Gettysburg, PA, April 20, 1998 – At the quarterly meeting of Gettysburg National Military Park’s Advisory Commission, held April 15, Superintendent John Latschar announced that the draft General Management Plan (GMP) will include, either as appendixes or as publicly available references, pro forma information about the financial workings of the proposed new National Park Service (NPS) Visitor Center and Museum, and final copies of consultants reports on such issues as traffic and economic impacts.

"The draft GMP and Environmental Impact Statement is underway," said Superintendent Latschar, "and will be printed and distributed to almost 4,000 individuals, agencies, and organizations on the park’s mailing list for a 60-day public review period, scheduled to begin in June." The public review period will include a public meeting and possibly an open house, according to the Superintendent.

Gerald Bennett, Commission Chairman, presented the results of a historians’ review commissioned by the executive committee of the Advisory Commission. A panel of seven noted Civil War historians was asked to review battle activity at the Levan site where the new NPS facility is proposed.

The report concludes that members of the panel agreed with NPS historians’ assessment of battle-related activity on the Levan property during July 1-3 1863. The panel also endorsed the process developed by park planning staff and historians to determine significant 1863 landscape features, their relationship to the outcome of the battle and the extent of their change over the past 135 years. This process of historical analysis is a basis for the new GMP.

The Commission then offered a forum for citizens to express opinions and comments on NPS plans. The majority of the comments offered by local citizens and merchants were concerns about traffic and local economic impacts of the proposed new Visitor Center and Museum. Over 100 citizens attended the meeting, and 27 offered comments.

Chairman Bennett stated that the Advisory Commission will consider the comments received in determining the advice and recommendations it will make to NPS.

The proposed public-private partnership would provide a new museum for artifacts, archives, and the Cyclorama painting, ensuring their preservation for future generations; improve the educational experience for park visitors; and restore the union battle line at Cemetery Ridge -- all at no cost to the federal government or to the tax payers.

NPS is currently gathering public comment on these plans through an extensive public involvement process. At the same time it is negotiating with the proposer, Kinsley Equities, to revise, enhance, and improve their proposal.

"Our intent is to make sure that all activities in the new complex are appropriate, necessary, and benefit the NPS and our visitors," said Superintendent Latschar.

On March 2, NPS announced that changes have been made to the proposal, including an expansion of NPS space for library and research, and a reduction in the space allotted for the theater, gift shop, and food services.

The next Advisory Commission meeting will be July 16, 1998. For more information about the planned project, please contact Katie Lawhon, Gettysburg National Military Park, 97 Taneytown Road, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325, telephone (717) 334-1124 ext. 452. Park plans are posted on the worldwide web at www.nps.gov/gett/.