The National Park Service has released its Final General Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement for Great Falls (VA) Park. The document is the culmination of a process that started in 2003, and contains specific rules for climbing at Great Falls. The document is available at parkplanning.nps.gov.
Chapter 2 contains a description of the new regulations which reflect lengthy discussions with local climbers. A Climbing Management Plan is called for and there is still a risk of restrictions on climbing. For now, several climbing areas can be accessed via one trail with a special seasonal access pass issued free by the NPS. Other climbing areas are not affected at this time. Climbers need to be aware of the restrictions, obtain the pass and participate in the preparation of the Climbing Management Plan.
More information can be found on the Friends of Great Falls web site: www.friendsofgreatfalls.com.
There is also a listserv at groups.yahoo.com.