New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park Superintendent John Piltzecker announced today that details about the Park’s appropriated budget, project and fee revenues for fiscal year 2004 are available for public review as required by the National Parks and Omnibus Management Act of 1998. Highlights of the park's $625,000 appropriated budget include:

$ 134,000 for Resource Preservation and Management - An integral part of the National Park Service (NPS) mission is to preserve and protect the nation's historical and cultural resources. New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park was established in 1996 in order to "preserve for the benefit and inspiration of the people of the United States as a national historical park certain districts, structures, and relics...associated with the history of whaling and related social, environmental and economic themes." Knowledge about the condition of historical and cultural resources is crucial to managing them. By inventorying and evaluating its resources, the NPS establishes a basis for resource accountability, preservation, and interpretation. For fiscal year 2003 appropriated moneys have been allocated for the following resource preservation activities:

- Providing public access to the Historic District archives.
- Providing technical and staff assistance to the New Bedford Historical Commission.
- Collaborating with the city of New Bedford on physical improvement projects within and adjacent to the historical park.
- Providing preservation-related technical and partnership assistance to park partners.
- Park staff with principal duties in overall park management, resource management and preservation assistance.

$ 272,000 for Visitor Services – National Parks have long been favorite and inexpensive destinations for millions of Americans as well as people from around the world. In fulfillment of the NPS mission to make America's National Parks available for public enjoyment and inspiration, appropriated funds have been allocated for the following visitor service and education activities:

- Support for special events and programs in collaboration with park partners.
- Official Park publications, website, Junior Ranger Program and orientation materials.
- Park sponsored public events/programs, such as the Thursday Evenings in the Park concert series and weekend programming.
- Informational/programming materials, including program bulletins and listings.

- Volunteer in the Parks (VIP) training and management.
- Park staff with principal duties in resource education and visitor services.

$ 87,000 for Facility Operations and Maintenance - The physical inventory of the NPS contains approximately 16,000 permanent structures, 8,000 miles of roads, 1,500 bridges and tunnels, 5,000 housing units, 1,500 water and wastewater systems, 200 radio systems, over 400 dams, and more than 200 solid waste operations. At New Bedford Whaling NHP, property ownership will be minimal and currently consists of the park's visitor center and grounds at 33 William Street. Appropriated funds have been allocated for the following facility operations and maintenance activities:

- Visitor center utilities and improvements.
- Janitorial services/landscape services.
- Security and fire protection.
- Implementation of a cyclic maintenance program.
- Lighting/safety/accessibility improvements.
- Park staff responsible for managing facility maintenance.

$ 123,000 for Park Administration - The operation of New Bedford Whaling NHP includes providing effective resource stewardship and service to approximately 330,000 annual visitors. Park management; financial and budget administration, personnel management, staffing, and employee development; small purchases, formal contracting and property management; cooperative agreements and grant management; and other related activities are currently completed by the park, with assistance by other parks and the Northeast Regional Office. Appropriated funds have been allocated for:

- Park management, administration and employee development.
- Overhead costs (GSA leased office space, supplies, vehicle, postage, etc.)
- Park staff with principal duties in management, administrative support and accountability.

$ 9,000 Mandatory Agency Assessments - The portion of funds removed from the park's budget by the agency for a national program need or fund.

Project and Line-Item Construction Funds:

In addition to the $625,000 appropriation, the park has received $3,437,300 in Line Item Construction and project funding from the NPS. These project funds include:
In addition to the $630,000 appropriation, the park has received $925,500 in Line Item Construction and project funding from the NPS. These project funds include:

$ 500,000 for planning associated with the rehabilitation of the Corson Building - The Corson Building, located next to the park visitor center, suffered a devastating fire that destroyed its roof and top two floors. The building was saved by the Waterfront Historic Area League (WHALE) and stabilized with federal, state and municipal funds. WHALE intends to donate the building to the National Park Service. These planning funds will enable the National Park Service to complete the planning and design phase of a project that would rehabilitate the Corson Building to serve as an education and public program center for the park. These funds were awarded and planning was begun in FY 2003.

$2,500,000 for construction of the Corson Building Project - This funding will be used to phase the construction of the Corson Building project. Early planning estimates put the construction costs of the project at $4,000,000. Once completed, the project will provide education and public programming space, a park theater, exhibit galleries, expanded restrooms and park office space. Construction is anticipated to begin FY2005.
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$ 400,000 for Outdoor Exhibits and Directional Signs - Funding through the Public Lands Highways
Discretionary Program of the US Department of Transportation was awarded in FY 2002 to design and fabricate a new system of outdoor “wayside” interpretive panels and orientation maps throughout the historical park and downtown. These funds were also used to plan a new exhibit for the municipally owned and managed Waterfront Visitor Center (Wharfinger Building). The planning phase of the project was completed in FY 2003. Fabrication and installation will complete this project in FY 2004.

$ 20,500 for a Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum Historic Furnishings Report - Funding through the Cultural Resource Preservation Program will be used to develop a historic furnishings report for the Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum. The completion of this report is recommended in the park’s Collections Management Plan, completed in 2001. The Rotch-Jones-Duff House is a nineteenth century whaling merchant’s home, owned and managed by a non-profit organization. The park has legislative authority to assist in the preservation and interpretation of the site. These funds were approved in fiscal year 2002. The project will be undertaken this year.

$14,500 to complete accessibility improvements at the Park Visitor Center- Funding through the Fee Demo program will allow for the completion of accessibility improvements at the park visitor center which include the installation of an automated button mechanism to open the accessible door, a portico over the accessible entrance and safety and security lighting enhancements at this location. The project will be completed in FY2004.

$ 1,870 for Volunteers in the Park Program Support - The NPS Northeast Region has provided funds to help support the park’s Volunteers in the Park (VIP) program. New Bedford Whaling NHP is indeed lucky to have the support of a devoted group of over seventy volunteers who provide a variety of services for our visitors, from walking tours to orientation and information. Last year, the park’s volunteers contributed over 7,400 hours, hosting over 33,000 people at the park visitor center and conducting over 330 walking tours for more that 2,700 visitors.

A copy of New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park's complete annual performance plan, prepared in accordance with the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA), as well as the park’s General Management Plan, are available by writing to New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, 33 William Street, New Bedford, Massachusetts 02740. The annual performance plan is also available on the park's website at www.nps.gov/nebe.

The goals described in the park's annual performance plan are derived from the NPS Strategic Plan, which establishes a performance management process for the Service and incorporates the requirements of GPRA. The Strategic Plan is available on the ParkNet, the NPS website at www.nps.gov.

New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park was established in 1996 to preserve and interpret America's nineteenth century whaling history. The park, which encompasses a 13-block National Historic Landmark District, is the Service's only unit addressing the history of the whaling industry and its influence on the economic, social and environmental history of the United States. For more information about the park, contact the park visitor center at (508) 996-4095.

Prepared 01/02/04

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