Park Planning

Zane Grey Museum on the banks of the Delaware River.

NPS

 

The various departments at Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River work as a team to prepare a variety of planning documents to guide management of facilities, natural and cultural resources, visitor use, and activity while complying with the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, the Upper Delaware SRR River Management Plan, National Park Service policies, and other federal policies. These planning documents can range from reviews of public and private development for consistency with the River Management Plan and the Wild and Scenic River Act, site-specific impact analyses on planned activities at a NPS facility, to studies and plans for future use and management of the resources within the Upper Delaware River Corridor.

The Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River is unique because it’s not only home for an ecosystem representing more than 4,000 different species of plants and animals, but the majority of the land along the river, including many islands, is privately owned. Planning at Upper Delaware SRR involves a partnership with both the states of New York and Pennsylvania, five counties, 12 municipalities, and the property owners who call the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River home.

 

NPS Maintenance staff repairs trail after high water event.

NPS

Upper Delaware Intern records water sampling data.

NPS

 

National Park Service Planning

The National Park Service's Park Planning website serves as a central hub for accessing information about planning efforts across all national park units. It provides resources, tools, and documentation related to park management, visitor use, and environmental assessments, facilitating collaboration among various divisions and stakeholders to ensure sustainable practices and to enhance public enjoyment of NPS resources.

 

Environmental Compliance

The Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River compliance team accomplishes critical work to complete documentation and consultation on construction and improvement projects within the Upper Delaware S&RR corridor, and to review relevant projects for compliance with the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), National Historic Preservation Act, the Endangered Species Act, the River Management Plan, and other applicable laws and policies.

Facilities Management

Once planned projects have completed the compliance process, the Facilities Management division oversees their implementation. Projects that occur at Upper Delaware S&RR every year range from minor recuring maintenance to major repairs of facilities and infrastructure to ensure overall safety and positive visitor experience while protecting park resources.

 

Guiding Documents

Upper Delaware S&RR River Management Plan (1986)

Published in 1986, the River Management Plan (RMP) guides the management of the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River. While it does not supersede law, the RMP established an agreement between all levels of government for management of the Upper Delaware River and its resources. This includes the creation of the Upper Delaware Council, made up of representatives of towns and townships that border the river, to coordinate implementation of the RMP and support a cooperative framework for the protection and management of the Upper Delaware River Corridor.

Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River Foundation Document (2014)

Every unit of the national park system is to have a foundation document that will provide basic guidance for planning and management decisions. The core components of a foundation document include a brief description of the NPS unit as well as the unit’s purpose, significance, fundamental resources and values, and interpretive themes.

The foundation document also includes special mandates and administrative commitments, an assessment of planning and data needs that identifies planning issues, planning products to be developed, and the associated studies and data required for planning. Along with the core components, the assessment provides a focus for NPS unit planning.

An overview of the foundation document is also available.

Long Range Interpretive Plan (2018)

Long-Range Interpretive Plans (LRIPs) provide a vision for the future of interpretation, education, and visitor experience opportunities at a specific park unit, typically planning a vision for the next five to ten years. They identify and analyze interpretation, education, and visitor experience goals and issues and recommend the most effective, efficient, and practical ways to address those goals and issues. LRIPs address both non-personal services (interpretive media and facilities) and personal services (programs, personal contacts).

Related publications:

Land and Water Use Guidelines

A section of the Upper Delaware River Management Plan, the Land and Water Use Guidelines provide a framework for local, State, and Federal governments in developing, administering, and enforcing land and water use regulations in the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River Corridor. The guidelines are based on management principles and objectives presented in the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and incorporate flexibility to allow local government to meet the conservation objectives while responding in ways suited to their needs.

Substantial Conformance & Project Review Workbook

Most recently revised in 2020, the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River Project Review Workbook provides a guide on how to perform a substantial conformance review of local plans, laws, ordinances, and proposed development projects within the Upper Delaware River Corridor. It outlines review procedures and provides forms, checklists, and timelines involved and is an extremely helpful resource in helping to understand and streamline the substantial conformance review process.

UDC Design Handbook

This 36-page document provides guidance to undertake construction in the designated river corridor in ways that ensure harmony with the existing landscape. It is geared toward builders, developers, and landowners planning construction activity, as well as local officials in charge of reviewing development plans.

 

Public Participation

Involving the public in planning and decision-making helps the NPS understand and take into account the interests of the community in each NPS unit, which are part of the public’s national heritage, cultural traditions, and community surroundings. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) also requires federal agencies to assess the environmental effects of their actions and engage the public in the decision-making process.

You can find current and archived planning projects for the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River on the Planning, Environment, and Public Comment website.

Additional Resources:

• Upper Delaware Municipal Support Tool - interactive map that allows users to view spatial data related to the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River corridor, including helping to identify what areas fall within or intersect with the corridor boundary.
• Landowner Resources Page
• Digital GIS Shapefile of the Upper Delaware River's Scenic and Recreational Segments from the NPS Data Store Website