Superintendent Ditmanson Comments on Proposed Backcountry Fee System

Superintendent Ditmanson Comments on Proposed Backcountry Fee System

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

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Some of you may recall the firestorm that erupted over the backcountry fee system proposed by Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials last July.

The controversy is the result of an announcement officials that they were considering a move to make all backcountry camping permits (for all sites) go through Recreation.gov, an online and call-in reservation service. The proposal would cost backpackers between $2.25 and $10.00 to make a reservation for a backcountry campsite (depending on which of three proposals is ultimately adopted).

Kurt Repanshek at the National Parks Traveler published a lengthy article yesterday that includes several comments from Great Smoky Mountains National Park Superintendent, Dale Ditmanson. As far as I know, these are the first public comments about the proposal made by the Superintendent.

In the article, Ditmanson offers some of his insights on potential problems with the system, including 48-hour cancellation fees and how they impact the "spontaneity of backcountry campers". He also discusses issues concerning Appalachian Trail thru-hikers who pass through the Smokies in April.

You can read the full article by clicking here.



Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

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Taking issue with the 2010 Smokies Trip Planner

Taking issue with the 2010 Smokies Trip Planner

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

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I just came across the 2010 Smokies Trip Planner on the GSMNP website today. After the 17-page PDF file opens up, the first topic at the top of page one is Tips on Auto Touring in the National Park.

As everyone knows, traffic congestion is a major issue in the Great Smoky Mountains, especially on the Cades Cove Loop Road. In fact, Park Superintendent Dale Ditmanson stated in the 75th Anniversary issue of Smokies Life Magazine that he and park officials are looking for ways to solve the traffic problems that plague the Smokies. In the article he floated the idea of banning cars in Cades Cove and using a circulator bus system. Although he considers this solution impractical for a couple of reasons, at least the problem is recognized at the top of the food chain.

All of which brings me back to the 2010 Smokies Trip Planner. I really don't understand why the Park continues to encourage people to auto tour in the Smokies. I'm not trying to take away anyone's right to drive on any road in the Smokies, but I do think it's ridiculous that the Park goes out of it's way to encourage people to jump in their cars and clog up the roads.

In addition to the planner that can be picked up at visitor centers, there are auto touring booklets that can be purchased, and there's a page on the Park website dedicated to auto touring.

This really doesn't make sense to me. This is actually a no brainer. I know the impact on traffic would likely be only minimal, but why go out of your way to make it worse?

Here's a suggestion I just thought of as I was concluding this post: Why not blaze a couple of new trails that explore the interior of Cades Cove?

You could have trailheads leading from the parking area just before the one-way loop, as well as from the two cross roads; Hyatt and Sparks Lane. The trails could explore the open fields as well as some of the historical structures in the area. This would give people the opportunity to get out of their cars and have a much more meaningful experience with Cades Cove.

Would this cut down on congestion? I think it would - but it probably wouldn't make a significant difference. However, combine this with other solutions such as shuttle buses and the park could put a dent in the problem (if there's anyone from the park service reading this, please comment on the feasibility of new trails in Cades Cove).

I've often wondered why there weren't any trails in the interior of the Cove anyway. I would love to be able to explore this portion of the park.


Jeff
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Smokies seeks comments on rehabilitation of Newfound Gap Road

Smokies seeks comments on rehabilitation of Newfound Gap Road

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

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The National Park Service (NPS) is proposing to rehabilitate 14.5 miles of Newfound Gap Road (U.S. 441) on the Tennessee side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and to reconstruct many of its stone masonry guardwalls. The work area runs from the Park’s entrance near Gatlinburg to the North Carolina state line at Newfound Gap. Work is scheduled to begin in November 2010 and be completed in phases over the course of six years. The NPS is soliciting public comments in response to an Environmental Assessment (EA) which evaluates the potential resource and other impacts of that proposed action.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Superintendent, Dale Ditmanson said, “This action is needed to address the deterioration of the pavement, safety concerns, circulation and parking problems. In addition, the cut stone guardwalls, most of which were constructed about 70 years ago by the Civilian Conservation Corps, are deteriorating with age, impacting the historic character of Newfound Gap Road. All these factors have been increasing the park’s routine maintenance and intermittent repair costs as well as posing safety hazards.”

The EA examines two alternatives; no action and the NPS preferred alternative.

The preferred alternative consists of improving the safety of Newfound Gap Road, improving the condition of the road and associated features, and maintaining the integrity of Park resources. Specific activities under the proposed action, would include: rehabilitation of the road surface, rehabilitation of road shoulders where needed, reconstruction of settled sections of roadway to restore stability of embankment, rehabilitation of existing stone masonry guardwalls, reconstruction of guardwall sections to meet current crashworthiness criteria in areas with a demonstrated safety risk, and adding new guardwall and/or guardrail extensions or transitions in areas.

The EA is available, and comments may be submitted online at the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment website.

Comments must be received no later than April 21, 2010.


Jeff
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Oconaluftee Visitor Center to be environmentally friendly

Oconaluftee Visitor Center to be environmentally friendly

Monday, March 2, 2009

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As reported here last week, officials recently announced that the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has completed an Environmental Assessment on the potential impacts of constructing a new visitor center at Oconaluftee, and have issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). This decision clears the way for construction of a new state-of-the art visitor center, which will be adjacent to the existing facility on Newfound Gap Road, roughly 2 miles inside the Park’s Cherokee, North Carolina Entrance.

Some interesting new details about the construction of the new facility were released on the Park's website today.

Dale Ditmanson, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Superintendent, is quoted in the press release, saying "The new Center is also being designed be as energy efficient and sustainable as we can make it. We are building it to be nationally certified as an environmentally friendly building under the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system."

The press release lists some of the environmentally friendly measures that will be explored in design of the new center. They are as follows:

Geothermal Heat and Cooling: The heating and cooling system will take advantage of the constant 55 degrees temperature of the earth, by pumping water into the ground through tubing where it will gain or give off heat, increasing the efficiency of the system.

Passive Solar: The orientation of the building and the select placement of windows will allow plenty of sunshine into the building and also provide heat. Working with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the Park has taken solar measurements where windows are to be placed, to be sure they are sized correctly, to allow just the right amount of light, and offset the need for heat.

Rain Water Cistern: A cistern will be used to collect rain water from the roofs. The water will be filtered and then used to flush toilets.

Water Saving Fixtures: Bathroom fixtures will use waterless urinals and water saving faucets and toilets.

Recycled Materials: Everything from roofing materials, to cabinets, siding, and structural supports will be made of recycled materials.

Landscaping: Native plantings will be used that will not require extensive watering after they become established.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, and more.

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Cades Cove Loop Road Repaving Plans

Cades Cove Loop Road Repaving Plans

Sunday, November 23, 2008

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On November 13, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Superintendent Dale Ditmanson conducted a public briefing at which he and Park staff members laid out the various alternatives and time-tables for the Cades Cove repaving project.

The purpose of the briefing was to get public reaction from the community regarding which method would have the least impact on the visitor and on the neighboring communities. At the meeting, Park officials showed a PowerPoint presentation illustrating the construction method and the various alternatives for road closures. At the request of those in attendance, the Park posted the presentation to the Park website.

Right now, the repaving project is scheduled to occur during the first-half of 2010, with full closure of the one-way loop lasting 2 months, or a series of partial closures lasting up to 4 months.

The 11-mile, one-way, single lane, Cades Cove Loop Road was last repaved in 1978 and has badly deteriorated into a mass of patches, ruts and potholes. It has very inadequate ditches, culverts and other drainage so that water pools on the road, seeping between the layers then freezing and thawing, further cracking the pavement. The Park plans to completely reconstruct a solid sub-base layer to support the pavement. In addition they plan to create ditches, and add culverts to drain the water off the surface.

Unfortunately the project will not address traffic congestion, which, for anyone who is familiar with Cades Cove, is like sitting in rush hour traffic during orange barrel season. It’s especially frustrating for people who simply want to hike one of the trails located off the loop road.

The way I see it, there are six things that could be done to ease congestion, some likely to help, some probably impractical.

1) As I mentioned in a previous post, there was an extensive interview with Park Superintendent Dale Ditmanson in the latest issue of Smokies Life Magazine. Mr. Ditmanson acknowledged the heavy traffic problems in Cades Cove. He mentioned using buses as a possible solution, but cited issues with parking as being problematic, i.e., not enough open space in Townsend to create parking lots large enough to handle all of the tourists.

2) Build passing lanes on certain sections of the road. This probably would never happen due to limited space. Moreover, tourists would probably occupy this additional lane for stopping as well.

3) Create a separate bike lane. Again, there may not be enough space to create the width needed for a bike lane. If the loop did have enough space, the question would be would enough people choose to get from behind the wheel and ride to make a difference in traffic. With fresh smooth pavement, I would think that the number of people willing to ride would probably increase, especially people on road bikes. Enough to make an impact on traffic congestion? Probably not.

4) How about stricter enforcement of rules? Technically, it’s against the law for drivers to stop in the middle of the road. What if we had rangers patrolling the most congested sections on horseback to enforce the law and keep traffic moving? Or, what if they started handing out tickets?

5) More signs and better education. What if the park increased the number of signs and did a better job of educating drivers that they cannot stop in the middle of the road? The park should somehow emphasize the importance of having slower drivers pull over to allow others to pass.

6) Stop encouraging people to “auto tour”. The park should stop publishing pamphlets and remove anything from the park website that encourages auto touring. The park should encourage people to get out of their cars, not stay in them.

What do you think about these solutions? Do you think any of these would have an impact? Are there any others that I haven’t considered?

Jeff

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Trails Forever Foundation in the Smokies

Trails Forever Foundation in the Smokies

Monday, November 3, 2008

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In my blog post on Saturday I mentioned an extensive interview with Park Superintendent Dale Ditmanson in the most recent issue of Smokies Life Magazine.

In the interview, Ditmanson mentions the creation of a $4 Million Trails Forever Foundation which will be used to fund an annual trails improvement program. The foundation is considered to be a keystone component of the Park’s 75th Anniversary.

The proceeds from the foundation will go towards trail reconstruction, relocation of trails, building trails elevated on logs in order to carry them across wetlands, and installing new foot-logs and bridges across streams.

The first $2 million towards the $4 million Endowment has already been committed by the Knoxville-based ASLAN Foundation, which was founded by the late Lindsay Young, a Friends of the Smokies Charter Board Member. Friends of the Smokies plans to raise the additional $2 million in matching funds needed to create the Endowment and will then manage the funds in perpetuity.

Currently, there are two trail maintenance crews, one on the Tennessee side of the park, and the other in North Carolina. The endowment will be used to create a third crew, comprised of paid crew members and volunteers.

This third crew has already begun work on improvements for two trails; the Forney Ridge (Andrews Bald) and Ramsay Cascades Trails.

If you would like to volunteer on the Trails Forever crew, please contact Jeremy Sweat.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, and more.

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Smokies Life Magazine: 75th Anniversary issue

Smokies Life Magazine: 75th Anniversary issue

Saturday, November 1, 2008

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A few days ago I received the latest addition of Smokies Life Magazine, a quarterly publication from the Great Smoky Mountains Association. This edition happens to be a special 75th Anniversary issue.

As you might expect, a large portion of the issue is dedicated towards the history and the creation of the national park. In addition to several park history articles, there are many historical photos, as well as a detailed timeline covering key historical events in the park.

Among some of the articles is a short biography on George Masa, known as the “Ansel Adams of the East”, who’s photographs were instrumental in helping for the cause of national park status for the Smokies. Several of Masa’s outstanding photographs are included with the story.

You’ll also find a story discussing the return of wildlife that went missing (or nearly went missing) in the Smokies such as elk, deer, otter, bears, and wild turkey, to name a few.

Finally, there’s an extensive interview with Park Superintendent Dale Ditmanson. Although he didn’t say it outright, it sounds like he supports the collection of entrance fees in the future. He said fees are needed to replace and repair the aging park infrastructure. He’s also looking for ways to solve some of the heavy traffic problems, in particular, in Cades Cove. He mentioned using buses as a solution, but cited issues with parking as being problematic.

As I’ve already mentioned in a previous post, Smokies Life Magazine is a high quality publication, one that I highly recommend for anyone who loves the Smokies. You can purchase a copy at some of the visitor centers or through the GSMA website. Or, better yet, you could join the Great Smoky Mountains Association which includes an annual subscription to the magazine.

By becoming a member you’ll also be helping a great cause. Through sales, labor, donations, and volunteer efforts, the Great Smoky Mountains Association provides funds that help with many park expenses. Since its creation in 1953, GSMA has contributed more than $18 million to the park.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, and more.

Smoky Mountain Day Hikers Store Quality gear and apparel from some of the best outdoor brands.

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