PARK PRESENTS SECOND SET OF MEETINGS ON PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS TO TREMONT FACILITIES

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials have set a second round of meetings to discuss and solicit input from the public on the proposed improvements to the aging facilities at Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont in Blount County. The meetings are scheduled on Monday, November 13, at the Blount County Library, Maryville, Tenn., and Tuesday, November 14, at Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont inside the national park. Both meetings are between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. The meetings, presented in an open house format, will provide more detail through exhibits and displays outlining detailed architectural drawings, floor plans, and site layout and features on the proposed preliminary alternatives. The five alternatives include concepts on new facility construction, rehabilitation of existing facilities, and a combination of both within the existing 10-acre site. The public has a 30-day opportunity to review and comment on these refined conceptual alternatives as part of the Design Concept Plan/Environmental Assessment (DCP/EA). The purpose of the DCP/EA is to evaluate existing facilities as they relate to meeting current environmental education program needs, and to develop conceptual designs for alternative facilities that will help to better support Tremont’s programs. The DCP/EA is required by the National Environmental Policy Act. The five preliminary alternatives include Alternative A - No Action; Alternative B – Limited Modification to Existing Facilities; Alternative C – Moderate Modifications to Existing Facilities (no new buildings would be constructed); Alternative D – Moderate Redevelopment (construction of a new dormitory building and extensive rehabilitation of existing buildings); and Alternative E – Major Redevelopment – (complete site redevelopment that will incorporate sustainable design practices). Any construction of new facilities would take place within the footprint of the existing site and overnight capacity will remain the same. (over) Tremont Institute Planning--two “As a valuable Park partner,” said Park Superintendent Dale Ditmanson, “Tremont provides in-depth environmental education experiences for youths and adults in a residential setting. The programs at Tremont are an integral part of the Park’s Resource Education Program, and we want to ensure that those visiting and staying at the center will have the best residential experience while learning about the Park.” The comments that were received so far mentioned support for varying degrees of facility upgrades and improved levels of service, as well as developing facilities that best meet the needs of service to the public, making the campus pedestrian friendly and meeting accessibility issues. Some concerns were voiced over program disruption due to the renovations and the expansion of facilities. “Once we receive and analyze the public comments and undertake the impact analysis on each of the proposed alternatives, a preferred alternative will be selected and presented to the public in the fall of 2007,” Superintendent Ditmanson commented. Public comments on the conceptual alternatives are due by December 14. Comments will be taken at the meetings and can also be submitted in writing electronically on the National Park Service’s Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) web site at http://parkplanning.nps.gov ; by e:mail to GRSM_Tremont_Comments@nps.gov; or to Superintendent, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 107 Park Headquarters Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. The PEPC site provides access to National Park Service current planning documents for public review. The Tremont Institute DCP/EA information, as well as directions to the meeting locations, can be found by selecting Great Smoky Mountains National Park.