Finding of No Significant Impact for Bayside Picnic and South Ocean Beach Parking Areas Removal and Relocation

Superintendent Debbie Darden announced today the next step toward completing the Bayside Picnic and South Ocean Beach Parking Areas Removal and Relocation Environmental Assessment (EA): a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Preferred Alternative has been signed by NPS Regional Director Mike Caldwell.

The NPS received comments from many members of the public and state and federal agencies. Based on concerns expressed in public comments and the analysis presented in the EA, the NPS has re-examined the alternatives presented in the EA. As a result of the public comments, the NPS has selected alternative B (the preferred alternative) for the South Ocean Beach Parking Area and selected elements of both the no action and alternative B for the Bayside Picnic Parking Area for implementation. The Bayside Picnic Parking Area will stay in its current location, but will be reconstructed with a clay base and clamshell surface to help ensure that in future storm events asphalt is not washed into the bay.

The EA examined two alternatives in detail, addressed the environmental impacts of each alternative, and identified a preferred alternative. The FONSI explains why the Selected Alternative (Alternative B) will have no significant effects on the human environment. It is based on the EA and the comments received from the public, agencies, and staff during the public review period, which concluded September 25, 2013. The FONSI summarizes the public comments received, lists the responses to those comments, and identifies the changes to the text as a result of the public and agency comments. The FONSI for the Preferred Alternative is posted on NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment website (http://parkplanning.nps.gov/) and on the National Seashore website at www.nps.gov/asis/parkplanning.html. Hard copies of the FONSI are available for viewing at both the Maryland and Virginia visitor centers.

Document Content:

ASIS_194834_and_194874_Parking_Lot_FONSI_Signed_2-19-14_FINAL.pdf   (2.2 MB, PDF file) Disclaimer: Links within the above document(s) were valid as of the date published. Note: Some of the files may be in PDF format and can be viewed using the Adobe Acrobat Reader software. You may download a free copy of from Adobe Systems.