The proposal will provide a new museum for artifacts, archives, and the Cyclorama painting, ensuring their preservation for future generations; improve the educational experience for park visitors; and restore the union battle line at Cemetery ridge -- all at no cost to the federal government ro to the tax payers.

2. Why can't the federal government pay for it? For years requests to fix the problems in the current Visitor and Cyclorama Centers were not funded. These funding requests competed against thousands of other worthy projects throughout the NPS. Because of the $5.6 billion maintenance backlog in the NPS, Gettysburg's requests never even made it onto the service-wide list of the top 200 construction priorities.

Congressional leaders have stated that there is no federal funding for these requests. During a recent visit to Gettysburg, Senator Slade Gorton, Chairman of the Senate Interior Appropriations subcommittee, said "much of what we want to accomplish here in Gettysburg, and at many other national park areas, can best and most efficiently be accomplished by a public-private partnership." After a first-hand look at Gettysburg's preservation problems, Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt spoke at Dedication Day in the National Cemetery. He expressed his strong support for the public private partnership. "I'm sure that's the way to go," Babbitt said. "What is at issue is the nature of the partnership," he said, encouraging the public to get involved in the public review.

3. What happened on the site? The site lies behind the Union battle lines and between Cemetery Ridge and Culp's Hill. During the battle, troops occasionally moved across the land. A Union artillery battery (Kinzie) was positioned somewhere on the site. In mid-January the park Advisory Commission will confer with expert historians outside the Service to confirm this finding. Copies of the report on troop movements at site are available upon request from the park.

4. What will be in the complex along with the NPS? Most of the building ( 82%) is the National Park Service Museum and Visitor Center, curatorial and archival storage space, a National Geographic large-format theater, a Tour Center, and the Eastern National Bookstore. The remaining 18% is currently proposed for other visitor services such as a gift shop and food services. During the public review the NPS will be trying to determine what kind of services are necessary and appropriate for park visitors. Look for the next General Management Plan newsletter or attend one of the public meetings for more information about the proposal.

5. What are the details for the building, its location on the site, vehicle access, height? The actual location for the building will not be decided until engineering, environmental, historical, and archeological studies are complete. The building and parking areas should not disturb more than 15 acres, or 1/3 of the 45-acre site. Primary access to the building will be from Baltimore Pike. There are no plans to widen or change Hunt Avenue. The building height is anticipated to be no more than 55 feet as compared to the average mature tree height of 60 feet. The NPS will conduct careful tests for visibility and elevation to ensure that the building will be screened from key points on the battlefield.

6. How do I stay informed? If possible, attend public workshops and open houses at the park. To be put on the mailing list to receive newsletters and notices for upcoming meetings, contact Gettysburg National Military Park Public Affairs, 97 Taneytown Road, Gettysburg, Pa. 17325, (717) 334-1124 x452. Information is also available on the world-wide web at www.nps.gov/gett/

December 9, 1997