Senate OKs expansion of Harpers Ferry park

[Matthew.Rector]

Senate OKs expansion of Harpers Ferry park

20 May 2004
Associated Press Newswires
(c) 2004. The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

HARPERS FERRY, W.Va. (AP) - The U.S. Senate has approved plans to expand Harpers Ferry National Historic Park by more than 1,200 acres to include Civil War battle sites now threatened by development.

"This is great news for the Eastern Panhandle and truly for all of the country," West Virginia Sen. Robert C. Byrd said Thursday. "Expanding the borders at Harpers Ferry not only protects one of West Virginia's historic jewels, but it also ensures that future generations of Americans will continue to visit and learn from the park's lessons of history."

Byrd, a Democrat, said the expansion was supported by a number of groups including the Friends of Harpers Ferry, the Harpers Ferry Conservancy and the Civil War Preservation Trust.

Harpers Ferry, located at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers, is the site of a former federal armory that was captured by abolitionist John Brown and his followers in 1859.

The site became part of the National Park System in 1944. Efforts have been made in recent years to expand the park, which will now total more than 3,700 acres.

[BarryDusel]

Re: Senate OKs expansion of Harpers Ferry park

This is great news . Does this expansion involve any of the land that has already been rescued from "rape" by the "benevolent developers?" Or is it now time to sit down and began to gather our resources so we can be ready when the opportunities began to present themselves?

[marine05]

Re: Senate OKs expansion of Harpers Ferry park

That's real fine that Sen Byrd has brought this forward, but I would be very skeptical about the funding. Historically, as with much of the DoD budget, they'll okay something, but not provide any funding. With the NPS is as dire financial straits as it is they would be hard pressed to pay for the expansion. So don't hold your breath waiting for this to happen.

The road to hell is pave with good intentions.

s/f

DJM

[Skeet]

Re: Senate OKs expansion of Harpers Ferry park

Sounds like there needs to be follow up work done on this! Time to shout in some ears, so the funding goes through. I'm surprised nobody would want to put up a golf course? Bully, Cpl Dan Morgan 10thVA(IVR)

[Matthew.Rector]

Re: Capito testifies in support of Harpers Ferry park growth

"Capito testifies in support of Harrpers Ferry park growth." The Herald Mail Online,
http://www.herald-mail.com/?module=d...07&format=html ,accessed [17 June 2004].


Wednesday June 16, 2004
Capito testifies in support of Harrpers Ferry park growth

WASHINGTON - A key House panel on Tuesday held a hearing to examine legislation written by U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., to expand the boundaries of the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, a news release from Byrd's office said.
Byrd's legislation would expand the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park boundary capacity by 1,240 acres, from its current 2,505 acres to 3,745 acres.
Harpers Ferry, which became part of the National Park System in 1944, hosted more than 250,000 visitors last year.
"This is an important bill for Harpers Ferry, for the Eastern Panhandle, and, in fact, for the nation. By expanding the park's boundaries, we can protect the rich historic and recreational opportunities that the park offers to residents and tourists alike," Byrd said in the release.
The House Resources Committee's National Parks, Recreation, and Public Lands Subcommittee discussed Byrd's bill on Tuesday.
Byrd introduced the legislation on Sept. 3, 2003. He guided it through the Senate, which passed the bill unanimously on May 19, 2004. The House Resources Committee hearing was the first step toward passage in that chamber.
The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) today endorsed the proposal by Byrd and U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito to add the 1,240 acres to the park.
"This expansion is critical to the future of Harpers Ferry," said NPCA Mid-Atlantic Regional Director Joy Oakes. "Sen. Byrd and Rep. Capito are champions for the park and leaders in preserving our nation's priceless heritage from suburban sprawl and other pressures."
Capito, R-W.Va., testified today before the House subcommittee in support of the proposal to add the Civil War landscape to Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, a release from Capito's office said.
Byrd has helped provide millions of dollars in federal funding for the National Park Service to update, renovate, and refurbish buildings and educational resources at Harpers Ferry.
In addition, in 2001, Byrd shepherded $2 million through Congress to allow the NPS, in conjunction with Civil War preservation groups, to purchase the Murphy Farm property adjacent to the park, the release said.
Also in 2001, Byrd helped conclude more than four decades of negotiations between the National Park Service and CSX Corp., resulting in the Park Service's acquisition of the historic U.S. Armory Grounds in Harpers Ferry, the release said.
The property includes both the Baltimore & Ohio (B&O) train station and the site where John Brown and his raiders barricaded themselves in 1859.