Draft National Historic Trail Feasibility Study Environmental Assessment PDF Download

The NPS is preparing a feasibility study and environmental assessment for the Chisholm and Great Western Trails as called for in the Omnibus Public Land management Act of 2009. In conjunction with this feasibility study, NPS will prepare an environmental assessment, to analyze the potential impacts of the proposed national historic trails on resources and visitor experiences provided along the trail routes. This report summarizes comments, feedback, and input received from the public in the late spring and early summer of 2010 during scoping for a study of the Chisholm and Great Western trails for their potential designation as national historic trails. The scoping was conducted by a team of National Park Service (NPS) planners, historians, and managers from the National Trails Intermountain Region (Santa Fe office). Scoping-- that is, presenting the broad outlines of a project and soliciting input as to issues, concerns, and opportunities that might arise as a result of project implementation--is a process that federal agencies often pursue in the early states of preparing feasibility studies and environmental analysis. Scoping in intended to encourage public participation and solicit public input on the scope and significance of a proposed action.