The National Park Service is seeking nominations for individuals to be considered for appointment to the Gateway National Recreation Area Fort Hancock 21st Century Advisory Committee.
“Since Hurricane Sandy, this committee has helped the park define practical, long-term solutions for preserving Fort Hancock,” said Gateway Superintendent Jennifer T. Nersesian. “A recent Request for Expressions of Interest brought hundreds of possible new leaseholders to the park and generated over 40 written responses. Now the committee is advising the park on an upcoming Request for Proposals, which we expect to issue later this year. We need to keep the committee at full membership so that we can keep this momentum going.”
Since its first meeting in January 2013, the Committee has advised Gateway National Recreation Area concerning the future of the Fort Hancock and Sandy Hook Proving Ground National Historical Landmark. More than 100 historic buildings dating from the U.S. Army era are located within Gateway’s Sandy Hook Unit. Most are vacant, but could be saved through adaptive reuse by other leaseholders.
Of the Committee’s 20 members, eight have terms which expire in late August. Anyone interested in being a member, including current members whose terms are expiring, must submit materials in hard copy to the office of Gateway’s Superintendent no later than July 14, 2013. Nominees should describe and document their qualifications for membership and include a resume listing their name, title, address, telephone, e-mail, and fax number. The Committee cannot exceed 20 members.
After the park selects nominees, these nominations are vetted through the Department of the Interior and the White House. Members are appointed by the Secretary of the Interior for a term not to exceed three years or the life of the Committee, whichever is shorter.
Nominations are sought to represent the following communities: real estate, recreation, cultural resources and historic preservation, business and hospitality. Nominations are not limited, however, to representatives of these groups. Members of the Committee currently include representatives from Monmouth County and the municipalities of Highlands, Sea Bright, Rumson and Middletown Township.
Committee members will be selected based on the following criteria: (1) ability to collaborate, (2) the ability to understand NPS management and policy, and (3) connection with local communities. No individual who is currently registered as a Federal lobbyist is eligible to serve on the Committee. Members serve without compensation.
Nominations should be mailed to: Gateway National Recreation Area, Office of the Superintendent, 210 New York Avenue, Staten Island, New York 10305.
The Call for Nominations has been published in the Federal Register (see here for details). For more information, contact External Affairs Officer John Warren at (732)872-5970, or via email at [email protected].
