CMP Public Comment Period Open

Date: October 6, 2010
Contact: Cindy Chance, 410-260-2492

The National Park Service Chesapeake Bay released its draft Comprehensive Management Plan/Environmental Assessment for Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail today. Public review of the plan is encouraged and comments may be made for thirty days. After the public comment period closes, an analysis of the comments will be made and a final Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP) will be submitted to Congress. The CMP will guide management of the trail for the next twenty years.

The Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail, the first national water trail, commemorates the explorations of John Smith on the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries in 1607-1609, tracing approximately 3,000 miles of his voyages. Among the four alternatives for management of the trail, the draft CMP discusses the selection of the preferred alternative based on the analysis and findings of the NPS planning team as well as on public comments received during the planning process. The preferred management alternative offers greater advantages in protection of trail-related resources, interpretation and understanding for visitors, and public use and enjoyment of the trail.

"With continuing public involvement, development of this first national water trail will respond to visitor-identified needs and preferred experiences", said John Maounis, superintendent of the trail. "The promise of the trail is to help the millions of people in the Chesapeake region to experience, understand, and care to protect the natural beauty and resources of the Bay."

The full draft CMP is available for download at the trail's planning website: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/cajo. The preferred method of comment is online at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/cajo. Comments may also be emailed to e-mail us or by letter sent to the attention of Superintendent, CAJO, at the office cited above.

A CD or print copy is also available and may be obtained by emailing e-mail us or by calling the trail office at 410-260-2488. The document may also be reviewed at the trail office at 410 Severn Avenue, Suite 314, Annapolis, MD, 21403.

The draft will be available for public review and comment through November 5^th, 2010. All comments, including personal identifying information, may be made publically available at any time. For more information about the trail, visit www.smithtrail.net.

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