Special; m Ition .flnti 000 - Plan ‘ letter u 'o_L “a” . { “1" A Message from the . 222:" Superintendent ’ Dear Friends: One hundred and seventy-five years ago, the Hudson’s Bay Company established what was to become their Columbia District headquarters at Fort Vancouver. In 1948, with the advocacy and support of the local communities, Congress established Fort Vancouver as a unit of the National Park System to commemorate and interpret the important role of Fort Vancouver in the history of the Northwest. Through extensive archaeological excavations beginning in 1948, the National Park Service located the original fort along the Columbia River. Study of artifacts and documen- tary material formed the basis for the accurate recon- struction of much of the fort that is seen today by visitors from around the world. Fort Vancouver National Historic Site is one of 3 78 units of America ’s National Park System, a System that includes other familiar places such as Yellowstone, Gettysburg, and the Statue of Liberty. As part of this network of parks preserving the core of the nation’s natural and cultural legacy, it is critical that we develop long-term plans for the protection, public use, and management of Fort Vancouver. The separate Cooperative Management Plan for the broader Vancouver National Historic Reserve—~ recently completed jointly by the US. Army, State of Washington, City of Vancouver, and the National Park Service—will be a key document used during the development of the General Management Plan, which is specific to Fort Vancouver. You, the public, are a crucial part of this effort. With your involvement, you can help ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy this important place. Your participation can help make Fort Vancouver National Historic Site a better place in which to learn about and enjoy this important chapter in the history of the American West. Please join us! Tony Sisto Superintendent ‘ n~wk~flolltonaiimoa «tigers- 3'11“?”va 9",.» . , *1 _ t: . I P Siva. ‘ “a. General Management Planning Begins Background 5 the 19th century dawned, he United States and Great Britain were locked in a struggle for control of North America’s northern Pacific coast, a region rich in furs. By 1818 the two na- tions had agreed to share access to the Oregon Country, as they had come to call the region, until they could decide upon a bound- ary. Seven years later, in a move designed to maximize profits and to solidify Britain’s claim to all of Oregon, the Hudson’s Bay Company—the giant fur trading organization—moved its Colum- bia District headquarters to the newly established Fort Vancou- ver. For the next two decades, Fort Vancouver was directed by ’ strong-willed, capable people who built it into the fur trade capital of the Pacific Northwest. Primarily responsible for the post’s leader- ship success was Dr. John McLoughlin, an energetic man and a genius at organization who served as chief factor during most of those years. With the help of a broad diversity of paid employ- ees—a cultural mix including American, British, Canadian, French, Hawaiian, Irish, Metis, Scottish, and American Indian Tribes including the Cascades, Chehalis, Chinook, Clallam, Cowlitz, Iroquois, Klickitat, Nisqually, Shasta, Tillamook, and others—Fort Vancouver became the center of international trade and power in the Pacific North- west. In the 1830s and 18405, Ameri- can settlers were attracted to the rich farmlands of Oregon’s Wil- lamette Valley. Dr. McLoughlin made supplies and credit available to the needy and trail-worn settlers arriving over the Oregon Trail. This influx of Americans resulted in a division ofthe Oregon Cmm- try in 1846 along the 49th paral- lel, a decision that left Fort Van- ‘ couyer on American soil. From that time on, and with the arrival in 1849 of the US. Army, the Hudson’s Bay Company fur trade diminished. In 1860, they sold out their holdings and turned (continued on page 2) GMP Planning Steps and Schedule General Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement PLANNING ACTIVITY PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Gather Data and Establish Goals Reaffirm the legislative purposes ofthe park Identify and study park's significantleatures Determine issues and concerns Conduct public scoping meetings Winter 2000 *We Are Here Read this newsletter Attend scheduled meetings Submit commentsheetfrom newsletter Develop a Park Vision and Develop Alternatives Develop goals and objectivesfor park'sfuture Suggesta range ofalternativesto achieve goals, address issues, and solve problems Develop alternatives working with agencies, community members,andtribes Summer2000 Prepare and Publish a Draft GMP/EIS 3 Refinealternatives Analyze environmental impacts associated with each alternative and identify a preferred alternative Distribute draftGMP/Eleor public review and comment Fall 2000 Attend public meetings Read second newsletter Review draftGMP/EIS Agency review Revise Draft and Publish Final GMP/EIS Developfinal GMP/EIS based on public responseto the draftGMP/EIS and other relevantinformation Revise preferred alternative as appropriate Final GMP/EIS distributedto public Spring 2001 5 Begin Implementation Workwith agencies, community, and tribes on partnership activities Requestfunding for major capital improvements and program initiatives Develop any required legislative proposals Summer 2001 Workw'rth agencies, community members, and tribes on partnership activities Dr. John McLaughlin contributed to the success of Fort Vancouver. (continuedfrom page 1) Fort Vancouver over to the U. S. Army, and shortly thereafter fires and decay destroyed the original structures at Fort Vancouver. These historic changes helped stimulate further settlement and growth in the region. As the U. S. Army presence grew, officer’s houses were constructed in a row along the formal parade ground. These stately residences empha- sized the post’s status as the head— quarters of the District of the Co- lumbia. Today, the story of the people of Fort Vancouver and the growth of America in the Pacific North- west is preserved through recon- structions of much of the fort on its original site, and through the preservation of the 19th century US. Army parade ground. As we now move into the let century, how we preserve these important places, and tell the stories of our history for future generations, is a critical task for us all. General Management Plan This winter the park will begin to update and revise its 1978 master plan. Since 1948, Fort Vancouver NHS has been a unit of the Na- tional Park System. Many condi- tions within the park have changed since the last plan was written, or need to be re—evaluated based upon new information. The new General Management Plan (GMP)wi11 set the management direction for Fort Vancouver NHS for the next 15 years. Preparation of this plan will be consistent with legislation cre- ating Fort Vancouver NHS and the National Park Service Organic Act of 1916, providing for protection of the park’s natural and cultural resources while inviting appropri- ate visitor use and enjoyment of the park. The GMP will serve as the lead planning document for Fort Vancouver NHS, with other park planning documents being consis- tent with it. To reflect new issues or changes in management goals, the GMP will be reviewed peri- Building Blocks for Planning ‘he General Management Plan will be based on a number of elements, which need to be consistent with the legislation establishing the park. Your comments and thoughts about these items are welcome. (9 The purpose statement ex- plains why the park was set aside by Congress. 6) The significance statements say why the site is important locally, nationally, and in- temationally. (9 The primary interpretive themes are those ideas about the resources of the park that are so important they should be told to all visitors. Interpre- tive programs and facilities will be designed to convey the themes to the public. 6) Desired future condition statements serve as mission goals for management and a guide for planning. Draft Purpose of Fort Vancouver NHS The purpose of all units of the National Park System, as stated in the NPS Organic Act of 1916, is “to conserve the scen- ery and the natural and historic objects and the wildlife therein and to provide for the enjoy- ment of the same in such a man- ner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future genera- tions.” Specifically, the purpose of Fort Vancouver NHS is to pre- serve and interpret the site of the 19th century Hudson’s Bay Com- pany activities, settlement of the Oregon Territory, and the estab- lishment of the US. Army’s Vancouver Barracks. llrart Slgnlncance of Fort Vancouver NHS ®From 1825 through 1849 Fort Vancouver was the site of the Hudson’s Bay Company’s administrative headquarters and principal supply depot west of the Rocky Mountains. As a re- sult, Hudson’s Bay Com- pany greatly influenced the economic, political, and cul- tural development of the Pa- cific Northwest. G) Fort Vancouver was the Pa- cific Northwest center for fur trade and other commerce, agriculture, and industry be- tween 1825 and 1849. G) Vancouver Barracks (origi- nally established as Colum- bia Barracks in 1849), was the first military post in the Pacific Northwest. It served as headquarters for US. Army operations in the re- gion into the 20th century. 6) Fort Vancouver was the first terminus of the Oregon Trail. 6) Fort Vancouver NHS con- tains extensive archaeologi- cal resources, both in situ (in place) and recovered, that odically and revised or amended as necessary. Scope of the GMP The GMP will address the follow- ing topics: resource protection and management, interpretation, visi- tor use, Native American activi- ties, accessibility for visitors with disabilities, carrying capacities, cooperation with associated part- ners and interests, park operations, and physical developments. Also included will be a plan implemen- tation schedule and preliminary cost estimates. Other elements that may be added to GMPs include a development concept plan, land suitability, and other issues. The NPS is also specifically di- rected by Congress to consider the adequacy of existing boundaries of Fort Vancouver NHS and to evaluate changes needed to pro- tect Fort Vancouver resources. Relatlonshlp to the Vancouver National lllstorlc Reserve Plan In 1996, Congress established the Vancouver National Historic Re- serve to provide for the coordi- nated preservation, public use, and management of historic sites within the Vancouver area. The 366-acre Reserve contains Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, Vancouver Barracks, Officers Row, Pearson Field, the Water provides important informa- tion about the physical rela- tionships and the cultural and economic operation of the Hudson’s Bay Company at Fort Vancouver and the US. Army. DrattPrlmary Interpretlve Themes 6) Crossroads—The Fort Vancouver area lies at the junction of the Columbia River and the Cascade Mountain range. The area is rich in natural resources that provided abundant suste- nance for American Indians and immigrants. The river served as a primary route of exploration, travel, and trade, and the fertile land has supported major agricultural production. 6) Fur Trade and Commerce— Fort Vancouver’s diverse and extensive operations and advantageous location on the Columbia River enabled it to be the center for Northwest fur trade and international commerce. @A Mix of Cultures—Fort Vancouver was a “melting- pot” of diverse human cul- tures of many American In- dian and European peoples. This mix of cultures, and how people lived and worked together, is an im- portant story in the life of the fort and in the development ofthe region. Resources Education Center, and portions of the Columbia River waterfront. The Reserve is not a NPS unit traditionally managed by a superintendent. Instead, legisla- tion established a cooperative management partnership com- posed of four Reserve partners: the National Park Service, the Depart- ment of the Army, the Office of Archaeology and Historic Preser— _ vation of the State of Washington, and the City of Vancouver, Wash- ington. The Cooperative Manage- ment Plan for the Reserve is a statement of a shared vision em- phasizing three principle goals: preservation of the historic struc- tures and landscapes, education and interpretation of the area’s his- tory, and public use and access to Reserve resources. Fort Vancouver NHS at 209 acres is the largest landowner in the Reserve, and is an active partner working with the Reserve on many issues. The Draft Cooperative Man- agement Plan and Environmental Impact Statement for Vancouver National Historic Reserve was produced in July 1999 and a final plan was submitted to the Secre- tary of the Interior and to the Sec- retary of the Army in November 1999. The GMP for Fort Vancouver NHS will be a sepa- rate, but complimentary, planning document produced by the Na- Voyageurs atFort Vancouver 6) Settlement—Fort Vancouver was the commercial, agri- cultural, and social center of the Pacific Northwest. The resources in the area sup— ported further settlement. Fort Vancouver also served as the first terminus of the Oregon Trail and provided large amounts of provisions and supplies to thousands of American settlers. G) Military—Vancouver Bar- racks was the first US. Army post in the Pacific Northwest and served as the headquarters for the vast Department of the Colum- bia. Vancouver Barracks was a center for United States military operations in the region for the last half of the 19‘h century and into the 20‘h century. 6) Archaeological Research and Resources—Through research, archaeological re- sources at Fort Vancouver NHS enable us to learn about the past and tell an accurate story about Fort Vancouver. This illustration shows Fort Vancouver circa 7845. tional Park Service, specifically for Fort Vancouver NHS. How- ever, the NPS intends that the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site GMP will fully complement, and be consistent with, the approved Reserve plan. Planning Team The development of the GMP will be conducted by an interdiscipli- nary team of professionals from the NPS support office in Seattle, park staff, and the park superin- Dratt Desired Future Conditions and Mission Goals 6) In preservation, cultural resources are protected, re— stored or maintained, both as recovered and in—situ ar- chaeological resources. 6) Park visitors are provided effective interpretation, education, and orientation about the history and sig- nificance of the park that results in understanding park resources and support for preservation. (9 Park visitors are able to safely enjoy and are satis— fied with park facilities and services. 6) Formal partnership pro— grams are established to assist in education, inter- pretation and in the conser- vation and preservation of cultural resources. 6) The most current manage— ment practices, systems, and technologies are used to accomplish this mis- sion. ————————————————————————————— ._”____"__CUT" ..__—_-___—_———————__ ___.._.1i.._._...t.______.__.._._..___.._.. CUT HERE TAPE, PLEASE DON’T STAPLE '“WWTWWM w“*fl ‘ AiAmes "tilting ‘ tendent. Specialists, with expertise to address various park planning concerns, will be included on the team. In addition, consultants pos- sessing specialized knowledge of Fort Vancouver National Historic Site or special expertise may serve as advisors to the planning team. Numerous agencies and organiza- tions at the state and local level will be contacted for their valuable in- put and expertise. Environmental Impact Statement The GMP will also contain an en— vironmental impact statement (EIS) to evaluate the environmen— tal consequences of implementing What Are Your Concerns? Send Us Your Comments The National Park Service invites you to share your thoughts regarding the future of Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. What are your concerns? How would you like to see the park managed? Do you have any creative or innovative solutions to pressing park issues? Information you may have will help to determine the types of issues the NPS will need to address in the General Man- agement Plan. Subsequently, alternative management actions will be developed to address these issues. During the fall of 2000, the Draft Fort Vancouver National Historic Site General Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement is scheduled to be published. The NPS hopes that you will take the opportunity to read and comment on the draft plan when it becomes available for public review. To mail, please fold thisform in half; enclose additional sheets of comments ifneces- saiy, seal it with tape (do not staple), and mail to the pre- printed address. Please send any comments you may have by March 30, 2000. Please contact Tony Sisto, Superintendent (360) 696- 7655 for additional information. if; ILWH‘” ML; r. the plan. As required by the Na- tional Environmental Policy Act a range of alternatives will be devel- oped. With the help of public in- volvement and analysis of the po- tential affects, the EIS will evalu- ate distinct management ap- proaches for dealing with park is- sues. l1 ERE I | m :3 | 0 E a I- . .. . ((WME Do you want to remam on the ma1l1ng 11st? i '53 d E q, Omgzn ' i afiu‘fl For future plannmg newsletters? Yes No i C2) 2 — E For future park act1v1t1es? Yes No i 3 Please print your name and address below if you I wish to be added to the mailing list: I Name: I _ Address: {—— City, State, Zip: Comments: Please include a separate sheetforadditional comments. All comments received will become partofthe public record and copies of comments, including names, addresses, andtelephone numbers provided by respondents, may be releasedfor public inspection. Park Issues and Opportunities The following topics describe some ofthe preliminary issues the GMP must address for the park to carry out its responsibilities of pre- serving the resources of Fort Vancouver NH S and providing for public use. Other concerns may be identified, defined, and clarified through public participation. Reconstruction of Fort and Cultural Landscape Since 1966, Fort Vancouver’s pali- sade and nine buildings have been reconstructed on their original 10- cations. The plan needs to exam- ine the purpose and extent of fur- ther reconstruction at the fort, in- cluding interior building treat- ment, phasing, and staffing among other considerations. With the completion of the Pearson Air Museum, the city of Vancouver will remove the former aviation museum building, T- hangers, and associated taxiways from NPS property by the year 2003. This action would enable the NPS to restore portions of the cultural landscape using the 1992 Cultural Landscape Report.“ Fort Vancouver National Historic Site and the 1978 Fort Vancouver Na- tional Historic Site Master Plan as guides. This would include re- examining circulation through the park, infrastructure needs, or- chard, garden, and agricultural fields management. The NPS also ..|8 z 233 2%? WM] >§§ _I§ mag N_ Ills; or“ =5 (059 E: (I) a m; -_-' 3%,: m? ll. FHMlIYHIMMEISEm FORT VANCOUVER NHS GENERAL MANAGEMENT PLAN NATIONAL PARK SERVICE 909 1ST AVE STE 500 SEATTLE WA 98104-9882 needs to address vehicle and pe- destrian circulation and appropri- ate uses for the waterfront area and Company Village. Reposltory or Research Center Fort Vancouver NHS is presently curating over 1 million artifacts. The vast majority of these came from archaeological excavations at the site, as well as from three other Hudson’s Bay Company sites in the Pacific Northwest. With these unparalleled, site-specific re- sources, the park has the potential to be a major research and educa- tional center, documenting the early historical development of the Pacific Northwest. The management approach for this collection needs to be devel- oped and documented. The NPS needs to determine whether Fort Vancouver NHS should function simply as a repository for the pres- ervation, storage, and accountabil- ity of the collections, or whether it should fill the demanding func— tions of a Research Center. Fac- tors to be taken into consideration include the following: accessibil— ity and availability of collections, staffing, funding, interpretation, equipment and facility needs, among others. This determination may affect long and short-term planning for other activities and operations. (continued on page 4) (continuedfrom page 3) McLoughIin House NHS In Oregon City, Oregon In 1941, the McLoughlin House NHS (home ofJohn McLoughlin, chief factor at Fort Vancouver) in Oregon City, Oregon was estab- lished as a national historic site. It is an affiliated unit of the National Park System, and is owned by Or- egon City. The site helps to tell the important contributions that John McLoughlin made in the early settlement and development of the Oregon Country. The superinten— dent of Fort Vancouver NHS serves as a liaison for the Depart- ment of Interior with the McLoughlin Memorial Associa- tion which manages the site. The NPS needs to determine the extent of outreach and education between the two sites, along with other af— filiated sites in the region. Outreach There are numerous opportunities to expand upon media and out— reach programs to the schools and on the lntemet. The NPS needs to decide which opportunities should be explored further and their finan- cial and staffing implications. Fort Vancouver NHS as a Reserve Partner As part of the planning process, Fort Vancouver NHS needs to ad— dress its continuing role as a part- ner in the Vancouver National His— toric Reserve. The NPS has been ide..tified as the- ”ad agency for interpretation of the Reserve. Is- sues such as staffing, administra- tive, and budget demands on the park need to be explored, along with identifying specific imple- mentation measures. Adjacent U.S. Army Property The U.S. Army at Ft. Lewis, Washington, has completed an Environmental Assessment on a proposed action to declare portions of Vancouver Barracks excess to their needs. Surplus Army land may become available near the fort entrance in the future that would further help the park meet its mis- sion. This could include land that may be available for parking near the fort entrance, interpretive ac- tivities, and the protection of his- toric barracks structures along the parade grounds. It is important that the NPS work with adjacent land- owners on protecting historic sce- nic views and cooperating with land use needs of other partners. Staffing Actions recommended within the different alternatives developed in the draft GMP may impact exist- ing staffing levels. Some staffing considerations that need to be ad- dressed in the GMP include the disciplines of natural resource management, archaeology and re- search, interpretation, and admin- istration to help in the additional activities within the Reserve. Fu- ture staffing needs will need to be compared with the existing perma- nent and seasonal workforce. Facility Location The GMP planning process will examine the location of facilities and the relationship between them. For example, additional storage is needed for equipment and materi- als at the maintenance shop and ad— ministrative building. Multi-func- tions occurring in the same work spaces create crowding and safety issues. The visitor center’s theater is small and awkward, and the re- lationship of the visitor center to the reconstructed fort needs to be evaluated. The work space at the fort for staff and volunteers is in- adequate. The location and ad- equacy of public and park opera— tional spaces need to be addressed as part of the planning process. Interpretation and Education The Fort Vancouver NHS interpre- tive program goes beyond the walls of the reconstructed fort. Many significant stories remain to be told involving the additional activities of the Hudson’s Bay Company beyond the fur trade. The lifestyles of the workers, in particular those living in the Com- pany Village west of the fort, are important stories, as is the signifi- cant connection with the Colum— bia River. In addition, the interpre- tive program should in some fash- ion be more inclusive of 19th cen- tury military interpretive themes to comply with legislation and park purpose. How and where should this occur? ' Fort Vaned‘utler . . . ,Nat'onal Historic Site “w F‘W‘Ml $1 on'alistorlc How Can You Participate? It is important to involve the public at the earliest possible stages, before planning decisions are made. The NPS invites you (private citizens, agencies, private organiza- tions, businesses and other interested parties), at the beginning of this project, to voice your concerns and share your vision for the future of Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. Your thoughts and comments will help identify the scope of issues to be addressed in the GMP. These ideas will help form the foundation for developing a plan to guide the management of Fort Vancouver NHS for the next fifteen years. Opportunities for public participation will include attending public workshops and meetings during public scoping and the release of the draft plan, and reviewing and submitting written comment on the future draft GMP/EIS. The NPS will keep you informed by providing periodic newsletter updates. Two public scoping meetings are scheduled with the National Park Service in January 2000. If you are unable to attend and wish to provide written comments, please write your com— ments on the enclosed pre-addressed form (enclose additional comments if necessary) and return it by March I, 2000. T hank you for your help! Public Meetings Water Resources Education Center Wednesday, January 12, 2000 from 6:30 — 9:00 pm. 4600 SE. Columbia Way Vancouver, Washington 98668 McLoughlin House National Historic Site/Barclay House 719 Center Street Thursday, January 13, 2000./from 2:00 — 4:30 pm. Oregon City, Oregon 97045 FIRST CLASS MAIL POSTAGE & FEES PAID NATIONAL PARK SERVICE PERMIT NO. G-83 I: '1' I?» ‘V‘g‘: 7"“; " "Dimr ite“ geperal Management Plan : .SCOpfi ng~NeWflfiter T?!“