News Release

Public invited to learn about Draft Transportation Plan

News Release Date: May 9, 2018

Contact: Christie Anastasia, 207-288-8806

BAR HARBOR, MAINE – Acadia National Park’s Draft Transportation Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is available for public comment through June 26, 2018. The National Park Service (NPS) invites the public to provide feedback on the range of management alternatives and potential environmental impacts identified in the Draft Transportation Plan and EIS.

“We want people to learn about and comment on the Draft Transportation Plan,” said Superintendent Kevin Schneider. “We have three information sessions at local libraries and an online information session to learn about the plan and ask questions. We are also hosting two open houses to interact with people and directly receive comments, particularly feedback related to new information and new ideas.”

Starting the week of May 14, public information sessions at three local libraries will feature a presentation on the alternatives with time for questions and answers. The library sessions are for information only, not an opportunity for public comment. Public comment will be received at the open houses or must be submitted in writing at go.nps.gov/AcadiaPlan . Library sessions will be held on Monday, May 14, from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Southwest Harbor Public Library main room (338 Main Street, Southwest Harbor); on Tuesday, May 15, from 7 to 8 p.m., at the Northeast Harbor Library Mellon room (1 Joy Road, Northeast Harbor), and on Wednesday, May 16, from 7 to 8 p.m., at the Jesup Memorial Library main room (34 Mount Desert Street, Bar Harbor). These public information sessions will be streamed live online, courtesy of Friends of Acadia. There will be no interaction with the live online-streamed session; participants can only view the presentation. 

Starting the week of May 21, the NPS is also inviting the public to attend either of two open houses to learn about the Draft Transportation Plan and provide feedback in person. The open houses will be on Tuesday, May 22, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Mount Desert Island High School (1801 Eagle Lake Road/ Route 233) in Bar Harbor, and on Wednesday, May 23, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Peninsula School (71 Main Street/Route 186) in Prospect Harbor. 

During the week of June 11, the NPS is offering an online information session to learn more about the Draft Transportation Plan, on Wednesday, June 13, from 7 to 8 p.m. (EDT). The online session is for information only, not an opportunity for public comment. Public comment will be received at the open houses or must be submitted in writing at go.nps.gov/AcadiaPlan For information on how to register for the virtual public meeting, please visit go.nps.gov/AcadiaPlan and click on “Meeting Notices.” The link to register will be posted Monday May 14.

The Draft Transportation Plan identifies a range of transportation and visitor use management strategies including the NPS’s preferred alternative, which would be phased in over a period of time. The Draft Transportation Plan seeks ways to provide safe and efficient transportation for visitors while ensuring the protection of park resources and values. 

The Draft Transportation Plan and newsletter are available on the National Park Service Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) website at go.nps.gov/AcadiaPlan. Comments may be submitted online at the PEPC website by clicking “Open for Comment” or in writing by mail to: Acadia National Park, Attn: Draft Transportation Plan, P.O. Box 177, Bar Harbor, ME 04609.

To receive direct emails related to the Draft Transportation Plan, please subscribe at https://tinyurl.com/y8shhmxb.