Norton Requests November Community Meeting on Upcoming Closure of Buzzard Point Marina

WASHINGTON, D.C.—After hearing concerns from her constituents about the scheduled closing of Buzzard Point Marina at the end of the year, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today sent a letter to the National Park Service (NPS) requesting "a community meeting in early November so that members of the public and boating community can share their concerns about the closure of the marina and the future use of the area." Norton said she would have preferred NPS to have held a community meeting shortly after the decision to close the marina in August, but at the very least the meeting should take place early next month to allow enough time for affected residents to give feedback and receive information on the decision-making process regarding the marina closure.

"While I understand Buzzard Point Marina badly needs repair, residents who dock their boats there deserve to hear directly from NPS officials on why the marina's closure is necessary and to be part of the planning process for the area going forward," Norton said. "More than half of the slips at Buzzard Point are occupied. Therefore, the impact of the closure will be substantial. An early-November meeting is not too much to ask."

The full letter is below.

October 28, 2015

Gopaul Noojibail
Superintendent, National Capital Parks East
National Park Service
1900 Anacostia Drive SE
Washington, DC 20020

Dear Superintendent Noojibail:

As you know, constituents have called my office regarding the temporary closure of Buzzard Point Marina. I appreciate that you now intend to schedule a community meeting. Since the National Park Service (NPS) intends to close the marina on December 31, 2015, I am asking you to schedule a meeting in early November so that members of the public and boating community can share their concerns about the closure of the marina and the future use of the area.

We understand that Buzzard Point Marina is in desperate need of repair, and that a closure may be necessary to replace the existing docks in order to create a space that a potential concessioner could make profitable. However, NPS should hear from the community, including the sizable number of those who currently keep their boats at Buzzard Point. A public meeting would allow you to discuss the decision-making process regarding the marina closure.

Please contact my office as soon as possible with the date, time, and location of a community meeting where boat owners and other interested parties can discuss the future of Buzzard Point Marina.

Sincerely,

Eleanor Holmes Norton