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047-09Resolution of Support for Alternative "D" as described in the Draft General Management Plan for Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park February 25, 2009 WHEREAS, Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park was created by Congress in 2002 under Public Law 107 -373 to preserve the historic and natural resources in the Cedar Creek Battlefield and Belle Grove Plantation areas; to interpret the history of the Shenandoah Valley; to work with partners, landowners and communities; and to serve as a focal point within the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District; and WHEREAS, Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park contains nationally significant historic, natural, cultural, military, and scenic resources and inspiring settings of great natural beauty; and WHEREAS, the National Park Service, the key partners, and the park community partners are charged with planning for and managing Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park as a unit of the National Park System for the benefit and enjoyment of future generations; and WHEREAS, a significant portion of the Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park lies within Frederick County, Virginia; and WHEREAS, visitors to Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park provide important economic benefits to Frederick County and the other surrounding communities; and WHEREAS, the National Park Service, the key partners, the park advisory commission, and other stakeholders have prepared the Draft General Management Plan that provides for the management of Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park; and WHEREAS, Alternative D in the Draft General Management Plan provides the highest degree of protection for the important resources within the park and the best opportunities for visitors to understand and enjoy these resources. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IS RESOLVED, that the Board of Supervisors of Frederick County, Virginia, endorses and supports Alternative D in the Draft General Management Plan and urges the Secretary of Interior to approve and implement this alternative. ADOPTED this 25` day of February, 2009. VOTE: Richard C. Shickle A y e Gary A. Lofton Aye Gary W. Dove Aye Bill M. Ewing Aye Gene E. Fisher Aye Charles S. DeHaven, Jr. Aye Philip A. Lemieux Jo iley, Jr. Fre erick County Administrator Resolution No.: 047 -09 COUNTY of FREDERICK 4 Chris J. Stubbs Community Planner Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park P. O. Box 700 Middletown, VA 22645 Dear Mr. Stubbs: John R. Riley, Jr. County Administrator 540/665 -5666 Fax 540/667 -0370 E -mail: February 26, 2009 jrileyCco.frederick.va.us The Frederick County Board of Supervisors, meeting in regular session on February 25, 2009, approved the Resolution of Support for Alternative "D" as described in the Draft General Management Plan for Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park as requested. The resolution is enclosed. With kindest regards, I am JRR /tjp Enclosure Sincerely, ohn R. Riley, Jr. County Administrator cc: Kris C. Tierney, Assistant County Administrator C: \TJ P\m iscletters \St ubbCh ris (Ceda rCreek &BelleGroveN atio na lPa rk)022509 BdMtg. docx 107 North Kent Street • Winchester, Virginia 22601 COUNTY of FREDERICK Kris C. Tierney MEMORANDUM Assistant County Administrator 540/665 -5666 Fax 540/667 -0370 TO: Board of Supervisors E -mail: ktierney @co.frederick.va.us FROM: Kris C. Tierney, Assistant County Administrato RE: Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park; Resolution of Support for Draft Management Plan and Alternative "D" DATE: February 3, 2009 As the Board is aware, the National Park Service recently released the Draft Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement for the Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park. Board members received a copy of the Draft Plan in the mail. Park Service staff has requested time on the Board's agenda to give a brief presentation on the plan. The national park was created in 2002 and contains 3,713 acres situated in Frederick, Warren and Shenandoah Counties. The purpose of the Draft Plan is to develop alternatives for the management and development of Park, evaluate these alternatives and select a preferred alternative. The Plan discusses four alternatives, A -D with alternative "A" being a no action alternative or, essentially no change from the current ownership and management of the land within the Park boundary. Subsequent alternatives B through D each depict an increasing level of involvement for the National Park Service in management and interpretation of the Park, as well as possible land ownership within the Park. The Draft Plan selects alternative "D" as the preferred alternative. Staff feels that Alternative "D" would provide the most benefit to Frederick County as it would result in the allocation of the greatest amount of federal resources toward development of the National Park, to include increased Park Service staffing, a visitor center, and financial assistance with land acquisition from willing sellers. The 90 day comment period for the Plan will end late this month February 27, 2009. Staff has drafted the attached resolution in support of alternative "D" should the Board wish to utilize it. A copy of the Park Service presentation is also attached for your use. Please let me know if I can answer any questions. 107 North Kent Street • Winchester, Virginia 22601 ?ek and Belle Grove National Historical Park Park Purpose Preserve historic, natural, cultural, military, and scenic resources, kid. Belle Grove and the Cedar Creek Battlefield Interpret the history of the Shenandoah Valley Work with partners Serve as a focal point within the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park Key Partner Organizations Belle Grove, Inc. Cedar Creek Battlefield Foundation National Trust for Historic Preservation Shenandoah County • Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park Resources at the Park: Civil War • Prehistoric resources • Ecologically Important areas • Valley settlement Belie Grove and plantation fife Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park Land Ownership - • NPS -8 acres • Belle Grove - 104 acres �•• I - CCBF- 308 aces — ^� � � • National Trust - 283 acres _- • Shen. County - 151 acres • SVBF -460 acres fee; 32 acres . easement < ? Z", /- — a Total Protected Lands - 1,347 acres -. Total Park Acreage - 3,713 acres i �r 36% of Park Protected 1 Cedar Creek and Belle Grove General Management Plan General Management Plan (GMP) Working with partners, stakeholders, and communities for over three years to develop draft plan GMP is currently available for public review I Cedar Creek and Belle General Marn How is GMP developed? • Planning team • Public input Scholarly research Agency policy Park purpose c_ ....k Plan Cedar Creek and Belle Grov General Managem Afternative D - Preferred 4 f Plan Cedar Creek and Belle Grove General Management Plan What Is a GMP? d e 20 -year plan for how park will be managed Desired resource conditions and visitor experiences • Includes environmental impact statement Creek and Belle Grove Ge neral Management Plan Vision K Park as a unit of the national park system • Exemplary partnership • Resource protection s • Land protection Visitor experience p j , • visitorfacirdles Creek and Belle Grove G eneral Management Plan Visitor Center ehra�ica Developed and managed by NPS Visitor contact facilities provided by Key Partners 2 Cedar Creek and Belle Grove General Management Plan Land Protection NPS and Key Partners would acquire land from willing sellers Priority on landscapes and connectivity Collaborative funding Cedar Creek and Belle Grove x General Man agement Plan Visitor Experience ice Visitors oriented at a central location • Explore the park by vehicle and on trails Coordinated interpretation with unified message d p (Cedar Creek and Belle Grove General Management Plan Technical Assistance Protect park resources and viewsheds • Consultation with local governments and businesses Working with conservation and preservation organizations Conservation easements aek and Belle Grove General Management Plan Partnerships uwcs Cooperative agreements Division of labor for various programs, events, and operations Cedar Creek and Belle Grove General Management Plan Transportation • Vehicular access along existing road network Auto touring routes • Trap system (non - motorized) Cedar Creek and Belle Grove General Management Plan How to Comment Web site parkdannino.nos. ooftebe • Map letter to park office • Public meetings Comment period closes Feb. 27 3 :eK ana Belle Grove General Management Plan Next steps Analyze public comments o�w Prepare and distribute Final GMP Implement plan over 20 -year period Creek and Belie Grove General Managem Plan Request of Towns and Counties Pass resolution in support of GMP and Alternative D Incorporate GMP into comprehensive plans Consider measures to help protect park EV[pElK[ 4