Houchin Ferry Site Development Concept Plan - Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)

The Department of the Interior, National Park Service (NPS) has prepared this Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Environmental Assessment (EA) of the Development Concept Plan, Houchin Ferry Site, Mammoth Cave National Park (park). This FONSI has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), its implementing regulations (40 CFR 1500-1508), the Department of the Interior NEPA regulations (43 CFR 46), and NPS Director's Order 12, Conservation Planning,
Environmental Impact Analysis and Decision-Making and accompanying handbook. The statements and conclusions reached in this finding of no significant impact (FONSI) are based on documentation and analysis provided in the EA and associated decision file. To the extent necessary, relevant sections of the EA are incorporated by reference into the FONSI.

In compliance with NEPA, the NPS prepared an EA to examine alternative actions and environmental impacts associated with a proposed development concept plan for the Houchin Ferry recreation site at the park. Existing site facilities are aging and need improvements and river conditions have substantially changed in recent years with the failure and subsequent removal of Lock and Dam No. 6 just downstream from the site. Conditions may change again
with the possible removal of Lock and Dam No. 5. The plan aims to re-establish the Houchin Ferry site as a destination dedicated to a variety of user groups and recreational activities for both day and overnight use along with safe access to the river. The plan is needed because the catastrophic failure of Lock and Dam No. 6 in November 2016 and its subsequent removal in 2017 caused a river elevation drop of approximately 8 to 10 feet at this location. Both the north
and south side concrete ramps at Houchin Ferry no longer reach the river. Lock and Dam No. 5 is slated for removal as well, which will result in a projected loss of an additional 3 to 5 feet of river elevation at the site. The park needs to provide new, safe river access at Houchin Ferry for visitors and staff, as well as upgrade aging facilities for enhanced visitor use and enjoyment.

Document Content:

MACA Houchin FerryFONSI_FINAL.pdf   (4.1 MB, PDF file) Disclaimer: Links within the above document(s) were valid as of the date published. Note: Some of the files may be in PDF format and can be viewed using the Adobe Acrobat Reader software. You may download a free copy of from Adobe Systems.