Date: March 22, 2010
Contact: Ray Cozby, 360-816-6238
VANCOUVER, WA – Superintendent Tracy Fortmann has announced that public scoping for the transfer of the East and South Vancouver Barracks has begun.
“We at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site are beginning work on the East and South Vancouver Barracks Master Plan,” announced Superintendent Fortmann. “We will prepare an environmental assessment (EA) as part of this effort. Scheduled for completion in 2011, this master plan will establish clear direction for the rehabilitation and public use of the East and South Barracks after the U.S. Army Reserve transfers them to the National Park Service.”
“In preparation for this new chapter in our park’s history,” Fortmann explained, “we are now kicking off the public scoping phase, which is devoted to identifying and understanding issues and alternatives that the plan should address. By sharing your opinions about the project now, you can truly make a difference in the outcome of this master plan.”
Public scoping comments are welcome from March 20 to May 1, 2010. They may be submitted online at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/fova (preferred) or in writing. Written comments can be mailed to:
Fort Vancouver National Historic Site
612 East Reserve Street
Vancouver, WA 98661
In addition, two public scoping meetings and site tours will take place on Wednesday, April 7, 2010. They will be held at the Red Cross building within the Vancouver National Historic Reserve, located on the northeast corner of Barnes Street and Hatheway Road.
Details are as follows:
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
12-2pm and 6-8pm
Red Cross Building
605 Barnes Street
Vancouver, WA 98661
These two meetings will take the form of an open house, starting with a brief presentation by park staff, followed by a chance to talk with park officials about issues the public thinks the NPS should consider with regards to the East and South Vancouver Barracks. The public will be able to submit written comments at the meetings.
The public is encouraged to please consider the following questions when submitting comments:
• What do you like best about the East and South Barracks?
• What opportunities do you see for these areas?
• What issues and alternatives do you think the plan should address?
• What challenges should we keep in mind?
FOR MORE INFORMATION: You can obtain more project information and updates, sign up for the mailing list, and submit comments online at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/fova or by calling the park at (360) 816-6212.
OVERVIEW - In 2011, the U.S. Army Reserve will vacate and relinquish all lands and structures within the East and South Barracks to the National Park Service. In preparation for this transfer, a long-term vision and master plan must be established for this area that respond to the planning framework already established for Fort Vancouver National Historic Site.
Over the years, there have been other plans, such as the Cooperative Management Plan (2000), General Management Plan (2003), Long-Range Interpretive Plan (2004) and the Historic Reserve Cultural Landscape Report (2005), that have established direction for the future rehabilitation, resource preservation, and public use of the East and South Barracks.
Building on this guidance, the East and South Barracks Master Plan will establish a more focused direction for this area and will lay the groundwork for future site design and development.
We anticipate that the East and South Barracks Master Plan/Environmental Assessment will be available for public review in the summer of 2011 and completed in the fall before the Army vacates the premises. The public will be able to download the document online at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/fova, and a limited number of copies will also be available at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. We will also hold public meetings after the Master Plan/EA is issued.
