10/12/2024
Opportunity to Comment on the Proposed Demolition of Historic Structures Environmental Assessment in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
The National Park Service (NPS) invites interested parties to review and provide comments on the Proposed Demolition of Historic Structures Environmental Assessment (EA) for New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. The purpose of this project has two parts: 1) reduce the risk to the health and safety of park employees and the public by demolishing deteriorated and unsafe historic structures within the park boundary and 2) reduce the maintenance burden on park resources by demolishing proposed excess historic structures that are not required to meet the park’s needs or to fulfill its mission. The Draft EA is attached for your review prior to the news release and the public comment period which will open on October 7th and will be available for comments until November 8th at this location:
https://parkplanning.nps.gov/GAOAExcessStructureDemo
We will also be holding a second public meeting to present information about the EA and the proposed project. The meeting will take place on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at the New River Convention Center, 497 Mall Road, Oak Hill, WV. The doors will open at 5:30 pm and the meeting will begin at 6:00 pm.
The NPS prepared the EA under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to assess the potential impacts of the demolition activities. The EA outlines the proposed action, alternatives, potential impacts, and mitigations to reduce impacts. Impact topics include historic structures, historic districts and cultural landscapes, associated communities, and visitor use and experience.
Under the proposed action, the NPS would demolish and properly dispose of 19 excess historic structures and one non-historic addition to a historic structure. At the Vallandingham House, only the contemporary addition and concrete driveway would be demolished. After demolition of the addition, the structure’s south elevation would be restored, and the original (historic) log cabin would remain intact.
Any foundations and retaining walls associated with the proposed excess historic structures would be left in place where practicable to minimize ground disturbance. Some foundations may be cut to ground level with below-ground remnants left in place. For most structures, surface ground disturbance would occur in the immediate vicinity but would be limited to previously disturbed areas. In some instances, associated underground utilities would be removed, resulting in additional ground disturbance. Above ground features associated with the structure, including utilities and access roads, would be demolished.
After demolition, the sites would be restored as needed to reflect the natural conditions of the landscape and seeded and planted with native vegetation or turfgrass in accordance with park requirements.
The NPS is simultaneously seeking public review and comment on a draft Programmatic Agreement regarding the potential effects to historic properties that might occur if the demolition project is implemented. Inclusion of the draft Programmatic Agreement within the EA constitutes the public review and comment opportunity as part of the requirements to meet our obligations under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. The Programmatic Agreement can be found in Appendix D of the EA and we invite your comments as part of the EA review. This information is submitted in accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (36 CFR 800) and the National Environmental Policy Act (40 CFR 1501.5).
https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:feb69c5f-7385-4044-b25b-0e9309867cdf
National Park Service - PEPC - GAOA- Demolition of Historic and Excess Structures
