National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Gulf Islands National Seashore Perdido Key / Johnson Beach Environmental Assessment WELCOME TO GULF ISLANDS NATIONAL SEASHORE PERDIDO KEY / JOHNSON BEACH Environmental Assessment Public Meeting September 1, 2015

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Gulf Islands National Seashore Perdido Key / Johnson Beach Environmental Assessment We invite you to:  View the posters  Talk with a representative from the National Park Service  Tell us what is important to you about Perdido Key / Johnson Beach  Tell us what conditions are desired regarding habitat and access to Perdido Key / Johnson Beach  Fill out a comment card or comment on line

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Gulf Islands National Seashore Perdido Key / Johnson Beach Environmental Assessment THE PLANNING PROCESS TIMELINE

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Gulf Islands National Seashore Perdido Key / Johnson Beach Environmental Assessment PROJECT BACKGROUND  In 1971 Gulf Islands National Seashore was established by Congress in order to preserve, for public use and enjoyment, areas possessing outstanding natural, historic, and recreational values. This includes both island and mainland areas in Mississippi and Florida.  Johnson Beach, located within the Perdido Key Area of Gulf Islands National Seashore, consists of a 2.3-mile paved road beginning at the west boundary and ending at a turnaround. An entrance station is located just inside the west boundary to collect fees and distribute visitor information.  The main visitor use facility is located approximately 0.3 miles inside the national seashore and contains 350 vehicle parking spaces. Additional parking is available on both sides of a 1.2-mile stretch of the road, not including the easternmost half mile. Many visitors use this parking for access to the beach.  Natural dune migration is occurring across Perdido Key, pushing sands from the Gulf of Mexico side across the road and towards the Big Lagoon side. These shifting sands encroach upon the asphalt surface of the road, narrowing the driving surface. While the NPS routinely plows and maintains the road surface, the road shoulders are frequently inundated with sand and roadside-parked vehicles are obstructing the driving lanes and creating safety concerns.

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Gulf Islands National Seashore Perdido Key / Johnson Beach Environmental Assessment PROJECT BACKGROUND (continued)  A total of 11 dune crossovers were constructed in 2001 to provide visitor access to the beaches. These dune crossovers protect the sand dune vegetation, primary habitat for the Perdido Key beach mouse, a state and federally listed endangered species. Since 2001, natural dune migration has engulfed several of the dune crossovers rendering them unusable. Multiple foot trails have developed through sensitive barrier island habitat.  The entrance to the national seashore portion of Perdido Key consists of a single lane and fee booth. During the peak summer season, wait times to enter have increased and traffic has been backing up towards Perdido Key Drive.

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Gulf Islands National Seashore Perdido Key / Johnson Beach Environmental Assessment WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROJECT?  The purpose of this project is to improve barrier island habitat, visitor access, and safety along Johnson Beach Road.

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Gulf Islands National Seashore Perdido Key / Johnson Beach Environmental Assessment WHY IS THE PROJECT NEEDED?  Currently, visitors park along the narrow shoulder creating safety concerns by partially blocking the travel corridor. This safety concern is heightened by the limited space for motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists to maneuver around each other.  While dune crossovers provide visitor access from the road to the beach, they have been impacted by naturally occurring dune migration and shifting sands, which has rendered some of them unusable.  Because visitors have been walking through the adjacent dunes, valuable dune habitat along the road corridor has been threatened.  Wait times at the entrance station have grown and there is a need to reduce wait times to enter the Perdido Key portion of the national seashore.  Protection of the dune ecosystem is necessary to preserve the natural functions of the barrier island to provide habitat for numerous wildlife species including the Perdido Key Beach mouse and other special status species.

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Gulf Islands National Seashore Perdido Key / Johnson Beach Environmental Assessment WHAT ARE THE PROJECT OBJECTIVES?  Improve and protect sensitive habitat along the road corridor in order to protect sensitive species and preserve the natural functions of the barrier island.  Improve access and safety along Johnson Beach Road for visitors, including motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists.

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Gulf Islands National Seashore Perdido Key / Johnson Beach Environmental Assessment  The following slides are initial ideas on how to meet the objectives of this project. This is still early in the planning process, and we would like your feedback. PRELIMINARY ALTERNATIVE CONCEPTS

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Gulf Islands National Seashore Perdido Key / Johnson Beach Environmental Assessment ALTERNATIVE 1: No Change to Current Conditions  The current dimensions and configuration of Johnson Beach Road would remain and roadside parking (approximately 185 spots) would continue to be allowed along a 1.2- mile stretch of Johnson Beach Road.  The main parking lot would continue to provide 350 parking spots.  The entire 2.3-mile length of Johnson Beach Road would remain accessible by motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists from the west boundary to the turnaround.  There would continue to be one entry lane and fee booth into the Perdido Key/Johnson Beach Area of Gulf Islands National Seashore. During peak visitation, wait times could be lengthy.  The road surface and parking area would remain as asphalt. Shoulders on the road would remain unimproved.

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Gulf Islands National Seashore Perdido Key / Johnson Beach Environmental Assessment ALTERNATIVE 1: No Change to Current Conditions (Cont.)  Parking at the turnaround or along the eastern half mile of Johnson Beach Road would not be allowed.  11 dune crossovers, 5 of which are universally accessible, would remain in place and provide access across the dune vegetation to northern and southern shorelines and beaches on both the Gulf of Mexico and the Big Lagoon. Several of the dune crossovers have been engulfed in sand and are no longer usable. The remaining dune crossovers would be maintained for as long as practicable.  Pedestrians and bicyclists would continue to share the road surface with motorists.  Social trails through the dune habitat, especially during times of high use when visitors need to park far away from the dune crossovers, would continue to adversely impact the sensitive habitat.  Beach camping would continue to be permitted starting at least a half mile from the pavement east of the road terminus.

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Gulf Islands National Seashore Perdido Key / Johnson Beach Environmental Assessment PRELIMINARY CONCEPTS COMMON TO ALL ACTION ALTERNATIVES  Convert the last half mile of Johnson Beach Road to a foot wide multiuse trail.  Add an additional driving lane and station at the Perdido Key entrance.  Remove the existing dune crossovers and replace as indicated under each alternative.  Complete routine asphalt overlay of Johnson Beach Road.

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Gulf Islands National Seashore Perdido Key / Johnson Beach Environmental Assessment PRELIMINARY ALTERNATIVE 2  Expand the existing main parking lot to add approximately 150 parking spots.  Construct a new parking lot at the new turnaround location to include approximately parking spots.  Install a total of 6 elevated, accessible dune crossovers to be located at the main parking area, the new smaller parking area, and at the existing turnaround.

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Gulf Islands National Seashore Perdido Key / Johnson Beach Environmental Assessment PRELIMINARY ATLERNATIVE 3  Establish 7 pull-in parking areas (constructed with Bahama rock or shell) along the road corridor that would accommodate approximately 20 parking spots each, for a total of 140 spots.  Create a new turnaround at the end of the new driving area.  Install 12 elevated, accessible dune crossovers, including 8 to the south and 4 to the north.

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Gulf Islands National Seashore Perdido Key / Johnson Beach Environmental Assessment PRELIMINARY ALTERNATIVE 4  Construct 3 new small parking lots along the road corridor that would accommodate approximately 20 parking spots each for a total of 60 spots.  Install 6 elevated, accessible dune crossovers including 4 to the south and 2 to the north.

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Gulf Islands National Seashore Perdido Key / Johnson Beach Environmental Assessment PRELIMINARY ALTERNATIVE 5  Expand the existing main parking lot to add approximately 150 parking spots.  Convert Johnson Beach Road to a multiuse trail for bicycles and pedestrian use, eliminating non-emergency vehicle access.  Install 11 new elevated, accessible dune crossovers along the road corridor, at the existing parking area, and at the end of the road.

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Gulf Islands National Seashore Perdido Key / Johnson Beach Environmental Assessment PRELIMINARY ALTERNATIVES MAP COMPARISON

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Gulf Islands National Seashore Perdido Key / Johnson Beach Environmental Assessment TELL US YOUR IDEAS  Discuss your ideas/ list your concerns.  What activities do you typically go to Perdido Key to participate in?  What about this project is most important to you?  What criteria are important for you to consider this project successful?

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Gulf Islands National Seashore Perdido Key / Johnson Beach Environmental Assessment HOW TO COMMENT  Please provide you input by September 15, 2015  Discuss your ideas / list your concerns.  Comment on-line at:  Fill out the comment card and drop it off or mail it in.  Write to us: National Park Service Gulf Islands National Seashore Attention: Perdido Key / Johnson Beach EA 1801 Gulf Breeze Parkway Gulf Breeze, FL  Attend public meeting when the Environmental Assessment is released and give us your feedback.

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Gulf Islands National Seashore Perdido Key / Johnson Beach Environmental Assessment Please Come Again!