Frequently Asked Questions
What are the options that the National Park Service is evaluating?
Only Option #3 would create a Park that includes sites in both Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Blackstone Industrial Heritage National Historical Park would be a new NPS Park. It would include three historic districts in Rhode Island: Old Slater Mill, Slatersville, and Ashton, plus two historic districts in Massachusetts: Whitinsville and Hopedale. Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, Inc. would work as a community-based partner to the NPS to plan the park and continue support for the Valley’s heritage sites and natural resources.
When the Corridor Commission ends operation in October, 2012, will the Heritage Corridor still exists?
The designation of National Heritage Corridor by Congress is permanent. But the federal funding for the Corridor Commission’s programs and Park Rangers will end.
Will another organization take the Corridor Commission’s place?
The Corridor Commission has established a non-profit version of itself, Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, Inc., to continue to work with Valley partners and with the National Park Service.
What will the new organization do? How will it differ from the current Commission?
The answer to that question will depend largely on what Congress decides to do. If option #3 is adopted by Congress, the new organization will partner with the NPS to develop a management plan for the new park as well as preservation plans for sites within the park. It will also work with the NPS to maintain a network of existing visitor facilities, provide recreational opportunities, and protect resources throughout the Corridor. The group would probably have major responsibility for protecting and managing the river, canal and other significant landscapes not included in the park. In addition, the new organization will continue the Commission’s role of coordinating the efforts of the two states, 24 municipalities and scores of other partners to protect and interpret the Valley's resources and story.
Will the NPS work exclusively in the designated park areas? What about the rest of the Blackstone Valley?
Under option#3, the NPS would concentrate its staff and activities to the core park sites. The NPS would continue to have a presence throughout the Corridor by working with the new non-profit.
What will happen to the visitor centers?
New NPS funding could help the Pawtucket Visitor Center and Visitor Centers at I-295 in Lincoln, the Museum of Work and Culture in Woonsocket, and River bend Farm in Uxbridge. If a park is not established , these Visitor Centers may continue to operate in much the same way they do now, but NPS funding would no longer support these programs and services.
What will happen to the Commission’s office in Woonsocket?
It could be headquarters for a new National Park. If no Park is established or an alternate headquarters site is selected, the Heritage Corridor Office will close.
How will the Blackstone Valley be different without the Corridor Commission and National Park Service?
Hopefully, partnerships initiatives and projects will continue. With no NPS funding, technical and financial assistance may be cut and there will be no NPS Park Rangers.
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