Standing alone, this alternative fails to satisfy the 1943 Agreement. The timely construction of a road as specified in this alternative would technically have satisfied the terms of the 1943 Agreement, but not now in 2005 or 15 years later. This alternative does not have the consent of Swain County. Changes in the route specified in the 1943 Agreement may result in such a radical departure from the original route as to prevent it from satisfying the Agreement. This route causes irreparable environmental damage, which prevents it from satisfying the 1943 Agreement, especially when a reasonable alternative is available.

Construction of a road as specified in this alternative would technically satisfy the terms of the “1943 Agreement”. However, construction of this alternative would not have the consent of the Swain County Commission, which has said it opposes it.

Although this alternative would resolve the 1943 agreement, it comes at much too high an environmental, scenic, recreational, cultural, financial and lost opportunity cost for Swain County to be given serious consideration. Construction of this road is not the only prudent and feasible alternative to resolving the agreement (re: Section 4(f), as amended and codified in 49 U.S.C. Section 303), and is, in fact, the least prudent and feasible alternative.

The proposed road would pass through the most visited national park in the United States — a national treasure for future generations to enjoy.

The North Shore Road is the definition of an economic and environmental boondoggle.

In exchange for such a significant investment, the NPS and the United States taxpayer would achieve only a road which serves no regional transportation purpose, serves no purpose identified by the GMP, and provides only incidental and secondary economic benefit to Swain County. Indeed, the only potential benefits identified to date for the North Shore Corridor Alternative are that it “may generate moderate increases in the number of visitors to the study area” and “may have the potential to indirectly provide moderate economic development opportunities for Bryson City and other study area communities.” Increased visitorship cannot justify the extraordinary cost of the North Shore Road because MP 2001 provides that when there is a conflict between conserving resources and values and providing for enjoyment of them, conservation is to be predominant. In addition, any “moderate economic development opportunities” that might be provided by the project are dwarfed by the cost of the alternative.

I stand with the citizens of Swain County in my firm opposition to the proposal to build the North Shore Road within our Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. The proposed road would gouge the largest roadless tract of mountain terrain in the East and threaten the streams draining to Fontana Lake . In addition to the enormous environmental damage the estimated $150 million in project cost is also an economic boondoggle. I urge the National Park Service to support a cash settlement for the citizens of Swain County and an end to the North Shore Road proposal once and for all.

This road would be devastating on the park. Should not be built to just build a road. Goes through area where new species have been found, cross 40 streams, cost $300 to $400 million when Park Service cannot even take care of what they've got now. Cemetery people already have access. Shouldn't destroy wonderful park for just a few people who have what they want anyway.

Well, all I've got to say is that all the wilderness is gone and I don't want to see this road go through there because there's solitude. There's a lot of different people around here in Graham County , most everybody don't want the road. Its money wasted when right across the lake, on the other side, there's a big new four-lane that's being built. All of our big wilderness areas really brings appreciation of the beauty and stuff and you can go back in there and you are in solitude and peace of mind without hearing all those motorcycles and -- I ride motorcycles myself, and vehicles coming by and splitting all that up, using the government's money to build that nonsense road, splitting up the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It's pure ludicrous in my opinion. The Cherohala Skyway that's built out there, I'm in the woods all the time, every weekend, and I'm sad in my heart every time I'm out there when I was right back in the woods with all my friends and country, and you had to prepare for the environment that was in there, you know, coats with you even in the summertime and learn how to prepare, and this road here has people too lazy to get back in there and enjoy this wilderness area and all that deal. That's their problem. There's a lot of people around and about, especially here in Graham County, that never want to see that. That's the last wilderness we've got in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park over there, and putting a road through there is a plumb terrible idea. First, bring your stuff into Graham County. That road there is going to shoot right on through into Tennessee and they'll be bypassing Graham County, in my opinion, and it's just a lot of construction and money spent, but the government did make an agreement, I think, that they would give Bryson City something, you know, for maybe making that agreement. Another thing, all the people that want back in there to the cemeteries, everybody's already gone. There's nobody even goes to cemetery deals no way, and they've still got the access road for a day of enjoyment back in there and the beauty of the wilderness area. It's a place you can go that you won't go nowhere else like, and having a road through all that stuff, and it ain't even going to go to the cemeteries. There's still going to have to ship people to the cemeteries one way or another off the new road, and I totally disagree with this. My name is [name omitted]. I love -- I love outdoors, hunting, fishing and my favorite -- my son and everybody I know, my family, we love the great outdoors and the beauty over there, and I do not want no road through the middle of all this. I don't even like the Cherohala Skyway, and hope the four-lane never comes through Graham County and opens it wide open to everybody. I'd like it to stay wholesome like it's always been. This is the most important place there is in this United States, is right here where we live. And I don't want it chopped all into roads. There's roads everywhere you go. Don't want roads for people coming in here and causing trouble and they ain't even getting nothing out of it, just riding through it and missing all the nature. They're just riding by. They ain't even looking out the windows.

As a former Proctor High School Student who lived in the Mining Village on Eagle Creek. I believe the North Shore Corridor would be the best solution. It would be the least invasive and by using the old road base where possible would be by far the least expensive, furthermore. It would allow reasonable access to the Cemeteries.

I regret that snow, high winds, and impending icy roads kept me from attending the public meeting presenting alternatives for the North Shore Road Environmental Impact Statement held in Asheville Monday evening. I hope it will be permissible for me to submit a written statement. Allow me to briefly introduce myself by saying that I have a BS degree in Natural Resource Management, and for the past 26 years I have worked as a professional nature photographer and writer. I am the author of [title omitted], a book of photos and natural history information about Great Smoky Mountains National Park , published by [name omitted]. I have visited the park on numerous occasions for work and pleasure, and I am familiar with the North Shore area in question. It is a scenically beautiful area, with lush flora and diverse wildlife. It is certainly of great value, intact, for its unique natural resources and its quiet wilderness qualities. If I understand the background information correctly, an agreement forged in 1943 promised Swain County, NC, a road along the north shore of Fontana Lake connecting Bryson City and Fontana Dam, if the Congress appropriated the funds. This road would have replaced unpaved NC Route 288 on the north side of the Little Tennessee River, a route that was flooded by Fontana Lake when the dam was constructed. In 1943 no road existed along the south side of the Little Tennessee River to connect Fontana Dam and Bryson City. Following World War II, NC Route 28 — a very good road located south of Fontana Lake — was constructed to fulfill the same purpose as former NC Route 288. Four entities are party to the 1943 Agreement — the Department of Interior (parent agency of the National Park Service), the Tennessee Valley Authority (which does not seem to have an interest in the road project), Swain County, NC, and the State of North Carolina. The Swain County Commission appears willing to settle the county's interest in the 1943 Agreement by accepting payment of about $50 million in lieu of constructing the long- debated road. This money would be put into trust for the benefit of Swain County citizens. The State of North Carolina supports this plan. A few vocal residents of Swain County say they want the North Shore Road to be built. They have enlisted support from Congressman Charles Taylor. In my professional opinion, the North Shore Road would serve no good purpose, and Congressman Taylor would be misguided in supporting such a construction project.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park protects the largest defacto mountain wilderness east of the Rocky Mountains. Construction of the proposed North Shore Road would desecrate an irreplaceable wilderness section of the park, would do immeasurable environmental damage to flora and fauna, and would needlessly cost US taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars.

I am [name omitted], a resident of Chattanooga. For about 40 years, my wife and I have enjoyed visiting, and camping in, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I am also the president of the 200+ member [name omitted], which generally hikes and/or backpacks in the Smokies at least a dozen times a year. The club has done 4 hikes in the Smokies already in 2005, plus 2 members did a backpack trip. (One of the hikes was about a 14-mile loop at the end of the North Shore Road and tunnel; another about 10 miles following the boat ride to Campsite 86 and then to Proctor, Shuckstack Tower, and ending at Fontana Dam.) Although the number of North Shore Road alternatives has decreased during the past year, my thoughts regarding them have not changed.

I am astonished that during this time of budget limitations, and environmental awareness, anyone would continue favoring the building of this unneeded, environmentally destructive North Shore Road. (I can't even see it being politically beneficial enough to anyone to justify their seriously wanting to waste tax payer dollars by proceeding with the project.) The people who resided in the area and were affected by the loss of NC Route 288, about 60 years ago, no longer reside in the area. Other roads (such as NC 28) now provide routes from Bryson City to Maryville . The original need for the North Shore Road no longer exists. About 35 years has passed since work was halted on building of it. -- Life has gone on. Why then is anyone in their right mind considering spending $150+ million (last year's estimate, which undoubtedly is higher now) to build this road (which will then incur ongoing maintenance costs) when the issue can be permanently closed with either the “No Action” Alternative, or a payment of about a third of the cost to Swain County through the “Monetary Settlement” Alternative? Not building any more roadways negates the need to tear up the Smokies, with its devastating impacts on the environment, the wildlife, vegetation, and waters. Swain County was initially disadvantaged by (but also benefited greatly from) the building of Fontana Dam. It has also spent much in the ensuing years building and pursuing its position on the need for, and benefits from, continued work on this “Road To Nowhere.”

I am opposed to the North Shore Road between Bryson City and Fontana Dam, and support the cash settlement to Swain County in lieu of the road. The people who lived in that area are gone, and their homes and lands have long since been flooded. Like so many other towns and families who were displaced by TVA, they are gone. There is already in place provisions to take family members to the grave sites of their families. Building an unnecessary road in the middle of a pristine roadless area will not bring anything back. The road will only destroy, and like the towns at the bot tom of the lake, once destroyed there is no rebuilding.

My deeply held, and emotionally strong, opinion is that building the NSR would almost ruin GSMNP. I am totally opposed to building any road along the North Shore past its present terminus at Noland Creek. I am not a resident of Swain County , but have known and loved the National Park since childhood visits from North Florida . I now live in Brevard and visit the Park almost annually. The National Park belongs to the entire Nation as well as to the people of Swain County.

We understand that the controversy over the proposed North Shore Road between Bryson City and Fontana Dam is still in progress. This letter to inform you that we strenuously oppose the construction of the proposed North Shore Road . I am opposed to the proposed North Shore Road between Bryson City and Fontana Dam. I urge you to choose an alternative to this project, which I believe is another threat to the environment of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I do not believe the benefits of the project outweigh the detrimental effects.

My husband and I live across Fontana Lake from the Great Smoky National Park overlooking a section of it which would be affected by construction of any road or “improvements” beyond the tunnel. We chose to move to this area because of the Park and both of us visit it often as day hikers. It is truly a national treasure and to build an unnecessary road through the most remote section of it would be a travesty. My objections to this road proposal are many.

I am certain that the majority of those who love and use the park would be unalterably opposed to the ridiculous road that a minority desire. I say ridiculous not only because of the cost, but even more so because it would severely affect a significant portion of the Park; the ecological integrity would be permanently harmed, as would the wilderness nature of much of the Park. This would be yet another example of the “tyranny of small decisions”; that is, cumulative impacts. Given all the development threats this and other national and state parks continually face and all-too-often succumb to, this proposal must be defeated. The road would benefit very few people, but would be detrimental to millions!

As a long-time citizen and native of Tennessee , I urge the National Park Service to protect the Great Smoky Mountains National Park , but scraping this proposal and ending once and for all the North Shore Road proposal.

This country doesn't need any more roads or the financial burden needed to build them. Start preserving and stop destroying!

I am astounded you would even consider doing anything so harmful to this priceless national park.

When the federal government bought and took land by eminent domain the land on the north shore of Fontana Lake , they promised to build a dustless road not less than 20' in width to replace old NC 288. Some environmentalist claims the road would harm the environment. It's a funny thing to me that the Cades Cove Road in TN, the Blue Ridge Pkwy , and 441 across the mountain in TN has not harmed the environment. The Road to Nowhere will not either. I am a meat cutter for a steak house and the road would bring in people and help the economy of Swain Co.

There is absolutely no need for this road. I am a frequent user of the park and surrounding national forests along with millions of others. The park needs to be protected from such intrusions. As a means of settlement, I support Alternative 2.

I believe paving a road north of Fontana Lake is a bad idea and would endanger the wildlife habitat and wilderness aspects of the GSMNP.

The ever increasing popularity of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has led to ever increasing development along its edges. A majority of the boundary is now encased in development or delineated by roads either along or just inside the park. The 38-mile full build alternative will convert a major portion of park boundary from a soft edge to a hard edge.

I believe that the North Shore Road completion is a threat to the GSMNP. I oppose the road but would support a cash settlement to Swain County in order to prevent it. The road is unnecessary destruction and should not be pursued. Protect our natural resources.

I was aware that the Smoky Mountains National Park was rated the No. 1 most polluted park in the entire nation. So I realize that building a road through the most polluted park in the nation would not be a good idea environmentally, and one of the main reasons they stopped the construction of the road was because of the negative environmental impact. But after hearing the presentation tonight and learning about the impact on cultural resources, visual impact to the Appalachian Trail, seven out of seven potential impacts on eligible structures for cultural resources, two out of two impacts on potential historic land sites, that the study found that rare species, species new to the park and species new to science and the park, that there would be impact to the water, the air, traffic and visual impact -- what was the last thing I said? I feel like, in light of all of these negative impacts, it is appalling that the National Park Service is even considering building this road. We can't afford to build it. We can't afford the environmental damage that the road would create. We can't afford the additional pollution to the air, water and our health. We can't afford to maintain the road, once it's built. On top of that, there is no legitimate reason to build the road. It's not necessary for transportation. The road does not belong to the people of Swain County and it's not right for them to destroy a national park for their own economic gain. And I would ask that the National Park Service please not build this road. It's the only -- the largest roadless area in the Eastern United States left. Please preserve the park.

I'm a native from Swain County, first generation since the removal off the North Shore. I favor the North Shore Corridor all the way through from the road to nowhere all the way to Deal's Gap. It needs to turn north at Proctor and go through the Flint Gap and then Possum Hollow, with minimal environmental impact. The reason I oppose the other four options is, in 1943, there were no other options. We wasn't promised no action. We weren't guaranteed a monetary settlement. They never mentioned picnic tables or a cultural center. We were guaranteed a 20-foot road.

I believe that it would be a grave mistake to pursue building the North Shore Rd. through the Smoky Mountain National Park. Considering the potential adverse ecological damage that would come from the construction of the road as well as the extra monetary burden on the Park necessary to patrol and maintain such a road, it makes this project undesirable.

Seriously hope that this proposed project will be scraped before it begins.....this part of the Park is so sensitive and so wild that it will be destroyed if allowed to be cut by a road that will benefit no one.....the families that inhabited the area that is now the Park, would want the Park to remain as they once knew and loved. Please, do not allow a senseless road to ruin a Park that is already in such poor condition....

As the South continues to grow extremely fast, we must have the foresight to conserve the Great Smokies. Building this road would ignore the needs of the region's wildlife and visitors alike, and I don't want my generation responsible for this abominable policy disaster.

I would just like to say that, after hiking the North Shore Trail and taking in the information in the presentation this evening, that spending somewhere between 400 and 700 million dollars of the federal taxpayers' money to essentially destroy and disrupt a park that belongs to the people of this country is backwards. It's ridiculous and is a complete contradiction within itself. It's ridiculous that it's even being considered. There is a more than modern, more than adequate four-lane highway on the south shore of the lake where it's been widened, straightened and hills taken to make the road less severe through several miles so far, and there is a proposal for improving the highway, including tunnels, to continue through the rest, which is far more than adequate for that area for transportation. Therefore, for these reasons and several others that I won't get into right now, I would ask you not to do such a ridiculous thing, but rather preserve the beauty of our park and the North Shore area in Fontana.

Foolish to spend so much money on a road that will degrade a national park. Road wouldn't be beneficial to citizens, based on figures. Road would have a great impact on wildlife and natural resources in park. Would be harmful to the cemeteries because more people not familiar to the area would be visiting the area.

I'm for the monetary compensation. I feel that the North Shore Road -- the primary thing that strikes me is that it serves no human need. And some people say that It makes jobs and that the income from the jobs might create human needs, but I feel that's make-work. Tourism in particular is not a human need and any job that fails to serve a human need is the definition of make-work. Also, I feel that the environmental impact, in all environmental impact studies that I've seen, inadequately address non-local impacts and the mitigation methods proposed, many of them serve to export but not reduce the environmental damage. In particular, the materials used, in this case lime and gravel and asphalt -- lime has an impact where it's quarried. It's a lime quarry. Asphalt has an impact certainly at the asphalt plant, which pollutes the air. But also as it comes from oil, then at the oil well. And -- and gravel involves a quarry. The equipment -- the diesel equipment makes air pollution and it uses oil. Oil, again, has an impact at the oil well and the refinery, etcetera, etcetera. And so much of this -- I've heard other environmentalists call these technological solutions and technological solutions have these problems simply displacing damage and not eliminating it.

I just wanted to say that I support a cash settlement for this. I deeply respect the reasons that people feel that the road needs to be built, as far as access to cemeteries. I don't, however, feel that the best way to accomplish that is to build a road through the Smokies that the impacts could never be erased from. I guess I can add one more thing. In any settlement agreement there needs to be provisions that increase access to the cemeteries for the elderly and those who need to go there, but short of building a road.

$150 million dollars! To build a new road. Just what we don't need. There are already too many roads to everywhere. A promise to the people of Swain County made in 1943 and protects the beautiful backcountry of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park can be dealt with a cash settlement and far less environmental damage.

I am writing regarding the North Shore Road Project. The disadvantages related to the building, use and maintenance of this road far outweigh any advantages. This road would scar this presently pristine area and pollute the area. The area would be filled with the sounds of vehicular traffic. The area would be polluted with vehicular noise and the air quality would be further compromised. I think some of the people who support his road may not realize that the lack of more access to their area actually enhances their area and makes the area more desirable as a destination point. I oppose this road. I support a cash settlement if promises were actually made in the past.

NSRC with no bridges across lake at Forney Creek, Hazel, or Eagle creeks. All bridges should go at the head of each cove on the north shore. My name is [name omitted] and I support the NSR as it is written in the 1943 agreement, which is a 20-ft. dustless surface. This is a legal binding contract; you and I know that there is nothing on the north shore to keep the road from being built. Please do not let the environmental pressure keep you from doing what is right and morally legal. We have been fighting for this road which our fathers and mothers were promised for over 60 years, it is time to do what is right and build our road.

I support the NSR and the NSC with no large bridges over the lake. I was born on Gunter Branch and have always said to my son that the road should be built so my wishes are the government would honor what they told us and build the NSR as the 1943 agreement says.

NSRC with no bridges across lake at Forney Creek, Hazel, or Eagle creeks. All bridges should go at the head of each cove on the north shore. My name is [name omitted]. I was born on Bear Creek on Forney Creek on the north shore of the river in 1901. I was forced to move when the first National Park was done. I did not mind that too much, we all wanted to see a nice national park in our area, but when TVA and NPS made us move the second time, I thought that was asking too much, you see, we had moved only 10 years earlier. I fought and supported to build the road all my adult life, I always said the road should be built.

Build the NSC and don't build the high bridges. The 1943 Agreement calls for a 20-ft. dustless road to be built. The contract does not call for any alternatives. The road would be there forever; any money Swain Co. might could get would be wasted and gone in a few years. Besides, there is no money. Who gave up the most so that everyone could have a park? I don't know any environmentalists that lost their homes, land, jobs, and ways of life for the park. Build the Road.

Both died with it heavy on their minds wanting to go back home to North Shore area. They were too scared to go back on the water. He served about 20 years in the army. Served in war zone and died with a brain tumor, was probably exposed in war zone to something dangerous and the government failed to build a little road that he could travel back to North Shore. Shame and disgrace to any veteran.

North Shore Corridor should be built; would be good for the people; a promise was made. Fulfill that promise.

The bottom line is this: we all need food, water, shelter, and love. We don't "need" more roads. Period. It's time Homo sapiens starts exercising some restraint and stops altering all of our landscapes. Dump the road project.

The proposed road would gouge the largest roadless tract of mountain terrain in the East and threaten the streams draining to Fontana Lake due to acidic rock. In addition to the enormous environmental damage the estimated $400 million in project cost is also an economic boondoggle to taxpayers.