The Blackstone Valley

Blackstone River Valley Special Resource Study Report Available

Public Meetings Scheduled

The Blackstone River Valley Special Resource Study Report is now available for public review and comment. The National Park Service prepared this study to determine whether the sites and associated landscape features within the boundaries of the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor that contribute to the understanding of the Corridor as the birthplace of the industrial revolution in the United States would be eligible for potential inclusion as a unit of the National Park System. The Corridor encompasses all or part of 24 communities from Worcester, MA to Providence, RI.

A digital version of the special resource study is available on the project website www.nps.gov/blac/parkmgmt/special-resource-study.htm. Printed copies of the study report are available upon request by contacting Ellen Carlson using the information below. The public comment period will be open until August 26, 2011. Comments may be submitted on-line by following the links on the project website or via electronic mail or by U.S. Mail by sending them to Ellen Carlson, Project Manager, National Park Service, Northeast Region – Boston Office, 15 State Street, Boston, MA 02109; Ellen_Carlson@nps.gov.

Two public meeting will be held to discuss the study. The first will take place on Wednesday, August 10 at 3PM at the Blackstone Valley Visitor Center located at 175 Main Street in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. A second meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 16 at 7 PM at Northbridge Town Hall located at 7 Main Street in Whitinsville, MA. The meetings will provide an opportunity for the public to learn about and comment on the study's findings and proposed management options.

In addition to the Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark District, 6 core resources within the Blackstone Valley were found to be nationally significant. They include historic districts in Slatersville and Ashton in RI and Whitinsville and Hopedale in MA, the Blackstone River and its tributaries, and the Blackstone Canal. The resources evaluated also appear to meet the NPS criteria for suitability, feasibility, and the need for National Park Service (NPS) management. The study identifies 3 management options including the status quo.

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About the Chamber

The mission of the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce is to promote the economic vitality of the Blackstone Valley and meet the needs of the Chamber's business members, while providing leadership on issues which impact the economy and quality of life in the Valley. The Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce serves the eleven towns in the Massachusetts BV Region: Blackstone, Douglas, Grafton, Hopedale, Mendon, Millbury, Millville, Northbridge, Sutton, Upton and Uxbridge. For more information on the Chamber please contact administrator@blackstonevalley.org or call 508 234 9090 X101.