Public comment period open for the CHNS Sediment Management Framework Draft Environmental Impact Statement

The National Park Service (NPS) seeks public review and comment on the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Sediment Management Framework at Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Seashore). The 45-day comment period begins today, September 18, 2020 with the publication of the Notice of Availability in the Federal Register and ends on November 2, 2020.

A sediment management framework at the Seashore is necessary to address impacts and provide timely response for park partners that seek to nourish beaches in the face of increased storm events and projected sea level rise. The framework will include when, where, and how sediment management actions may be permitted at the Seashore. The framework will also include mitigation measures to avoid and minimize negative impacts that may be associated with sediment management activities.

The draft EIS analyzes alternatives, including the no-action alternative, and identifies a preferred alternative. The framework incorporates feedback from this spring’s public comment period.

The draft EIS was prepared in cooperation with the Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, the Fish and Wildlife Service, the North Carolina Department of Transportation, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, and Dare and Hyde County.

As part of the public review process, the NPS will host three virtual meetings via webinar. You are invited to attend these meetings to learn more about the draft EIS, issues and alternatives, and ask NPS representatives questions.

Virtual public meeting schedule:

• Public Review Webinar 1:
  • September 29, 6:00-7:00 PM ET
  • Link: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/2662999979913844235
  • Webinar ID: 860-854-891
• Public Review Webinar 2:
  • September 30, 11:00 AM-12:00 PM ET
  • Link: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/5949638147432091405
  • Webinar ID: 850-891-843

• Public Review Webinar 3:
  • October 1, 7:00-8:00 PM ET
  • Link: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/3045951083777996813
  • Webinar ID: 692-546-131

Comments are to be submitted electronically at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/CAHASediment, the preferred method, or mailed to Superintendent, Cape Hatteras National Seashore, 1401 National Park Drive, Manteo, NC 27954. Deadline to submit comments is November 2, 2020.

After public comments are reviewed and considered, NPS will issue a final EIS followed by a Record of Decision. The final EIS and Record of Decision will be posted online and announced via press release.

For additional information on the EIS process, alternatives, and webinar registration, please see the attached newsletter or visit https://parkplanning.nps.gov/CAHASediment

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