National Park Service Invites Public Comment on the proposed Eelway

Passages at Dams 4 & 5 of the Potomac River

The National Park Service, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, is conducting a public review of the “Proposed Eel Ladder Construction at Dams 4 and 5 on the Potomac River Environmental Assessment/ Assessment of Effects, November 2009.”

The National Park Service will be accepting public review comments through Jan. 8, 2010.

The draft Environmental Assessment presents information on projected impacts to park resources from the proposed project to establish eelway passages at historic Dams 4 and 5 on the Potomac River, Washington County, Md. These passages would enhance the migration of the American Eel and open up 120 miles of river habitat that is critical for the American Eel’s life cycle.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and the National Historic Preservation Act the National Park Service invites public comments about this project. Comments received will be used to evaluate this project. The National Park Service will be accepting written comments beginning Nov. 23, 2009, through Jan. 8, 2010.

A public meeting was held on Dec. 8 at the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal NHP’s Cushwa Basin Trolley Barn, 205 W. Potomac St., in Williamsport, Md.

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Information about this project is located on the National Park Service Planning, Environment & Public Comment (PEPC) Web site http://parkplanning.nps.gov/choh. Written comments should be submitted through this site.