Beach Vehicle Environmental Assessment

Padre Island National Seashore » Beach Vehicle Environmental Assessment » Document List

June 23, 2011

Dear Interested Party:

An environmental assessment for analyzing beach vehicles has been prepared in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The purpose of this project is to reduce current and potential future impacts of vehicle use on visitors, park employees, and wildlife resources on the beach in the park. The need for this action stems from concerns about increasing four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicle use on the beach and the observed effects of that use on the safety of park visitors, park staff and volunteers, and wildlife, including sea turtles, birds, and mammals.

This action is to provide the decision-making framework that 1) analyzes a reasonable range of alternatives to meet project objectives, 2) evaluates potential issues and impacts to park resources and values, and 3) identifies mitigation measures to lessen the degree or extent of these impacts.

The National Park Service encourages public participation throughout the NEPA process during which the public has two opportunities to formally comment on the project; once during initial project scoping and again following release of the environmental assessment. We are currently releasing the environmental assessment for the 30-day public review period and invite you to submit your written comments online through this website. If you are unable to submit comments electronically through this site, then you may also submit written comments, as provided below. These comments will be considered during the final analysis of the environmental assessment. We look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Joe Escoto

Contact Information

Superintendent
Attn: Beach Vehicle EA
Padre Island National Seashore
National Park Service
P.O. Box 181300
Corpus Christi, TX 78480-1300