Fishing the Potomac Guidebook

A Proposal to the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation to Fund a Fishing the Potomac Guidebook

Draft—

Prepared by the Friends of the Potomac, Alexandria Seaport Foundation and National Park Service, March 28, 2000

Proposal: The Friends of the Potomac, with the assistance of the National Park Service (NPS) and the Alexandria Seaport Foundation, propose to develop a printed and electronic Fishing the Potomac Guidebook to increase participation in fishing, boating and stewardship for aquatic and other living resources within the Potomac River watershed. The Guidebook will be developed using existing fishing and tourism experts and information, geographic information system technology, and diverse community stakeholders. The grant will result in a map and brochure; an electronic web-site; and three community partner workshops with follow-up reports. A grant of $100,000 is requested and will be used to leverage other public and private funding to complete this project.

Background: The Friends of the Potomac is implementing an ambitious plan to assist watershed groups and localities in their efforts to pursue government and private sector assistance for locally-led initiatives promoting natural resource conservation, economic revitalization, historic and cultural preservation, environmental protection and recreation along the “Nation’s River”. These activities are being assisted by the president’s American Heritage River (AHR) Initiative, which is intended to support communities in their efforts to protect and restore rivers. The Potomac River watershed was designated an American Heritage River on July 30, 1998.

The Potomac River was recognized as an American Heritage River, for its many values including its recreational fishery. For example, with approximately 50,000 acres of bass-holding water, the Potomac River is one of the region’s largest fisheries. Unfortunately almost forty years ago the waters of the Potomac were acknowledged by many including President Johnson, as a “national disgrace”.

Since President Johnson’s recognition of the river’s decline Federal, state and local governments and private groups have brought about significant improvements in the water quality of the Potomac. One of the benefits of these efforts to reduce and prevent pollution and protect and restore aquatic habitats has been the increasing use of the lower portion of the Potomac for bass fishing.

In recognition of the importance of clean water and the value of the fishery the Friends of the Potomac, Alexandria Seaport Foundation and the National Park Service are partnering to encourage and promote environmentally responsible, fishing, boating and tourism that can help boost local economies.

Many people would like to enjoy the Potomac but, frankly, don’t know where to go and what to do on the river. To encourage use and enjoyment of the Potomac River, the Friends and their partners will join with residents, local fishing groups and businesses to develop and publish the Fishing the Potomac Guidebook.

The guide will be made available to the public both electronically and in printed form. A description of the proposed Guidebook follows.


Why is the Fishing the Potomac Guidebook needed?

1) To provide public information on access and
opportunities for fishing the Potomac and it's tributaries.

2) To tie into other river-related themes such as resource
conservation, historic preservation, habitat, living resources,
boating, heritage tourism, etc.

3) To tie into commercial service providers (i.e. "Blue Businesses" such marinas, Bed & Breakfasts, restaurants, suppliers, fish shops, guide services, book and map stores, web-information, etc.)

Who is the Guidebook for?

The audience for the guide includes visitors to the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area; residents; and crossover groups and interests.

What is the scope of the Guidebook?

· Fishing the Potomac will serve as a proto-type guidebook for the watershed and the Nation.

· The guide is envisioned as one of a series of "place-based" fishing guides.

· Fishing the Potomac will be a demonstration project on the Lower Potomac--between the Fall-Line in DC and the Route 301 Bridge, a distance of over one hundred miles.

· The guidebook will be available as waterproof brochure and map guide as well as an electronic, computer accessible web-site.


Why is the Potomac a good place to do a pilot project for a fishing guide?

· The Potomac is nationally recognized as a bass fishery, American Heritage River and water quality clean-up success story.
· The Potomac is the “Nation's River” and a microcosm of other
rivers and watersheds across the country.
· Many, many public agencies and private groups
have their headquarters in the Washington Metropolitan Region and are easy to access for assistance.
· The Potomac has lots of fish and an excellent fishery.
· There is strong State government and community interest and support for this type of fishing and boating partnership effort.
· There is a high concentration of fishing services and businesses in this area.
· The Lower Potomac River is a "Gateway" to the Chesapeake Bay, an internationally recognized estuary.
· All types of fishery, habitat, land use, transportation, population, etc. data are readily available.
· There is an opportunity to link Fishing the Potomac with a
watershed-wide Potomac Heritage Tourism Initiative.
· The Guidebook will be developed with broad and diverse stakeholder input from the Friends of the Potomac “Community Partner Workshops”.

What will Fishing the Potomac include?

· Background on the Potomac River, the sportsmen and anglers movement, environmental awareness, clean water efforts, and the link to fishing and other living resources
· A geographic information system (GIS) map with emphasis on public access points, transportation, handicapped access, marinas, boat launches, restrooms, trails, scenic byways, and more.
· Information you need for fishing, including fish license
requirements, gear, supplies, seasonal fishing opportunities, etc.
· Directions for finding fishing guides, services, boat and equipment rentals, lodging, meals, camera equipment, book and map stores, etc.
· Information on area attractions related to fishing, such as
Smithsonian Museums, antique shops, art museums, the C & O Canal,
and more.
· News on events such as fishing tournaments, clean-up days,
and festivals.
· Contacts for further information

How will Fishing the Potomac involve stakeholders?

The guide will rely on two types of experts to develop the Guidebook.

· Fishing Guide Workshop: NPS will work with the Alexandria Seaport Foundation, the Charles County, Maryland Tourism Office, and various public and private fishing and tourism experts to hold a one-day workshop to design the guidebook. Various “experts” will be invited to help design the guidebook, identify existing information to be included, and shape various fishing itineraries (i.e. one, two and three day trips/ visits). The workshop will be held in Indian Head, Maryland and build on the successful work of the Annual Charles County, MD Bass Fishing Tournament and Fishing Guide.

· Community Partner Workshops: Three workshops will be held within the project area to talk with residents about the Potomac to: 1) learn how they value and use the river; 2) get their input into the guidebook; and 3) provide assistance to community-led efforts aimed at protection, restoration, conservation and revitalization actions.

The Fishing the Potomac Guidebook will focus on
the lower Potomac River watershed, from the Fall Line to the Route 301 Bridge. This outstanding region will serve as a model for
development of a prototype fishing guide that appeal to and cross social, economic, cultural and ethnic boundaries. Involving diverse communities has been the challenge of all planning and outreach efforts in government and business. The fish guide offers an opportunity to involve communities in enhancing the health our nation's waters and helping communities enjoy, recreate and protect their waterways.

Three one-day workshops, in the Hunting Creek area of Alexandria, VA; Anacostia River area of the District of Columbia; and the Mattawoman Creek area of Southern Maryland will be used to involve people in learning and sharing information about their rivers and streams in the lower Potomac River watershed. The workshops will be interactive and targeted to attract diverse groups to gain insights and input on developing the guidebook so that it better addresses the needs of diverse populations and communities.

The workshops, which will result in a written report, will help build connections between residents and business, tourism, environmental and education interests in the area.


What will the Fishing the Potomac Guidebook cost?

The funding for the guidebook includes support for the following four phases of the project:

1. Research, Fishing Expert and Community Partner Workshops: $30,000

Geographic Information System and Production: $25,000

Printing and Home-Page Development: $25,000

Marketing, Tech-Transfer and Evaluation: $20,000

Total Cost--$100,000


Who to contact for more information?

The following persons developed this proposal and are contacts for additional information.

· Mari Lou Livingood, Alexandria Seaport Foundation and Friends of the Potomac (703)549-7078

· Glenn Eugster, National Park Service, Washington, D.C. (202)619-7492

· Joseph DiBello, National Park Service, Philadelphia, PA. (215)597-1581

· Leigh Dunkelberger, Friends of the Potomac, Alexandria, VA. (703)684-4517