Project Description

The coastal environment on Assateague Island in the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge is constantly changing in response to climate change, sea level rise, and natural processes. In August of 2015, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) released their Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (CCP/EIS) for the Chincoteague and Wallops Island National Wildlife Refuges. In this plan, the USFWS identified that the relocation of the recreational beach was necessary because the parking area has been washed out numerous times in the past, and the frequency of washouts resulting in beach access closure is expected in increase in the future. The plan also stated that an Environmental Assessment would be completed to analyze alternatives for parking and access to this new beach location approximately 1.5 miles north of the existing beach. The Federal Highway Administration, USFWS, and the National Park Service are currently initiating this Environmental Assessment.

Documents and Updates

Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI):

• USFWS FONNSI 
• NPS FONSI 
• FHWA FONSI 

Public Scoping Comment Period Open Through August 24, 2017

• Public Scoping Notice 
• Public Meeting Comment Form 

Public Scoping Meeting Documents

• Welcome 
• Purpose and Need 
• Overview Map 
• Parking Option Cluster 
• Parking Option Diffuse 
• Parking Option Seclude
• Fee Booth Option 1 
• Fee Booth Option 2 
• Slide Presentation 

Public Information Meeting August 27, 2018

• Welcome 
• Background_Purpose and Need
• Overview Map 
• Entrance Fee Booth Lanes 
• Accommodation Zone 
• Hybrid Parking 
• South Pony Corral Parking 

Environmental Assessment

• Public Comment Period Legal Notice 
• Environmental Assessment 
• Appendix A: Scoping Figures 
• Appendix B: Agency Correspondence 
• Appendix C: Federal Consistency Determination