Gettysburg, PA, March 5, 1998 - Gettysburg National Military Park presented four possible alternatives for its new General Management Plan (GMP) at a public workshop in Gettysburg on March 3. The alternatives are the latest step in a two-year process to develop an updated strategic plan to guide the future preservation and management of the battlefield for the next 10-15 years.

The four plan alternatives would be based primarily on battlefield resource protection. They range from no action (alternative 1); to minimum action required (alternative 2); restoration of significant battlefield elements relevant to battle outcome (alternative 3); and maximum battlefield restoration (alternative 4).

The National Park Service (NPS) is evaluating each of the alternatives to determine how it reflects the park's mission goals for land and resource management; interpretation facilities and services management, visitor use and park facilities management; and partnerships and cooperative activities management.

To draft the alternatives, NPS analyzed and mapped the Gettysburg battlefield to identify areas where battle action occurred, and other areas such as rear support areas.

"We are fortunate that preservation and protection of the battlefield are driving this plan," states Dr. John A. Latschar, park Superintendent. "To do it we have had to define key resources on the battlefield on a level that has never been done before. Battle action areas where enemies engaged each other and lives were lost are the key to how the battlefield will be preserved, restored, and managed."

The GMP may recommend priority treatment for battle action areas for restoration of historic landscapes. For example, wooded areas that have grown up since 1863 would be removed to create a better understanding of the historic terrain for today's visitors.

Each alternative in the range of alternatives builds on the previous one. In alternative three it would be NPS policy to restore features that affected the battle outcome, such as trails, fences, orchards, etc.; to restore selected significant features in rear areas; and to restore significant features in the Gettysburg National Cemetery. Alternative 4 calls for the rehabilitation of the maximum number of elements--a restoration of all of the 1863 features in battle action areas and rear support areas. Alternative 4 would also restore elements of the commemorative landscapes of the 1895-1927 period.

At the March 3rd public workshop, NPS also presented other issues being evaluated, including automobile access, parking, walking and horse trails, and public transportation. The next step in the process will be in late May or June when the draft General Management Plan is made available for public review. For more information contact Gettysburg National Military Park, 97 Taneytown Road, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325, telephone (717) 334-1124 ext. 452. Park plans will be posted on the worldwide web at www.nps.gov/gett/.

-NPS-

Prepared 3/5/98