One of the first big steps that a new national park takes after designation is the creation of a foundation document, which is designed to affirm the park’s core mission and significance, key resources and values, and the interpretive themes that tell its stories.

The National Park Service and U.S. Department of Energy have completed a draft of the foundation document for Manhattan Project National Historical Park and are inviting public review and comment through October 10.

Established last November, Manhattan Project National Historical Park preserves, interprets, and facilitates access to key historic resources associated with the Manhattan Project, a top-secret national mobilization of scientists, engineers, technicians, and military personnel charged with producing an atomic weapon during World War II. The National Park Service operates the park and interprets its history on properties that continue to be owned and managed by Department of Energy. Visitor centers have been opened at three locations – Los Alamos, New Mexico; Hanford, Washington; and Oak Ridge, Tennessee – that represent stages in the research and production of the first atomic weapons.

Foundation documents are guidance tools individualized for each of the Park Service’s units to direct basic park planning and management. Manhattan Project’s is expected to be completed later this year.

To comment

• Deadline: October 10, 2016
• Online: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/Manhattan_Project
• Mail: Charles Strickfaden; Interim Superintendent; Manhattan Project National Historical Park; P.O. Box 127; Watrous, NM 87753