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Minute Man NHP Acoustic Resource Management Plan
Minute Man National Historical Park » Minute Man NHP Acoustic Resource Management Plan » Document List
Minute Man National Historical Park (NHP) is located in Concord, Lexington, and Lincoln, MA. Containing 1,038 acres, the park preserves historic sites, structures, properties and landscapes associated with the opening battles of the American Revolution, which occurred April 19th, 1775. Public Law 86-321, passed by Congress in 1959, established Minute Man NHP to preserve and interpret properties related to the Battles of Lexington and Concord. This act was supplemented by Public Law 102-488 in 1992, which expanded the park boundary and reiterated the purpose of the park to include the preservation and interpretation of the American Literary Renaissance sites and the historic landscape along the Battle Road between Lexington and Concord. The park was expanded again in 2012 with the addition of the Colonel Barrett House and Farm to the west. The sounds associated with these important sights are vital to providing visitors with an environment that is conducive to reflection and contemplation of the events that occurred at the park.
In order to protect this acoustic environment and soundscape, the National Park Service prepared this Acoustic Resource Management Plan for Minute Man NHP. The purpose of this Acoustic Resource Management Plan (ARMP) and Environmental Assessment (EA) is 1) to link acoustic resource management to existing park management direction, (2) to define the existing ambient acoustic conditions, 3) to provide objectives and standards for current and future management, and 4) to identify potential management actions designed to ensure that acoustic objectives and standards are met.
The EA evaluates two alternatives: Alternative A - No Action and Alternative B - Preferred Alternative. Alternative A represents no change from current management direction or level of management intensity and involves continuing with the present course of action expressed in existing park management documents. Alternative B includes the development of a management plan that describes appropriate and inappropriate sound sources and levels, acoustic environment objectives, acoustic indicators and standards, monitoring approaches and protocols, and methods for modifying the plan using an adaptive management approach.
In order to protect this acoustic environment and soundscape, the National Park Service prepared this Acoustic Resource Management Plan for Minute Man NHP. The purpose of this Acoustic Resource Management Plan (ARMP) and Environmental Assessment (EA) is 1) to link acoustic resource management to existing park management direction, (2) to define the existing ambient acoustic conditions, 3) to provide objectives and standards for current and future management, and 4) to identify potential management actions designed to ensure that acoustic objectives and standards are met.
The EA evaluates two alternatives: Alternative A - No Action and Alternative B - Preferred Alternative. Alternative A represents no change from current management direction or level of management intensity and involves continuing with the present course of action expressed in existing park management documents. Alternative B includes the development of a management plan that describes appropriate and inappropriate sound sources and levels, acoustic environment objectives, acoustic indicators and standards, monitoring approaches and protocols, and methods for modifying the plan using an adaptive management approach.