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Man in Space Alternatives and Impacts

ALTERNATIVE 4 - NATIONAL PARK SERVICE DIRECTION

There are two options for implementing this alternative. Under option A a new national park system unit would be established at Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center to commemorate the first manned moon landing and the events leading up to that achievement. The new unit--America in Space National Historical Park--would provide a focus for interpretation of the Man in Space theme and preservation of resources. It would include launch complexes 5/6 and 26 and the original mission control center at Cape Canaveral and the Apollo launch tower at the Kennedy Space Center, and the Park Service would assume on-site management responsibilities for these resources. The remaining Man in Space sites would be designated as affiliated areas of the national park system (not a national park system unit), and the Park Service would enter into cooperative agreements with the managing agencies to direct, coordinate, and provide technical and financial assistance in their preservation and interpretation activities. Contract, concession, and volunteer personnel would be used wherever possible to carry out these activities.

Under option B all of the Man in Space sites would be designated as affiliated areas of the national park system. The Park Service would not directly manage any of the areas, but through cooperative arrangements, it would be responsible for directing, coordinating, and funding interpretive and preservation activities related to the Man in Space theme. This approach would provide coordinated and consistent interpretation and adequate site preservation. New legislation would be needed to provide funding and define the Park Service role and responsibilities. Again, contract, concession, and volunteer personnel would be used in interpretive and preservation activities.

Management

The new national park system unit would consist of launch complexes 5/6 and 26 and the original mission control center at Cape Canaveral and the Apollo launch tower at Kennedy. The Park Service would assume on-site management responsibilities including preservation, maintenance, and interpretation at these locations. The Park Service would enter into cooperative agreements with the other agencies to provide technical and financial assistance at the Man in Space affiliated areas as well as direction and coordination in interpretive and preservation activities. Park headquarters would be in the vicinity of Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center. Existing building space might be used for both administrative and visitor use functions. After the Apollo launch tower was reerected, the Park Service might contract with another party to manage the site or it might provide on-site management.

Funding

There are several ways that funds could be obtained: The new unit could be funded through a line-item appropriation in the NPS budget, which would be in addition to existing funds; user fees could be added for tours of the national historical park and the Man in Space affiliated areas to recoup the costs of interpreting and preserving the sites; sales and rental fees could be charged for interpretive materials and specialized visitor services relating to the Man in Space theme; and fund-raising efforts and corporate donations could be emphasized.

Although funding would be directed at the national historical park, funds would also be provided to the Man in Space affiliated areas. No preservation funds would be provided for active sites, except to assist in section 106 and 110(f) compliance. The Park Service would actively participate in and provide direction for fund-raising efforts by the Apollo Society to reerect the Apollo launch tower.

Interpretation/Visitor Use

An interpretive plan would be developed by the Park Service in cooperation with the other managing agencies. The plan would assess the need for on-site interpretation at the historical park and affiliated areas and would recommend appropriate media for both on-site and off-site interpretation. An overview of the Man in Space theme would be presented at each of the sites as well as site-specific information describing its individual contributions to the early American space program.

Interpretation focusing on launch complexes 5/6 and 26, the original mission control center, and the Apollo launch tower would be provided at the new historical park by on-site NPS personnel, concession, contract, or volunteer personnel, or a combination of the above. The Park Service would provide guidelines and recommend scripts to concessioner personnel for the bus tours at the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral, particularly launch complexes 13, 14, 19, and 34 at Cape Canaveral and launch complex 39 at the Kennedy Space Center. Information, interpretation, and visitor services related to the Man in Space theme could be provided at the Spaceport USA visitor center or at a separate visitor contact facility. If a separate visitor contact facility was determined necessary, it could be near launch complexes 5/6, 26, the original mission control center, or the Apollo launch tower or outside the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral to permit unrestricted access at all times.

Interpretation at the affiliated areas would be accomplished through cooperative agreements between the Park Service and the other managing agencies and organizations, and it would focus on off-site displays, traveling exhibits, and audiovisual media. No on-site interpretation would be provided by Park Service personnel. The Park Service would provide guidance and financial assistance in the development of interpretive media and the presentation of programs. The Park Service would also work with personnel at other space museums and facilities to ensure consistency of themes, subthemes, media, and materials nationwide.

Preservation

A portion of the budget for the new park unit would go toward the preservation of sites considered to have the highest preservation potential. The Park Service would establish two preservation priority lists--one for launch complexes 5/6 and 26, the original mission control center, and the Apollo launch tower, and another for the affiliated areas--and would distribute funds on an annual basis for high-priority projects. The resources at launch complexes 5/6 and 26 and the original mission control center would be stabilized, restored, or reconstructed, and the Apollo launch tower would be reerected to assure long-term preservation. The Park Service would enter into cooperative agreements with NASA, the Air Force, the Army, the Smithsonian, and other interested organizations for the continued preservation of high-priority sites at affiliated areas. In addition, it would assist NASA, the Air Force, and the Army in the documentation and recordation of active and inactive sites before any modification was undertaken that would affect their historical significance.

Management

The Man in Space sites would remain under the administration of their respective agencies, but they would be designated as affiliated areas of the national park system. The legislation authorizing the affiliated areas would also define the Park Service's role and responsibility in preservation, interpretation, and use of the Man in Space sites. The Park Service would work with the other agencies, advise them regarding preservation and interpretation concerns, and oversee operations related to the sites. Taking into account each agency's mission, the Park Service would prioritize the sites, recommend specific measures for their preservation and interpretation, and prepare a comprehensive interpretive plan for presenting the Man in Space theme to the public. In addition, the Park Service would work with federal, state, local, and private agencies, groups, and individuals to encourage interpretation of the Man in Space theme nationwide.

Funding

Additional funding and authority to hire personnel would be provided to the Park Service through congressional action. The Park Service would in turn allocate funds to the administering agencies for interpreting and preserving the sites. Funding for interpretive and preservation efforts would also be raised through private fund-raising, corporate donations, sales from visitor services, and visitor fees. The Park Service would support the fund-raising activities of the Apollo Society for the Apollo launch tower.

Interpretation/Visitor Use

An interpretive plan would be developed by the Park Service in cooperation with all of the agencies. The plan would assess the need for on-site interpretation at the affiliated areas and would recommend appropriate media for both on-site and off-site interpretation. An overview of the Man in Space theme would be presented at each of the sites as well as site-specific information describing its individual contributions to the early American space program. The Park Service would provide guidance and technical assistance, including determining the interpretive subthemes/components and the types of historical and photographic sources, exhibitry, displays, and other media to be used, developing a logo and coordinated sign system, and possibly developing a traveling exhibit. It would provide assistance to the Apollo Society or other managing entity in developing consistent interpretive programs once the Apollo launch tower and its associated visitor facilities were constructed. It would also coordinate and work with personnel at other space museums and facilities to assure consistency of themes, subthemes, media, and materials nationwide. Visitor use would continue to be regulated by the managing agencies.

Preservation

Allocation of funds would be based on each site's preservation potential. Documentation and recordation according to section 106 and 110(f) implementing procedures would be required for each property. Agencies would not be prevented from salvaging all or portions of existing facilities unless site preservation was considered essential to interpretation of the Man in Space theme; however, proper documentation would be required before any property was altered. The Park Service as well as the appropriate state historic preservation officer and Advisory Council would be notified of the nature of all alterations. The agencies would receive guidelines and technical assistance from the Park Service and the Smithsonian in preservation activities.

The Park Service would assure preservation of the launch complex 26 service structure (if determined feasible by the engineering study) and would work closely with the Apollo Society and their effort to reerect and preserve the Apollo launch tower.

Management and Funding

The Air Force and NASA would transfer management responsibilities to the Park Service at launch complexes 5/6 and 26, the original mission control center, and the Apollo launch tower. Management of the remaining launch complexes at Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center and the 24 affiliated areas would not be affected. Financial and manpower assistance would be provided by the Park Service and focused on launch complexes 5/6 and 26, the original mission control center, and the Apollo launch tower. Funds would also be allocated to the affiliated areas, so there would be little diversion of other agency funds and staff. Costs to the visiting public could increase.

Interpretation/Visitor Use

This alternative would greatly enhance interpretation at the national historical park and would also provide a nationwide focus for the remaining Man in Space sites as they relate to the early American space program. Visitor access and on-site interpretation would increase at the historical park and might also increase at many of the affiliated areas.

Preservation

This alternative would assure preservation of launch complexes 5/6 and 26, the original mission control center, and the Apollo launch tower. It would also provide for comprehensive section 106 and 110(f) compliance and selected preservation of inactive sites at affiliated areas based on their preservation potential.

Management and Funding

Guidance and direction from the Park Service would help the agencies to coordinate in preserving and interpreting their Man in Space resources at all 26 sites. The new funding base and authorization to hire additional personnel would minimize the financial and manpower impacts on the Park Service and other agencies and avoid the need to compete for existing funds and personnel.

Interpretation/Visitor Use

This alternative would result in coordinated interpretation and increased visitor understanding of the Man in Space theme. The 26 sites would be treated equally in interpretation. Current interpretation, which centers on present and future space programs, would be enhanced because of the addition of a historical context. On-site interpretation and visitor access would increase.

Preservation

This alternative would provide for preservation of sites with high preservation potential. Other impacts would be the same as those for alternative 3.

Last Modified: Wed, Nov 29 2000 10:00:00 am PDT
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