First Steps Are Underway …..

If so, it could mean increased trail and recreation improvements. increasing rangers, facilities, recreation opportunities, and trails.  Please read the Press Release attached below.   

Here is how the Park Systems describes a National Recreational Area... 

Originally, national recreation areas in the Park System were units surrounding reservoirs impounded by dams built by other Federal agencies. The National Park Service manages many of these 12 areas under cooperative agreements. These areas primarily emphasize water-based recreation. The concept of recreational areas has grown to encompass other lands and waters set aside for recreational use by Acts of Congress and now includes 5 major areas in urban centers. Such urban parks combine scarce open spaces with the preservation of significant historic resources and important natural areas in locations that can provide outdoor recreation for large numbers of people. There are also national recreation areas outside the National Park System that are administered by the Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Here is what I found on NRA's surfing the web...

What is the National Recreation Area (NRA)?

NRA's are designated by Congress and authorized by the President by enacting a law.  NRA's recognize specific Bureau of Land Management (BLM) -managed public land as deserving special management.  Unlike some other Congressionally designated units, no pre-existing legislation mandates specific management requirements for an NRA. Each NRA will be managed according to the unique requirements and specifications of the enabling legislation. NRA's remain multiple-use public lands with management emphasis on the important resource(s) that led to the designation.

What happens after designation as an NRA?

When an NRA is established by Congress, the legislation directs BLM to develop a management plan for the public land within the NRA boundary. The planning process would include significant public input via public meetings, briefings, letters, etc.  BLM would use the input from the public, agencies and organizations to establish permitted uses, management practices and management objectives within a specific plan for the NRA. It is unlikely that major changes in current permitted/prohibited activities would occur due to the NRA designation and management plan.  What will likely occur with the NRA designation, however, would be increased levels of management attention, visitor services and visitor use within the area.  Increased visitor use is expected due to national recognition and inclusion on various maps, books and brochures.

Would public access improve?

Current public access is very good in the ONA.  Additional funding associated with an NRA designation would allow for further development of river and trail access points and parking lots, as well as signage. This would likely be one of the issues developed through the planning process.

Would water rights be affected?

Water right issues would not be affected by an NRA designation.

First step in creating a National Recreation Area is underway!

Greetings!

As you may recall the Pennsylvania Environmental Council held a National Recreation Area Briefing on June 4, 2010. Over 100 individuals representing thirty five organizations from across the region attended to learn how National Recreation Areas in New York, Minneapolis, and San Francisco were created and operate today.

At the conclusion of the briefing, representatives from Pennsylvania Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz and New Jersey Congressman Robert Andrews' offices announced that they would be sending a letter to NPS Director Jon Jarvis requesting a Reconnaissance Survey be taken to "identify the nationally significant resources of the Tidal Delaware River in order to determine whether the region merits being designated as a National Recreation Area." Pennsylvania Congressman Patrick Murphy added his name to the letter shortly thereafter. 

On July 26, 2010, Stephen Whitesell, Associate Director of National Park Planning, Facilities, and Lands, responded to the Congressional request saying they (NPS) "will be happy to further investigate the potential for future NPS roles in the region." 

The original plan was to begin the Reconnaissance Survey in October 2010, however budget negotiations in Congress prevented work from beginning. Over the past year the Congressional coalition has grown to include support from Delaware Congressman John Carney.   

On October 18, 2011, we were greeted with good news as the Northeast Regional Office released the following press release:

For Immediate Release

October 18, 2011

Contact: Phil Sheridan, 215-597-0865

National Park Service Announces Reconnaissance Study of the Tidal Delaware River

Philadelphia-National Park Service Northeast Regional Director Dennis Reidenbach has announced the start of a Reconnaissance Study of the Tidal Delaware River.  The study, requested by Pennsylvania Representatives Schwartz and Murphy and New Jersey Representative Andrews, will cover roughly the area between the Scudder Falls Bridge in New Jersey and Pea Patch Island in Delaware. 

The study will determine whether the historic, natural, and recreational resources in the project area are "likely" or "unlikely" to meet congressionally required criteria for the designation of potential units of the National Park System and whether legislation for a congressionally authorized Special Resource Study should be considered by Congress. The criteria include determinations of national significance, suitability, feasibility and need for NPS management.

The study will be conducted by the National Park Service's Northeast Regional Office in Philadelphia and is expected to be completed in about a year.

-NPS-

We are pleased that the National Park Service has been cleared to start and will be working to deliver information directly from stakeholders to NPS staff. If you have any information on particular sites of interest, please share those resources with us by contacting Jeff Knowles immediately. (Jknowles@pecpa.org or 215-545-4570 x103)

We appreciate your continued interest and support in this exciting process. 

Jeffrey A. Knowles

Pennsylvania Environmental Council