C & O Canal Association

National Park Service News Releases

14 Aug 09 - Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park Announces New Chief of Maintenance Division

Hagerstown, MD. -- The C&O Canal National Historical Park is pleased to announce Michael Seibert has been appointed Chief, Division of Maintenance.

As Chief of Maintenance, Mr. Seibert will be responsible for managing the maintenance operations of park facilities which accommodate approximately 4 million annual visitors. In addition, he is accountable for the preservation of natural and cultural resources located within the park¿s 20,000 acres, as well as the preservation of some 1,300 historic structures, nearly 5 percent of all the historic cultural resources in the National Park System.

The diversity of Mr. Seibert¿s responsibilities is also evident in the unique characteristics of the C&O Canal as the preservation and maintenance of park resources range from interpretive canal boat operations, featuring mule drawn boats and functioning 19th century lift locks, to miles and miles of rural, scenic landscape among the park¿s western maintenance districts. C&O Canal Superintendent, Kevin Brandt confirmed ¿Mike demonstrated his strong leadership abilities when he led the park¿s maintenance and recovery efforts during the 2010 record snow storms and the March 2010 flood.¿

Mr. Seibert began his career at the C&O Canal National Historical Park in 2001 as an Exhibits Specialist with duties focused on the development and management of a variety of preservation projects, architectural investigations of historic structures, and the general stewardship of historic park resources.

His long-standing appreciation for the preservation of historic structures and resources is evident throughout his career. In 1993, he received a Bachelor of Arts in Architectural History from the University of Maryland. A summer position with the Historic American Buildings Survey at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore was Mr. Seibert¿s first experience working for the National Park Service. Shortly after he accepted a position at the Historic Preservation Training Center (HPTC), serving as an Architectural Historian from 1994-97 where he co-authored multiple historic structure reports and the Historic Lighthouse Preservation Handbook. In 1997, he entered the Exhibit Specialist program at HPTC where he became a project leader, executing preservation projects in popular park service sites including: Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site, Appomattox Courthouse National Historical Park, Battleground Cemetery in Rock Creek Park, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, and Grey Towers National Historical Site with the US Forest Service.

A native of Washington County, Maryland, Mr. Seibert has close ties to local communities. He grew up in Hagerstown and was a 1988 graduate from South Hagerstown High. He and his wife Dr. Erika Martin Seibert, Archeologist for the National Register and National Historic Landmarks Program, have two children, Emmaline and Katherine and reside in Walkersville, Maryland.

07 May 10 - C&O Canal holds Welcome Event for New Mule Eva

Great Falls, Maryland – On Saturday, May 15, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park will hold a welcome celebration for newest mule, Eva at the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center. The Friends of Historic Great Falls Tavern, along with the C&O Canal Association donated Eva to the park. These organizations previously provided the park with several mules used in canal boat operations and interpretive programming. During the one hour celebration, park staff will also be retiring mule Ida who has served over 27 years on the C&O Canal mule team.

Mules played a vital role in the operational era of the canal, and have long been a favorite of adults and children alike on the canal boat rides offered along the C&O Canal at the Georgetown and Great Falls locations. Since the canal became a national park area, boat rides have been offered for the public’s enjoyment since 1946 in Georgetown, and in Great Falls beginning in the late 1970’s. Over 1,000,000 visitors have ridden on a canal boat; each year tens of thousands of visitors return to enjoy a unique experience of the nation’s early industrial history.

For more information on the Friends of Historic Great Falls Tavern visit their web site at www.buildcanalboat.com. For more information about the C&O Canal Association visit their website at www.candocanal.org. For details regarding the C&O Canal NHP, including specific information about the mules and canal boat operations, please visit www.nps.gov/choh/.

30 Apr 10 - Raccoon tested positive for rabies near Great Falls Tavern in C&O Canal National Historical Park

Great Falls, Maryland – On Tuesday, April 27, 2010 a raccoon tested positive for rabies near the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center, located in the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park (C&O Canal NHP). The raccoon was reported as looking sickly and disoriented. Park staff reported suspicious activity to both National Park Service and United States Park Police who dispatched the call to Montgomery County Animal Control.

The park advises visitors to be cautious of any animals that appear disoriented, sickly, or acting strangely. If you encounter an animal displaying unfamiliar activity, do not approach the animal and leave the area, immediately notify park staff of the sighting by contacting C&O Canal NHP Dispatch at 1-866-677-6677. Adequate signage will be placed in the Angler’s and Great Falls areas of the park to warn visitors of the potential hazard.

If you have further questions or concerns, please contact Michelle Carter, Biologist, at (301) 714-2225.

30 Apr 10 - C&O Canal National Historical Park Opens Ferry Hill Place with Living History Presentations

Sharpsburg, Maryland- Shepherd University Historic Preservation students will present living history programs on May 8-9, 2010 at the historic Ferry Hill Place, located in the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park. On Saturday, May 8, programs will focus on the life of canallers and farmers along the C&O Canal in 1915. Sunday, May 9, programs will focus on the affects of the Civil War on those who fought and lived along the canal. Students researched and prepared programs as part of a University course focusing on heritage interpretation.

The historic Ferry Hill Place will officially open for the summer season on Saturday, May 8, 2010 and will remain open on weekends from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. through Labor Day. Park rangers and park volunteers will offer interpretive programs at Ferry Hill, including guided tours of the historic house and surrounding property.

Ferry Hill is the home of Henry Kyd Douglas, youngest officer to General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson and author of I Rode with Stonewall. Ferry Hill is a 19th century plantation house located on the west side of Maryland Route 34 and north of the Potomac River, situated above the C&O Canal, overlooking the Potomac River and Shepherdstown, WV.

For more information, please call the Williamsport Visitor Center at 301-582-0813.

13 Apr 10 - American Recovery and Reinvestment Funds for the Catoctin Aqueduct Construction Project

Hagerstown, MD – The National Park Service (NPS), C&O Canal National Historical Park (C&O Canal NHP) has awarded a $3.93 Million contract under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to Corman Construction, based in Annapolis Junction, Maryland.

The NPS, in partnership with Catoctin Aqueduct Restoration Fund, Inc., and with funding from the Community Foundation’s C&O Canal Current Initiatives/Catoctin Aqueduct Restoration Fund, has completed final design and environmental compliance for the restoration of the Catoctin Aqueduct.

The Aqueduct, one of the 11 aqueducts of the 184.5 miles of the C&O Canal, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The C&O Canal is the most intact and impressive example of America’s 19th century canal building era. Catoctin Creek is the single national site where the two titans of period transportation, the C&O Canal and the B&O Railroad, struggled, fought, endured Asiatic Cholera, and finally compromised to cross in parallel a major tributary of the Potomac River; the Canal on the historic Catoctin Aqueduct and the railroad on the adjacent viaduct. The Catoctin Aqueduct was known as the most beautiful aqueduct on the Canal. On October 31, 1973, two of the three arches of the 139-year-old Aqueduct collapsed from frequent flooding.

“The project will restore the two missing arches and will replace missing handrail sections and bring the entire structure back to a condition that can be sure to stand for at least another 139 years,” said an ecstatic George Lewis, President of the CAR Fund.

“A groundswell of more than 1,000 donors has supported this project that preserves a part of our local heritage and America’s history,” said Betsy Day, President of the Community Foundation. “While the Aqueduct is located in Frederick County, it was amazing and gratifying to see that this project has garnered attention and contributions from across the country.”

In addition, the NPS has added important elements to the project including access improvements at Lander to facilitate the work and stabilization of the wing walls that protect the aqueduct from flooding on Catoctin Creek. Moreover, the project includes the removal of both the World War II era Bailey bridge that has served as passage across the creek for the last 37 years as well as the remnants of the failed footbridge erected in the in 1970’s after the Aqueduct collapsed. The project will also accomplish restoration of the stream bank and adjacent areas when construction is completed.

“It is thrilling to see this project proceed,” C&O Canal National Historical Park Superintendent Kevin Brandt stated. “I’m elated for our partners and those in this community who have cared enough to lead the charge to see this project to this point of success. I know that present and future generations of park visitors will not only enjoy the safe passage across the restored aqueduct but marvel at the history that will be beneath their feet.”

This project is being made possible through an allocation of ARRA funding along with raised by Catoctin Aqueduct Restoration Fund, Inc. and The Community Foundation of Frederick County. Additional funding came from individuals, families, corporations, the C&O Canal Association, Tourism Reinvestment in Promotion and Product Program Development grants from the Tourism Council of Frederick County, Maryland Heritage Areas Authority, a State of Maryland Bond Bill, and funds received through the Maryland State Highway Administration’s Transportation Enhancement Program. The Catoctin Aqueduct Adopt-A-Stone Program also raised money for this important project.

Together, these funds will now allow the Catoctin Aqueduct construction project to begin. Corman Construction is scheduled to begin the rehabilitation of the Catoctin Aqueduct in the summer of 2010 with an anticipated completion targeted for summer 2011.

The ARRA funds are part of a stimulus package that is an important component of the President's plan to jumpstart the economy and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so the country can thrive in the 21st century. Under the ARRA, Department of Interior is making an investment in conserving America's timeless treasures – our stunning natural landscapes, our monuments to liberty, the icons of our culture and heritage – while helping American families and their communities prosper again. The Department of Interior is also focusing on renewable energy projects, the needs of American Indians, employing youth and promoting community service.

“With its investments of Recovery Act funds, the Department of the Interior and its bureaus are putting people to work today to make improvements that will benefit the environment and the region for many years to come,” said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar.

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 www.recovery.gov and on www.interior.gov/recovery. Secretary Salazar has appointed a Senior Advisor for Economic Recovery, Chris Henderson, and a Department of the Interior Economic Recovery Task Force to work closely with the Department of the Interior’s Inspector General and ensure the recovery program is meeting the high standards for accountability, responsibility, and transparency set by President Obama.

08 Apr 10 - Lock Gate Installation Causes Intermittent Closures of Pennyfield Lock Access Bridge

Potomac, Maryland- Installation of new lock gates at Lock 22 will cause intermittent closures of the Pennyfield Lock Access Bridge near Mile 20 in the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. Construction will begin Monday, April 12, and is expected to end Thursday, April 15, 2010. Between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., visitors should anticipate delays and intermittent closures lasting up to 15 minutes. To minimize traffic congestion, visitors are encouraged to use an alternate access point at Swains Lock and Violet’s Lock Visitor Use Areas.

For additional information, please contact Mike Seibert, Acting Chief of Maintenance Division, at (301) 491-6330.

13 Mar 10 - Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park Establishes an Incident Management Team

A Flood Emergency was declared by the Superintendent of Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park on Thursday, March 11, 2010 in anticipation of major flooding along the Potomac River and its impacts to the park. On Friday, March 12, 2010, the transfer of command from the park to an Incident Command Team, established at park headquarters, was completed. The Incident Command Team will be working on pre-flooding, flooding, and post-flooding events within the park. The team will manage information, pool resources, and ensure the orderly implementation and completion of the park Flood Emergency Plan. The Incident Commander is responsible for the implementation of strategic decisions and for the ordering and releasing of resources. All activities, related to the Incident, center around the top priorities of:

Providing for the protection of life and physical well being of employees and visitors Providing for the protection of park resources and government property Visitor safety is the park and Incident Management Team’s top priority. The visiting public is reminded to remain vigilant of the power of and dangerous conditions presented by flooding along the Potomac River and its tributaries which will inundate the park at most locations. Visitors should be aware of unsafe conditions related to flooded park access roads and the potential for downed trees and falling limbs due to waterlogged soils and wind. Closures:

Campgrounds, day use areas and boat ramps at the park remain closed. As of 4:00 pm Saturday, March 13, all access roads to the towpath have been closed between Cumberland and Great Falls, MD. The Olmstead Overlook Trail, Williamsport, and Great Falls Visitor Centers are closed. Critical park resources and collections have been removed from flood-prone buildings. Sandbags have been placed around Great Falls Tavern and Lockhouse 6.

For updated information about the flood status and park closures, please call the C&O Canal Flood Information Line: 1-888-445-0023. Individuals are also invited to share photographs and report hazards at: www.chohpublic.net.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

“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.