C & O Canal Association

Every effort will be made to minimize traffic delays and accomplish the work in a timely manner. Visitors are asked to observe posted construction signs, obey traffic direction provided by flaggers, and exercise caution when driving along the park entrance road.

The work is being performed under a contract administered for the Park by the Federal Highway Administration.

Hagerstown, Md. - The National Park Service reminds visitors that bringing firewood from outside the park to use in campgrounds or picnic areas in C&O Canal National Historical Park is prohibited. Firewood may contain non-native insects such as Emerald Ash Borer and Asian Longhorned Beetle. Bringing firewood into the park from other areas may accidentally spread pest insects and diseases that threaten the health of our forest.

“By complying with this regulation our visitors help us protect the park” Kevin Brandt, Superintendent of C&O Canal said. “These pests and diseases can cause great damage to trees in the park and on private lands nearby.”

Dead wood on the ground may be collected for use as fuel for campfires within the immediate vicinity of designated picnic and camping areas, but may not be removed from the park. Some firewood cut by park staff from inside the park may be available at campsites. Check with the campground host or a park ranger.

Management of trees infected with these pests involves drastic measures - complete removal of all trees (infested and otherwise) in the immediate and surrounding areas. Both beetles can be easily spread in firewood, which may look normal, but still be infested with the immature stage of these insects. The ash borer primarily infects species of ash trees. The longhorned beetle attacks maple, elm, horsechestnut, and other hardwoods. There are specific quarantines that restrict the removal of wood products from Prince George’s County Maryland, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and parts of New York and New Jersey. The firewood ban reflects measures taken by the State of Maryland (May 2007) in their parks and forests, and at Catoctin Mountain Park, a National Park Service site.

For additional information on this program, contact Scott Bell, Natural Resource Program Manager, Resource Management Division at (301)714-2224.

WASHINGTON, DC –The National Park Service announced on April 22 nearly 800 projects totaling $750 million that can be completed across the country with funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. “These projects are an investment in America’s future that will create jobs, stimulate the economies of local communities, and get our country moving again,” Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar said. “They are also an investment in telling the story of America to future generations through our national parks by conserving our awe-inspiring landscapes, our rich culture, and our great heritage.” “We will use Recovery Act funding to make a difference in parks,” said Acting Director Dan Wenk. “We will fix trails, invest in energy efficient vehicles, build new visitor facilities, cleanup abandoned mine sites, increase our ability to generate power from the sun, and finally complete overdue maintenance on our buildings and roads.”

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park has seven projects totaling nearly $14 million among those announced. The projects funded at C&O Canal are the following;

$12.1 million to repair the Big Slackwater historic stone wall and towpath
$661,000 to repair parts of the C&O Canal towpath
$475,000 to replace the boat ramp and parking area at Point of Rocks, Maryland
$322,000 to repair Lock 22 near Potomac, Maryland
$213,000 to control exotic plants
$113,000 to repoint masonry structures in watered areas of the canal
$112,000 to expand the Brunswick boat ramp and improve the service road

“These important projects will provide much needed jobs in many of the local communities along the canal” Kevin Brandt, Superintendent of Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park said. “They will make the C&O Canal a safer more enjoyable place to visit, will support our community partners along the park, and will help preserve many of the park’s outstanding resources. We are delighted at this opportunity to move these projects forward.”

All the projects are long-standing priorities of the National Park Service and meet the criteria put forth in the Recovery Act: namely, that a project addresses the Department’s highest priority mission needs; generates the largest number of jobs in the shortest period of time; and creates lasting value for the American public.

Secretary Salazar has pledged unprecedented levels of transparency and accountability in the implementation of the Department’s economic recovery projects. The public will be able to follow the progress of each project on the recovery web site and on www.interior.gov/recovery/nps.

02 Apr 09 - C&O Canal Association Donates $40,000 to Park for Big Slackwater

Hagerstown, MD – Today the C&O Canal Association presented the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park a $40,000 donation to help fund the cost of an environmental assessment for the Big Slackwater repair project. This brings the C&O Canal Association’s donations to this project to $80,000.

“Restoration of the Big Slackwater towpath will enhance visitor safety and encourage heritage tourism that will enhance local and regional economies” said Rachel Stewart, President of the C&O Canal Association. “Slackwater is the priority project for the Association.” Superintendent Kevin Brandt recognized the Association for their support of the park and the Big Slackwater project, and called the donation “…an important step in bringing the project to fruition.”

With the assistance of the C&O Canal Association and other partners the C&O Canal National Historical Park has completed the 30% design plans for the repair of Big Slackwater, which is the only break in the 185 mile historic canal towpath that connects Cumberland to Washington, DC. The next phase of the project is the environmental assessment. The repair of Big Slackwater is the park’s highest priority repair project.

The Big Slackwater section of the towpath is just west of Dam #4. It was destroyed during the Hurricane Agnes flood of 1972, and damaged again during the floods of 1996. Pedestrians and cyclists have been forced to use a nearly 5 mile detour on a narrow county roadway to by-pass this closure. Over 30 people have been injured in accidents on this detour in the last five years.

The C&O Canal Association is a citizens’ association concerned with the conservation of the natural and historical environment of the C&O Canal and the Potomac River Basin. The Association supports the National Park Service in its efforts to preserve and promote

Williamsport, Md. – Tom Kozar, “Artist in Residence” for the C&O Canal National Historical Park is having a showing of his art work at the at the C&O Canal in Williamsport, Maryland. The exhibit will be shown in the Trolley building next to the Williamsport Visitor Center. The opening day of the exhibit is March 21, from 2pm to 8 pm, with a reception and opportunity to meet the artist from 4 pm to 6pm. The exhibit will be open on Sunday, March 22, noon to 4 pm; Saturday, March 28, 10 am to 4 pm; and Sunday, March 29, noon – 4 pm.

The theme of the show will be “Ladies on the Canal”, highlighting Kozar’s new series. The show will include canal-related works, both originals and prints, of various scenes along the canal, from Georgetown to Cumberland. This is a great opportunity to view the range of Kozar’s work.

29 Jan 09 - Park Offers Reward for Identifying Those Responsible for Burglary from Lock House 49

The National Park Service is offering a reward for information leading to the arrest of suspects responsible for the burglary and theft of property from Lock House 49 in Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. This site is located in the Four Locks area of Washington County, Maryland. Sometime between Thursday night January 22, 2009, and Friday morning January 23, 2009, unknown person or persons broke into the historic lock house and stole various items.

Any persons with information regarding this crime are asked to call the National Park Service Toll Free Number 1-866-677-6677 or contact U.S. Park Ranger Leigh Zahm at (301) 491-6267. Callers may remain anonymous.

National Park Service News Releases

30 Nov 09 - Temporary Closure of Stop Gate Winch House

Great Falls, MD– On October, 2009 the National Park Service gave notice to proceed to N-Powel Company, Inc. to execute the reconstruction of the stop gate winch house. The stop gate is located in Great falls, MD and is in the C&O Canal National Historical Park. This project will reconstruct the historic mechanical winch house located at mile post 13.74 that was destroyed by flood waters in 1889 and install a new over head rail crane system as well as a wooden stairway from the water and towpath level to the top of the abutment. The existing stop gate bridge will be closed and demolished starting the week of November 16 and is expected to be completed by December 31, 2009. During this period there will be no access from Berma Road to the towpath. All visitors are expected to use the towpath to access Widewater, The Great Falls overlook, and the Billy Goat Trail sections A, B, and C from the parking areas near the Old Anglers Inn. Any further necessary delays or closures of the stop gate will be communicated in press releases such as this and posted on signs nearest to all access point.

For additional information on this program, contact Mike Seibert, Project Manager, Preservation and Project Management Division at (301)714-2217.

22 Oct 09 - Reward Offered For Information on Boat and Barrels Dumped at C&O Canal

National Park Service Rangers at the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park are requesting assistance from anyone that may have information regarding two incidents of illegal dumping that occurred on park land in Montgomery County.

On August 8th a white and blue Penn Yan boat with a fly bridge, a small below deck cabin, and the name “Moonliter” on the stern was reported as dumped in a field off River Road between Edwards Ferry Road and Elmer School Road. It is believed that more than one person was involved in the dumping of the boat, and they damaged their boat trailer in the process of pushing the boat off onto the ground. When law enforcement rangers investigated they discovered a second dumping occurrence which included seven drums of Duracryl lacquer thinner, a hazardous flammable solvent, had also been dumped in the same area.

If anyone has any information on either of these incidents they are encouraged to call the toll free phone line (866)677-6677. A $1,000 reward is offered for information leading to a conviction in either of these cases.

Please contact the Montgomery County Division of Solid Waste Services for free or low cost, convenient alternatives to illegal dumping. You can find information on the web at the following address: www.montgomerycountymd.gov/solidwaste

24 Aug 09 - C&O Canal Invites Public to Discuss America’s Best Idea

Brunswick, Md. – Be part of an unprecedented celebration of what historian Wallace Stegner called “America’s Best Idea.” Join Superintendent Kevin Brandt, Mayor Carroll Jones, and other dignitaries to discuss the future of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park on September 3 at 7:30 at Square Corner Park on the corner of Maple Ave and East Potomac Street in Brunswick, Maryland. In case of inclement weather this event will be held at the Brunswick City Park Building, 655 East Potomac Street, Brunswick, Maryland

"We are excited about the opportunity to engage old friends and new visitors in a dialogue on the future of the park and how C&O Canal is part of America’s Best Idea,” said Superintendent Brandt. “Making that best idea even better is our goal and one we can only accomplish with the support of our visitors, volunteers, and partners.”

To thank the community, visitors and volunteers who help make the C&O Canal a special place, the park will offer a sneak peak of the new Ken Burns film The National Parks: America’s Best Idea that premieres on September 27th.

Park staff will be holding similar events throughout the park. Events are scheduled on September 5 at the Carderock Pavilion near Glen Echo; September 10 at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, West Virginia; September 11 at the town commons in Poolesville, Maryland; September 15 at the Great Falls Tavern near Potomac, Maryland: September 19 at Widmeyer Park in Hancock, Maryland; September 23 at the Bridge of Life Auditorium in Hagerstown, Maryland; and September 24 at the Weinberg Center for the Arts in Frederick, Maryland. For more information on these and other America’s Best Idea events please call (301)739-4200.

18 Aug 09 - C&O Canal Invites Public to Discuss America’s Best Idea

Williamsport, Md. – Be part of an unprecedented celebration of what historian Wallace Stegner called “America’s Best Idea.” Join Superintendent Kevin Brandt, Mayor Jim McCleaf, and other dignitaries to discuss the future of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park on August 22 at 4:00 at the Springfield Barn on Springfield Lane in Williamsport, Maryland.

Park staff will be holding similar events throughout the park. Events are scheduled on September 3 at Brunswick, Maryland, September 5 at the Carderock Pavilion; September 9 in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, September 11 in Poolesville, Maryland; September 15 at the Great Falls Tavern near Potomac, Maryland: September 19 in Hancock, Maryland; September 23 in Hagerstown, Maryland; and September 26 in Cumberland, Maryland. For more information on these and other America’s Best Idea events please call (301)739-4200.

23 Jul 09 - C&O Canal Invites Public Comment on Williamsport Canal Project

Williamsport, Md. - The National Park Service will host a public information meeting regarding the proposed restoration of canal operations at Williamsport, Washington County, Maryland, between milepost 98.78 to milepost 99.95 of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. The meeting will be held on August 5, 2009 at 7:00 pm at the Williamsport Community Building on Park Road in Byron Memorial Park in Williamsport, Maryland.

"I invite the public to meet the planning team and learn about the numerous proposed preservation projects in the area" park superintendent Kevin Brandt said. The meeting will present some possible alternatives for these projects. The meeting agenda will allow the public to propose additional alternatives.

The project encompasses the area from Lock 44 to 600 feet upstream of the Conococheague Aqueduct. The project will seek to rehabilitate the municipal storage yard adjacent to the Cushwa basin, repair Lock 44 leaks, and restore the historic railroad lift bridge. Also being considered is the restoration of the Conococheague Aqueduct and the canal prism and towpath for a mile upstream of the aqueduct, the introduction of canal boat operations, and historic preservation and visitor services work at the Cushwa Warehouse. The project team will work with Williamsport town leaders to develop visitor tours of both the canal and the town using shared themes, and to develop the cultural landscape of the project area and the Lock 44 lock house using interpretive wayside exhibits and other informational signs. The development of a new visitor center at the Trolley Barn at the Cushwa Basin area will also be considered as a part of this project.

A 30-day public scoping period is being held to solicit public comments on this proposal. During this scoping period, the public is invited to identify any issues or concerns they might have with the proposed project so that the National Park Service can appropriately consider them in the environmental assessment. You may submit comments electronically at the National Park Service's Planning, Environment, and Public Comment website or submit written comments to:

Superintendent
C&O Canal National Historical Park
1850 Dual Highway, Suite 100
Hagerstown, MD 21740

Please submit your scoping comments by September 4, 2009. Once the environmental assessment is developed, it will be made available for public review for a 30-day period. If you wish to be added to the park's mailing list for this or other announcements, please be sure to indicate that in your response.

09 Jun 09 - Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park Announces Mushroom Collecting Regulations

The morel mushroom season is here and the National Park Service would like to inform visitors about the regulations on collecting mushrooms in the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. The National Park Service has an obligation to protect all of the natural resources of the park, but the collection of small amounts of some edible mushrooms for personal consumption is permitted. Visitors are allowed to collect one-half gallon per person per day for all types of mushrooms. The collection of edible mushrooms can be a rewarding experience, but can be dangerous and should not be attempted unless you know how to identify edible mushroom species. If you do not know mushrooms well, only go hunting with someone who does.

These regulations are found in the Superintendent’s Compendium and Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations. The Superintendent’s Compendium lists closures, use restrictions, permit requirements, designations, and other restrictions governing use of the park. A copy of the compendium is available on C&O Canal’s web site under Management, or at www.nps.gov/choh/parkmgmt/index.htm.

For more information concerning this program, please contact the Natural Resource Program Manager in the Resource Management Division at (301)714-2224.

09 Jun 09 - C&O Canal Rangers Seek Information on Dumping, Vandalism

Sharpsburg, MD –Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park rangers recently discovered a white chest type freezer filled with rotten meat. The freezer and meat were dumped next to the C&O Canal at the Marsh Run access area about ½ mile west of the Taylor’s Landing boat ramp. The nature of the contents required the removal to be conducted as a hazardous materials cleanup. Because of this the cost of the cleanup exceeded $2000.00.

Park Rangers are investigating this incident. Anyone with information on the incident should call 866-677-6677. The park is offering a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the people responsible for these crimes.

02 Jun 09 - C&O Canal Invites Public to Comment on Proposed Evitt's Creek Combined Sewer Overflow Upgrades, Cumberland, Maryland

Cumberland, Md. – The National Park Service, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, is conducting a public review of the Evitt’s Creek Combined Sewer Overflow Upgrades and Establishment of Right-of-Way Environmental Assessment. The National Park Service will be accepting public review comments beginning June 2, 2009 through July 2, 2009. The draft Environmental Assessment presents information on projected impacts to park resources from the proposed request from the City of Cumberland to implement upgrades to their combined sewer overflow lines between the Evitt's Creek pump station and the City’s Waste Water Treatment Plant. Proposed upgrades involve construction on National Park Service property between mile 181 and 182 of the park. The project would also establish a right-of-way to govern new and existing sewer lines within the park at that location.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and the National Historic Preservation Act the National Park Service invites public comments regarding this project. Comments received will be used to evaluate this project. The National Park Service will be accepting written comments beginning June 2, 2009 through July 2, 2009.

A public meeting will be held on June 16, 2009 from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the City Hall, Council Chambers (Second Floor), 57 North Liberty Street, Cumberland, MD 21502

Further information about this project is located on the National Park Service Planning, Environment & Public Comment website. Written comments should be submitted through this website.

28 May 09 - Construction Work Begins at Great Falls Tavern Entrance Road and Parking Lot

Potomac, Md. – On the week of June 1, 2009 the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park will begin a construction project at the Great Falls Maryland area of the park. The project will improve the entrance road through widening to a consistent width, clearly marked shoulders and complete reconstruction to remove potholes and other hazards. In addition, the overhead utilities along the entrance road will be placed underground. The large parking lot will be repaved and the walkways will be improved to allow full accessibility under the Architectural Barriers Act. The final completion date for the project is anticipated to be in spring 2010

The work is being performed under a contract administered for the Park by the Federal Highway Administration.

12 May 09 - C&O Canal Prohibits Bringing Firewood into the Park

For additional information on this program, contact Scott Bell, Natural Resource Program Manager, Resource Management Division at (301)714-2224.

04 May 09 - NPS Announces C&O Canal Recovery Act Projects

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park has seven projects totaling nearly $14 million among those announced. The projects funded at C&O Canal are the following;

A full list of National Park Service projects is available at www.interior.gov/recovery/nps.

02 Apr 09 - C&O Canal Association Donates $40,000 to Park for Big Slackwater

18 Mar 09 - Tom Kozar Artwork Displayed at C & O Canal

29 Jan 09 - Park Offers Reward for Identifying Those Responsible for Burglary from Lock House 49