GDG- Fw: Gettysburg Centennial Challenge proposal eligible for matching funds

[Robert Lawrence]

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-----Original Message-----
From: Katie_Lawhon at nps.gov <Katie_Lawhon at nps.gov>
Sent: Thu Aug 23 14:01:40 2007
Subject: Gettysburg Centennial Challenge proposal eligible for matching funds

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(Gettysburg, Pa.) – Returning the Union army’s battle line on Cemetery
Ridge to its 1863 appearance at Gettysburg National Military Park is one of
201 proposals National Park Service (NPS) Director Mary Bomar and Secretary
of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne announced at a press conference in Yosemite
National Park today to celebrate the 91 st anniversary of the NPS.

“The National Park Service has, after a rigorous review, certified these
proposals as eligible for Centennial Challenge matching funds,” Bomar said,
“and they are ready to go in Fiscal Year 2008 which begins Oct. 1.”

The rehabilitation of Cemetery Ridge at Gettysburg is one of nearly $370
million of proposals eligible for Centennial Challenge matching funds. NPS,
in partnership with the nonprofit Gettysburg Foundation would rehabilitate
some of the most historically significant land on the Gettysburg
battlefield by removing the current visitor center building, the Cyclorama
building, the parking lots and roads associated with these two buildings,
removing overhead power lines, and re-establishing the historic landscapes
at the center of the Union army’s battle line in July 1863.

The Gettysburg Foundation’s Campaign to Preserve Gettysburg includes
rehabilitation of the center of the Union battle line, historic Ziegler’s
Grove, and other prominent features on Cemetery Ridge, as well as providing
expanded educational opportunities for the public. The project area is 43.5
acres, containing historic houses, barns, fences, stone walls, and
orchards, as well as commemorative features including more than 70 civil
war monuments, seven of which will be relocated to their historic
locations, where they had been placed by veterans of the battle, but had
been subsequently moved during the construction of the Cyclorama building.
The project also includes removal of 6,700 feet of intrusive power lines
along the historic Taneytown Road corridor from Steinwehr Avenue to the
horse trail crossing south of Granite School House lane. The power lines
will be placed underground.

Director Bomar said, “The centennial challenge is a critical element in the
National Park Centennial Initiative put forward by President Bush and
unveiled by Secretary Kempthorne one year ago. The full centennial
initiative is a potential $3 billion investment in our national parks,
two-thirds of it a public-private partnership of matching money.”

The President’s fiscal year 2008 budget called for an additional $100
million a year for 10 years to be dedicated to bolster basic park
operations, Bomar said. Congress has included the first $100 million for
operations in the fiscal year 2008 budget that awaits final passage.

“The second part of the initiative is the Centennial Challenge – a funding
mechanism to match up to $100 million a year over 10 years of public money
with $100 million a year for 10 years in private donations,” Bomar said.
“Congress has yet to finish legislation necessary to create the
public-private Centennial Challenge.”

Financial commitments to the first round of proposals exceeded the
President’s challenge. “We have about $370 million in proposals with not
$100 million in private commitments but $216 million committed from park
visitors, friends groups and other partners,” Bomar said.

“I’ve testified before Senate and House subcommittees and judging by the
warm reception we received, I believe Congress will include Centennial
Challenge money in our next budget. We look forward to working with members
from both sides of the aisle to provide the key to the Centennial
Challenge. When that happens we can make decisions on which of these
wonderful proposals to begin in the fall.”

Locally, Gettysburg NMP Supt. John P. McKenna said, “Our supporters at the
Gettysburg Foundation have committed more than a two for one match of funds
for the rehabilitation of Cemetery Ridge. The new fiscal year begins Oct. 1
and we are excited to get this centennial project underway.”

The list of proposals – at 116 parks in 40 states and the District of
Columbia – touches parks nationwide with a centennial effort to inventory
every living thing in the national park system.

To be certified, proposals had to be imaginative and innovative, addressed
critical Service needs, had a philanthropic partner, required little or no
additional recurring operating funds to be sustainable, improved the
efficiency of park management, operations and employees and produced
measurable results.

Other proposals:
      Lewis and Clark National Historical Park adopting the Class of 2016
      with the goal of turning students to stewards.
      Additional student education through Acadia National Park’s “No Child
      Left Inside” project.
      Strengthening efforts to save Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles – the world’s
      most endangered sea turtle – with citizens assisting park rangers to
      observe and relocate nests on Padre Island National Seashore, the
      turtle’s most important U.S. nesting habitat.
      Restoration of more than 50 miles of important foot trails in
      Yosemite National Park.
      Climate change research of glaciers at Mount Rainier National Park
      and
      Utilizing scientists and volunteers to study life along the
      Appalachian Trail seeing national parks as an environmental
      barometer.

“There is a huge wave of excitement among National Park Service
professionals and our partners,” Bomar said. “We will create park-based
centers for Junior Rangers, implement cutting-edge energy projects like
fuel cells and geothermal and build multimedia wayside exhibits that “talk”
to visitors. This is a victory for national parks and over 270 million park
visitors we see each year.

“Last week, I sent an email to the men and women of the National Park
Service to inform them of our announcement. One of the replies I received
says it best: ‘This is thrilling! A win/win opportunity like we've never
seen before. Thanks for the energy and vision for the NPS.’

“That thanks,” Bomar said, “is for the many who worked to transform vision
into action: Secretary Kempthorne and our friends in Congress, from both
sides of the aisle who introduced legislation to support the Centennial.
But most of all, our thanks go to park superintendents, friends groups,
partners and an army of supporters.”

“When history is written,” Bomar said, “the Centennial Initiative will be
second only to the creation of the national park system itself.”

The full list of centennial challenge-eligible projects and programs is
available on-line at the National Park Service centennial web site
www.nps.gov/2016

                                   -NPS-
FACT SHEET ATTACHED -

 (See attached file: Fact Sheet - Rehab of Cemetery Ridge.doc)

PHOTO ATTACHED - CAPTION:  The 88th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry
Regiment marker sits at the edge of a parking lot.  It will be reset in its
historic location during the rehabilitation of Cemetery Ridge.  Photo
courtesy of Gettysburg National Military Park.

(See attached file: 88 PA Regiment Marker and parking lot at
Gettysburg.jpg)


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