Date: June 14, 2013
National Park Service Announces End of Muir/Strentzel Gravesite Plan Public Scoping Period
The public scoping period for John Muir National Historic Site’s (NHS) Muir/Strentzel Gravesite Plan ends on June 30, 2013. The public scoping period began on March 6, 2013 to solicit input on developing strategies for visitor and resource management at the Muir/Strentzel gravesite in Martinez, California. At least one additional public comment period will occur during the course of this planning process.
John Muir NHS was established in 1964 as a public memorial honoring conservationist and national park advocate John Muir. The park preserves Muir’s home, landscapes, and gravesite. The National Park Service (NPS) acquired the gravesite property in 2000. Through this planning process, John Muir NHS will develop strategies for managing the gravesite’s resources and public visitation to the site, and intends to do so in a manner that respects the residents and landowners surrounding the gravesite.
The Muir/Strentzel gravesite is located approximately one mile south of John Muir’s former home. The 1.27-acre parcel contains a historic pear orchard and a small family burial area that includes John Muir’s final resting place. The site is bounded by Alhambra Creek to the southeast and single-family residences to the north, west and south.
In 1980, the NPS conducted a feasibility study for adding the Muir/Strentzel gravesite property to John Muir NHS. At that time, the Muir-Hanna Family Trust owned the parcel. In 1988, Congress passed legislation to include the gravesite within the boundary of John Muir NHS. In 1991, the NPS completed a General Management Plan that included a proposed strategy for managing the gravesite. In 1993, the American Land Conservancy purchased the property with the intent of transferring it to the NPS when funds became available, which occurred in 2000.
Public input is welcome through the end of the public scoping period. Comments can be submitted by mail, fax, email, and through the NPS’ Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) commenting system below: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/parkHome.cfm?parkID=309
