The Mount Obama Committee will be launching its official website and logo on August 15, 2010.

Since the Dedication/Renaming ceremony of Boggy peak to Mount Obama in August 2009, the Committee has engaged in the planning and related activities needed to establish and manage the Mount Obama National Park.

The Vision of the Committee is for the Mount Obama National Park to become a multiuse world class protected area of excellence. It would be financially self sufficient in maintaining ecosystems, biological services and historical heritage of the area while achieving a range of specific environmental, social and economic objectives agreed upon by key stakeholders through consultations.

A Key aspect of the MOC’s work has been the initial determination of the boundary of the National Park so as to achieve the critical aims of understanding, appreciation, conservation and sustainable use of the natural and historic heritage of this important section of the country.

In accordance with its mandate, the MOC has identified the legal and administrative options for establishing and managing the National Park. Cabinet has agreed that the Mount Obama National Park will be established under the National Parks Act, 1984 and managed by a Special Committee with administrative and technical support from the Forestry Division in the Ministry of Agriculture. Based on this decision by Cabinet, the MOC is in a position to elaborate the management structure and finalize staffing requirements.

Moreover, the MOC expects to be able to submit to Cabinet an Outline/Concept Plan for the National Park by mid September 2010. This plan will outline the boundary and various use zones of the Mount Obama National Park, proposed administrative and visitor facilities at the Cades Bay and Christian Valley entrances, trails to be developed, and potential areas for picnicking, camping, and eco-tourism facilities. However, prior to that date, a series of discussions will take place with individuals with privately owned parcels within the proposed boundaries. These discussions will take place immediately after Carnival.

The MOC expects that it will be possible to plan and execute the official opening ceremony for the Mount Obama National Park in October 2010.