A plan to relocate some campsites at Assateague Island National Seashore is now open to public comment/NPS

Coastal units of the National Park System can have ongoing problems created by storms and sea level rise that require thinking outside of the box at times. At Assateague Island National Seashore on the Maryland-Virginia shore, staff are thinking of relocating campsites when the need arises.

Public comment is being taken through August 6 on a proposal to create a flexible design strategy for relocating campsites at its Oceanside Campground that have been lost or repeatedly damaged by coastal storm events. New campsite locations within the developed area on Assateague Island have been considered. The purpose of the proposed project is to develop an on-island relocation strategy for campsites that are becoming increasingly unusable due to sand deposition and encroachment from the adjacent dune system.

The National Park Service believes that the proposed project is needed in order to continue to provide high quality and sustainable camping opportunities for park visitors to Assateague Island.

The environmental assessment addresses potential impacts to natural, cultural and recreational resources that may result from the proposed project. Public scoping was completed in March and April of 2017 to gather input from park staff, other agencies and the public about the potential effects of the proposed project. That feedback has been incorporated into the environmental assessment, which is now available for public review and comment.

There are two opportunities to comment on the project. Written suggestions and comments can be submitted online by August 6 at this site. A public open house will also be held at the Environmental Education Center on July 23 to answer questions from stakeholders and the general public. The meeting will be at Assateague Island National Seashore, Environmental Education Center, 7206 National Seashore Lane, Berlin, MD 21811, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.