Department Of Interior

Office of the Secretary
Contact: John Wright
For Immediate Release: April 23, 2004
202-208-6416
 
Secretary Norton to Promote Oregon Park Expansion
in Conjunction with Lewis and Clark Bicentennial

Norton chairs the federal bicentennial commemoration
of the Lewis and Clark expedition
 

WASHINGTON - Interior Secretary Gale Norton will stop in Portland, Ore., on Saturday, April 24, 2004, to reaffirm her commitment to legislation currently before Congress that would expand Fort Clatsop National Memorial and rename the site as the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park. Norton will address supporters of the legislation as part of her weeklong visit to national parks, highlighting the celebration of National Park Week, April 17-24.

The three sites to be added to the existing Fort Clatsop National Memorial would be, pending legislation, Clark's Dismal Nitch (Megler Rest Area), Station Camp and a memorial to Thomas Jefferson, located within Fort Canby State Park. The State of Washington is making substantial investments at Station Camp, including purchasing the land from willing sellers. Clark's Dismal Nitch is partially owned by Washington. Both these areas would be donated to the National Park Service.

Fort Stevens and Ecola State Parks in Oregon and Cape Disappointment State Park in Washington also tell a portion of the Lewis and Clark story along the Pacific Coast. Under the legislation now before Congress, the National Park Service would work with the states, allowing all three agencies to tell a more comprehensive story of the Corps of Discovery.

Secretary Norton chairs the federal Bicentennial Commemoration of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

Who: Gale A. Norton, Secretary of the Interior
Brian Baird, Congressman [WA-3-D]
Betsy Johnson, Oregon State Representative [District 31]
Chip Jenkins, Superintendent, Fort Clatsop National Memorial
Cyndi Mudge, Executive Director of Destination: The Pacific

When:
Saturday, April 24, 2004
1 p.m. -- Remarks
1:45 p.m.-- Media Availability

Where:
The Oregon Historical Society Museum
1200 S.W. Park Avenue
Portland, Ore.


Note to Editors: A report on all national parks in the state of Oregon will be available for those attending the event.

 





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