The Blue Ridge Parkway (Parkway) is seeking public input, through February 9, 2015, on an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Moses H. Cone Developed Area Management Plan (DAMP). The DAMP would guide the future development and management of the Moses H. Cone Memorial Park (Memorial Park). The purpose of this EA is to describe the affected environment and analyze potential impacts associated with a no action alternative and two action alternatives.
Recommendations within the EA to be implemented would impact the Memorial Park within the lands administered by the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Memorial Park was originally known as Flat Top Manor and was one of North Carolina’s premier country estates. Built by textile magnate Moses H. Cone and his wife, Bertha, at the turn of the 20th century, the estate features some 26 miles of carriage roads, manmade lakes, remnant apple orchards and a 23-room manor house. The National Park Service acquired the estate in 1950, managing it as a part of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Those who wish to review and comment on this document may do so by visiting the NPS Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) website at: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/conedamp. Even though using this website is recommended, written comments may also be submitted to: Blue Ridge Parkway, ATTN: Suzette Molling, 199 Hemphill Knob Road, Asheville, NC 28803. Comments must be sent by February 9. Ideas and concerns expressed by those who comment will be used to prepare the final proposal and impact analysis.
Comments are typically treated as a public record and made available for public review. Individuals may request that the National Park Service withhold their name and address from disclosure. Such requests will be honored to the extent allowable by law.
Comments will also be accepted at a public meeting to be held on January 15, 2015. The public meeting will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Blowing Rock Clubhouse, 108 Lakeside Drive, Blowing Rock, NC (Located beside the pool, near Broyhill Park). Members of the public may stop by at any time during these hours to meet with Parkway staff and provide comments.
