National Park Service News Releases

C&O Canal Association Volunteer Team Honored for Outstanding Service

April 22nd, 2008, Hagerstown, Md. The C & O Canal Association Volunteer Team was honored for outstanding service with the George B. Hartzog, Jr. award by the National Park Service in the National Capital Region on April 16, 2008, at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts in Vienna, Virginia. The awards are named for the former National Park Service Director George B. Hartzog, Jr., who established the National Park Service Volunteer-In-Parks Program. The awards, established in 2002, recognize the commitment of the Park Services most outstanding volunteers. The award given was for outstanding service by a volunteer group in fiscal year 2007.

The C&O Canal Association Volunteer Team independently completes maintenance projects through association members and other park volunteers. In 2007, association members completed 11 service projects with 136 volunteers for a total of 637 volunteer hours. Members removed invasive plant species, painted park structures, worked on trail restoration, repaired a public access trail, removed vegetation from historic structures, painted and repaired picnic tables, and installed interpretive wayside exhibits. The team also led the park's participation in the Alice Ferguson Foundation's Potomac Watershed Clean-Up. The C & O Canal Association Volunteer Team led groups at Swain's Lock, Angler's Inn, Pennyfield Lock, Riley's Lock, and Violette's Lock. In the past three years, the C & O Canal Association Volunteer Team has installed over 20 waysides and various types of signage throughout the park.

C & O Canal Superintendent Kevin Brandt commended the team for their efforts and dedication to the park. The park is proud of this special group, and encourages others in the community to become great stewards of the C & O Canal as this volunteer team has done.

C&O Canal Announces Junior Ranger Day Activities in Cumberland

Cumberland Md. As part of the weeklong National Park Week Celebration, the C&O Canal National Historical Park in Cumberland will have some activities for children ages 6 to 12 at Canal Place on Saturday, April 26, 2008.

Guided tours and short talks will be given in the C&O Canal Cumberland Visitor Center located in the Western Maryland Railway Station providing Junior Rangers the opportunity to learn about mules, lift locks and boatbuilding. The Visitor Center is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The replica canal boat The Cumberland will be open for touring from 1 4 p.m. Children can learn about how families lived and worked on canal boats as they traveled up and down the canal. Junior Ranger booklets and coloring activities will be provided in the Visitor Center and badges will be distributed to those individuals who participate in several activities during the day.

April 9th, 2008, Potomac, MD – Calling all businesses, schools, scouts, clubs, religious organizations and individuals! Your help is needed on Saturday, April 19th, 2008, at the C&O Canal Pride Days Kick-Off at Great Falls Tavern in the C&O Canal National Historical Park. Volunteers will tackle numerous revitalization projects located around Tavern such as raking leaves, spreading mulch, painting historic structures, clearing overgrown vegetation and much more.

Organized by the C&O Canal Trust in partnership with the National Park Service, this is a great opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, meet new people and show your pride for our beautiful C&O Canal National Historical Park!

In addition to the knowledge that they’re helping to preserve and protect our beautiful National Historical Park, all registered volunteers will receive a C&O Canal Pride Days T-shirt, coupon for a free ride on a historic canal boat, and will be eligible for raffle prizes. Spaces are limited, register today!

To get involved, complete the C&O Canal Trust’s short on-line application at www.canaltrust.org, call (301) 714-2233 or send an email to info@canaltrust.org. We look forward to hearing from you today!

C&O Canal Pride Days is being made possible, in part, through the generous sponsorship of Minkoff Development Corporation and Potomac Paddlesports.

Hello Dolly! - C&O Canal Welcomes Newest Mule

April 8th, 2008, Hagerstown, MD – The National Park Service will be holding a special welcome for the park’s newest mule, Dolly on Saturday, April 12, 2008 from 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Great Falls Tavern area of the park. Dolly was donated to the C&O Canal by the Friends of Historic Great Falls Tavern. The Friends donated the canal boat Charles F. Mercer to the park in 2006.

Park Superintendent Kevin Brandt and Friends of Historic Great Falls Tavern President Don Harrison will be present to welcome Dolly to the Canal.

Dolly will join five other mules, Ida, Ada, Lil, Nell, and Molly, pulling the park’s two canal boats. The park staff presents educational and interpretive programs on the boats from April through October. The two boats are the Charles F. Mercer, located at the Great Falls Tavern, and the Georgetown, located at 1057 Thomas Jefferson Street in Georgetown.

Dolly is the latest in a string of mules to be donated to the park. The Friends of Historic Great Falls Tavern also donated a mule named Ellie who died last year at age 26. Lil was donated to the park by the C&O Canal Association.

For more information about the Friends of Historic Great Falls Tavern visit their web site at www.buildacanalboat.com. For more information about the C&O Canal, including specific information about the mules and information about canal boat trips, visit www.nps.gov/choh/.

April 8th, 2008, Hagerstown, Md. -- Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park is conducting a public review of the "Catoctin Aqueduct Restoration Draft Environmental Assessment." The National Park Service began accepting public review comments on March 10, 2008. Due to an electrical problem with the National Park Service’s information center in Washington DC on April 3 and 4, the project was unavailable for public access. As a result, public comments will be accepted through April 14, 2008.

The draft Environmental Assessment presents information on projected impacts to park resources from the proposed restoration of the historic aqueduct that was completed in 1834 to carry the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal across Catoctin Creek. The stone structure fell into disrepair following the termination of canal operations in 1924. Subsequent floods hastened the partial collapse of the structure. The proposed project would restore the structure to its historic dimensions

Further information pertaining to the project can be found at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/choh. Written comments may be submitted either through the park planning website or may be sent to Kevin Brandt, Superintendent, C&O Canal National Historical Park, 1850 Dual Highway, Suite 100, Hagerstown, Maryland 21740.

April 7th, 2008, Williamsport, MD – Building America’s Canals, an exhibit organized by the National Canal Museum, will open on Thursday, April 17 in the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, Trolley Barn Building in the Cushwa Basin at Williamsport. The traveling exhibit blends science and history through hands-on activities that allows children and adults to experience the marvel of canal engineering first-hand. The exhibit will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from April 17 through October 12, 2008. Admission is free.

Elements of the exhibit include a chance to build your own canal, construct an aqueduct, design and operate lift locks, be your own boat captain, build a suspension bridge, and operate cranes used to load and unload canal boats! Exhibits also provide historical background on the C&O Canal and the role that the canal played in the development of canal towns like Williamsport.

C&O Canal NHP Superintendent Kevin Brandt stated, “Williamsport is a classic canal town. It is only appropriate that this exhibit, Building America’s Canals, will be displayed in the historic Trolley Barn in Cushwa Basin in Williamsport. I am thrilled that all Washington County fourth grade classes are participating in the Park Ranger curriculum based education program.”

The C&O Canal Trust in partnership with the C&O Canal National Historical Park has provided support for the Building America’s Canal exhibit. Donations of funds, materials and services from a number of local businesses, the Town of Williamsport and Washington County, have helped prepare the Trolley Barn to present the exhibit and accommodate visitors to the building. Eastern National, Maccaferri, Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Allegheny Energy, Hopewell Manufacturing, GS Images, Ellsworth Electric, Noland Company and Washington County Public Schools have all contributed to make the Building America’s Canals exhibit a reality.

In conjunction with the opening of the Building America’s Canals exhibit, the C&O Canal National Historical Park Williamsport Visitor Center will extend its hours of operations to 7 days a week, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. beginning April 17. Please contact the Williamsport visitor center at 301-582-0813 for more information about the exhibit or other park programs and services.

C&O Canal Reminds the Public that Pets Must be Leashed

April 2nd, 2008, Hagerstown, MD – The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park reminds visitors that pets must be controlled at all times by means of a physical restraint, leash, cage, or crate. Some visitors have been allowing their pets, dogs in particular, to be off leash while visiting the park. United States Park Police Officers and United States National Park Service Rangers will enforce the applicable "leash law."

"For many dog owners seeing their dog sprint free of restraint is a pleasure, but for park wildlife and other park visitors it can be a very hazardous" Superintendent Kevin Brandt said. The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park has documented two recent cases of visitors being bitten by dogs and one formal complaint about dogs being allowed to run free since the beginning of the year. In the United States 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs every year.

Here are four reasons to keep your dog on a leash while in a National Park:

Your dog's health: Loose dogs are more likely to be attacked by wild animals that make their home in the park. Foxes and raccoons can carry the rabies virus. Also, dogs are very curious about snakes and they do not know the difference between poisonous and non-poisonous snakes. A curious nose can easily be too close for comfort for a resting snake.

The health of park flora and fauna: While a dog tearing through the woods may seem like a happy thing to humans, for park wildlife it can be a very negative experience. Young deer often freeze if they are scared by a running dog and even your kindest family pet can harass or prey on young deer. Dogs like to chase small animals. In a park, that animal might be a skunk! Loose dogs can also eat treasured or endangered plants and their urine and feces can deter plant growth. Dog excrement can also decrease water quality in small streams.

Public Safety: A dog off leash can harass hikers and other people who may not like dogs or may just want to have a quiet day in the park. Cars and bicyclists will swerve out of the way if a loose dog runs across the road or towpath and this has caused accidents.

Your Wallet: It is illegal to have your pet off of its leash in all Greater Washington National Parks. A "dog off leash" fine is $50.00 in a national park. For additional information regarding the rules and regulations in C&O Canal National Historic Park please call 301-739-4200 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/choh.

C & O Canal Announces New Chief Ranger

March 17th, 2008, Hagerstown, MD – The National Park Service announced that Bradley Clawson has been selected as the Chief Ranger for Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. Clawson, a 28 veteran of the National Park Service, is currently a Supervisory Park Ranger at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. He will begin his duties for the C&O Canal NHP in mid-April. Clawson succeeds Ryan Peabody who left the position in November 2007 to accept a position with U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

"We are pleased to have Brad join our Park team" said C&O Canal Superintendent Kevin Brandt, "Brad’s experience will facilitate the protection of our park’s precious resources and ensure our visitors safety". Brad Clawson expressed his excitement about returning to the C&O Canal NHP. "I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as the Chief Ranger and look forward to protecting the historical, cultural and natural resources of the park while providing for visitor safety". Clawson recently completed an Acting Chief Ranger detail appointment for the C&O Canal NHP

Clawson will take over the position of Chief Ranger at a time of increasing attention to law enforcement and homeland security within the National Park Service. He will supervise a staff of 16 federal law enforcement rangers and will be responsible for managing the park’s visitor and resource protection program, which includes law enforcement and emergency services in the park. The C&O Canal NHP encompasses nearly 20,000 acres, more than 1,367 historic structures, and services over 2.8 million visitors each year.

In 1980, Clawson began his National Park Service career as a law enforcement ranger at Gettysburg National Military Park. Since then he has held ranger positions at Colonial National Historical Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and currently at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. He currently resides in Sandyston, New Jersey. He and his wife, Elizabeth have 3 adult children.

C&O Canal Invites Public to Comment on Draft Environmental Assessment for Catoctin Aqueduct Restoration in Frederick County

March 11th, 2008, Hagerstown, Md. -- Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park is conducting a public review of the "Catoctin Aqueduct Restoration Draft Environmental Assessment." The National Park Service will be accepting public review comments beginning March 10, 2008 through April 11, 2008. The draft Environmental Assessment presents information on projected impacts to park resources from the proposed restoration of the historic aqueduct that was completed in 1834 to carry the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal across Catoctin Creek. The stone structure fell into disrepair following the termination of canal operations in 1924. Subsequent floods hastened the partial collapse of the structure. The proposed project would restore the structure to its historic dimensions.

A public meeting will be held on March 26, 2008 from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM at the Brunswick Elementary School, 400 Central Avenue, Brunswick, Maryland 21716.

Further information pertaining to the project can be found at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/choh. Written comments may be submitted either through the park planning website or may be sent to Kevin Brandt, Superintendent, C&O Canal National Historical Park, 1850 Dual Highway, Suite 100, Hagerstown, Maryland 21740.

March 4th, 2008, Hagerstown, Md. – The National Park Service, Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, has concluded the National Environmental Policy Act requirements for the "Power Plant Water Right-of-Way Request near Point of Rocks, Frederick County, Maryland." The National Park Service has issued a Finding of No Significant Impact determination. The Final Environmental Assessment, including the Finding of No Significant Impact, can be found on http://parkplanning.nps.gov/choh.

Catoctin Power, LLC, a division of Sempra Energy Resources, submitted a right-of-way application to National Park Service to access the Potomac River for their proposed power generation facility near Buckeystown, Md. The project will establish a raw water line and wastewater discharge line right-of-way across property of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historic Park near Point of Rocks, Frederick County, Maryland.

The draft environmental assessment (EA) was on public review from July 31, 2007 through August 31, 2007, with a public meeting conducted on August 14, 2007. The draft Environmental Assessment presented information on projected impacts to park resources from the proposed right-of-way crossing.

February 8th, 2008, Hagerstown, Md. – The Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park is recruiting members for its highly successful volunteer Bike Patrol. Anyone with a love for cycling, the outdoors, the C & O Canal, and the well-being of the visitors is encouraged to apply.

Bike Patrol members routinely answer questions and distribute park literature to visitors. They work with National Park Service rangers and the U. S. Park Police officers to assist the park’s more than 3 million yearly visitors.

Bike Patrol members are furnished with all the necessary training to be effective stewards of the park. They are equipped with first aid kits, park information, and park radios or cell phones to be used in emergency situations. Patrollers are also provided with uniform shirts and vests. Members are expected to provide their own bicycles and are asked for a time commitment of 40 hours per year.

For more information regarding the Bike Patrol, including an application for membership, please contact one of the following park visitor centers: Georgetown and Great Falls Tavern Visitor Centers, 301-767-3714 ( liebow@comcast.net); Williamsport Visitor Center, 301-582-0813 (leslie_brodhead@nps.gov); or Cumberland Visitor Center, 301-722-8226 (rita_knox@nps.gov).

Interested applicants can also view all positions available within the park online at http://www.nps.gov/choh/supportyourpark/volunteer.htm, or can contact the volunteer coordinator by phone at 301-714-2218 or by e-mail at danny_filer@nps.gov.

February 8th, 2008, Potomac, Md. – Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park is looking for volunteers to help operate the canal boats Charles F. Mercer at Great Falls, Maryland and Georgetown at Georgetown in Washington DC. Volunteers will operate historic lift locks, handle and steer canal boats, and help visitors understand the history of the C&O Canal and what life on the canal was like. Volunteers must be able to push or pull up to 75 pounds in order to operate the locks or handle the boat lines. For more information or to volunteer contact Alyssa Baltrus or Harry Hagen at (301)767-3714 or at alyssa_baltrus@nps.gov

February 7th, 2008, Hagerstown, Md. – The Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park has a variety of volunteer opportunities available, both at the park headquarters in Hagerstown and within the 184.5 mile-long park. Opportunities include working on the bike patrol, which operates out of park visitor centers located in Brunswick, Cumberland, Williamsport, and Great Falls Tavern. We also have a need for volunteers to work on one of the park’s living history canal boats that operate in Georgetown and at the Great Falls Tavern. The park headquarters in Hagerstown, Maryland, has office and clerical positions in the fields of resource management, preservation, interpretation, and trail rehabilitation.

Interested applicants can view all positions available within the park on-line at http://www.nps.gov/choh/supportyourpark/volunteer.htm, or can contact the volunteer coordinator by phone at 301-714-2218 or by e-mail at danny_filer@nps.gov.