May 20, 2020

Tina Cappetta, Superintendent

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
1850 Dual Highway, Suite 100
Hagerstown, MD 21740

Dear Superintendent Cappetta:

We, the undersigned members of the Maryland General Assembly, are writing to express support
of the C&O Canal National Historical Park’s “Phase IV, Towpath Rehabilitation: A Safe
Towpath” project being submitted for consideration for a grant through the Maryland
Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) in 2020. Please include this letter in the application
package, whereby we also request favorable consideration of this project by the team assessing
TAP proposals.

We truly believe that repairs to the towpath will bring tangible benefits to our communities as
well as a safer and higher-quality experience for park visitors.

This year’s project is phase four of a five-phase program to address the worst portions of the
canal towpath and create a world-class riding and hiking surface for visitors. The park’s $1.14
million request for TAP support to rehabilitate towpath miles 72.8 to 81 will be matched by the
National Park Service with $476,000 to extend the new surface from towpath miles 81.0 to 85.4.

We believe the state of Maryland would benefit considerably from the many Marylanders and
the out-of-state hikers, bikers, equestrians, and other park visitors that enjoy the C&O Canal
National Historical Park.

We, the undersigned members of the Maryland General Assembly, fully support the TAP
application being made by the C&O Canal NHP, and urges favorable consideration by the TAP
assessment team for the proposed Towpath Rehabilitation project.

Sincerely,

Maryland General Assembly Legislative District 15 & 16 representatives:

Senator Brian Feldman
Senator Susan C. Lee
Delegate Kathleen Dumais
Delegate David Fraser-Hidalgo
Delegate Ariana B. Kelly
Delegate Marc Korman
Delegate Sara N. Love
Delegate Lily Qi