Why? 1) To provide public information on access and
opportunities for fishing the Potomac and it's tributaries.
2) To tie into other river-related themes such as resource
conservation, historic preservation, habitat, living resources,
boating, heritage tourism, etc.
3) To tie into commercial service providers ( "Blue Businesses"
such marinas, Bed & Breakfasts, restaurants, suppliers, fish
shops, guide services, book and map stores, web-information, etc.)
Who? The audience for the guide includes visitors to the DC
Metropolitan area; residents; and cross-over groups and interests.
What is the Scope? 1) a proto-type for the basin and the
Nation; 2) part of a series of "place-based" fishing guides; 3) a
demonstration project on the Lower Potomac--between the Fall-Line
in DC and the Route 301 Bridge; 4) a brochure type paper guide as
well as an electronic, computer accessible guide.
Why Here? The Potomac American Heritage River is the place to do
this pilot project because:
1) There is lot's of interest and attention being given to this
part of the Potomac now.
2) The Potomac is the Nation's River and a microcosm of other
rivers and watersheds across the country.
3) Many, many public agencies and private groups are
headquartered here.
4) We have lots of fish and a good fishery.
5) Ther is strong community interest and support for this type
of partnership effort.
6) There is a high concentration of fishing services and
businesses in this area.
7) The Lower Potomac River is a "Gateway" to the Chesapeake Bay.
8) We have data, data, data. All types of information is
available to use for this work.
9) There is an opportunity to link this Fishing Guide with a
watershed-wide Heritage Tourism Initiative.
10) The Friend's Community Partner Workshops are a way to link
all the areas stakeholders and interests into the process.
What are the Contents of the Guide?
1) Background on the Potomac River, environmental awareness,
clean water efforts, and the link to fishing and other living
resources
2) A map with emphasis on public access points, transportation,
handicapped access, marinas, boat launches, restrooms, trails,
scenic byways, etc.
3) Information you need for fishing, including fish license
requirements, gear, supplies, fishing seasonal/ calendar
opportunities, etc.
4) Information on guides, services, boat and equipment rentals,
lodging, meals, camera equipment, book and map stores, etc..
5) Related information (i.e. fishing-related attractions such as
Smithsonian Museums, Antique shops, Art Museums, C & O Canal,
etc.)
6. Related events such as fishing tournaments, clean-up days,
festivals, etc.
7. Contacts for further information
How will this effort Outreach to the Community?
There are two ways the guide will link with the communities of
this part of the Potomac. First, fishing experts will be
identified and invited to a one day workshop to help the Friends
and NPS design the guide. Second, a series of Community Partner
Workshops will be held in this segment of the Potomac to talk
with residents about the river and to learn how they value and
use the river.
The community partner workhops held under the auspices of the
Potomac American
Heritage River Initiative are requested by local leaders and are
designed to
help the community implement protection, restoration,
conservation and
revitalization actions. Since designation as a Potomac American
Heritage River,
the Friends of the Potomac have received numerous requests for
workshops and
assistance. Several of these requests have been from communities
within the
region identified for the Potomac Fishing Guide.
The first of the series of Potomac Fishing Guides will focus on
the lower
Potomac River as geographically defined earlier. This unique
region, including
the Greater Washington Metropolitan area, will allow for
development of a
prototype fishing guide that can serve across social, economic,
cultural and
ethnic boundaries. Traditionally, America*s minority communities
have been
excluded from watershed planning and outreach efforts. However,
as has become
the case across the country, the actions and decisions made by
these
*non-traditional* communities directly affect the health and
value of the
nation*s waters and landscape. The rights of these ethnic
communities to enjoy,
recreate, and protect the local streams has become a new
watershed paradigm.
The Potomac Fishing Guide will recognize and provide information
for these
populations.
Three one-day workshops will be used to identify the barriers
that prevent
people from utilizing and appreciating their local streams and
the greater
Potomac River environ. Proposed workshops will be held at three
locations, each
of which have distinctly different ethnic populations. The
community in
southeast Washington DC is predominantly low-income,
African-American living in
close proximity to the Anacostia River. In Northern Virginia,
there is a large
mix of ethnic people, including Middle Eastern immigrants, Asians
and Latino
communities. Northern Virginia is blessed with many small creeks
and
tributaries of the Potomac with recreation possibilities such as
trout fishing
in stocked segments of Four Mile Run. In Charles County
Maryland, the majority
of the communities are low-income white Americans living in
relatively rural
areas. Charles County has requested assistance for developing a
nature based
tourism plan and for bringing a new source of economic growth to
the area.
The workshops will be designed so that community members are
actively involved
and their voices heard. There are numerous avenues for getting
the information
necessary for a *diversified* Potomac Fishing Guide. The
workshops might
involve 1-page surveys, small group work sessions for discussion
and
brainstorming, and/or facilitated group discussions. Each of the
aforementioned
workshops will result in different information given the
variations among
lifestyles and cultural attitudes of each.
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