Save the C&O Canal from intrusive development!
DEFENDERS OF POTOMAC RIVER PARKLAND
New NPS Director Hears from Defenders
Jonathan Jarvis, a 30-year veteran of the National Park Service, took the oath as the new NPS director on October 2, 2009. A native of Virginia, Director Jarvis is a trained biologist whose most recent position was regional director of the Pacific West Region (see NPS release).
On October 16, the Defenders coalition wrote to Director Jarvis concerning Georgetown University's plan to build an intrusive private boathouse within the C&O Canal National Historical Park. The text of the letter is below:
On October 16, the Defenders coalition wrote to Director Jarvis concerning Georgetown University's plan to build an intrusive private boathouse within the C&O Canal National Historical Park. The text of the letter is below:
Dear Director Jarvis:
Please accept congratulations on your appointment as Director of the National Park Service (NPS) on behalf of the Defenders of Potomac River Parkland, an alliance of 25 organizations listed below. We admire your fine record of service, the sensitivity that you have shown to environmental issues, as well as your emphasis on sound stewardship and excellent park visitor experiences.
We wish you every success in your new position, and ask your help in protecting the C&O Canal National Historical Park (C&O Canal NHP). One of the outstanding gems of the entire National Park System, the park is visited each year by millions of visitors who prize its natural beauty and fascinating history. Unfortunately, this treasured park faces a serious threat.
Georgetown University (GU) wishes to build a massive private boathouse inside the borders of the C&O Canal NHP on scenic, wooded land between the popular Capital Crescent Trail and the Potomac River. The site is next to the fragile and historic Canal towpath/levee, is part of a narrow floodplain that contains wetlands, and lies within the Potomac Gorge, one of the most biologically rich areas on the East Coast.
We believe the NPS should not approve an intrusive new private boathouse at such a location. Instead, an alternative site outside of the C&O Canal NHP would have technical, environmental, practical, social and economic advantages for everyone, while protecting the park from inappropriate development. In addition, a more accessible location outside of the NHP might make it possible for a new boathouse to be shared with other boating communities, not just used by one group of athletes from one private university.
In view of your well-known record of concern for historic and natural preservation, we hope that we can rely on you to provide strong leadership in this issue. Please join us for a site visit to the Potomac River waterfront, during which we could discuss alternatives. We are confident that you will agree that the NPS should favor a solution that places the broad national interest above a misguided private proposal.
We look forward to hearing from you and to scheduling a site visit at your convenience
Sincerely,
Sally C. Strain, DC Coordinator
Defenders of Potomac River Parkland
Defenders of Potomac River Parkland - List of member organizations
Please accept congratulations on your appointment as Director of the National Park Service (NPS) on behalf of the Defenders of Potomac River Parkland, an alliance of 25 organizations listed below. We admire your fine record of service, the sensitivity that you have shown to environmental issues, as well as your emphasis on sound stewardship and excellent park visitor experiences.
We wish you every success in your new position, and ask your help in protecting the C&O Canal National Historical Park (C&O Canal NHP). One of the outstanding gems of the entire National Park System, the park is visited each year by millions of visitors who prize its natural beauty and fascinating history. Unfortunately, this treasured park faces a serious threat.
Georgetown University (GU) wishes to build a massive private boathouse inside the borders of the C&O Canal NHP on scenic, wooded land between the popular Capital Crescent Trail and the Potomac River. The site is next to the fragile and historic Canal towpath/levee, is part of a narrow floodplain that contains wetlands, and lies within the Potomac Gorge, one of the most biologically rich areas on the East Coast.
We believe the NPS should not approve an intrusive new private boathouse at such a location. Instead, an alternative site outside of the C&O Canal NHP would have technical, environmental, practical, social and economic advantages for everyone, while protecting the park from inappropriate development. In addition, a more accessible location outside of the NHP might make it possible for a new boathouse to be shared with other boating communities, not just used by one group of athletes from one private university.
In view of your well-known record of concern for historic and natural preservation, we hope that we can rely on you to provide strong leadership in this issue. Please join us for a site visit to the Potomac River waterfront, during which we could discuss alternatives. We are confident that you will agree that the NPS should favor a solution that places the broad national interest above a misguided private proposal.
We look forward to hearing from you and to scheduling a site visit at your convenience
Sincerely,
Sally C. Strain, DC Coordinator
Defenders of Potomac River Parkland
Defenders of Potomac River Parkland - List of member organizations