Hilton Head Reporter

BEAUFORT, S.C. (Feb. 23, 2023) – Reconstruction Era National Historical Park today announced an opportunity for the public to comment on preliminary management concepts that will guide the new national park’s operations.

The initial 30-day public comment period on draft concepts for the park’s general management plan (GMP) is open through Mar. 17 and include opportunities to submit written comments and participate in public meetings.

“We are pleased to offer this chance for the public to provide early input on the future of Reconstruction Era National Historical Park,” said Superintendent Scott Teodorski. “The comments and feedback we receive on the GMP concepts will be critical to our ongoing work with partners to help shape park operations for decades to come.”

The park will hold three public meetings in the Beaufort area to discuss preliminary ideas about the park’s GMP:

· Mar. 1 at Darrah Hall on the Penn Center campus at 5:30 p.m.

· Mar. 2 at the University of South Carolina Beaufort at 1:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

During the meetings, National Park Service staff will explain the plan process, showcase methods for public comment, and answer participants’ questions. The three meeting presentations will offer the same information.

Written comments may be submitted online at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/REER_GMP (select “Open for Comment” on the left menu bar) or by mail to:

National Park Service Denver Service Center Attn: REER GMP / Charles Lawson 12795 West Alameda Pkwy Denver, CO 80228

Written comments on the initial phase of the plan must be submitted online or postmarked by Mar. 17 to be considered. Additional opportunities for commenting and public engagement will be offered over the course of the project.

More information about the meetings and planning process are available on the project website at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/REER_GMP.

About the General Management Plan 

A GMP is a broad document that identifies a national park's long-term goals and guides visitor experience, management, park facilities development and park operations for at least 20 years.

Reconstruction Era National Historical Park was designated as a national monument on Jan. 12, 2017, by Presidential proclamation to recognize the role Beaufort County, South Carolina played in shaping the historic period of Reconstruction. In March 2019, Public Law 116-9 redesignated the park from a national monument to a national historical park, expanded the park boundary and created the park-administered Reconstruction Era National Historic Network. The Reconstruction Era National Historic Network includes a nationwide collection of public and private sites and programs associated with the Reconstruction era. The park's GMP will include guidance for the future management of the redesignated national historical park and criteria for future boundary expansions.

The National Park Service has limited land ownership within the park boundary, and partnerships are critical to sharing the story of the Reconstruction era. Consultation and coordination among partner organizations and key stakeholders are important to this planning process, and successful implementation of the park's future general management plan will depend on continued coordinated efforts with partners.

Original source can be found here.