News Release

Assateague Island National Seashore Announces Public Comment Period for Environmental Assessment of South Ocean Beach Parking/OSV Entrance Project-Public Meeting July 11th

Date: July 5, 2023
Contact: Hugh Hawthorne, 410-629-6080

Berlin MD- The Public Comment period for the Environmental Assessment Phase of the Assateague Island National Seashore South Ocean Beach Parking/OSV Entrance Restructuring Plan is now open.   

This project is being considered to improve the safety of the South Ocean Beach area by ending conflicts between parking lot users, walkers, bicyclists, Life of the Dunes hikers, and OSV users. In addition, moving facilities will 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. Finally, the project will significantly decrease yearly maintenance costs for the parking lot and lessen roadside parking in the South Ocean Beach area.   

The preferred alternative for the plan includes re-routing the Oversand Vehicle Area entrance road to the west side of the South Ocean Beach parking lot, paving and slightly enlarging the parking lot, moving the restrooms and showers to the west, moving the end of the road rotary to the north, and creating a loop at the end of the bike path.  
 
To get the full details of the plan and voice your opinion, please use the National Park Service’s Planning, Environment and Public Comment web site at: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/SouthOceanBeach. Comments can also be mailed to Superintendent, Assateague Island National Seashore 7206 National Seashore Lane Berlin MD 21811.   

There will be a public comment meeting at the Assateague Island Environmental Education Center (Park Headquarters) 7206 National Seashore Lane, on Tuesday July 11^th between 4 PM and 7 PM. Full details of the plan and preferred alternative will be available at the meeting, along with opportunities to comment and to discuss the project with park planning staff. 
   
The public comment period will be open until Tuesday August 1^st.   

For general information about the Seashore and park activities access the park’s web site at www.nps.gov/asis or call 410-641-1441.