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Millions Of LWCF Dollars Targeted For Parks

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Millions of LWCF dollars will be spent across the National Park System, including within Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park, to obtain key acreage/Buddy Secor file

Millions of dollars of Land and Water Conservation Fund revenues are targeted to be spent this fiscal year on key land acquisitions in units of the National Park System from Alaska to Florida under plans announced by Interior Department officials.

More than $125 million from the fund, which was fully funded at $900 million thanks to the Great American Outdoors Act, will be used by the National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to acquire private lands. In the park system, funds will be used for such things as acquiring private inholdings at Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve in Alaska to obtaining a golf course at Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio.

Here's a glance at the planned acquisitions, as described by Interior:

Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Alaska: $3.5 million to acquire private inholdings that were originally conveyed as Native Allotments to tribal citizens. All of these lands are highly scenic, and particularly valuable for plant and wildlife. Two are located on salmon streams and one has an active wolf den. The allotments are often situated on or near the shore, and are thus visible for long distances across the water. One parcel is an island surrounded by marine Wilderness, offering a unique recreational opportunity in the park where no motorized vehicles are permitted. The other two parcels are sacred sites for the Hoonah Tlingit clan as the origin site for these Hoonah people.

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, Alaska: $700,000 to obtain 87 subdivision plots that remain under private ownership at the old Kennecott property. This project would acquire several of those parcels, most of which include historic mineworker homes that are still in use. Acquiring key parcels is necessary to prevent intrusive and unsympathetic development that will be incompatible with the existing historic landscape. Under NPS management, these properties will maintain the scenic integrity and will remain a crucial part of the Kennecott visitor experience. Some funds will also be used to acquire mineral interests that have become available as owners age-out.

Death Valley National Park, California: $5.1 million to acquire six tracts in the historic mining district within the park boundary. The property makes up a large portion of the Zabriskie Point viewshed, as well as Twenty Mule Team Canyon and Golden Canyon, three of the most visited and visible locations within the park. These properties are integral to the history of borax mining in Death Valley. Golden Canyon and 20 Mule Team Canyon are two of the most popular attractions within the park and access could easily be restricted, causing a significant loss of accessible recreation opportunities and mining history.

Mojave National Preserve, California: $5.125 million to obtain 2,210 contiguous acres in Round Valley, a high-elevation valley in the center of Mojave National Preserve with an abundance of natural resources, long open vistas, pleasant temperatures, and permanently available water (a rare feature). Acquisition would expand recreational access and enhance visitor opportunities for hiking, camping, exploring, and hunting. The Round Valley property is perhaps the best example of historic cattle ranching in the Mojave Desert and represents the cultural heritage identified by Congress as reason for the creation of Mojave National Preserve. Acquisition would also provide protection of and connectivity for species migration which is currently threatened by development.

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, California: $5.2 million to acquire inholdings that include Zuma and Trancas canyons, which are part of an area of over 13,000 acres of contiguous federal parkland interspersed with inholdings. These lands will increase the core habitat and recreation areas within the SMMNRA, connecting areas of scenic ridgelines, coastal vistas, and colorful native flora as well as providing a diversity of landscapes for hiking, horseback riding, and other trail recreation activities. Total visitation and use of the existing 20-mile recreational trail system in Zuma and Trancas Canyons exceeds 100,000 visitors annually. Acquisition of the identified tracts will protect critical portions of the trail system that cross private inholdings.

Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado/Utah: $850,000 to obtain two tracts of land, one being the final inholding in the Wild Mountain area of the monument, thus completing the total landscape of this particular area. The property contains important native vegetation and is an important wildlife corridor between the monument's high country and the Yampa River. The second parcel contains the access road to Island and Rainbow Parks. If the owner were to change its use to prevent public access, the Rainbow Park boat launch ramp, one of the principle recreational river launching sites for the park, would be rendered inaccessible. Approximately 15,000 visitors float the rivers of Dinosaur each year.

Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida: $311,000 to obtain a three-acre inholding, mostly comprised of live oak uplands which provide significant habitat for wildlife species (both resident and transient) is an opportunity purchase tract within the original preserve boundary (1974). Acquisition provides excellent resource protection and passive recreational activities, such as birdwatching or wildlife viewing, as well as hunting and access to boating and fishing. Moreover, law enforcement and general management on these private lands has been extremely difficult. Access by state law enforcement is challenging, and must be coordinated with federal entities, which do not have jurisdiction on the private parcels.

Ocumulgee Mounds National Historical Park, Georgia: $2,865,00 to obtain four tracts that will connect the park's two units, the Main Unit and the Lamar Unit. The Lamar Unit is currently separated and surrounded by private lands, resulting in management challenges in patrolling and maintaining. The Lamar Unit does not have consistent public access. Contiguous land will provide protection and access to these very important and unique cultural resources. This project comprises 63 percent of lands defined in the Dingell Act.

City of Rocks National Preserve, Idaho: $350,000 to obtain lands that will protect rock formations that are of significant interest to climbers, geologists and sightseers visiting the preserve. There is also open range that will continue to provide habitat for traditional uses such as grazing. In addition to connecting and protecting the lands for visitors and wildlife, the parcel ensures recreational access will be provided through an existing ranch road that connects to the surrounding federal lands.

Mill Springs National Battlefield Monument, Kentucky: $425,000 to purchase property located between Mill Springs Battlefield Road and the western banks of the Cumberland River. This tract contains an original Confederate trench line, the site of Brig. Gen. Zollicoffer's headquarters, a 2-gun cannon battery position, and the Confederate cemetery. Indentations in the ground remain from hundreds of Confederate cabins. The battlefield is the site of the Union's first decisive Civil War victory and where Zollicoffer, a congressman from Tennessee, was killed. Its importance was recognized by both sides during the war and acquisition of this parcel will preserve this historically significant area.

Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Tennessee/Kentucky: $1,037,000 to purchase two tracts that represent the most threatened real property lying within the boundary of Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. Most of the lots outside the boundary have been developed, whereas lots within the boundary remain, for the most part, in their natural state. The acquisition of these tracts would, by and large, provide complete protection to this section of the park, as mandated by Congress. The current owners have been approached by individuals who want to develop the properties. These tracts connect to larger segments of protected property, thus providing critical corridors for wildlife migration, refuge for endangered or threatened species, and a necessary first step to expanding recreational access through the development of key trails and trailheads for hiking and horseback riding within the park.

Vicksburg National Military Park, Lousiana/Mississippi: $1,453,000 to acquire 21 tracts purchased by the American Battlefield Trust for the purposes of creating the Champion Hill Unit of Vicksburg National Military Park. They are in the highest tier of lands identified for acquisition in the park's 2018 Land Protection Plan. In addition to its historical significance, this area connects to adjacent tracts (800 acres) donated by the state of Mississippi in 2019 to help form a contiguous park. The area has experienced threats of encroachments, poaching, and archaeological resource theft. Acquisition will allow the resources to be protected and visitors to access a portion of the core battlefield.

Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, Maine: $380,000 to purchase tracts to allow for access and which will provide enhanced recreational opportunities for visitors to enjoy. Acquisition will connect separated federal parcels, ensuring additional access to the river for recreational purposes and across the property for snowmobiles. The land has wetlands and low, marshy areas known for wildlife habitat. The streams in the parcel are all critical habitat for the Atlantic Salmon recovery program, and the area is critical Canada Lynx habitat, both of which are currently federally listed endangered species.

River Raisin National Battlefield Park, Michigan: $1.1 million to acquire 72 tracts of lands that are located in the core area of the unit, including the Springwells site and the Hulls Trace unit. Fee and easement interests will be donated to protect a variety of archaeological and cultural landscape resources directly relating to the battles. This includes the site where the U.S. launched the first shots of the War of 1812 and more than 1,000 years ago native residents of Springwells toiled, prospered and raised monuments. The acquisition will also provide recreational opportunities associated with increased public access the Huron River.

Sainte Genevieve National Historical Park, Missouri: $563,000 to acquire a parcel that was added within the park boundary by the Dingell Act (P.L. 116-9). The property includes a modern building that currently functions as the Ste. Genevieve visitor center for the Colonial Dames, called the Centre for French Colonial Life. The building has been recently updated and is ideal for visitor contact and orientation. National Park Service ownership would save this critically important building and allow for its utilization for park operations. The Colonial Dames have sent a letter to the NPS offering to sell the property, as they do not possess the financial resources to maintain and operate the building in the near future.

Natchez National Historical Park, Mississippi: $900,000 to acquire four to seven tracts at the Forks of the Road slave market site, which faces multiple threats of urban intrusion to both the site itself and its immediate viewshed. The site and its potential archaeological resources have been under pressure from urban development; protecting the small area that remains is vital to preserving and interpreting this part of the nation's history. The park has also been working in partnership with the City of Natchez and other nonprofit groups for over a decade to develop downtown walking trails, with interpretive signage, that would extend to the Forks of the Road site.

Battlefield Parks (multiple states): $621,000 to acquire high priority battlefield land inholdings within the National Park System that are experiencing significant threat to the resource. These lands are often temporarily protected by partner organizations able to nimbly navigate real estate acquisition and then wait for the federal government to bring the land into individual park units. As of December 30, 2018, within park units that have battlefields there are over 36,000 unprotected acres in individual parcels. Funds from this project will be directed to the highest priority "shovel ready" acquisitions, which will be dynamic as landowners consider options once funding is available.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio: $3.8 million to acquire the 213-acre Brandywine Golf Course property located prominently within the park. The property, owned by the local conservancy, is a critical acquisition that has been a focus for NPS protection efforts since the late 2000s. Because of its size and location, protection of this property is a critical concern for the park and an important connection with other parklands, recreational opportunities and resources. Loss of this property to development would greatly diminish the open space character. The threat to natural resources includes the loss of approximately 80-acres of forested hills and riparian areas; along with the potential for degraded downstream water resources.

Fort Donelson National Battlefield, Tennessee: $559,000 to obtain tracts that will protect battlefield land that saw considerable action and troop movement. In this area of the Confederate Break-Out, the Confederates attempted an unsuccessful surprise assault in hopes of opening a corridor to flee the Fort. In addition, these lands are affiliated with the former African-American community, "Free State" (created by those formerly enslaved). They include historical structures such as surviving "colored school," and an abandoned African-American Methodist Church. Acquisition of these tracts will complete the Confederate Break-Out area and the primary “Free State” interpretive area for public use and access.

Shiloh National Military Park, Tennessee: $558,000 to acquire seven tracts that are part of the Fallen Timbers battlefield. The tracts are owned by the American Battlefield Trust and comprise 57 percent of the Fallen Timbers site. Tens of thousands of citizens from across the nation directly donated funds to complete the purchase and preservation of these tracts. The site lacks protection by an authorized land management steward and archaeological resources associated with the Civil War and other periods of human occupation are unprotected and open to looting. Sites have also recently experienced vandalism to existing structures and natural features. The purchase of these tracts will significantly enhance the battlefield scenery and permit visitor access to the property for recreational use consistent with park purposes.

Stones River National Battlefield, Tennessee: $243,000 to purchase part of the core battlefield and the scene of intense fighting, including the location of Federal artillery on the final day of the battle. The Union victory at this site resulted in the Confederate withdrawal from middle Tennessee. Acquisition of this tract would protect the site of significant battlefield action, enhance wildlife habitat, and provide for trail development for visitor access and recreation.

Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park, Texas: $3.5 million to purchase the last high-priority core battlefield inholding, containing valuable cultural resources including much of the Mexican battle line; Arista's Hill, which was used as a vantage point by commanding Mexican General Mariano Arista during the battle; and the Palo Alto Inn, which was constructed during the U.S.-Mexican War to serve as a stopover for individuals traveling from Port Isabel to Matamoros, Mexico. Protection of this property will expand recreational access for almost 260,000 neighbors, giving visitors the ability to visit the entire battlefield and it will provide more than 10 miles of trail to connect current battlefield trails to city trails, including the 8.5 mile Historic Battlefield Rail-Trail.

Appalachain National Scenic Trail, Virginia: $645,000 to obtain 236 acres known as the Doc's Way property, which is the dominant viewshed from the Appalachian National Scenic Trail's iconic McAfee Knob. Visited by 90,000 people annually, McAfee Knob is the most photographed vista on the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and is just a 15-minute drive from downtown Roanoke, a city with a population of 100,000. This acquisition will also improve individual hiker safety and improve or expand recreational access.

Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park, Virginia: $931,000 to acquire two tracts that fall within the 1989 revised boundary and are located at the Spotsylvania Court House Battlefield, which received the highest condition and significance ratings from the Civil War Sites Advisory Commission. Acquisition of these tracts provides important access and interpretive opportunities to key areas of the battlefield, preserving the sense of place that surrounds Burnside Drive. Burnside Drive is the scene of heavy fighting during a May 12, 1864 battle.

Petersburg National Battlefield, Virgina: $341,000 to but land that is at the core of two nationally significant battles (as determined by the Civil War Sites Advisory Commission and approved by Congress). Acquisition would allow for long-term protection and preservation of key terrain and the many landscape elements that have survived. The federal objective of destroying Confederate supply lines, especially railroads, into Petersburg and Richmond is best exhibited and interpreted on these locations. Local law enforcement have dealt with cases of relic hunting in the area but lack legal authority to enforce action under the Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA); Federal law enforcement will be able to enforce the Act more effectively.

Ice Age National Scenic Trail, Wisconsin: $2,043,000 to obtain a 197-acre property located within the boundaries of the 1,700-acre Ice Age Complex at Cross Plains. The complex is comprised of four public land agencies: NPS-Ice Age Trail; Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; US Fish & Wildlife Service; and Dane County. Acquisition will provide landscape connectivity to adjacent property already owned by USFWS, WDNR and Dane County Parks within the Complex, and will allow for greater land management efficiencies as the Complex partners continue to develop compatible recreation opportunities. This project also expands recreational access opportunities. Acquisition would allow for hiking, bird watching, and

educational tours.

Comments

Lots of good things happening here but $3.8M for a golf course in an NRA?  

One doesn't seem like the rest...


It sounds like they're acquiring the golf course to prevent it from becoming further developed.


That's exactly what is happening-The golf course will be returned to a natural state


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