Management

 

South Ocean Beach Parking Area and Over-Sand Vehicle Entrance Road Reconfiguration 5-31-2022

The National Park Service (NPS) is beginning a planning process for the reconfiguration of the South Ocean Beach Parking Area and Over-Sand Vehicle (OSV) Entrance Road at Assateague Island National Seashore in Maryland.

The project would make the South Ocean Beach recreation area more resilient to natural coastal processes and future storm events, improve safety, and protect and enhance the visitor experience and park resources through visitor use management strategies. More info..

 

2024 Superintendent's Compendium

Designations, closures, permit requirements and other restrictions imposed under discretionary authority.

 

Foundation Document for Assateague Island National Seashore

(PDF file 4.3 MB)
To be able to effectively manage a national park unit and plan for its future, a basic understanding of a park’s resources, values, and history is needed — a foundation for planning and management. What is the purpose of this park — why was it included in the national park system? What makes it significant? What are its fundamental resources and values? What legal and policy requirements, special mandates, and administrative commitments apply to this park? What are the park’s key planning and data needs? Foundation documents answer all of these questions and, thus, serve as the underlying guidance for all management decisions and for future planning work in parks. Foundation documents are also at the core of each park’s planning portfolio.

 

Finding of No Significant Impact - Parking Area Removal and Relocation

(PDF file, 2.2 MB)
The National Park Service, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Eastern Lands Highway Division, prepared an environmental assessment to evaluate alternatives for relocating two parking areas to more sustainable locations in response to damage from Hurricane Sandy on October 29, 2013. The Bayside Picnic and South Ocean Beach parking areas are located in positions that are vulnerable to future storm events.

 

Historic Context Study of Waterfowl Hunting Camps and Related Properties within Assateague Island National Seashore, Maryland and Virginia

(PDF file, 373kb)
Assateague Island National Seashore possesses numerous cultural resources. Among them are eleven identified standing “waterfowl hunting camps.” To help determine the significance of these resources, and as part of a larger Determination of Eligibility Study, Eshelman & Associates was contracted to complete a Historic Context Study. A four-phase plan was undertaken to complete this project: a) research, b) field work, c) preliminary draft and review and, d) revision and submission of final historic context study.

 

OSV & Backcountry Users Survey

(PDF file, 3.6 MB)
This report describes the results of Assateague Island National Seashore’s Oversand Vehicle (OSV) and Backcountry visitor telephone survey conducted from November 2007 to January 2008. Surveys were administered to a total of 43 OSV users and Backcountry area users. The goals of this study were to (1) gather information about user attitudes regarding current management practices of the OSV zone and backcountry camping areas and (2) provide data for a more in-depth written survey to be administered following completion of this report.

 

Feral Horse Management at Assateague Island National Seashore

Assateague Island National Seashore proposes to develop and assess the environmental consequences of several alternatives for long-term management of the Assateague feral horses.

 

Assateague Island National Seashore Administrative History

Initial chapter traces events leading to seashore establishment; subsequent topical chapters address land acquisition, planning, relations with other agencies, physical development, resources management, and public use. Appendix includes legislation, personnel roster, visitation statistics.