Meeting Notices

Public Review Meeting for Passenger Ferry Departure Site EA / AoE
Date	Start Time	End Time	Time Zone	Location
Mar 8, 2011	7:00 PM	9:00 PM		Duke University Marine Lab Auditorium 135 Duke Marine Lab Road Pivers Island Beaufort, North Carolina 252-728-2250

Please join park staff and planners to learn about and discuss the Passenger Ferry Departure Site Environmental Assessment / Assessment of Effect. The public is encouraged to come at any time during the meeting to visit information stations and speak with National Park Service representatives.
 
Description:
The National Park Service (NPS) is proposing establishing a passenger ferry departure site to address visitor access to the seashore and has completed a draft Passenger Ferry Departure Site Environmental Assessment / Assessment of Effect (EA/AoE).

The draft EA/AoE evaluates three alternatives for establishing a ferry departure site in the Beaufort or Morehead City area:
• Alternative A: is a No-Action Alternative;
• Alternative B: calls for development of a site on Front Street in Beaufort, North Carolina, and is identified as the preferred alternative;
• Alternative C: calls for development of a site on 10th Street in Morehead City.

The purpose for establishing a departure site is to comply with the National Park Service Concessions Management Improvement Act of 1998 by providing a long-term public ferry system that would operate from a clearly identified location in either the Town of Morehead City or the Town of Beaufort in Carteret County, North Carolina. This departure site would create an official gateway to the park, better orient visitors to park resources and facilities, improve access to the park by meeting accessibility standards at each dock, and facilitate other improvements. The NPS hopes to develop a partnership with other public or government entities as an alternative to federal acquisition of a departure site.


Meeting Directions/Instructions:
by car: From Durham, follow Interstate 40/440 East to Exit 309 (to Hwy 70 East). Follow Highway 70 East all the way to Beaufort (through Goldsboro - be sure to take the By-pass! - Kinston, New Bern, Havelock, and Morehead City). Highway 70 East is also the main street, Arendell Street, in Morehead City. Continue on Highway 70 East through Morehead City over a highrise bridge (crosses Newport River). From the base of the bridge, it is .6 miles (or second right turn) to the turn for the Duke University Marine Lab. Cross the railroad tracks and go straight over the bridge leading onto Pivers Island. Go straight to the parking lots at the back of the island.