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April 21, 2020
Record of Determination for a Temporary Closure of Greenbelt Park Campground and Laurel Picnic Area for Roadway Reconstruction in Greenbelt Park
Pursuant to 36 CFR § 1.5, the National Park Service is extending the temporary closure of the Greenbelt Park campground and picnic areas from Monday, July 15, 2019 through Monday March 15, 2021. The closures during this time period will consist of a temporary closure of the majority of Park Central roadway between the park entrance and the Goodluck Road Parking Area.
The temporary closures are required in order to allow work under a contract issued by the NPS for the replacement of Still Creek Bridge, the placement of two box culverts, and the resurfacing of all paved areas from the park entrance to the Ranger Station. These areas include U.S. Park Police Parking, Greenbelt Headquarters Parking, Sweetgum Parking Area, Holly Parking Area, Laurel Parking Area, Dogwood Parking Area, Goodluck Road Parking Area and all road surfaces from the park entrance to the intersection of Park Central Road and the road to the Ranger Station. Roadway reconstruction will largely include the removal and replacement of existing asphalt pavement.
The closures will prohibit all vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic in the construction work zone. The temporary closures are necessary for the safety of park visitors, National Park Service (NPS) employees, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) employees, and construction crews while this work is performed. Less restrictive measures will not suffice in ensuring protection of the public, workers, and the resource.
A variety of best management practices for the mitigation of storm water impacts will be installed throughout the construction area, as required by the Maryland Department of Environment. These include the replacement of the Still Creek Bridge, installation of the box culverts and removal of some pavement along the walking trail to Goodluck Road. In consultation with the Maryland State Historic Preservation Office this project has been determined not to adversely affect any historic properties. This project has been determined to be within a National Environmental Protection Act Categorical Exclusion for maintenance activities on existing infrastructure. All work will be performed consistent with these determinations.
The temporary closures of the Greenbelt Park campground and picnic areas will occur for an additional four months in duration. Due to park planning efforts, no reservations for either area have been impacted. Because of this and the limited time period, the closures are not of a nature,
magnitude, or duration that will result in significant alteration in the public use pattern of these park areas. Use of the hiking trail system in Greenbelt Park will remain uninterrupted during this time period. The temporary closure will not require a long-term or significant modification in the resource management objectives of National Capital Parks-East or Greenbelt Park.
Accordingly, pursuant to 36 CFR § 1.5(b), publication as rulemaking in the Federal Register is unnecessary and unwarranted. This determination is consistent with past partial and temporary park closures or public use limitations in the National Capital Region.
Pursuant to 36 CFR § 1.7, notice of the closure will be made via posting, electronic communication, and by park staff direction. This Record of Determination is available upon request. Violation is prohibited.
This is a record of decision under 36 CFR 1.5 (c), and is limited to the Interior Region 1 - National Capital Area (NCA) parks. The National Park Service (NPS) is implementing an immediate public use limitation for all permitted events and demonstrations covered by the regulations at 36 CFR 7.96. This comes in response to new public health advisories and limitations on large events from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and from the state and local jurisdictions where these parks are located. Specifically, the NPS will not accept applications for permits for demonstrations or for special events that are scheduled to occur over the next eight weeks. All events currently scheduled will be cancelled or postponed to a later date, at the discretion of the applicant.
The NPS has determined that allowing gatherings larger than 25 people is not reasonably consistent with the protection and use of any park areas under 7.96(g)(2)(ii), and the applicable public health orders from the local government. Consistent with our decision not to issue permits for public gatherings, no event that would require a permit under the small group exception enunciated in 7.96 (g)(2)(i) will be permitted in any area covered by the regulations at 36 CFR 7.96. The limited number of areas where a larger small group exception normally exists by regulation at 7.96 (g)(2)(ii) will operate under the small group exception at 7.96 (g)(2)(i).
This closure is issued in compliance with current CDC event guidelines and the DC Public Health order limiting gatherings of more than 50 people (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019- ncov/community/large-events/mass-gatherings-ready-for-covid-19.html); and Mayor’s Order Prohibiting Mass Gatherings in Response to COVID-19 (March 16, 2020) (limiting gatherings to groups no larger than 50).
This limited public use restriction is based on the recommendations of the CDC and after consultation with affected localities and states. This is an unprecedented public health emergency. The NPS will continue to coordinate and consult with federal and local public health agencies, and will revisit this decision, as soon as circumstances change.
These public use limitations are necessary to ensure the safety of visitors and employees and prevent the spread of a disease that has already been designated as a pandemic by the World Health Organization. Visitors may still visit open areas of the parks, and demonstrate without a permit in small groups, with adherence to guidelines for protecting vulnerable populations, hand hygiene, and social distancing.
The use limitation will not adversely affect the park’s natural, aesthetic or cultural values; nor require significant modification to the resource management objections; nor, given the circumstances should it be of a highly controversial nature. Accordingly, the NPS determines publication as rulemaking in the Federal Register is unwarranted under 36 C.F.R. § 1.5(c). This is consistent with hundreds of earlier partial and temporary park closures or public use limitations, the legal opinion of the Office of the Solicitor, and judicial adjudications. Mahoney
v. Norton, No. 02-1715 (D.D.C. August 29, 2002), plaintiff’s emergency motion for injunction pending appeal denied Mahoney v. Norton, No. 02-5275 (D.C. Cir. September 9, 2002) (per curiam); Picciotto v.United States, No. 99-2113 (D.D.C. August 6, 1999); Picciotto v. United States, No. 94-1935 (D.D.C. September 9, 1994); Picciotto v. Lujan, No. 90-1261 (D.D.C. May 30, 1990); Picciotto v. Hodel, No. 87-3290 (D.D.C. January 26, 1988); Spiegel v. Babbitt, 855 F.Supp. 402 (D.D.C.1994), aff'd in part w/o op. 56 F.3d 1531 (D.C. Cir. 1995), reported in full, 1995 US App. Lexis15200 (D.C. Cir. May 31, 1995). Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 1.7, notice of this public use limitation will be made through media advisories, maps, and by posting at conspicuous locations in the affected park areas. Finally, pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 1.5(c), this determination is available to the public upon request.
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Greenbelt Park will not accept applications for permits for demonstrations or for special events that are scheduled to occur until May 15. All events currently scheduled will be cancelled or postponed to a later date, at the discretion of the applicant.
If you apply to host an event scheduled after May 15:
Depending on conditions when your event is scheduled, the National Park Service may make changes to permits it issues or cancel events in order to implement public health guidance.
Campground is CLOSED until Early 2021 for a Park repaving project and bridge replacement.
The park has a Site Specific Reservation System for all campsites.
Greenbelt is a cash free park.
All sites will be on the reservation system. We have eliminated the walk-in sites and the cash/check drop box. You will need reservations to pay for the campsites.
The campground fee is $20.00 per night.
There is a 50% discount ($10.00) for America the Beautiful Senior Pass and America the Beautiful Access card holders.
How Fees are Used
The proposed changes in fees will fund projects that directly benefit our park, like campground improvement projects. Planned projects include camp site refurbishment, replacing worn out picnic tables and grills, visitor center upgrades and the addition of new campfire circles.
Fees collected are to be used to fund projects that address deferred maintenance needs, provide new visitor programs and services, protect resources, and improve and rehabilitate facilities for visitors. The majority of funds used for national park management come from Congressional appropriations. By using collected recreation fees, visitors help the National Park Service cover part of the cost of their visit.
The fees also help the National Park Service improve the condition of the picnic areas, and respond to increased demand for visitor facilities and services.
More information on passesThe campground offers 174 campground sites with hot showers and bathroom facilities. Park rangers and campground hosts are available.
There are no electrical or water hookups available.
There are hot showers, bathroom facilities and a dump station available to registered campers.
We recommend that you bring in store bought firewood. Campers cannot bring non-store bought firewood into the park or campground because of the Emerald Ash borer threat.
There is a three tent, six person and two vehicle maximum per site.
If you need to occupy two sites because of the length of your RV and towed vehicle, you will need to pay for two sites.
Make reservations
Greenbelt is a cash-free park. All sites are now on the reservation system. We are eliminating the walk-in sites and the cash/check drop box. You will need to reserve a campsite to pay.
Fees
The campground fee is $20.00 per night.
There is a 50% discount ($10.00) for America the Beautiful Senior Pass and America the Beautiful Access card holders.
How Fees are Used
The proposed changes in fees will fund projects that directly benefit our park, like campground improvement projects. Planned projects include camp site refurbishment, replacing worn out picnic tables and grills, visitor center upgrades and the addition of new campfire circles.
Fees collected are to be used to fund projects that address deferred maintenance needs, provide new visitor programs and services, protect resources, and improve and rehabilitate facilities for visitors. The majority of funds used for national park management come from Congressional appropriations. By using collected recreation fees, visitors help the National Park Service cover part of the cost of their visit.
The fees also help the National Park Service improve the condition of the picnic areas, and respond to increased demand for visitor facilities and services.
Campground Information
The campground offers 174 campground sites with hot showers and bathroom facilities. Park rangers and campground hosts are available.
- There are no electrical or water hookups available.
- There are hot showers, bathroom facilities and a dump station available to registered campers.
- We recommend that you bring in store bought firewood. Campers cannot bring non-store bought firewood into the park or campground because of the Emerald Ash borer threat.
- There is a three tent, six person and two vehicle maximum per site.
- If you need to occupy two sites because of the length of your RV and towed vehicle, you will need to pay for two sites.
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