Alternatives Considered but Dismissed This section describes alternatives considered but eliminated from further study. The reason(s) for dismissal could include technical or economic infeasibility; inability to meet project objectives or resolve need; duplication with other, less environmentally damaging or less expensive alternatives; conflict with an up-to-date and valid park plan, statement of purpose and significance, or other policy, such that a major change in the plan or policy would be needed to implement; or too great an environmental impact. Table 2-2 describes the rationale for dismissing each alternative. Table 22: Rationale for Dismissed Alternatives Alternative Dismissed Dismissal Rationale Interpretation Building “ghostings” using This effect could be misinterpreted that the Ojibwe who lived in the upright wood frames. East Meadow are “gone,” while in reality their descendants are alive and well in the community. Interpretation of the pre-fur The project team identified that the pre-fur trade story is interpreted trade era. to the degree desired and feasible in the Heritage Center museum. Restoration of The project team identified that the Revolutionary-era story is a road and/or accessible minor event and is interpreted to the extent necessary in the Heritage portion of portage trail. Center museum. Infrastructure/Resources Management Large scale ground-disturbing Previous archaeological studies demonstrate that the East Meadow activity, e.g., using heavy contains underground archaeological resources that would be put at machinery to create risk by disturbance. surface. Ecological restoration as The East Meadow is unlikely to be a high-value natural area due to its natural area, e.g., using native history of human use and disturbance, as well as its current location plantings. close to the Grand Portage community. In addition, restoring it as a natural area would not meet the goals of the Park’s enabling legislation.
Alternatives Considered but Dismissed This section describes alternatives considered but eliminated from further study. The reason(s) for dismissal could include technical or economic infeasibility; inability to meet project objectives or resolve need; duplication with other, less environmentally damaging or less expensive alternatives; conflict with an up-to-date and valid park plan, statement of purpose and significance, or other policy, such that a major change in the plan or policy would be needed to implement; or too great an environmental impact. Table 2-2 describes the rationale for dismissing each alternative. Table 22: Rationale for Dismissed Alternatives Alternative Dismissed Dismissal Rationale Interpretation Building “ghostings” using upright wood frames. This effect could be misinterpreted that the Ojibwe who lived in the East Meadow are “gone,” while in reality their descendants are alive and well in the community. Interpretation of the pre-fur trade era. The project team identified that the pre-fur trade story is interpreted to the degree desired and feasible in the Heritage Center museum. Restoration of road and/or accessible portion of portage trail. The project team identified that the Revolutionary-era story is a minor event and is interpreted to the extent necessary in the Heritage Center museum. Infrastructure/Resources Management Large scale ground-disturbing activity, e.g., using heavy machinery to create surface. Previous archaeological studies demonstrate that the East Meadow contains underground archaeological resources that would be put at risk by disturbance. Ecological restoration as natural area, e.g., using native plantings. The East Meadow is unlikely to be a high-value natural area due to its history of human use and disturbance, as well as its current location close to the Grand Portage community. In addition, restoring it as a natural area would not meet the goals of the Park’s enabling legislation.
GRPO-Public-Review-EA-10-18-15.docx