Decision for Facilities Development Plan Now Available

Date: March 30, 2009
Contact: Meg Scheid, 207-454-3871

The National Park Service (NPS) has issued a decision regarding the Facilities Development Plan (FDP) for Saint Croix Island International Historic Site at Red Beach in Calais, Maine. In the final Facilities Development Plan, the NPS will adopt alternative C from the Environmental Assessment/Assessment of Effect to guide facility development on the mainland portion of the park for the next 15 to 20 years. The FDP outlines appropriate facilities to protect the community’s and site’s remote character, historic structures, cultural landscapes, and natural and cultural resources while enhancing visitor services and operational effectiveness. It also addresses the use of the McGlashan-Nickerson house, acquired by the NPS in 2000, since the General Management Plan was published. It does not address future use of the adjacent privately-owned parcels located within the site’s authorized boundary. Decisions regarding the FDP were based on NPS Management Policies, the park’s general management plan, and 21 public comments.

As outlined in the FDP, the NPS will:

1. Construct a new universally-accessible ranger station with indoor restrooms adjacent to the circular drive.
2. Build a new maintenance facility along Saint Croix Drive at the site of the Lane-Robb house and remove the maintenance shed adjacent to the McGlashan-Nickerson house.
3. Lease the McGlashan-Nickerson house after other facilities are constructed and NPS operations have moved into the new facilities.

Housing for up to two seasonal employees will be provided in one or both new buildings.

Implementation of the Facilities Development Plan will be completed in phases, as funding allows, beginning with the construction of a new ranger station. Ground-breaking for the ranger station is expected to start in the fall of 2009.

A Finding of No Significant Impact, which summarizes NPS decisions and the final Facilities Development Plan are available at the park’s official website at https://www.nps.gov/sacr, or they can be obtained by writing to Saint Croix Island International Historic Site, P.O. Box 247, Calais, Maine 04619, or by calling park ranger Meg Scheid at 207-454-3871.