Date: August 2, 2011
Contact: Carl S. Zimmerman, 410-629-6171
Berlin, Maryland - Superintendent Trish Kicklighter today announced that the National Park Service will hold public workshops August 16th, 17th and 18th to provide the community with an opportunity to learn about and comment on the new General Management Plan being developed for Assateague Island National Seashore.
The General Management Plan (GMP) will establish a vision for the Seashore and provide broad guidance for its management over the next 15 to 25 years. At this stage in the planning process, the park has developed several preliminary management alternatives, or options for how the National Park Service will go about protecting the Seashore's resources while continuing to provide high quality recreational opportunities. The August workshops will present the alternative management strategies and provide a forum for questions and comments.
In crafting the GMP, the park has chosen to consider climate change and sea level rise as key factors influencing the future of the Seashore. According to Kicklighter, "Barrier islands such as Assateague will be especially vulnerable, and while major impacts are not expected in the near term, now is the time to set the stage so that future managers have options available when conditions do change."
We're really hoping that folks will come out and participate in the workshops. As Superintendent of Assateague, I look forward to working together in planning the future of the Seashore," said Kicklighter. For those not able to attend the workshops, a newsletter is available that describes the GMP planning process and the preliminary management alternatives. A copy of the newsletter can be downloaded from the National Park Service's planning website at www.parkplanning.nps.gov/asis.
The workshops will be held at three locations in the region:
August 16th - 4:30 to 7:30PM in Room 103-A of the Workforce Development Center at Wor-Wic Community College in Salisbury, Maryland
August 17th - 4:30 to 7:30PM at the Education Center Auditorium of the Marine Science Consortium, 34001 Mill Dam Road in Wallops Island, Virginia
August 18th - 6:00 to 9:00PM at the Ocean Pines Library, 11107 Cathell Road in Ocean Pines, Maryland
For more information on Assateague Island National Seashore and the General Management Plan, visit www.nps.gov/asis
