DC: Anacostia Park Management Plan public comments due tonight

You have til 11:59 MDT, which means, 1:59 AM Eastern time.

-- Project website: Develop Anacostia Park Management Plan/Environmental Assessment
-- Online Comment Page

Other than focusing on trail linkages along the River going into Maryland, and better linkage with the National Arboretum, my primary comments are going to be focused on how the park should be planned for as a "regional park" serving area residents, and less so as a "national park." It's an NPS park as a happenstance result because of the fact that DC is the National Capital and as a result most of the park space, especially along the city's two rivers, ended up being controlled by the Federal Government.

Ideally, an integrated plan (see the past blog entry: "Wanted: A comprehensive plan for the "Anacostia River East" corridor"), including the city and dealing with the waterfront on both sides of the river, going beyond strict consideration of the park, ought to be occurring, but that would have required an integrated DC-NPS process.

These are the questions from the form:

Topic Questions:
1. What is the appropriate mix, intensity, and location for different visitor experiences that should be offered at Anacostia Park?
2. Where and how should environmental restoration management actions be implemented in Anacostia Park?
3. Where and how should access be enhanced to Anacostia Park from adjacent communities and from the region?
4. Where and how should public access to the waterfront and the river be enhanced?
5. What management actions should be taken to reduce or eliminate non-park uses on the waterfront within Anacostia Park?
6. Should NPS administrative uses continue to occupy land that could otherwise be available for park uses or should NPS administrative uses be relocated outside of the park?
7. How would alternative management schemes impact the vital resources of the Anacostia river itself and what upstream impacts could be anticipated from actions both within and external to the park?
8. Wetlands and floodplains are key resources in the management of the Anacostia River. What actions should be taken to minimize or mitigate potential impacts to these resources?
9. A wide variety of vegetation exists within Anacostia Park providing examples of unique native vegetation and managed landscapes. Additionally, wildlife and wildlife habitat within the park allows singular opportunities for wildlife observation within a developed urban area. What considerations need to be taken into account and actions implemented in order for these resources to continue to flourish?
10. What rare, threatened, or endangered species are located in the park and how could future actions have an impact on their future survival within the park setting?
11. What are the key scenic resources to be preserved within the park?
12. Cultural resources within the park include archeological sites, historic structures and other features as well as cultural landscapes. What are the key areas containing these resources and how can they be managed to enhance their preservation and understanding by the public?
13. Anacostia Park is located in the heart of the Anacostia community. What are the needs of the community that can be better served by the park while maintaining the legislative purpose and direction given to the park by Congress?
14. A broad spectrum of visitor use is seen in the areas within Anacostia Park. Recently different uses and recreational opportunities have been enhanced through trail construction and river access. What other developments or opportunities should be provided for visitors to use and experience the park recreational, educational and open space?
15. How do regional and local transportation networks work to provide access to Anacostia Park and mobility within the park units?