Delaware & Lehigh Navigation Canal Perspective

Delaware & Lehigh Navigation Canal Perspective
November 17, 2005 By Glenn Eugster

Strong tradition of local interest and action—recreation, historic preservation, photography, history, etc.
Noted volunteer efforts that began 25 years earlier (Lehigh Canal Report 1979)


1974
* NHR status

1975
* D&R Canal/Cadwalader Park funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, Trenton, NJ

1977
* A Preliminary Urban Parks Study looked at outdoor recreation needs in NE Targeted SMSA’s and outdoor recreation needs close to people.

* National Urban Recreation Study identified the Delaware River from Easton to Levittown, with two canal systems, as an area with potential to meet urban recreational needs. Recommended rehabilitating the D&L for canoeing and fishing.
Identified the Canal as Nationally significant.

1978
* NHL status

1979
* NRI—Canal info from Dr. Trout

* Lehigh Canal—An HCRS Project Report
Recommended a trail and ways to achieve it. Included Alan Comp, Karen Wade, Rikki Levine/ McKenzie--HCRS; Carl Jester, HCRS—had worked on the Connecticut Heritage Valley effort; Allen Sachse; Bill Mineo; Steve Humphrey—Hugh Moore Park; McKenzie started to develop a River Corridor Conservation approach to the cultural landscape.

* NRT designation

1980
Amendment to the NHPA PL 96-515, Section 506 “The Secretary shall undertake a comprehensive study and forumulate recommendations for a coordinated system of cultural parks and historic conservation districts that provide for the preservation, interpretation, development and use by public and private entities of the prehistoric, historic, architectural, cultural, and recreational resources found in definable urban areas throughout the Nnation. Called for recommendations for funding by public and private entities and management by various levels of government. Report was to go to President and Congress within two years. (Allan Sachse)

1981-82
* PA/ Bill Forrey proposal for NPS to designate the D & L Canal. No support from NPS—three reasons: significance, money and no study.

1983-84
* Governor Thornburg Administration/ the Commonwealth developed a framework for a Pennsylvania Heritage Parks Program “to preserve cultural resources in a manner which provides educational, recreational and economic benefits”. Team included Cecily Kihn, Joanne Jackson, both of which worked with Fritz Steinner on the initial Blackstone NHC for NPS, Cecily was formerly of ALF, HCRS and NPS—greenline park advocate.

1984
* Bristol Kostmayer organized a trip to Lowell, MA for local leaders and then asked NPS for a RTCA project.

* The Rivers and Trails Program, because it was community-based in focus, responded to a variety of requests that didn’t fit neatly into existing federal programs. These requests were for places where community, and often Congressional leaders, wanted to coordinate historic preservation, parks and economic development into a unified approach. As a result NPS became a sought-after federal partner for many of the earliest heritage area efforts including the Lower Merrimack River, Wheeling, Delaware & Lehigh Navigational Canal, Quinebaug, Blackstone Valley, Schuylkill River, etc.

* A partnership between the Commonwealth and NPS formed and the two governments worked in tandem to collaboratively support a series of state and federal heritage designations.

1986
* Kostmayer hosted a visit from Congressman Bruce Vento and
Rick Healy to show-off Bristol and demo the progress made from the partnership—it helped convince Vento of the wisdom on the D & L approach.

* RTCA proposal, at the request of Congressman Ritter, to do a Lehigh River Heritage Corridor.

1986-87
* STEA effort links into Thornburg Study and includes a trip to Lowell and a workshop on heritage areas. Heritage Conference includes: NY Urban Cultural Parks, Lowell and other MA heritage parks.

* Sparks PA interest statewide.

* Congressman Murtha, of WPA, Charlie Estes from Sen. Byrd’s office; Jim Zoia, from Cong. Rahall’s office interested in heritage areas—PA, MA and WVA interest and support begins to move agendas.

* Deirdre Gibson working on STEA—works on D&L

1987
* Merrimack Heritage Corridor being discussion with Hill and Bob McIntosh and Sen. Tsongas

* Wall Street Journal article on Potential Cooperative Landscape Conservation Areas

1988
* February Heritage Conference in Bethlehem—strong support from Kostmayer, Ritter and Commonwealth.

* Commonwealth and communities decided to seek further federal assistance—National Heritage Corridor pursue. Met NPS resistance—not important; needs to be studied; not enough money available.

* Surge in NHC interest—especially canals in MW; CT; also WV heritage projects

* May Wil Rivinus organized meeting with Bill Forrey to get federal forces to encourage state support

* June Sen. Heinz office involved.

* July Cong. Kostmayer called and wants to introduce a substitute bill—wants it by August 1, 1988; Discussed with Allen Sachse

* October Meeting with Bill Mineo—proposes seminar in March 1989

* November Jim Amon meeting to discuss Hooper Brooks, NY RPA Plan to connect D&R and D& L

* November Allen Sachse calls to say that PA putting money into D&L and Larry Williamson wants to do a workshop.

* December Mike Lamb from NPS WASO said that the legislation is for plan preparation and approval; provide TA; guide the commission; provide staff in WASO; coordinate plan with Regional Solicitor; provide staff to implement;

* December Meeting with Jim Coleman, Kostmayer, Ritter, Bill Forrey, others; Coleman indicates difficulty getting Secretary of DOI to appoint Commission; Ritter indicates he is attempting to put money in the appropriation; Forrey indicates that 2-3 million will be needed for construction; Coleman wanted to have an NPS person full-time for a year with funds;

1989
* February Heritage Corridor Seminar with Ritter, Kostmayer; Forrey; Coleman, Lance Metz; Lee Hansen—I & M; Rolf Diamant—Blackstone; Tom Dyer—MA Holyoke; Sarah Peskin-Lowell; Paul Bray, NY Troy Cohos

* D&L designated

* National trust for Historic Preservation started giving it more attention at the Philadelphia Conference.

* Deirdre Gibson, Allen Sachse, and others—National Park of the Future!



Conclusions

1. Starts with local support, leaders, interest and action. No substitute.

2. Requires quality resource—D & L is the flagship of NHC.

3. It helps if the resource as a strong Iconic image—people relate to the iconic images rather than titles, terms, etc.

4. Then and now, people are looking for ways to help themselves protect, conserve, revitalize and enjoy. This approach was one of the few alternatives available. Park designations were bottle-necked and higher level government wasn’t terribly empowering—at first.

5. Involves a major team effort—Local leaders, public, experts from around and afar, Congress and Senate, PA, NPS.

6. Core of people, with expertise, worked together and passed on vision and skills. D&L partners were and are an all-star team of heritage advocates.

7. Local and Commonwealth consistency was essential—Allen Sachse, Bill Mineo, others initially. Deirdre Gibson, etc. People are the reason this effort succeeded.

8. Initial vision of NHC was limited assistance and that made it easier to sell this. If the deal changes the support will be diminsished unless this approach offers resources as well as requiring them.

9. It’s definitely a movement of civics and substance that is bi-partisan and effective because it is inhernetly locally-based.