Archived Outdoors

Comment deadline extended for Laurel Falls EA

Laurel Falls is crowded during a Friday in August 2021. NPS photo Laurel Falls is crowded during a Friday in August 2021. NPS photo

The deadline for public comments on an Environmental Assessment examining the impact of proposed changes associated with the Laurel Falls Trail Management Plan has been extended through Sunday, June 4.

The deadline was lengthened from the originally announced June 2 date due to an outage of the planning site May 19-23.

The plan addresses visitor experience and safety, parking, and trail infrastructure rehabilitation for one of the most visited trails in the park. Public input received during civic engagement in summer of 2021 and public scoping in winter of 2022-2023 helped shape the plan. The park is conducting public scoping for the proposed plan in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and National Historic Preservation Act. 

The EA evaluates a no action alternative and a proposed action. Under a no action alternative, there would be no change to the existing Laurel Falls Trail or parking areas. The proposed action includes trail and parking improvements, rest areas along the trail, and viewing platforms at the falls. 

Learn more and submit comments at parkplanning.nps.gov/laurelfalls. Hard copy comments can be mailed to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, ATTN: Laurel Falls Trail Management Plan/EA,107 Park Headquarters Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. 

Smokey Mountain News Logo
SUPPORT THE SMOKY MOUNTAIN NEWS AND
INDEPENDENT, AWARD-WINNING JOURNALISM
Go to top
Payment Information

/

At our inception 20 years ago, we chose to be different. Unlike other news organizations, we made the decision to provide in-depth, regional reporting free to anyone who wanted access to it. We don’t plan to change that model. Support from our readers will help us maintain and strengthen the editorial independence that is crucial to our mission to help make Western North Carolina a better place to call home. If you are able, please support The Smoky Mountain News.

The Smoky Mountain News is a wholly private corporation. Reader contributions support the journalistic mission of SMN to remain independent. Your support of SMN does not constitute a charitable donation. If you have a question about contributing to SMN, please contact us.