As a follow up to my recent article, “Gettysburg National Military Park – A Study In Contrasts,” I received an update today on the ongoing battlefield rehabilitation efforts at Gettysburg National Military Park. Sent to me by Katie Lawhon, of the Gettysburg National Park Service staff, it provides a glimpse into the goals of their extensive rehabilitation efforts. The National Park Service should be commended for their efforts to restore the Gettysburg Battlefield to its wartime appearance. Thank you Katie for providing this update to This Mighty Scourge.
The following is an outline of the goals of their rehabilitation project.
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GETTYSBURG NATIONAL MILITARY PARK
BATTLEFIELD REHABILITATION GOALS
One of the most important purposes of Gettysburg National Military Park is to preserve the topographic, landscape, and cultural features that were significant to the outcome of the Battle of Gettysburg. However, many of these features have been obscured or changed over the years, as the natural processes have been allowed to take over. As just one example, fields that have not been farmed over the past 65 years have become forests. In many cases, the lack of an accurate understanding of these historic topographic features and their significance has led to their loss. That loss, in turn, meant that neither visitors nor historians could fully understand the Battle of Gettysburg.
The National Park Service (NPS) is bringing back missing features that affected the fighting of the Battle of Gettysburg, a multi-year project with historical benefits and environmental benefits as well. The goals of the project are:
Restoring Gettysburg’s historic integrity – Changes to the landscapes have occurred over time including the growth of trees, changing field sizes, and missing fences, orchards, and farm lanes. These changes obscure the key terrain, avenues of approach, and fields of fire that affected the outcome of the battle. As a result, some portions of the battlefield have changed physically. They can no longer convey to people today what it was like for the soldiers who fought here.
The project is being phased and includes the replacement of historic fencelines, orchards, and farm lanes as well as the return of grasslands, farmlands, orchards and woodlands that played important roles in the battle.
Enhancing visitor opportunities and understanding – Restoring the integrity of key battle areas contributes to improved educational experiences, and an overall greater understanding of the events as they unfolded on July 1, 2, and 3, 1863. Battlefield rehabilitation is allowing visitors to have a more accurate understanding of obstacles faced by those on the field as well as the command decisions made by both armies. Over time, the project will offer new opportunities for visitors to see the battlefield through the soldiers’ eyes.
Creating a sustainable historic environment by improving wetlands, water quality and wildlife habitat – Since the time of the battle, non-native species, hardwood stands, and changing agricultural landscapes have had a negative effect on the historic terrain. If left alone, the environment will continue to change and potentially obscure more historic lands.
The historical benefits of the battlefield rehabilitation are obvious to many but there are clear environmental benefits as well. The project calls for reestablishing grasslands, restoring wetlands, and replanting orchards. Long term improvements to the environment include restoration of up to 100 acres of wetlands; fencing cattle from streams to improve water quality; and increasing habitat for grassland species, ground nesting birds and native plants. The plan is in compliance with the Clean Air Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Federal Water Pollution Act and Water Quality Act, floodplain management, protection of wetlands, and all other applicable laws and policies that protect the environment.
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The following table provides an update on the progress of the battlefield rehabilitation project at Gettysburg.
