Proposed Demolition of Historic Structures EA and Draft Historic PA

The National Park Service (NPS) has released for public review an Environmental Assessment (EA) for a project that proposes to demolish up to 19 historic structures and one modern addition to a historic structure located in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. The EA was prepared according to requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act, applicable regulations, and agency procedures.

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.

This project is one component of a proposed major investment in the park funded by the Great American Outdoors Act of 2020 that would (1) upgrade water and wastewater infrastructure; (2) renovate bathrooms, picnic shelters, and other important visitor facilities; (3) stabilize and rehabilitate historic structures; and (4) remove hazardous and underused non-historic and historic structures. The public is encouraged to review additional background information about these projects in the Story Map available in the Links list labeled "Story Map: Proposed Investments at New River Gorge".

After reviewing the Story Map, the public is invited to review and provide comments on the Demolish Historic Structures EA available in the Documents list. The public review period will be open from October 7, 2024, to November 8, 2024.

The NPS is simultaneously seeking public review and comment on the EA and 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 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.

The NPS will respond to all substantive comments received during the review period. Substantive comments are those that:

1. Question, with reasonable basis, the accuracy of information in the EA;
2. Question, with reasonable basis, the adequacy of the environmental analysis;
3. Present reasonable alternatives other than those presented in the EA; or
4. Cause changes or revisions in the proposal.

Document Content:

Proposed Demolition of Historic Structures_EA_20241002.pdf   (12.1 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.