News Release

NPS to hold 2nd public meeting for proposed demolition of structures within NRGNPP

Date: October 4, 2024
Contact: Eve West, 304-719-6364

GLEN JEAN, WV – The National Park Service (NPS) invites interested members of the public to attend a 2nd public meeting related to the Proposed Demolition of Historic Structures Environmental Assessment (EA) in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve (the park). The proposal is part of a larger project within the park funded by the Great American Outdoors Act Legacy Restoration Fund to rehabilitate historic structures, invest in park infrastructure, address deferred maintenance needs, and reduce unnecessary operational costs and maintenance burdens.  
 
The meeting will take place on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at the New River Convention Center, 497 Mall Road, Oak Hill, WV. The doors will open at 5:30 pm and the meeting will begin at 6:00 pm. During the meeting the NPS will present information about the EA that identifies 19 historic structures and one non-historic addition to a historic structure as potentially excess and appropriate for demolition. These structures were evaluated by NPS employees for historic status during the planning process; they are considered historic and are either listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. The EA evaluates three alternatives for the structures. Additional information about the alternatives can be found in the document and will be provided at the public meeting. The public also will be given the opportunity to ask questions and provide comments with a limit of five minutes per person.
 
The EA will be open for comment from October 7, 2024, through November 8, 2024, at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/GAOAExcessStructureDemo. Additional information about the project can also be found on this site and the park website at nps.gov/neri for those unable to attend the meeting. Comments can be provided on personal computers anytime within the comment period and during the public meeting via park-provided computers and comment cards.
 
Impacts related to removal of these structures from the park have been assessed through the National Environmental Policy Act and the National Historic Preservation Act compliance processes. 
 
The NPS is simultaneously seeking public review and comment on a draft Programmatic Agreement regarding the potential effects to historic properties that might occur if the demolition project is implemented. Inclusion of the draft Programmatic Agreement within the EA constitutes the public review and comment opportunity as part of the requirements to meet our obligations under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. The Programmatic Agreement can be found in Appendix D of the EA and we invite your comments as part of the EA review.
 
Many of the buildings and structures came into the possession of the NPS through land acquisition within established park boundaries. Most were not intended for reuse by the NPS and are now abandoned, dilapidated, and overgrown safety hazards that are vulnerable to trespassing and vandalism and are a burden to maintain. Removing the unnecessary structures would address deferred maintenance needs and eliminate excess yearly maintenance and law enforcement costs, allowing staff to focus attention and financial resources on maintaining other facilities and resources that park visitors can enjoy. 
 
The structures considered for removal through this project are:
 

• Charles Ashley Garage
• Charles Ashley Outbuilding
• May Bagoski House
• Harold Smith House
• Wedzel Young House
• Tom Kelly House
• Thurmond Ice House
• McGuffin Garage
• Erskine Pugh Rental House
• Philip A McClung/Meadows House
• Sidney Allen Ward House

• James Humphrey Sr. House
• Marilyn Brown House
• Dun Glen Building
• Dun Glen Ark
• Dun Glen Mini Ark
• Dun Glen Boat Storage Rack
• Prince Brothers' General Store
• Brookside Pool Chemical Treatment Building
• Vallandingham House Addition

 The Great American Outdoors Act is part of a concerted effort to address the extensive maintenance backlog in national parks. Supported by revenue from energy development, the fund provides the NPS with up to $1.3 billion per year for five years to make significant enhancements in national parks to ensure their preservation and provide opportunities for recreation, education, and enjoyment for current and future visitors.  
 
About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 430+ national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.