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:
- Establishes how the trail will be developed and managed over the next 20 years
- Assesses potential impacts on natural and cultural resources
- Identifies the trail's significant places and stories and how to protect resources critical to the trail
- Crafts meaningful visitor experiences on land and water
- Defines management objectives and alternatives to meet those objectives
- Recommends a preferred alternative for managing the trail.
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 3,000-mile scope and diverse resources. Segment planning will be needed to 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:
- James River, Chickahominy River, Nansemond River, and Elizabeth River
- Cape Charles and Lower Eastern Shore
- Nanticoke River
- Middle Bay
- Patapsco River
- Patuxent River
- Potomac River
- Head of the Bay
- Susquehanna River and Sassafras River
- Rappahannock River and Piankatank River
- York River, Mattaponi River, and Pamunkey River
The James River segment is the first stretch of the Captain John Smith Chesapeake NHT to undergo segment planning. The National Park Service is working with the James River Association, Chesapeake Conservancy, 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.
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.
