Potomac American Heritage River Status Report October 12, 1999

Potomac American Heritage River 

Status Report

October 12, 1999

I.  River Navigator Status:

Memo of Understanding: A memo of Understanding was approved between the NPS-NCR and the Friends on July 21, 1999.

Implementation Strategy: There is currently no overall strategy for implementing the Potomac AHR.  A “draft work plan” was prepared in collaboration with the Friends in May.  The Friends are resistant to identify a strategy or work plan for this collaborative effort.  A written request was made in July and the Friends Board is scheduled to discuss a business plan/ strategy on October 30, 1999.  The lack of a strategy to implement the Potomac AHR has hindered NPS-NCR efforts to assist participating local governments and private groups. 

River Navigator Position: The initial agreement between NPS and EPA for providing and funding the River Navigator position have changed.  EPA is willing to pay the EPA Navigator’s salary until March 1, 2000.  At that time either another agency must pay for the Navigator or the position will be returned to EPA.  

Federal Agency Team: A team of approximately 28 Federal agency representatives was assembled in March 1999.  Members of the team provided input into a list of 23 “Commitments to the Potomac” at the July 30 Potomac River Day celebration.  Members of the team have requested more detailed information, from the Friends of the Potomac and NPS, on local project needs.  The lack of specific local project need information has hindered assistance efforts and delayed the implementation of the AHR.

Project Status Report: The memo of Understanding with the Friends requires NPS to prepare preparation of a semi-annual project status report for ongoing projects.  The report requires input on local project assistance needs from the Friends.  Input from the Friends on this report was due on August 1, 1999 and is now scheduled to be completed on October 24, 1999.

Communication:  The River Navigator prepares “Notes” at least once a month to describe Potomac AHR past activities and upcoming events.  This information is distributed to NPS-NCR, CEQ, the Federal Agency Team, NPS-HQ, members of the House and Senate delegation staff and the Board of the Friends of the Potomac.

II.  Friends of the Potomac (Community Partner Organization) Status: 

Board of Directors: Eight Board members were appointed as “Interim” this year.  Carl Cole (DC) recently resigned and Harold Michael (WV) has not participated to date.  The Interim Board is scheduled to serve for one year and will be replaced by an 18 member elected Board in March 2000.  Board members will be elected by three Councils (State & Local Governments; Business and Agriculture; Nonprofit).  There is no schedule for when the Councils will be organized or when the election will be held.

Executive Director: Karen Zachary, Coordinator of the Potomac AHR nomination project, has been serving as a Board member and providing consultant services as day-to-day manager of the Friends of the Potomac.  An Executive Director position is currently advertised and will be filled in February 2000.

Budget:  The Friends of the Potomac currently have $8,000 in assets and approximately $40,000 of debt.  Current budget obligations are limited to Ms. Zachary’s salary (capped at $5,000 per month through 11/10/99) and minimal monthly web-page maintenance costs.  The Friends Board has scheduled a meeting on October 30, 1999 to begin to develop a business plan/strategy, which will include developing strategies for fundraising, membership and AHR implementation.  The Friends hope to reduce their debt by 50% by February 2000.

Office Space: The General Services Administration has agreed to provide NPS-NCR office space for the Potomac AHR, as their contribution to help implement the President’s Executive Order.  The NPS is considering using a portion of the space and making the remainder available to the Friends.  The Friends would be expected to pay for operations and maintenance costs.  Spaces in Washington, DC and Northern Virginia are being considered.  The schedule for making this space available is uncertain.

Membership:  The Friends do not have a membership strategy at this time.  A membership brochure is being distributed and organizations are joining.  

Project Needs: The Memo of Understanding between NPS and the Friends requires that the Friends provide NPS with a status report and a list of project needs by August 1, 1999. A draft list of project needs was provided to NPS-NCR in March 1999.  The status report and list of project needs is overdue and is now scheduled to be completed by October 24, 1999.  The lack of an accurate list of project needs has hindered the ability of NPS and other Federal agencies to respond to local AHR needs.   

Communications: The Friends of the Potomac agreed, during a May 1999 work session, to serve as the primary provider of information on the Potomac AHR to their member organizations.  An e-mail newsletter is scheduled to go out on the 1^st and the 15^th of each month to a list of approximately 275 names.  Due to computer problems the newsletter was not sent out in September. The newsletter generally features Friends activities rather than information related to the Potomac AHR.  A web-site is being developed (www.potomacfriends.org) with the assistance of Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and is proposed to include information on the Potomac AHR.  The schedule for having the web-site completed is uncertain.

Prepared by JGE/ NPS 10/11/99