National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail CMP November, 2010
Briefing Overview Purpose Management Alternatives Management framework Next Steps
Trail Purpose to commemorate the voyages of Captain John Smith to share knowledge about American Indian societies and cultures of the 17 th century to interpret the natural history of the bay (then and now) to expand recreation and heritage tourism along the trail
Management Alternatives Alternative 1 Continuation of Current Management Alternative 2 Exploratory Voyages of Captain John Smith Alternative 3 Chesapeake Region in the 17 th Century (preferred) Alternative 4 Recreation on the Historic Trail
Alternative 3 Chesapeake Region in the 17 th Century
Alternative 3 Chesapeake Region in the 17 th Century Emphasis on interpreting the world of the Chesapeake that Smith encountered during his voyages its natural abundance and its complex American Indian cultures and protecting significant sites and landscapes that are evocative of that time. - interpretive signage and other media along the trail - identify and work with partners to protect (by easement and other means) - significant John Smith voyage landing sites - landscapes evocative of the time - significant archeological sites - places important to American Indians - increase public access sites and recreation facilities - work with states and NGOs to advance heritage tourism along the trail
Visitor Experience Focus on the natural history of the region, American Indian communities, and Captain John Smith voyages Major increase in interpretive media and programming, at voyage stops, recreation sites, visitor centers, and partner sites Major increase in public access and other recreation facilities Develop up to two interpretive and education centers Approximately five visitor contact stations Develop network of campsites within trail sections Connecting and side trails
Resource Protection Identify and protect trail-related natural and cultural resources Focus on voyage stops, evocative landscapes, indigenous cultural landscapes, 17 th century American Indian archeological sites Focus on high potential route segments Further research and viewshed analysis on a segment by segment basis Develop coordinated resource protection agenda including a land protection plan component with states and Conservancy
Trail Management Framework Segment based management allows a reasonable scale to focus the implementation framework and effectively accomplish the trail s purpose around the Chesapeake Bay and tributaries Partnerships with states and NGOs Resource Protection Visitor Experience, Recreation, and Public Access High Potential Route Segments Trail Planning and Management Connecting and Side Trails Trail Marking
High Potential Route Segments High potential route segments must or should meet all of the following criteria: greater than average aggregation of trail-related resources public access capacity to support a high quality recreation experience strong partnerships presence of protected lands that are open to the public for recreation use proximity to a CBGN partner
High Potential Route Segments These segments and sites will have a higher priority for trail development: segment plan public access development interpretive media and programming training and capacity building resource protection land protection
High Potential Route Segments Initial analysis identified the following high potential route segments in the CMP: Lower Susquehanna / Head of the Bay James River Chickahominy River Rappahannock River Nanticoke River Middle Potomac River Patuxent River
Connecting Trails Potential connecting trail routes must meet one or more of the following criteria: significantly associated with the Smith voyages of exploration 1607-1609 significantly associated with American Indians towns and cultures significantly illustrative of the natural history of the 17 th century Chesapeake Bay Plus documented recreation trail
Connecting Trails Chesapeake Conservancy has conducted research and submit applications for Susquehanna River Water Trail Choptank River Water Trail Upper James River Water Trail Chester River Water Trail Upper Nanticoke River Water Trail
Partnerships State agencies (NR, CR, tourism, DOT, etc.) Chesapeake Conservancy Federal agencies (FWS, NOAA, etc.) Lead partner for segments Other regional or trail-wide partners Site managers and other partners on trail segments Not one partner but many
Next Steps to Complete CMP Public review and comment ends Nov. 5 Respond to public comment and prepare final draft FONSI and plan approved
Some Next Steps After CMP Completed Develop coordinated implementation plan Segment planning beginning with the middle and lower James, then upper Bay and lower Susquehanna Develop coordinated resource protection agenda including land protection plan Interpretive signage and marking the trail Promoting and marketing of the trail Public access development Training and certification for guides on the trail
Some Recent and Developing Projects on the Trail with assistance from NPS Trail signs at partner sites along the trail www.smithtrail.net for information and itineraries on the trail Interpretive signage and trail guides along the James and Pamaunk Flu (VA DCR) Nanticoke River Water Trail development, signage,and trail guide(delaware) Sassafras and Chester River Water Trails development, signage, and trail guide (Sultana Projects) Chickahominy River Water Trail development, signage, trail guide (James River Assoc., Chickahominy tribe) John Smith s Adventures on the Rappahannock (VA DCR) John Smith Geo-Trail on the James, Nanticoke, Rappahannock, Potomac (Chesapeake Conservancy)
Key Points The Trail will promote heritage tourism, recreation, increased public access, education and interpretation. Partnerships and Collaboration are key to the success of the Trail with states, communities, American Indians, NGOs. Protecting significant places along the Trail will be achieved with our partners states, communities, American Indians, NGOs. NPS will assist partners achieve mutual objectives and the goals of the Trail.
National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Questions? Comments?