Chalmette Battlefield and National Cemetery

General Management Plan Amendment
and Development Concept Plan

PRELIMINARY CONCEPTS, PUBLIC MEETINGS, NEWSLETTER #2

Dear Friends:

Much progress has been made on the Chalmette Battlefield and National Cemetery GMP and DCP since our last meeting in January, 2004. Our work is going well because we have received valuable input from you. In particular, we would like to extend a special thank-you to members of the Chalmette Battlefield Task Force for their assistance in this important work.

The NPS has refined your recommendations and ideas into three preliminary conceptual designs. At this stage of the planning process, the designs are only intended to encourage constructive discussion about the relative advantages and disadvantages of different approaches. You are invited to help us improve these concepts by attending one of two public meetings on May 5th 2005.

As always, we welcome your thoughts and ideas. Comments need not be limited to the designs we have come up with. Feel free to suggest additional approaches at one of the public meetings or in writing if you would like. A response form is available on the newsletters page for those who are unable to attend a public meeting but would still like an opportunity to contribute their ideas to the planning process.

I hope to see you at one of our public meetings on May 5th in Chalmette.

Sincerely,

Geraldine Smith, Superintendent
Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve

PLANNING UPDATE - DECEMBER, 2004

Dear Friends:

Much progress has been made on the General Management and Development Concept Plan since our meetings this past January. In addition to receiving and analyzing your comments, the NPS has been busy consulting with the Chalmette Battlefield Task Force and other stakeholders to identify the most important issues to be addressed in the plan. It is our pleasure to announce that the Task Force completed its work has documented its recommendations in a final report. You may obtain a copy of the Task Force's final report on the Newsletters Page of this web site. The NPS has prepared an Action Plan to describe how it will address the Task Force's recommendations. The Action Plan can also be obtained on the Newsletters Page.

The NPS extends its sincere appreciation to those government officials, business leaders, and park neighbors who served as members of the Task Force. In particular, we would like to acknowledge the contributions of Chairperson Elizabeth McDougall and Vice Chairperson Bonnie Pepper Cook whose leadership and commitment to partnership were essential to completing this work. We believe the Task Force’s final report and the NPS Action Plan serve admirably as reminders of the many benefits of cooperative decision making and our mutual commitment to good stewardship of the historic resources that make Chalmette Battlefield and National Cemetery and St. Bernard Parish such special places.

Sincerely,

Geraldine Smith, Superintendent
Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve

A MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT - JANUARY, 2004

Dear Friends:

For many of us, the Chalmette Battlefield and National Cemetery holds a special place in our hearts. Thousands of people visit the site to honor those Americans who fought at the Battle of New Orleans or served nobly in the U.S. Military and interred at the historic cemetery.

Since the 1930's, our staff has been privileged to tell the many stories of Chalmette. As we move into the 21st century, the National Park Service is initiating a major planning effort that will guide the future management of the park. What should we be doing to ensure that the cultural and natural resources of the park are protected? What should we be doing to ensure that visitors continue to have a quality experience? What level and type of use are appropriate on the grounds? How can we work with our neighbors to address common problems that affect both the park and surrounding community? Tell us your ideas about these and other topics.

We invite and encourage you to participate in this planning process. Our goal is to develop a plan that will protect the cultural and natural resources of the park, meet the needs of our visitors, and address the concerns of our neighbors. To achieve this, we will work closely with the Chalmette, St. Bernard Parish, other federal and state agencies, private landowners, interest groups, and the general public. The plan that will be produced from this effort will be used to guide management and development decisions at Chalmette Battlefield and National Cemetery for the next 20 years.

You are invited to attend one of two public open house meetings on January 27th and 29th. Open house meetings are informal information-sharing opportunities. Persons attending the meetings are encouraged to visit one or more information stations set up at the meeting location to learn about the planning process and express their ideas, questions, and concerns directly to an NPS representative. A prepared presentation by the NPS will not be part of the program and potential visitors are encouraged to come and go at their convenience anytime during the two hour meeting session.Your thoughts and ideas are vital to the success of the planning process.

We appreciate your interest and look forward to working with you as together we plan the future of Chalmette Battlefield and National Cemetery.

Sincerely,

Geraldine Smith, Superintendent
Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve