NPS Needs Public’s Reaction to Three Alternatives

NPS Needs Public’s Reaction to Three Alternatives

“This is what many people have been anxiously awaiting,” said Cal Hite, Superintendent of New River Gorge National River (NRGNR). “Utilizing feedback from previous public meetings, we have put together three preliminary concepts, or ways of managing NRGNR for the next 15-20 years. Now we would like the public to tell us what they do or don’t like about each of these scenarios.”

The National Park Service (NPS) hosted public meetings in January, March, and May, regarding revision of the long-range General Management Plan (GMP) for NRGNR, and a new Implementation Plan for the historic Nuttallburg site. A GMP provides a framework regarding protection of park resources and the provision for appropriate visitor experiences. The Implementation Plan will focus on preservation and management activities for the nationally significant historic resources at Nuttallburg .

“The upcoming July meetings offer a ‘preview’ of the alternatives which the NPS is proposing for inclusion in the draft GMP,” explained Debbie Darden, NPS Deputy Superintendent at NRGNR. Darden, who has been overseeing the planning process, said people can comment on an entire alternative or on parts of an alternative.

“We are interested in general, as well as specific comments that will help us fine-tune these strategies for the draft GMP, scheduled for release in late September,” Darden said. “Each alternative incorporates NPS findings on where there are fundamental resources that need to be protected, and where there are opportunities or constraints for different visitor activities.”

Area residents, business owners, local officials, and organizational representatives are encouraged to attend one of the meetings, which are in three locations, at different times.

Sandstone/Hinton Tuesday, July 25th, 2006 from 5-6:30 pm Hinton Technology Center, 301 Summers St., Hinton

Beckley Wednesday, July 26th, 2006 from 3-5pm Tamarack Conference Center, One Tamarack Park (exit 45, I-77)

Fayetteville Thursday, July 27th, 2006 from 7-9pm American Legion Hall, 205 W. Maple Ave., Fayetteville Additional information can be found on the park website (www.nps.gov/neri), or call 304-465-6526 to be put on a mailing list to receive periodic updates on this project.