WASHINGTON-The National Park Service (NPS) is requesting public input in developing a White-tailed Deer Management Plan and Environmental Assessment (plan/EA) for Harpers Ferry and Chesapeake and Ohio Canal national historical parks. A joint plan is being developed because both parks face similar issues caused by high densities of deer. Public scoping comments are being accepted through March 20, 2015.
Scoping is the first formal public step in the planning process. The NPS is presenting four preliminary alternatives and five potential focus areas to help guide feedback. The preliminary alternatives are no action, nonlethal deer management, lethal deer management or a combination of lethal and nonlethal deer management. The potential focus areas, from south to north, are Great Falls in Md, White’s Ferry, Canal Farm, Harpers Ferry area, and Four Locks. A newsletter with additional details is available on the project website.
Public Meetings
The NPS is holding three public meetings to discuss the plan, answer questions and accept public comments. The open house format meetings will take place on:
* Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2015, 6 p.m.to 8 p.m., Upper Classroom in Mather Training Center, Mather Place, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425
* Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2015, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Headquarters, C&O Canal NHP, 1850 Dual Highway, Hagerstown, MD, 21740
* Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Brooke Hall and Great Falls Room, Rockwood Manor, 11001 MacArthur Blvd., Potomac, MD 20854
How to Comment
Members of the public and organizations are encouraged to provide comments online, the NPS preferred method, via the NPS Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) website.
Comments may also be submitted in writing to:
Attn: Deer Management Plan
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historic Park
1850 Dual Highway, Suite 100
Hagerstown, MD 21740-6620
Comments must be entered into the website or postmarked by March 20, 2015 to receive consideration. Please be aware that the entire comment submitted - including personal identifying information such as address, phone number, e-mail address - may be made publicly available. Requests to withhold such personal identifying information from public release will be considered, but there is no guarantee that they will be withheld.
There are five parks in the national capital region that already have approved white-tailed deer management plans. The parks are: Catoctin Mountain Park (Md.), Rock Creek Park (D.C.), Antietam National Battlefield (Md.), Manassas National Battlefield Park (Va.) and Monocacy National Battlefield (Md.).
For more information visit the project website at www.parkplanning.nps.gov/NHPdeermanagement.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
