Lewis and Clark Sustainable Tourism Strategic Planning - LECL - NOTICE OF INTENT

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The NPS received an unsolicited proposal from Solimar International and National Geographic in 2015 for a sustainable geotourism project for the entire length of the Trail. The proposal described an innovative approach to serving the public at large as well as the Tribes along the Lewis and Clark Trail. OVERVIEW, RECIPIENT AND NPS SUBSTANTIAL INVOLVEMENT The objective of this Agreement is to develop a comprehensive Geotourism Program for the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail (LECL). The trail is approximately 3,700 miles long and connects 11 states (Illinois, Missouri, Kansa, Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon) as well as many tribal lands. The process begins with a Geotourism Assessment to gain an in-depth understanding of the tourism needs, related issues and opportunities along the trail, that includes an updated inventory of tourism attractions and initial recommendations to build capacity for and enhance tourism and visitor opportunities for this unique historic trail, that was established by Congress in 1978 as part of the national trails system. A key component of the process will be the engagement by NPS with its partners and stakeholders – at the federal, state and local levels. The strategies for public engagement, particularly with American Indian tribes will be established and managed closely by LECL, with special attention paid to the unique Government-to-Government relationships with Tribal governments. The LECL Superintendent and Chief of Resources Stewardship will be substantially involved during the entire course of the process and will engage additional NPS staff resources and expertise as appropriate, including that of the NPS Midwest Regional Official (MWRO) Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program (RTCA). The end goal of the Geotourism Program is to support local stewardship of a destination by providing partners in the destination with tools to help them protect, enhance and promote their destination. The NPS is substantially involved with this project and will: agrees to: 1. Provide guidance during the process, describe and direct the establishment of program goals, jointly develop the scope of work and articulate the activities to be accomplished as part of the development of the Geotourism Assessment. 2. Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail will make available existing records as needed including GIS data for the Trail. 3. Identify and help convene a full range of LECL partners and stakeholders to participate in and provide input on the activities and information gathering as part of developing the Geotourism Assessment. 4. Work with the Recipient to ensure that appropriate protocols for public engagement are communicated and followed throughout the process. 5. Engage LECL and other NPS staff (including RTCA) throughout the process to assist with information and data gathering from various NPS sources. Costs of NPS staff assistance including, personnel services, travel etc. will be covered by the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. 6. Guide, direct, and review the outputs of the project and development of next steps regarding stakeholder, partner, and public participation as well as development of products and outputs related to program goals and objects.

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