North Country National Scenic Trail, Tioga Beach Section, Itasca County, MN Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE ISSUES DECISION ON PROPOSED SECTION OF NORTH COUNTRY NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL IN ITASCA COUNTY, MINNESOTA

The National Park Service (NPS) is announcing the availability of the Final Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for a section of the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCT) in Itasca County, Minnesota. The FONSI signed by the Midwest Regional Director on 7 September 2021, with the response to public comments and the Final EA, describe the final decision of the NPS.

Two alternatives were evaluated in the EA: the No Action Alternative and the Proposed Action Alternative. The FONSI authorizes implementation of the Proposed Action Alternative, which includes eliminating approximately 12-miles of the current NCT roadwalk route along Highway 6 and replacing it with approximately 18-miles of new hiking trail connected to the existing NCT from Tioga Beach park to Highway 6 at Chippewa National Forest. The new section of trail will be a natural surface footpath that includes NCT signage, structures for passage over wet ground or water, gravel parking lots, and primitive backcountry campsites. The selected alternative improves hiker safety and scenery, providing for the enjoyment of outdoor areas and world-class walking and hiking experiences. It meets the goals and purpose of the North Country National Scenic Trail Route Adjustment authorized in the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act; the NCT; and the National Trails System.

The FONSI explains why the selected alternative (i.e., the Proposed Action Alternative) will have no significant effects on the natural or human environment. It is based on the EA, as well as the comments received from the public, interested parties, agencies, and staff during the public review period that concluded on 19 June 2021. The FONSI summarizes the public comments received, responds to those comments, and identifies changes to the text in the EA as a result of the comments. Implementation of the selected alternative will require further consultation under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, and the NPS will continue to consult with the Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office and affiliated Tribes and Bands as needed throughout the phased Section 106 process as described in the EA.

The NPS has determined that the Proposed Action is not likely to result in significant impacts on the human or natural environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will not be prepared and a FONSI has been issued. The Final EA and FONSI are available for viewing online here on the NPS' Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) website.

Document Content:

MN_NorthCountryTrail_TiogaBeachSection_FinalEA&FONSI_7Sep21.pdf   (6.4 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.