Park Planning

Assateague Island National Seashore prepares a variety of planning and environmental documents to help guide it in managing park resources. These documents can range from site-specific impact analyses on facility locations to broader park-wide plans for future use and management of the park. Several of these documents can be found on the National Park Service Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) website.

 

General Management Plan

The Abbreviated Final General Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement (GMP/EIS) for Assateague Island National Seashore is now available on the NPS Planning, Environmental and Public Comment website. "The General Management Plan (GMP) will guide Assateague Island National Seashore managers for the next 15 to 20 years in protecting the Seashore's natural and cultural features," said Seashore Superintendent Deborah Darden. “The GMP sets the stage for managers to respond to island changes likely to occur due to natural processes, climate change, and sea level rise."

 

Your New Beach Experience

Although funding is currently unavailable, planning is underway to offer a new beach experience 1.5 miles north of the current recreational beach in the Virginia District. This project aims to support and sustain the local tourism-based economy while sustainably providing an excellent visitor experience. Please visit the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge website for the most recent updates in this long-term project.

 

Finding of No Significant Impact - Parking Area Removal and Relocation

(PDF file, 2.2 MB)

The National Park Service, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Eastern Lands Highway Division, prepared an environmental assessment to evaluate alternatives for relocating two parking areas to more sustainable locations in response to damage from Hurricane Sandy on October 29, 2013. The Bayside Picnic and South Ocean Beach parking areas are located in positions that are vulnerable to future storm events.

 

Long Range Interpretive Plan

(PDF file, 986kb)
The Long Range Interpretive Plan is an effective and efficient interpretive plan that achieves management goals, provides appropriate services, and promotes appropriate audience experiences. While it considers past interpretive programming, it is primarily a forward-looking document that concentrates on actions needed to create or sustain a vigorous and effective interpretive program for the future.