FreeLists / va-bird / [va-bird] The future of Possum Point near Dumfries, VA

[Jay Keller <azure.jay2006@xxxxxxxxx>]

VA-Birders,
   
  I just wanted to send along a brief note to remind interested folks of the 
Prince William County Planning Commission public hearing set for tomorrow 
evening, October 4, 2006 at 7 PM.  On the agenda is a discussion regarding the 
future development of 978 acres of land that as of now is largely forested, 
harboring many breeding songbirds that are difficult to find elsewhere in the 
region such as Yellow-throated Warblers and Black-and-white Warblers, among 
several others.
   
  The area in question is a large peninsula just east of Dumfries, VA, bordered 
on the east by the Potomac River and on the south by Quantico Creek.  Several 
of us have enjoyed the area's birding for years, and I have recorded over 150 
species in just the last two years there.  There have been many occasions where 
birders have recorded over 20 species of warblers on this road in a couple of 
hours during migration.
   
  Large portions of the area are owned by Dominion Virginia Power, and their 
property holds a breeding pair of Bald Eagles.  Thankfully this property will 
remain as-is for the time being.
   
  Unfortunately, the planning and approvals have mostly been granted, according 
to a representative I spoke with last week in the PW Co Planning Office.  
Tomorrow's discussion apparently involves amendments to the original proposal, 
such as the location of a bike path, etc.  She also mentioned that about 45% of 
the area in question is "protected" environmentally, and that most of the area 
to the east of Cockpit Point Road will remain untouched, except for a possible 
parking area at the top potion which would give access to areas to the east.  
The area to the west of Cockpit Point Road will be developed as housing, 
businesses, a school, and other uses.  There are also plans for a VRE station 
and a marina.  I am unclear if there will be a tree-line buffer zone along the 
west side of the road, but the representative said that there will be no road 
access to the developed areas from Cockpit Point Road.  
   
  Admittedly, I have not had the time in the past week to really deeply examine 
all of the details of the proposal, so please take some time and review the 
documents if you are interested.  The representative referenced Staff Reports 
PRA194 and REZ195 as descriptive of the more protected areas.  They can be 
found by visiting www.pwcgov.org.
   
  Because of unavoidable schedule conflicts I have with work, I may not be able 
to attend tomorrow's hearing.  However, it may be a good idea for interested 
individuals to attend in case there is opportunity to voice an opinion or two.
   
  The meeting will be held at 7 PM at the following location:
   
  Board of County Supervisors' Chamber
  James J McCoart Administration Building
  1 County Complex Court
  Prince William, VA 22192
   
  The following link will provide useful information on the hearing as well as 
the project itself.  Click on the link relating to "Harbor Station South."
  http://www.pwcgov.org/docLibrary/PDF/005333.pdf
   
  In sum, it is unfortunate to be losing large portions of such a magnificent 
area so close to the hustle and bustle of Washington DC, but I suppose it is to 
be expected.  I am not against development, but I do wish that planners and 
developers had stronger considerations for our natural areas, especially those 
along key migration routes and other more sensitive areas.  The best we can do 
is to keep educating them and pointing out the natural world around them that 
they may take for granted.
   
  Thanks,
   
  Jay Keller,
  Arlington
   
   

                
---------------------------------
Do you Yahoo!?
 Get on board. You're invited to try the new Yahoo! Mail.