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Newfound Gap Road In Great Smoky Mountains National Park Being Considered For National Scenic Byway Designation

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Published Date

January 24, 2017

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is seeking the public’s input on a draft corridor management plan for Newfound Gap Road. The plan is required for park officials to seek designation for the road as a National Scenic Byway, which would open opportunities for the park and gateway communities to compete for special grants that enhance the travel corridor.

The draft Newfound Gap Road Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan has been posted on the National Park Service Planning, Environment and Public Comment website for public review. Comments received during the 30-day review period, ending February 24, will be considered in the development of the final plan.

Newfound Gap Road is already a designated state scenic highway in both Tennessee and North Carolina. Park officials believe that Newfound Gap Road also meets the qualifications necessary to be designated as a National Scenic Byway. The first step in the eligibility process for the national designation is the preparation of a corridor management plan that addresses a variety of roadway attributes including the visitor experience and sustainability as a scenic byway.

Corridor management plans guide the management of scenic byways to protect the important qualities associated with the byway. These are not decision-making documents such as those prepared under the National Environmental Policy Act, which typically evaluate a specific proposal or a set of alternatives for decision. Rather, corridor management plans provide an overarching framework for future planning.

Specifically, the park is interested in learning the following from the public: 1) if there are significant visitor experiences available to visitors traveling Newfound Gap Road that have not been considered and what those experiences are, and 2) if there are additional steps or strategies that should be considered that would help maintain the outstanding qualities of this corridor.

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Comments

Submitted by SmokiesBackpacker on January 24, 2017 - 8:11pm.

This is how Ca$h and Lamar have figured to get around the deed restriction on Newfound Gap road so they can start charging an entrance fee.  Very clever, Ca$h.  But we are going to remind you that the 1952 deed prohibits that road from ever incurring a toll or user fee.  You will get a fight if you try this.  Be prepared.


Submitted by Mills on January 24, 2017 - 8:35pm.

 

 

Cash should be fired over the Chimney Tops Fire, he's been nothing but destructive to East Tennessee Values and Our Way of Life. 

 

The Great Smoky Mountain National Park will be FOREVER FREE!!! 


Submitted by Beverly Trent Quillen on January 24, 2017 - 8:58pm.

Hopefully Senator Alexander doesn't want his legacy remembered by Tennesseans  as being  one of  taking  public lands from the people of his state  and country.

 


Submitted by The Watcher on January 24, 2017 - 9:03pm.

"No toll or license fee shall ever be imposed by the United States of America or any Agency.."

 

NO MEANS NO! 


Submitted by Linda Braithwaite on January 25, 2017 - 3:59am.

.  Anytime government tries to improve something they screw it up!! It's perfect now.  Leave it alone! !


Submitted by Nancy on January 25, 2017 - 4:52am.

Please stop making it so difficult for people to enjoy our beautiful land!


Submitted by [email protected] on January 25, 2017 - 6:20am.

Been going on vacation in the Great Smokey Mountainso for years!! Can't believe that they would charge for it now!!!!!!!! 

 


Submitted by Jo on January 25, 2017 - 8:06am.

I thought the Great Smoky Mountains should ALWAYS be free for the people to enjoy!! First the Backcountry fee and now this!!! Just say NO to any more fees!!!


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