkway corridor as a National


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the natural and cultural histories ofthe region.

Continue to give priority forpreservation to historic structures thatare directly associated with theparkway's original design intent andthat are listed as structurescontributing to the nationalsignificance of the parkway. Structuresconstructed or acquired after 1955 are

not considered to contribute to thesignificance of the parkway and assuch, their merits for listing on theNational Register of Historic Placesand preservation activities would bedetermined individually.

Continue to manage currentlymaintained vistas above 4,000 feet

elevation, but determine their size andconfiguration by best practices formanaging the potential habitat ofsensitive species.

Where operationally feasible, continueto use the historic Parkway Land UseMaps, which document the as-builtconditions and desired futuremaintenance standards for thedesigned landscape, as a guide formaintenance of the parkway roadprism within available fundingresources.

When an endangered species ispresent or a similar natural resourceissue occurs, modify the managementof cultural resources on a case-by-casebasis.

Interpretation and Visitor Services.

Continue to implement curriculum-based school outreach programs using

At the parkways 14 visitor contactstations, have park and partner staff

continue to contact about 1 million ofthe 21 million annual visitors.

Continue to maintain 20 recreationareas along the length of the parkwaywith traditional visitor services thatsupport a recreational and scenicdriving experience, includingcamping, lodging, restaurants, camp

stores, and picnic sites.

Concessions. Continue to offer concessionservices, primarily lodging and food, at somelocations where economically feasible.Concession services that are no longereconomically viable would be eliminated. Thestructures housing those services would either

be adaptively used or removed (except forthose eligible for listing on the NationalRegister of Historic Places).

Access and Circulat ion.

Continue the moratorium onsecondary road improvement projectsin both Virginia and North Carolina

until a comprehensive corridor accessmanagement plan and environmentalimpact statement are completed. Onlyaddress road improvements that arenecessary to ensure public health andsafety outside the comprehensiveplanning and compliance process.Continue to evaluate primary stateand federal highway improvements or

new construction projects on aproject-by-project basis.

Continue to allow nonrecreationallocal and commuter traffic to increaseas rural and urban lands adjacent tothe parkway are developed for


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The Alternatives

Upgrade selected campgroundcomfort stations to provide showers

and universal accessibility.

Maintain existing tent sites, includingmany small sites that do notadequately accommodate large, familysized tents.

Maintain amphitheaters to provideongoing interpretive programs forvisitors.

Maintain existing RV campingwithout water and electrical hookupsat all campgrounds.

Maintain existing access at allcampgrounds, including that whichdoes not adequately accommodatelarger RVs (i.e., narrow roads, tightturns, and small parking spaces).

Trails.

Work in partnership with themanagers of the Appalachian NationalScenic Trail to avoid sensitiveresource areas by relocating some trailsections. Work with volunteer

organizations and the state of NorthCarolina to complete the Mountains-to-Sea Trail within the parkwayboundary where feasible.

Continue to allow bicycling on themain parkway road and other parkwayroads, recognizing that bicyclistswould be sharing the road with higher

volumes of motorized traffic,especially in the more urbanized areasof the parkway.

Continue to allow equestrian use ondesignated trails.

Alternative B: NPS Preferred

The parkway would be actively managed as atraditional, self-contained, scenic recreationaldriving experience and designed landscape.To support that experience, many of theparkways recreation areas would provideenhanced opportunities for dispersed outdoorrecreation activities.

Although similar to alternative A, thisalternative would more proactively blendnewer law and policy requirements andoperational constraints with the traditionalparkway concept developed from 1935 to1955. As a result, this alternative wouldprovide a better balance between traditionalparkway experiences and modern-daymanagement realities. For example, some

areas would be managed differently to addressnatural and cultural resource concerns andvisitor experiences or to achieve criticaloperational efficiencies.

This alternative would provide acomprehensive parkway-wide approach toresource and visitor use management. Specificmanagement zones detailing acceptableresource conditions, visitor experience anduse levels, and appropriate activities anddevelopment would be applied to parkwaylands consistent with this concept. Thisalternative would also seek to enhanceresource protection, regional natural resourceconnectivity, and build stronger connectionswith adjacent communities.

Scenery Conservation.

Complete the baseline evaluation ofthe quality and condition of off-parkway scenic views as seen fromparkway overlooks and roadside


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for regional efforts among adjacentlandowners; local, state and federal

officials; and developers to establishlong-term strategies for conservingviews from the parkway.

Land Protection.

Continue to acquire interests in landsadjoining the parkway boundary fromwilling sellers to eliminate private road

accesses (consistent with parkwaylegislation), to consolidate irregularportions of the parkway boundary thatare difficult to manage, and toconserve tracts of land of moderate tohigh scenic quality (see also SceneryConservation above). In addition,acquire interests in lands for

protection of natural, cultural, andrecreational resources, and seekregional partnerships to provide foradditional options to protectresources.

Implement a land protection strategythat does not identify specific tracts ofland, but establishes (1) resource and

visitor use management criteria, (2)park management zoning and land usecompatibility factors, and/or (3) otherprotection goals that would be used toevaluate the merits of a property whenit becomes available from willingsellers. Proactively seek out willingsellers for high-priority parcels.

Natural Resources.

Make inventory and management ofnatural resources more proactive,incorporating a long-term approachthat actively strives to advanceregional ecosystem health through

influencing air quality standards in theregion.

Shift wildlife management focus to amore ecosystem-based approach inthe region.

Shift management of invasive flora andfauna from reactive, site-specificmanagement to more comprehensive,parkway-wide and regional strategies.

Continue to manage designedlandscape features, such as man-madelakes, for scenic and recreationalpurposes.

Modify some landscape areastraditionally managed for scenery,such as roadsides, vista clearings, andagricultural leases, to actively protectnatural resources. Improve habitatexternal to the parkway boundarythrough work with partners.


Seek designation of the designedparkway corridor as a NationalHistoric Landmark district while

continuing to manage it as an eligibleresource. The principal componentsof this designed landscape are theparkway road with its supportingstructures and constructed landforms,a scenic corridor provided by a broadright-of-way, a chain of 17 originaland 3 more recent recreation areas,and a variety of exhibits interpreting

the natural and cultural histories ofthe region.

Continue to give priority forpreservation to historic structures thatare directly associated with theparkway's original design intent and


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The Alternatives

Continue to manage currentlymaintained vistas above 4,000 feet

elevation, but determine their size andconfiguration by best practices formanaging the potential habitat ofsensitive species.

Update the historic Parkway Land UseMaps to protect the parkways historicintegrity while accommodating newerlaw and policy requirements and

operational constraints.


Continue to implement curriculum-based school outreach programs usingcurrent staffing levels at schools and inthe parkway, as available, during theschool year

Expand operations at selectedlocations to provide services for anine-month visitor season. Theselocations include: Humpback Rocks,James River, Peaks of Otter, MabryMill, Blue Ridge Music Center, LinnCove, Linville Falls, Museum of NorthCarolina Minerals, Craggy Gardens,

Folk Art Center, and WaterrockKnob.

Increase visitor education usingpublications and waysides andemerging technology.

Substantially increase the number ofvisitors contacted over current levelsby providing visitor orientation

services at underserved parkwayentrances, particularly the northernand southernmost entrances.

Continue to maintain 20 recreationareas along the length of the parkwaywith traditional visitor services that

hardening trails, providing overflowparking, and developing additional

picnic sites, among other actions.

Concessions. Continue to find ways toprovide viable concession services at allexisting locations to ensure the long-termavailability of in-parkway lodging, food, andother services. Strategies might includemaking upgrades to existing infrastructure

and/or adding new facilities whereappropriate.


Continue the moratorium onsecondary road improvement projectsin both Virginia and North Carolinauntil a comprehensive corridor access

management plan and environmentalimpact statement are completed. Onlyaddress road improvements that arenecessary to ensure public health andsafety outside the comprehensiveplanning and compliance process.Continue to evaluate primary stateand federal highway improvements ornew construction projects on a

project-by-project basis.

Accomplish management of somenonrecreational local and commutertraffic by replacing at-grade crossingswith new grade separation structures(some without access between theparkway and state road).

Campgrounds.

Continue to operate eight of theparkways existing campgrounds,including future repairs andrehabilitations focused on meetingb kl i t d C t


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Upgrade certain amphitheaters tobetter accommodate visitors during

interpretive programs. Upgrade existing RV sites with water

and electrical hookups at allcampgrounds, except at RoanokeMountain.

Improve RV access to portions ofcampgrounds at Peaks of Otter andJulian Price. Upgrades at these

campgrounds would include suchthings as widening the campgroundentrance and one of the loop roads,increasing turning radii, and enlargingexisting RV parking spaces. Only aportion of the RV spaces at thecampgrounds would be redesigned tobetter accommodate RVs.

Trails.

Work in partnership with themanagers of the Appalachian NationalScenic Trail to avoid sensitiveresource areas by relocating some trailsections. Work with volunteerorganizations and the state of North

Carolina to complete the Mountains-to-Sea Trail within the parkwayboundary where feasible.

Continue to allow bicycling on themain parkway road and other parkwayroads, recognizing that bicyclistswould be sharing the road with highervolumes of motorized traffic,

especially in the more urbanized areasof the parkway.

Pursue development of a paved,multiuse trail parallel to but separatefrom the parkway in theBoone/Blowing Rock area to enhance

Partnerships. Actively pursue newpartnerships with public and private entities

to plan and implement joint ventures thatsupport parkway goals. Explore broader baseof partnerships.

Alternative C

Parkway management would be moreintegrated with the larger regions resourcesand economy. More emphasis would beplaced on reaching out to communities andlinking to regional natural, recreational, andcultural heritage resources and experiences.

The parkway would continue to be managedto retain the fundamental character of thetraditional designed landscape and scenic

driving experience. However, a variety ofmore modern recreational and visitor serviceamenities would be provided, primarilyconcentrated in visitor services areas. As aresult, portions of some recreation areaswould be redesigned.

Parkway lands away from the visitor servicesareas would be managed primarily to enhanceregional natural resource connectivity andscenic qualities. This alternative would alsoenhance visitors ability to connect to,explore, and learn about the region's naturaland cultural heritage. For example, parkwayprograms and facilities would be used todirect visitors to heritage trails, scenic byways,and other public lands.

This alternative would provide acomprehensive parkway-wide approach toresource and visitor use management. Specificmanagement zones detailing acceptableresource conditions, visitor experience and

l l d i i i i d


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The Alternatives

a guide, identify views along theparkway to be protected.

Actively collaborate with adjacentlandowners, county officials, anddevelopers on a site-specific projectbasis to conserve priority scenery. Inaddition, the parkway would workwith its partners to provide leadershipfor regional efforts among adjacentlandowners; local, state and federal

officials; and developers to establishlong-term strategies for conservingviews from the parkway.

Land Protection.

Continue to acquire interests in landsadjoining the parkway boundary fromwilling sellers to eliminate private road

accesses (consistent with parkwaylegislation), to consolidate irregularportions of the parkway boundary thatare difficult to manage, and toconserve tracts of land of moderate tohigh scenic quality (see also SceneryConservation, above). In addition,acquire interests in lands forprotection of natural, cultural, andrecreational resources, and seekregional partnerships to provide foradditional options to protectresources.

Implement a land protection strategythat does not identify specific tracts ofland, but establishes criteria foracquisition and/or other protection

that would be used to evaluate themerits of a property when it becomesavailable from willing sellers.Proactively seek out willing sellers forhigh-priority parcels.

Establish a multiyear planning processfor the natural resource program to

implement multiyear projects. Pursue Class 1 air quality classification

and seek NPS and non-NPS projectfunding for monitoring andinfluencing air quality standards in theregion.

Shift wildlife management focus to amore ecosystem-based approach in

the region.

Shift management of invasive flora andfauna from reactive, site-specificmanagement to more comprehensive,parkway-wide and regional strategies.

Possibly convert some man-madewater features to natural habitat.

Modify some landscape areastraditionally managed for scenery,such as roadsides, vista clearings, andagricultural leases, to actively protectnatural resources. Improve habitatexternal to the parkway boundarythrough work with partners.


Seek designation of the designedparkway corridor as a NationalHistoric Landmark district whilecontinuing to manage it as an eligibleresource. The principal componentsof this designed landscape are theparkway road with its supportingstructures and constructed landforms,

a scenic corridor provided by a broadright-of-way, a chain of 17 originaland 3 more recent recreation areas,and a variety of exhibits interpretingthe natural and cultural histories ofthe region.


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significance of the parkway and assuch, their merits for listing on the

National Register of Historic Placesand preservation activities would bedetermined individually.

Continue to manage currentlymaintained vistas above 4,000 feetelevation, but determine their size andconfiguration by best practices formanaging the potential habitat of

sensitive species. Create new parkway land use maps

that would restore the parkwaysoriginal design intent that expressesviewsheds and landscapes of Southernand Central Appalachia. This wouldallow for minor deviations from theparkways physical features when

necessary.


Continue to implement curriculum-based school outreach programs usingcurrent staffing levels at schools and inthe parkway, as available, during theschool year

Expand operations at selectedlocations to provide services for anine-month visitor season. Theselocations include: James River, BlueRidge Music Center, Linn Cove,Museum of North Carolina Minerals,Craggy Gardens, and WaterrockKnob.

Expand operations to provide servicesfor a 12-month visitor season at selectlocations. These locations include:Humpback Rocks, Peaks of Otter,Mabry Mill, Linville Falls, and theFolk Art Center.

entrances, particularly the northernand southernmost entrances. Provide

regional visitor information services atRoanoke and Boone/Blowing Rockareas.

Maintain flexibility of the design andfunction of all recreation areas andinfrastructure, especially in the visitorservices zones, to adapt to changingvisitor use needs. Ensure that the

management of visitor needs andresource values are well balanced andthat visitors have opportunities forsolitude and contemplation.

Concessions. Continue to offer concessionservices, primarily lodging and food, at somelocations where economically feasible. Whereconcession services are eliminated, theparkway would look to the private sector incommunities outside the parkway to providethose services. The structures housing thoseservices would either be adaptively used orremoved (except for those eligible for listingon the National Register of Historic Places).


Continue the moratorium onsecondary road improvement projectsin both Virginia and North Carolinauntil a comprehensive corridor accessmanagement plan and environmentalimpact statement are completed. Onlyaddress road improvements that arenecessary to ensure public health and

safety outside the comprehensiveplanning and compliance process.Continue to evaluate primary stateand federal highway improvements ornew construction projects on aproject-by-project basis.


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The Alternatives

alternative transportation to parkwayvisitor facilities, where feasible.

Campgrounds.

Continue to operate the parkwaysnine campgrounds, including futurerepairs and rehabilitations focused onmeeting backlog maintenance needs.

Upgrade selected campgroundcomfort stations to provide showers.

Upgrade all campground comfortstations to be universally accessible.

Enlarge selected tent sites to betteraccommodate family sized tents.

Upgrade certain amphitheaters tobetter accommodate visitors duringinterpretive programs.

Upgrade existing RV sites with waterand electrical hookups at allcampgrounds.

Improve RV access for existingcampgrounds at James River/OtterCreek, Peaks of Otter, Rocky Knob,Linville Falls, and Crabtree Falls.Upgrades at these campgrounds

would include such things as wideningthe campground entrance and one ofthe loop roads, increasing turningradii, and enlarging existing RVparking spaces. Only a portion of theRV spaces at the campgrounds wouldbe redesigned to better accommodateRVs.

Trails.

Work in partnership with themanagers of the Appalachian NationalScenic Trail to avoid sensitiveresource areas by relocating some trailsections. Work with volunteerorganizations and the state of NorthCarolina to complete the Mountains-to-Sea Trail within the parkwayboundary where feasible.

Continue to allow bicycling on themain parkway road and other parkwayroads, recognizing that bicyclistswould be sharing the road with highervolumes of motorized traffic,especially in the more urbanized areasof the parkway.

Pursue development of paved,multiuse trails parallel to but separatefrom the parkway in the Waynesboro,Roanoke, and Asheville urban areas toenhance opportunities for pedestriansand bicyclists to safely recreate in theparkway corridor where traffic levelsare higher and opportunities to link toregional trail systems are available.

Consider connections to regionalequestrian trails.

Partnerships. Actively pursue newpartnerships with public and private entitiesto plan and implement joint ventures thatsupport parkway goals. Explore broader baseof partnerships.


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MANAGEMENT ZONES

Management zones define specific resourceconditions, visitor experiences, appropriaterecreational activities, and levels and types ofdevelopment to be achieved and maintainedin different areas of the parkway for eachaction alternative. Because management zoneswere first developed as a part of this current

planning effort, they do not apply to the no-action alternative. Proposed managementzones for the parkway were presented to thepublic in Newsletter 5: Preliminary Alternatives(Spring 2008) and were modified in responseto public comments.

DESCRIPTION OF MANAGEMENTZONES

There are eight designated management zonesfor the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Special Natural Resources

This zone represents areas that wouldemphasize the highest level of protection ofsensitive habitats. Natural resources and

Natural

This zone represents areas that would support

the broader ecological integrity of theparkway where natural processespredominate. Only low-impact recreationalactivities would be allowed. Visitors would beimmersed in nature with opportunities toexperience solitude and tranquility.

Scenic Character

This zone represents areas of the parkway thatwould emphasize protection and viewing

FIGURE 4.PARKWAY MILEPOST 204

FIGURE 3. PEAKS OF OTTER

FIGURE 2.ROADSIDE VIEW NEARGRAVEYARD FIELDS


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Management Zones

Recreation

This zone represents areas that would supportmoderate levels of visitor use to accommodaterecreational, educational, and interpretiveopportunities. While some resource

modifications could occur, natural andcultural resources would remain largely intact.

Visitor Services

This zone represents areas of the parkway thatwould support moderate to high levels ofdevelopment and visitor services in order to

mm d t t t d i it d

Historic Parkway

This zone represents areas that wouldemphasize protection and interpretation ofthe historic parkway corridor, which includesthe road prism and its original supporting

structures and constructed landforms.

Special Cultural Resources

This zone represents areas that wouldemphasize protection of cultural landscapesand historic structures notassociated with thedesign and development of the Blue Ridge

FIGURE 8. BRINEGAR CABIN

FIGURE 5.CRAGGY GARDENS

FIGURE 6.VISITORS CENTER,BLUE RIDGEMUSIC CENTER

FIGURE 7.PARKWAY MILEPOST 243


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Park Support

This zone represents areas of the parkway thatsupport administrative facilities for operationsand maintenance.

In formulating the action alternatives,management zones were placed in differentlocations on a map of the parkway accordingto each alternatives overall concept. Forexample, the overall concept for alternative Cproposes a more ecosystem-based approach

to natural resource management, and as aresult, a natural zone covers more parkway

lands than under alternative B. This is becausethe natural zone includes managementprescriptions that emphasize an integratednatural resource management approach;management prescriptions define the kinds ofresource conditions and visitor experiencesthat should be achieved and maintained in amanagement zone.

MANAGEMENT ZONE COMPARISONTABLE

The table on the following pages gives anoverview of each management zone anddescribes the desired conditions for resourceswithin each zone. It also allows comparison of

the differences between zonessome slight,some majorin the tolerance for resourceimpacts, appropriate management activities,visitor use levels, and appropriate recreationalactivities.

FIGURE 9.MAINTENANCE FACILITY,THE BLUFFS


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55

TABLE 3.BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY MANAGEMENT ZONES

Special Natural Resources Natural Scenic Character Recreation Visitor Services Historic Parkway Special Cultur al Resources Park Support

Overview Areas that would emphasizethe highest level of protectionof sensitive habitats. Naturalresources and processes wouldbe preserved to maintain theirpristine conditions and highecological integrity. Visitoropportunities would be limitedto avoid human-causedimpacts on these rareecosystems.

Areas that w ould support thebroader ecological integrity ofthe parkway where naturalprocesses predominate. Onlylow-impact recreationalactivities would be allowed.Visitors would be immersed innature with opportunities toexperience solit ude andtranquility.

Areas of the parkway thatwould emphasize protectionand sightseeing opportunitiesof the scenic landscapes andnatural and cultural settings ofthe central and southernAppalachian highlands.

Desired conditions includemaintaining the visual varietyof the parkway roads forestedand pastoral/rural landscapesettings consistent with earlyparkway design.

Areas that would supportmoderate levels of visitor useto accommodate a wide rangeof recreational, educational,and interpretive opportunit ies.While some resourcemodifications could occur,natural and cultural resourceswould remain largely intact.

Areas of the parkway thatwould support moderate tohigh levels of development andvisitor services in order toaccommodate concentratedvisitor use and di verserecreational, educational, andinterpretive opportunit ies.

Areas that would emphasizeprotection and interpretationof t he historic parkwaycorridor, which includes theparkway road prism and itsoriginal supporting structuresand constructed landforms,including overlooks, waterfeatures, and recreationareas.

Areas that would emphasizeprotection of cultural landscapesand historic structures notassociated with the design anddevelopment of the Blue RidgeParkway. These includ evernacular landscapes, such asthe Harris Farm, or designedlandscapes, such as the MosesH. Cone Estate.

Visitors would haveopportunities to explore historyfirst hand.

Areas of the parkway thatsupport administrativefacilities for operations andmaintenance.

NaturalResourceCondition

Ecological communities wouldbe protected in a pristinecondition, functioningunhindered by human activitiesand development.

Globally imperiled habitats,state natural heritage areasand conservation sites, federaland state li sted species, andother rare and exceptionalnatural resources, processes,systems, and values would be

preserved and enhanced.1

Ecological integrity would bemaintained by preserving andrestoring natural resources andprocesses throug h anintegrated natural resourcemanagement approach.

A mosaic of native vegetationcommunities would bemaintained to showcase theparkways diverse naturalsettings.

Natural pr ocesses wouldfunction unhindered by humanactivities and development ismost areas, except wheremanaged specifically for visitoruse.

The natural and pastoralsettings of the parkway wouldbe maintained or modified asnecessary to p rovideappropriate recreationalopportunities and visitor healthand safety.

Natural systems and processeswould be maintained to thegreatest extent possible whileemphasizing visitor usemanagement objecti ves.

The effects of developmentsand visitor use on the naturalsurroundings would beminimized t hrough planningand design efforts.

The historic character of theparkway would be protectedand maintained whileallowing for modificationsthat achieve desiredconditions for special naturalresource.

Natural resources would bemanaged to maintain thecharacter of these culturallandscapes.

Natural resources would bemanaged to accommodatefacilities for parkoperations.

The effects of developmentson the natural surroundingswould be minimizedthrough planning anddesign efforts.

Tolerance forNaturalResourceImpacts

Extremely low tolerance fornatural resource impacts.

Modification of naturalresources would only occurwhen necessary to restorehabitats or to mitigate forhuman-caused impacts.

Evidence of visitor use wouldbe largely unnoticeable.

Low tolerance for naturalresource impacts.

Only minimal modificationswould be allowed thatharmonize wit h t he naturalenvironment.

Low to moderate tolerance fornatural resource impacts.

Modifications that enhance thescenic qualities of theparkways landscapes would beallowed in a manner thatminimizes natural resourceimpacts.

Low to moderate tolerance fornatural resource impacts onaccommodate visitor use andto ensure visitor health andsafety.

Modifications would beaesthetically blended with theenvironment and designed tominimize resource impacts.

Moderate tolerance forresource impacts toaccommodate visitor use andfacilities.

Modification of some visitoruse areas would be allowed toenhance protection of sensitivenatural resources.

Moderate tolerance fornatural resource impacts inorder to preserve theparkways original design andhistoric structures thatcontribute to it s nationalsignificance.

Modification of somedesigned landscape areas,such as roadsides, vistaclearings, and agriculturalleases, would be allowed toenhance protection ofsensiti ve natural resources.

Moderate tolerance for naturalresource impacts to maintainthese special cultural resources.

Moderate tolerance fornatural resource impacts.

Modification of naturalresources would be allowedto accommodate parkoperations and to maintainemployee health and safety.

1All glo bally imperiled habit ats, state natural herit age areas and conservation sit es, federal and state listed species would be prot ected wit hin all of t he management zones, as required by NPSpolicy.


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56


AppropriateNaturalResourceManagementActivities

Rare habitats would be activelyrestored and rare specieswould be recovered orreintroduced.

Management activities wouldemphasize research, in ventory,monitoring, prescribed burns,pest management, exoticspecies eradication, and othertypes of resource stewardship.

There would be very littleevidence of onsitemanagement except whennecessary to addr ess threats toresources or prevent human-caused impacts.

Onsite management actionswould emphasize resourceprotection objectives whileproviding limited facilities andservices to support basic visitorneeds.

Management activities wouldemphasize research, i nventory,monitoring, prescribed burns,pest management, exoticspecies eradication, and othertypes of resource stewardship.

Degraded sites would berestored in order to reestablishnatural systems and processeswith a priorit y on rare habitatsfor threatened and endangeredspecies.

Onsite management actionswould emphasize maintainingthe designed landscapes andopen pastoral settings of theparkway with sensitivity tonatural resource conditions,including wildlif e corridors.

Appropriate activities couldinclude managing for certaintypes of vegetation types overothers to help maintain certaindesired landscapes, such asopen, pastoral settings.Activities could also includeprescribed burns, pestmanagement, and exoticspecies eradication, and othertypes of resource stewardship.

Degraded sites would beevaluated to determine if theyshould be hardened in order toaccommodate visitor use orrestored to a desired naturalcondition.

Invasive species would besuppressed to prevent furtherspread or eradicated wherefeasible.

Management would beadapted as needed to protectthreatened and endangeredspecies and rare habitats.

Natural resources would beactively managed toaccommodate interpretive,educational, and other visitorservices.

Invasive species would becontrolled to prevent furtherspread into other adjacentmanagement zones.

Management would beadapted as needed to protectthreatened and endangeredspecies and rare h abitats.

Natural resources in thedesigned landscapes of theparkway would be activelymanaged to maintain thelandscape appearance.

Management would beadapted as needed to protectthreatened and endangeredspecies and rare habitats.

Natural resources would beactively managed as acomponent of the culturallandscape.

Management would be adaptedas needed to protectendangered species and rarehabitats.

Natural resources would bemanaged as necessary toaccommodate facilities forpark operations.

Management would beadapted as needed toprotect endangered speciesand rare habitats.

CulturalResourceCondition

Cultural resources contributingto National Historic Landmarkdesignation and NationalRegister-eligible propertieswould be preserved usingmethods that do not impactsensitive natural resourceconditions.

All other cultural resourceswould be evaluated todetermine if they should be

preserved, stabilized, restored,or left unmaintained.

Cultural resources contributingto National Historic Landmarkdesignation and NationalRegister-eligible propertieswould be prot ected.

Selected cult ural r esourceswould be preserved orstabilized in order to provideeducational opportunities forvisitors.

The visual variety of theparkways forested, pastoral,and rural landscapes would bemaintained consistent w ith theParkway Land Use Maps.

Cultural resources contributingto National Historic Landmarkdesignation and NationalRegister-eligible propertieswould be protected.

Selected cult ural r esourceswould be preserved to reflect aparticular era, allowing peopleto experience these resourcesfirst-hand to learn about theirassociated st ories and events.

Cultural resources would beactively managed toaccommodate interpretation,education, and other visitorservices.

Selected cult ural r esourceswould provide distinct visitoropportunities and experiences,and would be the backdrop forinterpretation, visitor use, andservices where appropr iate.

The historic design characterand components of theparkway road prism, certainrecreation areas, and facilitieswould be preserved.

Maintain the integrity of theseprimarily local and regionallysignificant structures andlandscapes. A variety of r esourcetreatments may be appropriate,depending on the condition andlocation of the resource.

Cultural resourcescontributing to theparkways National HistoricLandmark designationwould be protected.

Tolerance forCulturalResourceImpacts

Low to moderate tolerance forcultural resource impacts.


Minor modifications of culturallandscape elements would beallowed only for resourceprotection.


Modifications that enhance thescenic qualities of theparkways cultural landscapeswould be allowed.

Low to moderate tolerance forcultural resource impacts whennecessary to provide for visitoruse.

Low to moderate tolerance forcultural resource impacts onprovide for visitor use.

Low tolerance for culturalresource impacts.

Extremely low tolerance forcultural resource impacts.

Moderate tolerance forcultural resource impacts toaccommodate facilities forpark operations.

AppropriateCulturalResourceManagementActivities

Cultural landscapes would beallowed to gradually revert t o amore natural state, exceptwhen cultural features can bepreserved withoutcompromising natural resourcevalues.

Cultural resources that do notcontribute to parkwaysNational Historic Landmarkdesignation could be stabilizedor left unmaintained.

Selected historic structureswould be stabilized or

hardened2

to provide

enhanced educational andinterpretive opportunities forvisitors.

Cultural resources that do notcontribute to parkwaysNational Historic Landmarkdesignation could be stabilizedor left unmaintained.

The parkways designedlandscapes and o pen pastoralsettings would be maintainedwith sensitivity to culturalresource conditions.

Selected historic structurescould be stabilized or hardenedto provide enhancededucational and interpretiveopportunities for visitors.

Cultural resources that do notcontribute to parkwaysNational Historic Landmarkdesignation could possibly bestabilized or left unmaintained.



The historic character of theparkway would be preservedwhile allowing for minormodifications to achievedesired conditions for visitorexperiences, resourceprotection, and vistamanagement.

Cultural landscapes and historicstructures would be preservedand maintained to reflect aparticular era or appearance.

Cultural resources would beleft undisturbed, exceptwhen necessary forconstructing new facilitiesfor park operations.

2In this context, hardening refers to properly securing structures to prevent unauthorized access, treating surfaces in historically appropriate methods to prevent vandalism (graffiti), placement of sacrificial surfaces to deter defacing of historic structures, increased patrol of these areas by

law enforcement, or better illumination, etc.


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57


Overall VisitorExperience

Most visitors would experiencethese areas visually, as part ofthe more distant and ruggedscenic views of parkwaylandscape. Limit edopportunities would beavailable to visitors with timeand backcountry skills who areseeking opportunities foroutdoor challenge and

solitude.Visitors would require amoderate to high level of skill,self-reliance, and effort toaccess these areas.

Visitors to these areas wouldlikely encounter intact naturalresources, f eatures, andsystems f or personalinspiration, education, andrecreation.

Visitor would have, among avariety of outdoor recreationactivities, opportunities toexperience solitude,

contemplation, self-reliance,challenge, and risk.

Visitor w ould require amoderate level of skill andeffor t t o access these areas.

Visitors would haveopportunities to see andexperience a variety of scenicsettings evocative of centraland southern Appalachianlandscapes.

Access would require a low tomoderate degree of difficulty.

Visitors would haveopportunities to participate in arange of both structured andself-guiding recreational,interpretive, and educationalopportunities.

Visitors would experience amostly natural setting wheresome visitor services areavailable to accommodate

moderate levels of use.

Access would require a low tomoderate degree of diff icultyfor visitors.

Visitors would haveopportunities to participate in arange of recreational,interpretive, and educationalopportunities to experienceand learn about the naturaland cultural heritage of thecentral and southernAppalachians in builtenvironments and social

settings.Visitors would experience adesigned setting that supportshigh levels of use, including avariety of visitor services andovernight accommodations.

Access to t hese areas would beeasy for visitors.

Visitors would have aleisurely, uninterrupteddriving experience in adesigned roadway settingwith a scenic backdrop ofcentral and southernAppalachian l andscapes andin the absence of commercialadvertising, congestion, anddriving conflicts.

Access to t hese areas wouldbe easy for visitors.

Visitors would see andexperience historic structures intheir original landscape settingsthat are indicative of the culturalheritage and settlement patternsof the region.

Visitor opportunities andexperiences would not beemphasized in this zone toavoid interference with parkoperations andmaintenance activities.

Visitor UseLevels

Visitor use levels would be verylow t o protect resourceintegrity. If conditions warrant,especially fragile areas could beclosed to visitation.

Visitor use levels would be lowto avoid degrading naturalresources and values.

Visitor use levels would be lowto high, depending on the levelof amenities and services.

Visitor use levels would be lowto moderate, depending on theproximity to access points anddevelopments.

Visitor use levels would bemoderate to high.

Visitors may experience trafficcongestion in parking areas.

Visitors would encounterother vehicles at volumes andfrequencies where free-flowspeeds are maintained; wherethe ability to move in traffic isonly slightly restricted; andwhere the effects of minorincidents and breakdowns areeasily absorbed.

Visitor use levels would be lowto moderate, depending on theproximity to access points anddevelopments.

Visitor use levels would bevery low.

AppropriateRecreational

Activities

Ranger-led walks would beprovided when appropriate for

resource protection.Hiking and backpacking wouldbe limited to designated trailsonly.

Backcountry camping atdesignated sites would beconsidered.

No horseback riding, mountainbiking, or motorized vehicleswould be allowed.

Low-impact recreationalactivities could include: hiking,

backpacking, natureobservation, photography,backcountry camping atdesignated sites, self-guidinginterpretation, and small-groupguided activities that do notdegrade natural values.

Horseback riding would beallowed on certain designatedtrails where appropriate. Nomountain biking or mot orizedvehicles would be allowed,except when authorized formanagement activities.

Recreational activities wouldinclude: scenic viewing,

photography, w alking, guidedhikes, and other activities thatwould be appropriate forparticular landscape settings.

Biking and horseback ridingwould be allowed on certaindesignated trails.

Recreational activities wouldinclude: organized group

programs, self-guidinginterpretation, natureobservation, picnicking, hiking,backpacking, viewing naturaland cultural resources,photography, exploring,backcountry camping atdesignated sites,

Biking and horseback ridingwould be allowed on certaindesignated trails. Mountainbiking would be allowed oncertain designated trails atJulian Price Park whereappropriate (see alternative C).

There would be a wide varietyof recreational opportunities

available to visitors, including:dining, lodging, camping,walking, bicycling, picnicking,shopping, and scenic viewing,park special events, structuredinterpretive programs, andguided walks.

Recreational activities wouldinclude: low-speed and safe

driving, scenic viewing,picnicking, bicycling, hiking,running, jogging, camping,interpretive activities, andother similar compatible uses.

Recreational activities wouldinclude: interpretive programs,

sightseeing, photography,walking, and other activitiesappropriate to the setting.

Recreational activities wouldonly be offered if t hey do

not conflict with parkwayoperations andmaintenance activities.


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58


Visitor Services Limited directional signs, onsiteinterpretive materials, andstructured interpretiveprograms related to themanagement and protection ofnatural resources would beavailable to visitors at selectedlocations.

Proactive education and lawenforcement strategies would

be emphasized to preventexploitation of resources.

Park staff and law enforcementpresence would be low.

Directional signs, interpretivewaysides, and structuredinterpretive programs would beprovided to promote safe andresponsible recreation.

Proactive education and lawenforcement strategies wouldbe emphasized at targetedlocations to preventexploitation of resources.


Low levels of visitor serviceswould be provided. Themajority of services would be inadjacent zones, such as thehistoric parkway and visitorservices zones.


Moderate levels of visitorservices could be provided,such as orientation, guidedinterpretive programs, signsand wayside exhibits, andcommercial services such asguided hikes and guidedbicycle rides.

Park staff and law enforcementpresence would be moderate.

Moderate to high levels ofvisitor services would beprovided and could include:orientation and int erpretiveprograms, signs, waysideexhibits, commercialoperations, convenience stores,dining, lodging, gift shops, andshuttle services.

Park staff and law enforcement

presence would be moderateto high.

Orientation, interpretation, andeducational opportunitieswould be concentrated in thiszone.

Moderate levels of visitorservices would be provided,such as orientation,interpretive and educationalprograms, signs and waysideexhibits, and commercialservices.

Proactive education and lawenforcement would beemphasized to promote

visitor safety.

Specific onsite interpretivethemes would be presented tovisitors.

Minimal visitor serviceswould be provided.

Levels ofDevelopments

Minimal developments, such asunpaved trails, would beprovided in a manner thatlimits habitat f ragmentationand generally protects naturalresource conditions.

Existing developments that arenot consistent with the desirednatural resource conditionscould be removed.

Minimal facilities would beprovided for visitors thatsupport resource protectionand facilitate low-impact use,including backcountrycampsites, pit toilets, unpavedtrails, trailhead facilities, andonsite interpretive media whenneeded.

Trail networks would be wellplanned; network densitywould be kept low to limithabitat fragmentation and

generally avoid naturalresource impacts.

Existing developments that arenot consistent with the desiredresource conditions could beremoved or modified.

Trails, roads, and otherrecreation facilities would beprovided that are unobtrusiveand blend with the natural andcultural landscapes of theparkway.

A moderate level ofdevelopment would beprovided to guide visitor use,enhance recreationalopportunities, and protectresources, including:interpretive media, trails,trailhead restrooms, trailshelters, picnic tables, campsites, access roads, and shut tlevehicles.

There would be a low tomedium density of road and

trail networks to ensure safeaccess, circulation for visitors,and protection of resources.The surfaces of roads, trails,parking areas, and other heavyuse areas may be hardenedwhere appropriate.

There would be a moderate tohigh level of development tomeet visitor use and parkoperation needs.

Orientation, amenities, andvisitor services would beprovided that support a safeand satisfying experience,including: visitor centers,contact stat ions, concessionlodging and food services,developed campgrounds,picnic areas, trails, interpretive

media, parking areas, andsidewalks.

There would be a medium tohigh density of paved roadsand parking lots to ensure safeaccess and circulation forvisitors.

Developments would includeexisting facilities in theparkway road prism, such as:roads, parking areas, trails,vista cuts, waysides,information and regulatorysigns, bridges, tunnels, walls,fences, guard walls and rails,and drainage structures.

Other types of developmentdirectly associated with theoriginal parkway conceptwould include visitor contact

stations, campgrounds, picnicareas, comfort stations,exhibits, and maintenanceareas.

Trails, roads, signs, waysides,and interpretive exhibits wouldbe provided in a historic context.

Administrative offices,maintenance structures,equipment and fuelstorage, utility systems, andstaff of fices, meetingspaces, and living quarterscould be in this zone.


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Management Zones

ACREAGE COMPARISON OFPARKWAY-WIDE MANAGEMENT

ZONES

Alternative A is the continuation of currentmanagement practices. It is based primarily onguidance from the original Parkway Land UseMaps, which do not include managementzones. Therefore, no management zones areshown for this alternative. Instead, descriptiveinformation is included about the nature,

condition, use, and current managementapproaches for the entire parkway, parkwaysegments, and recreation areas.

For alternatives B and C, maps with overlaidmanagement zones are provided on thefollowing pages for each of the parkwaysegments and recreation areas. Accompanying

these maps are descriptions of specificmanagement approaches proposed for eachsegment or recreation area.

Table 4 and figures 10 and 11 compare theproportion of management zones in acres and

percentages for all parkway lands inalternatives B and C.

In comparing the pie charts illustrated infigures 10 and 11, there is 5.8% more parkwayland zoned for recreation in alternative Bwhile in alternative C there is 6.2% morezoned as natural. The differences in acreageper these two management zones represents

two different management emphases that arebeing proposed and evaluated in thisdocument. In alternative B, parkwaymanagement would have more flexibility toexpand infrastructure to accommodaterecreational visitor use in those area originallyincluded as developed recreation areas byparkway designers. Alternative C takes a more

conservative approach holding recreationdevelopment at current levels and requirespark management to direct demand for morerecreation to opportunities outside theparkway.

TABLE 4.PARKWAY-WIDE MANAGEMENT ZONES BY ACTION ALTERNATIVESACREAGE CALCULATIONS

Class Zone DescriptionAcres in this Zone

Alternative B Alternative C

SC Scenic Character 34,322 33,997

N Natural 19,491 24,584

SNR Special Natural Resources 10,068 10,074

HP Historic Parkway 9,623 9,349

R Recreation 7,751 2,946

VS Visitor Services 356 662

PS Park Support 193 193

SCR Special Cultural Resource 388 388


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FIGURE 10.PROPORTION OF MANAGEMENT ZONESFOR ALL PARKWAY LANDS UNDER ALTERNATIVE B

FIGURE 11.PROPORTION OF MANAGEMENT ZONESFOR ALL PARKWAY LANDS UNDER ALTERNATIVE C


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Management Zones

COMPARISON OF MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR PARKWAY SEGMENTS

On the following pages, a brief description ofeach parkway segment is provided along witha comparison table of management strategiesand zoning maps by alternative. The sevensegments of the parkway are presented inorder from north to south. They are asfollows:

Segment 1Ridge, mileposts 0106 Segment 2Roanoke, mileposts 106

136

Segment 3Plateau, mileposts 136217

Segment 4Highlands, mileposts217305

Segment 5Black Mountain,mileposts 305377

Segment 6Asheville, mileposts 377394

Segment 7Pisgah, mileposts 394469For alternatives B and C, maps with overlaid

management zones are included for each ofthe parkway segments. Because the proposedmanagement zones in alternatives B and C for

the seven segments are generally the same,only one map per segment is displayed. Also,the widths of the management zone colorsshown on the segment maps are exaggeratedfor readability. The typical width of theparkway right-of-way averages 800 feet, butcan be as narrow as 200 feet. Table 5 andfigure 12 show the proportion of management

zones in acres and percentages in all parkwaysegments for both alternative B and C. Pleasenote: acreage calculations for the segments donot include recreation areas. The recreationareas are addressed later in this chapter.

TABLE 5.MANAGEMENT ZONES FOR PARKWAYSEGMENTS BY ACTION ALTERNATIVESACREAGE

CALCULATIONS

Class Management ZonesAcres inthis Zone

SC Scenic Character 30,045

SNR Special Natural Resources 8,319

HP Historic Parkway 6,989


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FIGURE 12.PROPORTION OF MANAGEMENT ZONES FOR ALLPARKWAY SEGMENTS UNDER ALTERNATIVES B AND C

Planning SegmentS index maPBlue Ridge PaRkway NoRth CaRoliNa / ViRgiNia


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Jefferson NF

Daniel Boone NF

George Washington NF

Jefferson NF

Jefferson NF

Jefferson NF

Cherokee NF

Pisgah NF

Great SmokyMountains NP

Nantahala NF

Pisgah NF

Uwharrie NF

S o u t h C a r o l i n aS o u t h C a r o l i n a

N o r t h C a r o l i n aN o r t h C a r o l i n a

V i r gV i r g

K e n t u c k yK e n t u c k y

T e n n e s s e eT e n n e s s e e

W e s t V i r g i n i aW e s t V i r g i n i a

77

77

64

81

81

40

40

26

85 73

85

81

85Pisgah NF

GeorgeWashi

64Charleston

Boone

Cherokee

Charlotte

Knoxville

Winston-Salem

Roanoke

Greensboro

Fayett

Gastonia

Burlington

High Point

Danville

Asheville

Lync

Chapel Hill

W

Blowing Rock

Mt. Pisgah

Craggy Gardens

Crabtree Meadows

Linville Falls

Julian Price Memorial Park

Doughton Park

Blue Ridge Music CenterMabry Mill

Rocky KnobSmart View

Roanoke Mountain

Peaks of Otter

James River/Otter Creek

Humpback Rocks

Segme

Segment 2 - Roanoke

Segment 3 - Plateau

Segment 4 - Highlands

Segment 5 - Black Mountain

Segment 6 - Asheville

Segment 7 - Pisgah

Cumberland Knob

Blue Ridge PaRkway NoRth CaRoliNa / ViRgiNia

Segment 1 Ridge, Mileposts 0-106


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Segment 1RidgeMileposts 0-106

Blue Ridge Parkway

North Carolina/Virginia

ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B (NPS Preferred) ALTERNATIVE C

The entrance at the north end o the parkway does not convey a sense o arrival. The frstopportunity to obtain inormation and orientation to the parkway is 6 miles south o theentrance at Humpback Rocks.

At the north entrance, improve the quality o the visitor entry experience and provideorientation services. The goal would be to substantially increase visitor contacts overcurrent levels. Potential actions include providing additional inormation and orientationthrough redesigning the existing pull-o parking area and installing new waysides. Parkwayright-o-way is so narrow at the north entrance the NPS would have to partner with privatelandowners, local governments, Shenandoah NP and US Forest Service to provide parkwayinormation and orientation or visitors. The NPS would not und or own a visitor centeracility.

Same as alternative B.

The proximity o U.S. Forest Service lands and regional trails provides opportunities ortrail connections. Continue ongoing partnership eorts with local stakeholders to i mproveregional trail connections and potentially accommodate new or additional types o uses.

Same as alternative A. Same as alternative A.

Also, work with the U.S. Forest Service to identiy opportunities or wilderness/trailrecreation. Provide parking lots and other support services within the scenic character zoneor access to U.S. Forest Service recreational opportunities.

Where easible, pursue the development o paved multiuse trails parallel to, but separaterom, the parkway in the Waynesboro area to enhance opportunities or pedestrians andbicyclists to recreate and travel saely with minimal interaction with automobile trafc.Establish connections between multiuse path and community trails.

Pullout design isolates some overlooks rom passing trafc. Continue to manage using lawenorcement patrols. No physical changes.

Make minor modifcations to some overlook landscaping to improve pullout visibility bypassing trafc.

Redesign some overlook pullouts to substantially enhance visibility o parking areas topassing trafc.

Many visitors travel directly rom Shenandoah National Park and its Skyline Drive and enter seamlessly into theBlue Ridge Parkway at Rocksh Gap. For some this begins a spectacular 469-mile journey south to Great SmokyMountains National Park. Visitors traveling through the Ridge segment experience a scenic drive through deepmountain orests interspersed with pastoral vistas o agricultural lands. Almost the entire segment is bounded bynational orest lands and our wilderness areas. Climbing and descending ridgetops and gaps oer magnicent viewso the Great and Rocksh valleys.

The segment also includes some o the parkways best examples o pre-1950 Appalachian structures, sites, andtransportation routes. Many miles o the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (the AT) are located in this segment othe parkway. The trail is managed under separate rules and regulations and the only allowable trail uses are hiking,backpacking, and backcountry camping.

Alternatives B & C

Segment 2 Roanoke, Mileposts 106-136


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Segment 2RoanokeMileposts 106-136

Blue Ridge Parkway



This Roanoke segment would continue to be a major highway link between the parkwayand regional transportation corridors, carrying much local commuter trafc. The BlueRidge Parkway Visitor Center is located at, and operated by, Virginias Explore Park.

Improve visitor orientation services in the Roanoke area o the parkway. The goal would beto substantially increase visitor contacts over current levels by stafng a NPS/BLRI i normationdesk and give programs at a site o the parkway such as in downtown Roanoke location.

Improve visitor orientation services in the Roanoke area o the parkway. The goal wouldbe to substantially increase visitor contacts over current levels by stafng a NPS/BLRIinormation desk and give programs at a site o o the parkway such as in downtown

Roanoke location.

Expand inormation and orientation capabilities through partnership and parkway sta atVirginias Explore Park.

Pullout design isolates some overlooks rom passing trafc. Continue to manage using lawenorcement patrols. No physical changes.

Make minor modifcations to some overlook landscaping to improve pullout visibility bypassing trafc.

Redesign some overlook pullouts to substantially enhance visibility o parking area topassing trafc.

Continue to coordinate with city and others on Roanoke trail plan. Develop trails andprovide trail connections.

Same as alternative A. Same as alternative A.

Where easible, pursue the development o paved multiuse trails parallel to, but separaterom, the parkway in the Roanoke area to enhance opportunities or pedestrians andbicyclists to recreate and travel saely through the area with minimal interaction withautomobile trafc. Establish connections between multiuse path and community trails.

The pulse o the parkway begins to change as visitors travel into the Roanoke Valley, the largest urban area along theparkway with a population o 225,000. The elevation is lower, the number o arms increases as the land levels out,and the city approaches. Visitors nd this area in a state o dramatic change rom pastoral landscape to suburban

residential growth. This area is one o the best on the parkway or interpreting land use through time, as well as thecurrent issues o scenic protection and land use management.

Alternatives B & C

Segment 3 Plateau, Mileposts 136-217


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Alternatives B & C

Segment 3PlateauMileposts 136-217

Blue Ridge Parkway



Continue to manage the Kelley School and a number o arms near milepost 149, i ncludingthe Harris Farm, or their scenic pastoral qualities.

Same as alternative A. In partnership with universities and nonprofts, manage Kelly School and arms as a visitoruse and education attraction.

Visitors to this segment travel across the great plateau that overlooks Virginias piedmont region. They experiencea mostly scenic drive through rolling hills that are a patchwork o arms, elds, and orests. Visitors have access tosome major cultural sites along this segment, such as Mabry Mill, the most visited site on the parkway.

This segment also includes Groundhog Mountain picnic area, observation tower, and ence exhibit. Unlike manysegments o the parkway that are bordered by national orest lands, here the narrow parkway corridor is boundedby mostly privately owned rural and agricultural lands. The parkway maintains hundreds o agricultural leases;

however, many o the adjacent lands have or are being subdivided. The quality o the views in this segment isdiminished by development and the loss o the traditional pastoral landscape. With the growing development, theparkway has a high level o local trafc crossing and using it as part o the local road network.

The Highlands segment begins at the state line between Virginia and North Carolina. This segment oers the recreation area or hiking and picnicking, and no specic changes in acilities or visitor experiences are proposed.

Segment 4 Highlands, Mileposts 217-305


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Segment 4HighlandsMileposts 217-305

Blue Ridge Parkway



Continue ongoing partnership eorts with local stakeholders to improve regional trailconnections and potentially accommodate new or additional types o uses.

There are unmet opportunities or additional recreation trails, especially in the Boone/Blowing Rock area.

Same as alternative A.

Where easible, pursue the development o paved multiuse trails parallel to, but separaterom, the parkway in the Boone/Blowing Rock area to enhance opportunities or pedestriansand bicyclists to recreate and travel saely through the area with minimal interaction wit hautomobile trafc. Establish connections between multiuse trail and community trails.

Same as alternative A.

No major point o contact or visitors or park inormation and orientation would beprovided in the Boone/Blowing Rock area.

Same as A. Improve visitor orientation s

Documents

02 Chap2 Blue Ridge Parkway Draft Mgt. Plan Intro