National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior	Fort Clatsop National Memorial	92343 Fort Clatsop Road Astoria OR 97103 503-861-2471 phone 503-861-2585 fax superintendent_focl@nps.gov

FACT SHEET
LOWER COLUMBIA LEWIS & CLARK SITES
BOUNDARY STUDY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

The National Park Service, together with Washington State Historical Society, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, Washington Department of Transportation and Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, has prepared a Draft Boundary Study and Environmental Assessment for the Lower Columbia River Lewis and Clark Sites. This draft study was prepared as directed by Public Law 107-221, which was signed by President George W. Bush on August 21, 2002. Section 4 of this act directs the Secretary of the Interior to "conduct a study of the area near McGowan, Washington, where the Lewis and Clark Expedition first camped after reaching the Pacific Ocean, known as the "Station Camp" site, as well as the Megler Rest Area and Fort Canby State Park for possible inclusion in the Fort Clatsop National Memorial."

The draft study will be available for public review and comment from July 24 through August 30, 2003. An open house and public workshop will be held on August 6, 2003 at Fort Columbia State Park. The open house will run from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and the workshop will be from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The draft study and news releases will be on the Fort Clatsop National Memorial webpage at www.nps.gov/focl.

Located near the mouth of the Columbia River, these three sites played an important role in the story of the Lewis and Clark expedition"s arrival at the mouth of the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean in November 1805. By successfully reaching their destination, the Pacific Ocean, they accomplished President Thomas Jefferson"s vision of a finding a route from the Missouri River to the Pacific Ocean. With the commencement of the bicentennial celebration of the Corps of Discovery"s exploration, a dramatic rise in public interest has increased visitation to Fort Clatsop National Memorial and these Lewis and Clark sites.

In accordance with Public Law 107-221, the boundary study and environmental assessment serve two purposes. First, the study will provide Congress with an assessment of the national significance of three prominent Lewis and Clark sites on the lower Columbia River and whether these sites are suitable and feasible additions to Fort Clatsop National Memorial. Second, the study will present management alternatives for consideration by Congress that would protect and provide public access to these sites.

In this draft study, the National Park Service has determined that these three sites meet the criteria for national significance, suitability, and feasibility for addition to Fort Clatsop National Memorial. The sites are also evaluated in accordance with NPS Management Policies for their appropriateness to be included in the National Memorial by way of a boundary adjustment. Each of the sites was determined to meet the boundary adjustment criteria.

This draft study also includes an environmental assessment in which the environmental consequences associated with four draft management alternatives are analyzed.

The management alternatives in this draft study are:

ALTERNATIVE A: No Action

Current site management continues: Each of the sites studied continues to be managed by its current agency; no expansion of Fort Clatsop National Memorial through the addition of these sites is proposed.

ALTERNATIVE B: Lewis and Clark Washington State Park Sites

A Washington State Park focused management alternative: Both Clark"s Dismal Nitch (Megler Rest Area) and Station Camp are managed by Washington State Parks. Station Camp is expanded through a partnership led by Washington State Historical Society. No change of management is proposed for Fort Canby State Park. No expansion of Fort Clatsop National Memorial through the addition of these three sites is proposed.

ALTERNATIVE C: Expansion of National Memorial and Washington State Park Sites

A collaboration of Washington State and Federal Management: Fort Clatsop National Memorial is expanded to include Station Camp and a Thomas Jefferson National Memorial on federal land within Fort Canby State Park. Station Camp capital improvements are completed by the State of Washington and then the expanded site is transferred to the National Park Service. Clark"s Dismal Nitch (Megler Rest Area) is managed by Washington State Parks.

ALTERNATIVE D: Lewis and Clark National and State Historical Parks

A comprehensive and collaboration approach to all Lewis and Clark historic sites in the area, including the states of Washington and Oregon: Fort Clatsop National Memorial is expanded to include Station Camp, Clark"s Dismal Nitch (Megler Rest Area) and a Thomas Jefferson National Memorial on federal land within Fort Canby State Park. The National Park Service unit"s name is changed to Lewis and Clark National and State Historic Parks. Legislation creates a collaborative thematic relationship between the National Park Service, Washington State Parks at Fort Canby State Park and Oregon State Parks at Fort Stevens State Park and Ecola State Park to interpret and preserve sites associated with the Lewis and Clark expedition.

Based on the data gathered and public input, the National Park Service will select a preferred management alternative and summarize the public comments prior to completing the final study. The Secretary of Interior will transmit the final study to the U.S. Congress. The final study report is expected to be available for submittal to Congress by the Secretary of the Interior during the latter part of fiscal year 2003.

Washington State has already secured $7.7 million for Lewis and Clark projects related to this study. These include construction of improvements to the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center at Fort Canby State Park, which is underway, and facility improvements at Station Camp, which are in the design phase. All improvements are scheduled to be completed by November 2005, in time for Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Events.

Open House Presentation Boards #1-#3 (omitted from the online edition)

Open House Presentation Boards #4-#5 (omitted from the online edition)