2000 -- The Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route
National Heritage Act of 2000 [to STUDY the trail]: ENACTED
This directed the National Park Service (NPS), through the Secretary
of the Interior, to submit to Congress a study of the 600-mile route
that was followed by the American and French armies in 1781 and 1782
under Generals George Washington and the comte de Rochambeau
as they travelled to and returned from the siege and victory at Yorktown.
It was introduced in the House as HR 4794 by Rep. John Larson (CT)
and in the Senate by Sen. Joseph Lieberman (CT). It was cosponsored
by 42 Congressional delegates.
Status: The bill was signed into law in October 2000
as PL 106-473. See the report in the
 Half Moon Press, 2000 Nov.
For information on other National Historic Trails go to
www.nps.gov and search for "trails".
The Expédition Particulière has posted additional information on the
W3R National Heritage Act of 2000.
2000 - W3R Designation as a Millenium Trail: ACCOMPLISHED
Status: In October of 2000 the White House Millennium Council
designated the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route as
a Community Millenium Trail through Bolton CT.
2001 -- NPS Progress on the Requested W3R Study:
Public Hearings in Several States: COMPLETED
The NPS assembled a research team and developed a slide show on developing the W3R,
which was shown at public hearings held in Connecticut, New Jersey, and Virginia.
2002 -- NPS Progress on the Requested W3R Study:
The research team continued its work and drafted a report for study by the NPS advisory board.
2003 -- NPS Progress on the Requested W3R Study:
Statement of Historic and Cultural Significance: PUBLISHED
In early 2003 a 55-page "Statement of Significance of the W3R" was published.
At their 2003 Apr 8 meeting the Landmarks Committee of the National Park System (NPS)
Advisory Board unanimously recommended that a complete proposal on the W3R
be developed and presented to Congress for final consideration and vote
to be a designated a National Historical trail.
In 2003 Oct the first issue of the NPS-W3R Newsletter was published.
See our links to posted NPS documents.
2003 - Funding 225th Anniversary Activities:
ENACTED in 2004 and FUNDED in 2005
The 225th Anniversary of the American Revolution Commemoration Act
would provide the National Park Service with $500,000 each year to 2009
to support commemorative efforts related to the American Revolution.
This includes commemorative efforts related to the W3R.
HR 2237 was introduced by Rep. Morris Hinchley [NY-22] in 2003 May
as House Resolution 2237. The Senate Companion bill S 1108 was introduced
by Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton [NY].
In 2005 July The Interior Appropriations Bill was passed by Congress,
providing $200,000 for HR 2237.
2004 -- NPS Progress on the Requested W3R Study:
Survey of Public Opinion on W3R Options: COMPLETED
In late 2004 the National Park Service requested public participation in a survey
of several options for managing the proposed trail.
2005 -- NPS Progress on the Requested W3R Study:
Report on Status of the W3R Study: PUBLISHED
Public response to a National Park Service survey in late 2004 supported
the following option. This support was later noted in the NPS final report,
which was printed and sent to the U.S. Congress in May 2007.
NPS Survey Supports Designation
of the W3R as a National Historic Trail
National Park Service -- 2005 April 20
"The proposed Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route will be established
by Congress as a national historic trail within the national trails system.
Between Boston and Yorktown, the trail will serve interpretive, educational,
commemorative and retracement purposes through recreational, driving
and water-based routes.
"The NPS may recommend a shared management scheme with a new nonprofit
trail organization, as well as state and local agencies and other interest groups.
A trail management plan may be developed by NPS. This plan would include guidance
and standards on issues such as signage; certification of sites; interpretive
and educational content for exhibits and promotional materials; and research
and preservation. A trail advisory board, formed of an appointed group
of representatives, would be established to advise the NPS on trail implementation issues.
"The newly established nonprofit trail organization -- which could incorporate
constituencies currently constituting the W3R-USA together with other interested groups
and agencies -- would assist with some aspects of plan implementation,
as well as undertaking other tasks such as advocacy, commemoration and fundraising.
"Limited federal financial assistance would be provided. It would be dedicated
to trail management and administration and to supporting groups engaged
in interpreting and preserving the trail and its resources. The federal government
would not acquire land or resources associated with the trail.
"Over time, the historic route would be marked as continuous segments on the ground
or at water access points; in a few places, physical trail segments could be enhanced.
Where feasible, modern road segments this follow the known routes would be marked
for travel. In areas where development and related impacts have diminished
or destroyed access to or along the historic routes, interpretive waysides
or other informational means could be applied, as appropriate. Modern roads
could be used as deviations from the original routes if deemed necessary
to protect fragile historic resources, provide continuity, or protect public safety."
2006 -- NPS Progress on the Requested W3R Study:
Environmental Impact Statement: COMPLETED
2006 early: The NPS study team
completed the required Environmental Impact Statement
and the full study was sent for review by NPS management.
2006 Nov: Final Report sent to the printer. Production problems delayed
public distribution until 2007 April.
2006 -- Congressional Action on Designating W3R a National Trail
Bills Introduced: EXPIRED IN COMMITTEE
2006-S.3737 and 2006-H.R.5895, parallel bills to "amend the National Trails
System Act to designate the Washington-Rochambeau Route as a National Historic Trail"
were introduced in the two houses of Congress.
The bills expired when the 2006 Congress adjourned without acting on them.
They were re-introduced in 2007-- see below for details.
2007 -- NPS Progress on the Requested W3R Study:
Final Report: PUBLISHED
The electronic version of the National Park Service (NPS) Final Review Document on the W3R
was available early in the year and the printed rendition was published on 2007 May 01.
The product of six years of study, the report recommends designating the Washington-Rochambeau Route
a National Historic Trail. It is well-written and richly illustrated.
You may view (and download and print) the full-color PDF files from the
NPS Park Planning Site
2007 -- Congressional Action on Designating W3R a National Trail
Bills Re-introduced: COMMITTEE HEARINGS HELD
On 2007 February 26 Senator Lieberman (CT) introduced S. 686
-- "to amend the National Trails System Act to designate the Washington-Rochambeau
Route as a National Historic Trail". This is essentially the same bill that was introduced in 2006.
See 2006 for details.
On 2007 March 1, Rep. Maurice D. Hinchey [NY-22] introduced H.R.1286,
with the same wording as the Senate bill. On March 5 the bill was referred
to the House Committee on Natural Resources -- Subcommittee on National Parks,
Forests, and Public Lands.
2007 April 22:
The Senate Subcommittee on National Parks of the U.S. Senate Committee
for Energy and Resource held a Legislative Hearing on S.686:
The audio portions of remarks related to this bill are presented here (in the order in which
they occurred during the three hours of testimony)
as MP3 files which can be played by many Web browser programs.
- Testimony by Kim Burdick [MP3 file, 6 min],
chair of the W3R-US organization. Mike Fitzgerald and David Holloway, who marched
the full route, were also at the hearing, and they responded to several questions
from Sen. Akaka, chair of the sub-committee.
- Testimony by Linda Borkow [4 min MP3 file]
(Dobbs Ferry Historical Society), requesting that Dobbs Ferry be recognized as an important W3R site.
Booklet of the April 22 testimony [PDF file]
-- W3R testimony starts on page 26.
On May 23 in an open business session the Senate committee by a unanimous voice vote
of a quorum present, recommended that the Senate pass S. 686.
2007 Oct 30:
The House Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands
(of the House Committee on Natural Resources) held a Legislative Hearing
on eleven bills, including H.R.1286.
James M. Johnson, Ph.D. -- retired professor of history at the United States Military
Academy at West Point and Vice Chair for Regional Coordination of the W3R-US
-- provided testimony on H.R.1286.
Shown at right are Rep. Hinchey and Dr. Johnson.
The audio portions of testimony and discussion related to this bill
are presented here (in the order in which they occurred during the three hours of testimony)
as MP3 files which can be played by many Web browser programs.
Read Rep. Hinchey's Press Release [PDF file]
Read article by Dan Berman in E&E Daily [PDF file]
2008 -- Congress Considers Legislation
to Make the W3R a National Historic Trail
Over the past eight years hundreds of people have spent considerable time doing the work
required to demonstrate its value to historians (professional and amateur) and to the public,
contributed money or secured grants to pay for research, publication, public events, and signage,
and remained steadfast in determination to secure enactment of legislation
recognizing the value of this 680-mile-long trail for public enlightenment and enjoyment.
On July 10, 2008, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1286, designating the W3R
as a National Historic Trail.
Read the Floor Summary for the Debate (in reverse time order)
Votes Aye and Nay:
Final Vote Results for Roll Call 484
Congressman Hinchey's Press Release for the event.
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