Park Planning
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A new national trail takes shape through careful planning. In the initial years after designation of the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail in 2006, the National Park Service led a comprehensive planning process to determine how the trail's resources can be managed and how visitors can best experience the trail. NPS enlisted broad involvement of the general public as well as federal agencies, state and local governments, nonprofit organizations, American Indian groups, businesses, and various other entities in order to develop the best framework for managing the trail over time. Comprehensive Management Plan The National Park Service completed the comprehensive management plan and environmental assessment (CMP/EA) for the trail in February 2011, following a two-year public planning process. The comprehensive management plan is required by the National Trails System Act. The environmental assessment is required by the National Environmental Policy Act. The CMP/EA:
The National Park Service issued a draft CMP/EA on September 30, 2010, for a 30-day public comment period. This CMP document describes four different alternative concepts for protecting, developing, and managing the trail and includes analysis of the impacts and consequences of implementing each alternative. Based on reviews and public comments the actions and programs in the NPS preferred alternative now constitute the comprehensive management plan for the Smith trail. The complete CMP/EA as amended for final approval is available for download by chapter on the trail's website. The document includes a summary of the history of the trail, descriptions of resources associated with the trail, four alternative management concepts, and the preferred alternative. The comprehensive management plan will guide decisions about the trail for the next 20 years. The plan will be implemented through a series of 3-5 year action plans, as funding becomes available. Segment Planning The comprehensive management plan determined that the trail can best be developed and managed in smaller segments, given the trail's 2,100-mile scope and diverse resources. The segment planning approach helps NPS effectively understand the local resources, opportunities, and partner capacities in each segment. Segment plans will tier off the CMP and address a five-year timeframe. Plans will require approval by NPS, which has trail-wide responsibilities for administering the Smith trail. Initial trail management segments include:
The James River segment was the first stretch of the Captain John Smith Chesapeake NHT to undergo segment planning. The National Park Service worked with the James River Association, Chesapeake Conservancy, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Commonwealth of Virginia in a collaborative planning process to identify resources, specific actions, and partnerships required to develop and manage the trail in the segment between Richmond and the Route 17 Bridge, including the free-flowing tidal portion of the Chickahominy River. Five focus areas were identified and a set of strategies developed for enhancing visitor experience along the James River segment of the Trail. Click through on the links below to read an overview of the James River segment plan, and to see the entire plan. Beginning in December, 2012, planning for the Potomac River segment is underway. Included in the planning team is the Potomac Conservancy, the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, state of Maryland, Commonwealth of Virginia, and the Chesapeake Conservancy. Conservation Strategy for the John Smith Trail
The trail's Comprehensive Management Plan called for development of a conservation strategy to guide conservation of resources which contribute to the visitor experience along the trail. Throughout 2012, the National Park Service, in collaboration with the Chesapeake Conservancy, consulted closely and regularly with the trail Advisory Council in developing a Conservation Strategy for the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail. The Advisory Council, whose members are appointed by the Secretary of the Interior, represents a wide range of state and federal agencies, non-governmental organizations, and citizens. The Conservation Strategy sets out a long-term strategy for conserving lands important to the visitor experience of the John Smith Trail. Its purpose is several-fold:
In short, the strategy provides the means for defining priority conservation areas relative to the trail and designing appropriate conservation methods. Its focus is on saving the places that enrich visitor experiences and recreation along the trail and that contribute synergy to the many programs working to improve quality of life along the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers.
Trail Advisory Council The advisory council for the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail, initially appointed by the Secretary of the Interior in 2008, consists of representatives of federal and state agencies and Bay-related organizations. The council consults with the Secretary on matters relating to the trail and assists the National Park Service in planning, identifying significant trail resources, and other matters. For information on the Trail Advisory Council, see the Frequently Asked Questions page on the trail's website. Public Involvement Wide public participation is essential throughout the trail planning process. Input from the public helps guide the National Park Service in finding the best methods to manage, interpret, and access the trail. Through workshops, consultations, and the public comment process, the National Park Service asks the public to help shape the framework for long-term management and use of the trail. Throughout the comprehensive management planning process the public was informed and invited to comment through the National Park Service Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC)website. To learn of opportunities to participate in public meetings or workshops as trail planning and development continue, contact us to be added to the email contact list. Interpretive Plan As part of the trail planning process the National Park Service has prepared an interpretive plan for the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail. The interpretive plan provides a vision for interpretive, educational, and recreational opportunities related to the trail, and defines short-and long-term goals for making meaningful connections between visitors and Chesapeake Bay resources. A product of collaboration with Chesapeake Bay Gateways, agencies, tribes, community organizations, and others, the interpretive plan is a guiding document with reference information that trail partners can use to develop visitor experiences along the trail. Download the Interpretive Plan (4 MB) Feasibility Study and Environmental Assessment The current planning process builds upon early planning documents. The Feasibility Study and Environmental Assessment for the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail, published in July 2006, was an essential part of the trail designation process. The document, prepared by the National Park Service and available for public comment prior to publication, is the foundation for trail planning. You can read the document by selecting the files below.
Statement of Significance The statement of significance for the John Smith Trail is a report on national significance used to determine whether the proposed trail meets criteria for designation as a national historic trail. You can read a brief overview or download the document in its entirety or in sections.
Chespeake Bay Special Resource Study Responding to a request from Congress included within report language for the Fiscal Year 1999 Interior Appropriations Act, the National Park Service prepared the Chesapeake Bay Special Resource Study and Final Environmental Impact Statement (SRS/FEIS) to explore the potential for a new unit of the National Park System focused on the Chesapeake Bay. The SRS/FEIS examines: whether having additional Chesapeake Bay resources within the Naitonal Park System would meet NPS criteria and would advance partnership efforts to conserve and restore the Chesapeake Bay; defines alternative concepts for how the National Park System might best represent the resources and significance of the Chesapeake Bay; and identifies a preferred alternative. Download the entire report - .pdf (17 MB) (Note: this is a very large file and will take a significant amount of time to download, especially for those on dial-up connections) Download individual chapters and sections:
Record of Decision: Chesapeake Bay Special Resource Study & Final Environmental Impact Statement - .pdf (144 kb) |
Did You Know?
In the 17th century, the Chesapeake Bay hosted hundreds of thousands of acres of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) beds filled with juvenile fish and abundant blue crabs. Today the disappearance of these beds is a sign of an ecosystem in serious decline. Today fewer than 75,000 acres remain.